NU Core Overview

NU Core

In April 2006, Northeastern University adopted the NU Core, an institution-wide general education requirement. In creating the NU Core, Northeastern faculty, administrators, and students worked together to identify a set of shared general education goals for all students in all majors. The NU Core intends to develop in our students the knowledge and skills to be lifelong learners with success in many careers, thoughtful global citizens and fulfilled human beings. The NU Core is required for all freshmen entering in Fall 2007 and later. It does not apply to students already admitted with a different set of core requirements or to transfer students whose cognate year falls outside the NU Core implementation date.

The NU Core requirements are:

First-Year Learning Community: A linked set of two or more courses in the same semester in which students are cohort-registered; provides integration of subject matter and an opportunity for students and faculty with similar interests to become acquainted.

Knowledge Domains (4 courses): An approved introductory level course in each of three knowledge domains: arts/humanities, social science, and science/technology, and an intermediate or advanced course outside the major department. Generally one of the introductory level courses also satisfies a requirement for the major.

Writing Intensive Instruction (4 courses): A first-year writing course and an advanced writing course provided by the English Department, and two approved writing-intensive courses in the majors. Generally the capstone course serves as one of the major-specific writing courses.

Mathematical/Analytical Thinking (2 courses): An approved introductory level course in mathematical thinking and its application to posing and solving problems, and an approved intermediate level course in modes of thought that allow abstraction, application and synthesis of information.

Comparative Study of Cultures (1 course): One course approved for this requirement or another approved approach, including study abroad with a diversity-focused reflection component.

Integrated Experiential Learning: One approved experience with a reflective component for each student, and opportunities disbursed throughout each student’s undergraduate education to encourage the development of seeing connections between course work and experiential learning.

Capstone Experience (1 course): An approved course in the final semesters that acts as a final integrator of the major, general education and experiential aspects of the student’s education. Generally this course also includes writing-intensive work and research or creative activity.

Some courses fit one of the knowledge domain categories as well as the comparative study of cultures category. These courses are listed in both appropriate NU Core categories to give students more flexibility in how they select courses to meet requirements. However, a student can not fulfill both the knowledge domain requirement and the comparative study of cultures requirement by taking a single course. In contrast, some intermediate/advanced courses within the major curriculum do allow fulfilling two NU Core requirements with a single course, e.g., the capstone course often serves as one of the writing intensive courses within the major.

Skip Navigation • NU Site Map • Campus Map/Directions • Financial Aid • myNEU • NU Home


Catalogs Course Descriptions Schedules Calendars Student Billing Husky Card Academic Records Student Services Forms FAQ Contact Us Registrar Home		NU Core NU Core Courses Master List Offerings Fall Semester 2008 In April 2006, Northeastern University adopted the NU Core, an institution-wide general education requirement. In creating the NU Core, Northeastern faculty, administrators, and students worked together to identify a set of shared general education goals for all students in all majors. The NU Core intends to develop in our students the knowledge and skills to be lifelong learners with success in many careers, thoughtful global citizens and fulfilled human beings. The NU Core is required for all freshmen entering in Fall 2007 and later. It does not apply to students already admitted with a different set of core requirements or to transfer students whose cognate year falls outside the NU Core implementation date. The NU Core requirements are: First-Year Learning Community: A linked set of two or more courses in the same semester in which students are cohort-registered; provides integration of subject matter and an opportunity for students and faculty with similar interests to become acquainted. Knowledge Domains (4 courses): An approved introductory level course in each of three knowledge domains: arts/humanities, social science, and science/technology, and an intermediate or advanced course outside the major department. Generally one of the introductory level courses also satisfies a requirement for the major. Writing Intensive Instruction (4 courses): A first-year writing course and an advanced writing course provided by the English Department, and two approved writing-intensive courses in the majors. Generally the capstone course serves as one of the major-specific writing courses. Mathematical/Analytical Thinking (2 courses): An approved introductory level course in mathematical thinking and its application to posing and solving problems, and an approved intermediate level course in modes of thought that allow abstraction, application and synthesis of information. Comparative Study of Cultures (1 course): One course approved for this requirement or another approved approach, including study abroad with a diversity-focused reflection component. Integrated Experiential Learning: One approved experience with a reflective component for each student, and opportunities disbursed throughout each student’s undergraduate education to encourage the development of seeing connections between course work and experiential learning. Capstone Experience (1 course): An approved course in the final semesters that acts as a final integrator of the major, general education and experiential aspects of the student’s education. Generally this course also includes writing-intensive work and research or creative activity. Some courses fit one of the knowledge domain categories as well as the comparative study of cultures category. These courses are listed in both appropriate NU Core categories to give students more flexibility in how they select courses to meet requirements. However, a student can not fulfill both the knowledge domain requirement and the comparative study of cultures requirement by taking a single course. In contrast, some intermediate/advanced courses within the major curriculum do allow fulfilling two NU Core requirements with a single course, e.g., the capstone course often serves as one of the writing intensive courses within the major.