Frequently Asked Questions
- When can I expect to register for classes?
- How do I find out about registration dates, first and last day of classes, dates to waive with and without a W, etc.?
- What if I really don't know what I want to major in?
- When should I choose my major?
- Do different majors have different requirements for admissions?
- If I don't choose my major by the end of freshman year, can I still go on co-op?
- Is is possible to choose a major in a College other than Arts & Sciences?
- How do I find out about dual majors and minors?
- Once I declare a major, is it possible to switch to a differnt major?
- How do I find out about careers related to certain majors?
- What is the advising structure in Arts and Sciences?
- What is I want to be 'Pre-Med'?
- If I want to be a teacher, what types of majors could I choose from?
- How do I know if I'm making satisfactory academic progress?
- Once I know what I want my major to be, how do I declare it?
- What is my degree audit and how do I find it?
1. When can I expect to register for classes?
- Fall registration: April
- Spring registration: October
- Summer 1/Summer 2 registration: December
- Specific registration dates can be found at www.registrar.neu.edu
Please note: classes fill up quickly, so if you would like to have a greater selection of courses, register early!
2. How do I find out about registration dates, first and last day of classes, dates to waive with and without a W, etc.?
All of this vital information can be found on the Registrar's website at www.registrar.neu.edu/schedules.html
3. What if I really don't know what I want to major in?
If you have no idea what you might want to major in, there are some helpful things you can do during your first semester or during your freshman year:
- During your first two semesters, we encourage you to take a variety of courses that interest you to help with your exploration process.
- Schedule an appointment with a career services counselor either on-line through your MyNEU Account or by phone, 617-373-2430. Career services counselors are available for as many appointments as you would like to assist you with the process of choosing the right major for you.
- You can see one of the dean's office advisors for undeclared students (One Meserve; 617-373-3980) to review the range of major options in the College of Arts and Sciences. You can also meet with faculty advisors in the major departments to discuss their specific programs (see the College website online for contact information: http://www.cas.neu.edu/undergrad/advising.html).
- You can meet with advisors in the College of Engineering, Criminal Justice, or Computer Science (contact the appropriate College student services office to set up appointments).
- If you are interested in transferring to The College of Business Administration or the Bouve College of Health Sciences, meet with Susan Kolls, the Internal Transfer Program advisor to find out more about the application process (120 Hayden; 617-373-2307) or visit www.registrar.neu.edu/itp.html.
4. When should I choose my major?
Ideally, it's best to get in to a major by the end of your freshman year. For majors that are less structured than others, it's fine to wait a little longer. However, for the more highly structured majors, if you don't get in by the end of your freshman year, you may delay your graduation date. When you get into a major also affects when you can participate in co-op (see question #6 below).
5. Do different majors have different requirements for admission?
Yes, definitely. For information about the criteria to get into majors within Arts and Sciences please look in the University Catalog.
6. If I don't choose my major by the end of freshman year, can I still go on co-op?
You must be in a major for at least one semester prior to going out on co-op within that major, so it is to your benefit to get into a major earlier rather than later. If you get into a major by the end of your freshman year, you will be eligible to go on co-op in the spring of your sophomore year. If you don't declare until the end of the fall of your sophomore year, then you need to wait until Summer 2/Fall to go out on co-op.
7. Is it possible to choose a major in a College other than Arts & Sciences?
Yes. All requirements for the majors throughout the University are in the Undergraduate Catalog. The catalog is available online or at the registrar's Office, 120 Hayden. If you're interested in transferring into another College at Northeastern, you will be able to find the information you need through the Internal Transfer Program, 120 Hayden, 617-373-2307, www.registrar.neu.edu/itp.html.
8. How do I find out about dual majors and minors?
The list of dual majors and minors is also in the Undergraduate Catalog or at the Center for Interdisciplinary Studies in 9 Holmes Hall.
9. Once I declare a major, is it possible to switch to a different major?
Yes, but you must be aware that additional switching of majors can lead to a delay of graduation and limited co-op opportunities. Be sure to get advice from a dean's office advisor, a major advisor, co-op coordinator and your financial aid advisor before you change your major so you are aware of the impact it will have on your year of graduation and co-op.
10. How do I find out about careers related to certain majors?
We encourage you to make an appointment with a career services counselor, which you can do easily through your Myneu Account or by calling 617-373-2430. The Career Services Department has a great deal of helpful information on their website and you will find it useful to visit this prior to making an appointment.
11. What is the advising structure in Arts and Sciences?
While you are an undeclared student and until you are accepted into a major, your advisors are Jan Swindlehurst and Kim Irmiter in the Center for Experiential Education and Academic advisors (1 Meserve). You can reach Jan and Kim at 617-373-3980 or at j.swindlehurst@neu.edu and k.irmiter@neu.edu.
Once you have been accepted into a major, you will have a faculty advisor within your major and a dean's office advisor (located in One Meserve) who is assigned to that major. You need to see your faculty advisor for help with course registration and general advice about the particular major, the discipline, career paths, etc. You should see your dean's office advisor for help navigating through Northeastern, to check on your overall academic progress, College requirements and to be cleared for graduation. There is a list of all Arts and Sciences advisors (dean's office and faculty) online at the college website: http://www.cas.neu.edu/undergrad/advising.html.
In addition, once you are in a major and if you participate in co-op, you will have a co-op coordinator who will assist you with preparation for your co-op experiences. Get more information on advising in co-op.
12. What if I want to be 'Pre-Med'?
Be sure to visit the website within the College of Arts and Sciences at http://www.premed.neu.edu. The site contains information about pre-med advising available in the College, as well as courses you will need to take to get into medical school. An important note: you can major in anything you want and get into medical school, you just need to follow the pre-med program and take the necessary science classes!
13. If I want to be a teacher, what types of majors could I choose from?
You should visit an advisor in the Department of Education in 26 Nightingale for more information about an appropriate major choice for the level of school (e.g., elementary or secondary) you plan to teach. State certification requirements change, so it is important that you speak to an advisor in the school of Education to keep up with the latest requirements. Read more about the (Department of Education) in the College of Arts and Sciences at Northeastern.
14. How do I know if I'm making satisfactory academic progress?
For information about academic progress as the University defines it, you should consult the Undergraduate Catalog. Some majors have additional expectations for academic progress within their program which can also be found in the University Catalog
The College reviews records of students for academic progress at the end of each semester. You will be notified if you fall short of the College/University standards. If you have questions or concerns about your academic progress, you can always make an appointment to see your dean's office advisor (617-373-3980).
Please note, for Undeclared students, part of making academic progress includes choosing a major and making progress in that major by the end of your sophomore year.
15. Once I know what I want my major to be, how do I declare it?
To declare your major, you need to obtain a petition from the front desk of One Meserve and take it to the appropriate department to get it signed by a faculty advisor. Once you have done this, return the petition to One Meserve for processing.
16. What is my degree audit and how do I find it?
The degree audit is an advising tool which you can use to keep track of your transfer credit and requirements in your major as well as in the arts and sciences core curriculum. You will find this tool extremely helpful because you can run an audit for any major within the university. You will be able to compare different majors and determine your level of interest in the courses within each major. Your audit is located in your MyNEU account under student self-service. Feel free to see your dean's office advisor for any questions you may have about your audit.
