Social Policy at Northwestern University

Programme overview

The Social Policy concentration explores how policies function as the guiding principles on which social programs are based. Students interested in public service, public policy, public health, and law typically choose to follow the requirements of the social policy concentration. Courses analyze how social policies and social institutions influence the course of human lives and how people can influence social policies.

Faculty: School of Education and Social Policy | Study mode: full-time | Location: Evanston, IL, United States

What you will study

All Social Policy students complete a one-quarter practicum internship for academic credit during their junior year to use the skills and knowledge introduced in the classroom. In addition to core courses in life span development, research, and statistics, students have the flexibility to tailor the program to their unique interests by creating an interdisciplinary specialization.

Career pathways

Many graduates go directly into the workforce upon graduation while others go to graduate school, often for law, public policy, medicine or public health, or pursue a fellowship.

Official programme page

Application information

USD 71,802 a year (2026-27). Undergraduate tuition for 2026-27 (full-time $23,934 per quarter, fall/winter/spring); a single rate for all full-time undergraduate degree programmes; excludes room and board, student health, activity and athletics fees and health insurance. Source

Undergraduate terms run fall, winter and spring (quarter system); first-year applicants apply through Early Decision, Regular Decision or QuestBridge.

First-year deadlines for 2026-27: QuestBridge October 1, 2026; Early Decision November 1, 2026 (decisions December 2026); Regular Decision January 4, 2027 (decisions March 2027). Transfer: Early Decision March 1, 2027; Regular Decision April 1, 2027 (priority deadline for Bienen transfer applicants January 4, 2027).

Apply through the Common Application or Apply Coalition with Scoir (QuestBridge for QuestBridge applicants). The nonrefundable application fee is $75 or a fee waiver. Northwestern is test-optional and does not require SAT or ACT scores.

Graduate applications for 2026-27 open September 15, 2026; deadlines vary by programme. The Graduate School application fee is $95 and nonrefundable, paid by credit or debit card.

Apply through the official page: https://admissions.northwestern.edu/apply/

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