Every Weinberg College student needs to take two one-quarter courses in each of six designated areas at some point before graduating. These are referred to as distribution requirements. Here are two important things to remember when you choose your distribution requirement courses:
- Courses you count toward distribution requirements must be on the approved list for the year in which you take them.
- A maximum of two of the twelve courses you count toward your distribution requirements can be credits you earned through AP or IB testing. Each of these must be in a different distribution requirement area. (NOTE: Students who entered before Fall 2006 can count up to six AP or IB credits toward the distribution requirements.)
There's no single strategy for completing distribution requirements – and there’s no need to hurry and cram them all in during freshman year. Generally, however, it’s a good idea to try to complete around half of them while you are a freshman—and some of the rest during your second year. Why? For one thing, distribution courses can be the foundation for more advanced courses you'll want to take later. For another, taking courses in a range of different academic areas can help you to decide which area, or areas, you’d like to explore in greater depth—as a major, a minor, or a more informal area of focus. Also, for many students, the third and fourth years of college are a time to concentrate on a major, to take advantage of internship and research opportunities, and to complement their major coursework with other courses related to their post-graduation plans. You do have the entirety of your time at Northwestern to finish this requirement, but it’s a good idea to plan ahead.
Fulfilling College requirements, including the distribution requirements, is definitely important. Keep in mind, though, that this should not be your only goal in selecting courses. Most students have plenty of room in their schedules to take some classes just because they're excited by a topic and want to learn more about it.
