Get a head start on your college degree at Northern by enrolling in general education courses eligible for Dual Credit! Choose your area of interest below for a list of majors and the general education courses applicable to the major. To browse all courses by semester, visit Self-Service Banner. For assistance, please contact Matthew Perreault.

Business and Management

MAJORS

• Accounting
• Banking and Financial Services
• Business Administration
• Finance
• International Business Studies
• Management
• Management Information Systems
• Marketing
• Sport Marketing and Administration

 

Many on-campus and online general education courses are available for students to select. System General Education Requirements (SGR) courses promote educational breadth, develop critical thinking, and equip students with the skills needed to engage in their communities and the world at large.

COURSES

System General Education Requirements (SGR)

 

SGR Goal 1: Written Communication (prerequisites may apply)

ENGL 101¡ª Composition I 

ENGL 201¡ª Composition II 

SGR Goal 2: Oral Communication

CMST 101¡ªFundamentals of Speech

SGR Goal 3: Social Science ¡ª select two courses from two different disciplines

ECON 201¡ªPrinciples of Microeconomics

ECON 202¡ªPrinciples of Macroeconomics

GEOG 210¡ªWorld Regional Geography 

PSYC 101¡ªGeneral Psychology OR SOC 100¡ªIntroduction to Sociology

Business majors are required to take both ECON 201 and ECON 202. One of these options will apply to this requirement.  For international business studies majors, GEOG 210 counts toward the SGR and major requirement. 

SGR Goal 4: Fine Arts and Humanities¡ªselect two courses from two different disciplines

Artistic Expression

ARTH 100¡ªArt Appreciation

MUS 100¡ªMusic Appreciation

THEA 100¡ªIntroduction to Theatre

THEA 131¡ªIntroduction to Acting

Language and Literature (prerequisites may apply)

ENGL 210¡ªIntroduction to Literature

GLAN 101¡ªIntroductory German I (or a higher-level course, depending on experience)

FREN 101¡ªIntroductory French I (or a higher-level course, depending on experience) 

SPAN 101¡ªIntroductory Spanish I (or a higher-level course, depending on experience)

Social Connections

HIST 121¡ªWestern Civilization I

HIST 122¡ªWestern Civilization II

PHIL 100¡ªIntroduction to Philosophy

International business studies majors may take two courses from different disciplines and two semesters of the same foreign language. The language courses will also apply to program requirements.

SGR Goal 5: Mathematics (prerequisites may apply)

MATH 114¡ªCollege Algebra (or appropriate math course based on placement)

SGR Goal 6: Natural Science - select two courses/labs for a total of at least six credits

BIOL 101/L¡ªBiology Survey I and lab

BIOL 211/L¡ªEnvironmental Biology and lab

BIOL 235/L¡ªIntroduction to Biotechnology and lab

CHEM 106/L¡ªChemistry Survey and lab (pre-requisites may apply)

GEOG 131/L¡ªPhysical Geography: Weather and Climate and lab

GEOG 132/L¡ªPhysical Geography: Natural Landscapes and lab

Secondary Education and Social Sciences

MAJORS

• Secondary Education (requires subject area)
• Physical Education
• Criminal Justice
• Government
• Sociology
• Psychology

Please see below for elementary education and special education.

COURSES

System General Education Requirements (SGR)

SGR Goal 1: Written Communication (prerequisites may apply)

ENGL 101¡ª Composition I 

ENGL 201¡ª Composition II

SGR Goal 2: Oral Communication

CMST 101¡ªFundamentals of Speech

SGR Goal 3: Social Science ¡ª select two courses from two different disciplines

CJUS 201¡ªIntroduction to Criminal Justice

HIST 151¡ªUnited States History I OR HIST 152¡ªUnited States History II 

POLS 100¡ªAmerican Government

PSYC 101¡ªGeneral Psychology

SOC 100¡ªIntroduction to Sociology

CJUS majors are required to take SOC 100 and CJUS 201.  Other programs should take the introductory course within the major and one other choice from a different discipline.

SGR Goal 4: Fine Arts and Humanities ¡ª select two courses from two different disciplines

Artistic Expression

ARTH 100¡ªArt Appreciation

MUS 100¡ªMusic Appreciation

THEA 100¡ªIntroduction to Theatre

THEA 131¡ªIntroduction to Acting

Language and Literature (prerequisites may apply)

ENGL 210¡ªIntroduction to Literature

GLAN 101¡ªIntroductory German I (or a higher-level course, depending on experience)

FREN 101¡ªIntroductory French I (or a higher-level course, depending on experience)

SPAN 101¡ªIntroductory Spanish I (or a higher-level course, depending on experience)

Social Connections

HIST 121¡ªWestern Civilization I

HIST 122¡ªWestern Civilization II

PHIL 100¡ªIntroduction to Philosophy

BA degrees require two additional courses from different disciplines with minimum one semester of a foreign language (or a year of the same foreign language).

SGR Goal 5: Mathematics (prerequisites may apply)

MATH 103¡ªMathematical Reasoning (or appropriate math course based on placement).

MATH 114¡ªCollege Algebra (or appropriate math course based on placement)

MATH 103 is appropriate for majors that do not require a higher level math as a prerequisite for upper-level courses. MATH 114 is recommended for PE majors.

SGR Goal 6: Natural Science - select two courses/labs for a total of at least six credits

BIOL 101/L¡ªBiology Survey I and lab

BIOL 211/L¡ªEnvironmental Biology and lab

BIOL 235/L¡ªIntroduction to Biotechnology and lab

CHEM 106/L¡ªChemistry Survey and lab (prerequisites may apply)

GEOG 131/L¡ªPhysical Geography: Weather and Climate and lab

GEOG 132/L¡ªPhysical Geography: Natural Landscapes and lab

Elementary Education and Special Education

MAJORS

• Elementary Education
• Special Education

 

COURSES

System General Education Requirements (SGR)

SGR Goal 1: Written Communication (prerequisites may apply)

ENGL 101¡ª Composition I 

ENGL 201¡ª Composition II

SGR Goal 2: Oral Communication

CMST 101¡ªFundamentals of Speech

SGR Goal 3: Social Science

GEOG 210--World Regional Geography

HIST 151¡ªUnited States History I OR HIST 152¡ªUnited States History II 

POLS 100¡ªAmerican Government

ELED and SPED majors are required to take POLS 100, GEOG 210 and HIST 151 or HIST 152. Two of these will apply to this requirement.

SGR Goal 4: Fine Arts and Humanities ¡ª select two courses from two different disciplines

Artistic Expression

ARTH 100¡ªArt Appreciation

MUS 100¡ªMusic Appreciation

THEA 100¡ªIntroduction to Theatre

THEA 131¡ªIntroduction to Acting

Language and Literature (prerequisites may apply)

ENGL 210¡ªIntroduction to Literature

GLAN 101¡ªIntroductory German I (or a higher-level course, depending on experience)

FREN 101¡ªIntroductory French I (or a higher-level course, depending on experience)

SPAN 101¡ªIntroductory Spanish I (or a higher-level course, depending on experience)

Social Connections

HIST 121¡ªWestern Civilization I

HIST 122¡ªWestern Civilization II

PHIL 100¡ªIntroduction to Philosophy

SGR Goal 5: Mathematics (prerequisites may apply)

MATH 103¡ªMathematical Reasoning (or appropriate math course based on placement).

MATH 114¡ªCollege Algebra (or appropriate math course based on placement)

MATH 103 is appropriate for majors that do not require a higher level math as a prerequisite for upper-level courses.

SGR Goal 6: Natural Science¡ªselect two courses/labs for a total of at least six credits

BIOL 101/L¡ªBiology Survey I and lab

BIOL 211/L¡ªEnvironmental Biology and lab

BIOL 235/L¡ªIntroduction to Biotechnology and lab

CHEM 106/L¡ªChemistry Survey and lab (prerequisites may apply)

GEOG 131/L¡ªPhysical Geography: Weather and Climate and lab

GEOG 132/L¡ªPhysical Geography: Natural Landscapes and lab

ELED and SPED majors must take at least one semester of biology.

Engineering, Technology and Math

MAJORS

• Mathematics
• Mathematics Education
• Pre-Engineering

 

COURSES

System General Education Requirements (SGR)

SGR Goal 1: Written Communication (prerequisites may apply)

ENGL 101¡ª Composition I 

ENGL 201¡ª Composition II

SGR Goal 2: Oral Communication

CMST 101¡ªFundamentals of Speech

SGR Goal 3: Social Science

ECON 201¡ªPrinciples of Microeconomics

POLS 100¡ªAmerican Government

Some pre-engineering majors are required to take ECON 201.

SGR Goal 4: Fine Arts and Humanities ¡ª select two courses from two different disciplines

Artistic Expression

ARTH 100¡ªArt Appreciation

MUS 100¡ªMusic Appreciation

THEA 100¡ªIntroduction to Theatre

THEA 131¡ªIntroduction to Acting

Language and Literature (prerequisites may apply)

ENGL 210¡ªIntroduction to Literature

GLAN 101¡ªIntroductory German I (or a higher-level course, depending on experience)

FREN 101¡ªIntroductory French I (or a higher-level course, depending on experience)

SPAN 101¡ªIntroductory Spanish I (or a higher-level course, depending on experience)

Social Connections

HIST 121¡ªWestern Civilization I

HIST 122¡ªWestern Civilization II

PHIL 100¡ªIntroduction to Philosophy

SGR Goal 5: Mathematics (prerequisites may apply)

MATH 114¡ªCollege Algebra (or appropriate math course based on placement)

MATH 120¡ªTrigonometry (or appropriate math course based on placement)

MATH 123¡ªCalculus I (or appropriate math course based on placement)

Students are encouraged to take the highest-level course based on their placement and skill.

SGR Goal 6: Natural Science ¡ª select two courses/labs for a total of at least six credits (prerequisites may apply)

BIOL 101/L¡ªBiology Survey I and lab

BIOL 211/L¡ªEnvironmental Biology and lab

BIOL 235/L¡ªIntroduction to Biotechnology and lab

CHEM 106/L¡ªChemistry Survey and lab 

CHEM 112/L¡ªGeneral Chemistry I and lab AND CHEM 114/L¡ªGeneral Chemistry II and lab  

GEOG 131/L¡ªPhysical Geography: Weather and Climate and lab

GEOG 132/L¡ªPhysical Geography: Natural Landscapes and lab

Science courses should be completed in sequence. Often, students interested in science-based majors are better served by taking lab science courses face-to-face in an actual lab, so online courses may not be the best option for some students.

Students interested in pre-engineering should take CHEM 112/L and CHEM 114/L.

The natural science requirements for degree programs may vary. It is recommended that students confirm the required courses for their desired degree. 

 

Health Sciences

MAJORS

• Chiropractic Health Care
• Human Performance
• Medical Laboratory Science
• Mortuary Science
• Pre-Athletic Training
• Pre-Nursing

 

COURSES

SGR Goal 1: Written Communication (prerequisites may apply)

ENGL 101¡ª Composition I 

ENGL 201¡ª Composition II

SGR Goal 2: Oral Communication

CMST 101¡ªFundamentals of Speech

SGR Goal 3: Social Science ¡ª select two courses from two different disciplines

PSYC 101¡ªGeneral Psychology

SOC 100¡ªIntroduction to Sociology

SGR Goal 4: Fine Arts and Humanities ¡ª select two courses from two different disciplines

Artistic Expression

ARTH 100¡ªArt Appreciation

MUS 100¡ªMusic Appreciation

THEA 100¡ªIntroduction to Theatre

THEA 131¡ªIntroduction to Acting

Language and Literature (prerequisites may apply)

ENGL 210¡ªIntroduction to Literature

GLAN 101¡ªIntroductory German I (or a higher-level course, depending on experience)

FREN 101¡ªIntroductory French I (or a higher-level course, depending on experience)

SPAN 101¡ªIntroductory Spanish I (or a higher-level course, depending on experience)

Social Connections

HIST 121¡ªWestern Civilization I

HIST 122¡ªWestern Civilization II

PHIL 100¡ªIntroduction to Philosophy

SGR Goal 5: Mathematics (prerequisites may apply)

MATH 114¡ªCollege Algebra (or appropriate math course based on placement)

SGR Goal 6: Natural Science¡ªselect two courses/labs for a total of at least six credits (prerequisites may apply)

Human Performance

BIOL 101/L¡ªBiology Survey I and lab

BIOL 211/L¡ªEnvironmental Biology and lab

BIOL 151/L¡ªGeneral Biology I and lab AND BIOL 153/L¡ªGeneral Biology II and lab (if desired)

CHEM 106/L¡ªChemistry Survey and lab

GEOG 131/L¡ªPhysical Geography: Weather and Climate and lab

GEOG 132/L¡ªPhysical Geography: Natural Landscapes and lab

Pre-Nursing

CHEM 106/L¡ªChemistry Survey and lab AND CHEM 108/L¡ªOrganic and Biochemistry and lab

OR CHEM 112/L¡ªGeneral Chemistry I and lab AND CHEM 114/L¡ªGeneral Chemistry II and lab

Other Sciences

BIOL 151/L¡ªGeneral Biology I and lab AND BIOL 153/L¡ªGeneral Biology II and lab

CHEM 112/L¡ªGeneral Chemistry I and lab AND CHEM 114/L¡ªGeneral Chemistry II and lab

Science courses should be completed in sequence. Often, students interested in science-based majors are better served by taking lab science courses face-to-face in an actual lab, so online courses may not be the best option for some students.

The natural science requirements for degree programs may vary. It is recommended that students confirm the required courses for their desired degree.

Humanities, Fine Arts and Design

MAJORS

• Art Education
• English Education
• History Education
• Music Education
• Spanish Education
• Art
• Communication Studies
• English
• General Studies
• Global Language and Culture
• History
• Pre-Journalism
• Music
• Musical Theater
• Spanish
• Studio Art

 

COURSES

System General Education Requirements (SGR)

SGR Goal 1: Written Communication (prerequisites may apply)

ENGL 101¡ª Composition I 

ENGL 201¡ª Composition II

SGR Goal 2: Oral Communication

CMST 101¡ªFundamentals of Speech

SGR Goal 3: Social Science ¡ª select two courses from two different disciplines

PSYC 101¡ªGeneral Psychology OR HIST 151¡ªUnited States History I  (if not taking HIST 152)

SOC 100¡ªIntroduction to Sociology OR HIST 152¡ªUnited States History II (if not taking HIST 151)

History majors are required to take both HIST 151 and HIST 152. One of these will apply to this requirement.

SGR Goal 4: Fine Arts and Humanities ¡ª select two courses from two different disciplines.

Artistic Expression

ARTH 100¡ªArt Appreciation

MUS 100¡ªMusic Appreciation

THEA 100¡ªIntroduction to Theatre

THEA 131¡ªIntroduction to Acting

Language and Literature (prerequisites may apply)

ENGL 210¡ªIntroduction to Literature

GLAN 101¡ªIntroductory German I (or a higher-level course, depending on experience)

FREN 101¡ªIntroductory French I (or a higher-level course, depending on experience)

SPAN 101¡ªIntroductory Spanish I (or a higher-level course, depending on experience)

Social Connections

HIST 121¡ªWestern Civilization I

HIST 122¡ªWestern Civilization II

PHIL 100¡ªIntroduction to Philosophy

English, English education, and music majors are required to take additional foreign language courses. BA degrees require two additional courses from different disciplines with minimum one semester of a foreign language (or a year of the same foreign language).

More advanced artistic expression classes not listed here may be most appropriate for art, music and studio art majors.

SGR Goal 5: Mathematics (prerequisites may apply)

MATH 103¡ªMathematical Reasoning (or appropriate math course based on placement)

MATH 114¡ªCollege Algebra (or appropriate math course based on placement)

MATH 103 is appropriate for majors that do not require a higher level math as a prerequisite for upper-level courses.

SGR Goal 6: Natural Science¡ªselect two courses/labs for a total of at least six credits

BIOL 101/L¡ªBiology Survey I and lab

BIOL 211/L¡ªEnvironmental Biology and lab

BIOL 235/L¡ªIntroduction to Biotechnology and lab

CHEM 106/L¡ªChemistry Survey and lab (prerequisites may apply)

GEOG 131/L¡ªPhysical Geography: Weather and Climate and lab

GEOG 132/L¡ªPhysical Geography: Natural Landscapes and lab

Natural Sciences and Agriculture

MAJORS

• Biology
• Biology Education
• Chemistry
• Chemistry Education
• Environmental Science

 

COURSES

System General Education Requirements (SGR)

SGR Goal 1: Written Communication (prerequisites may apply)

ENGL 101¡ª Composition I 

ENGL 201¡ª Composition II

SGR Goal 2: Oral Communication

CMST 101¡ªFundamentals of Speech

SGR Goal 3: Social Science ¡ª select two courses from two different disciplines

PSYC 101¡ªGeneral Psychology

HIST 151¡ªUnited States History I OR SOC 100¡ªIntroduction to Sociology

SGR Goal 4: Fine Arts and Humanities ¡ª select two courses from two different categories

Artistic Expression

ARTH 100¡ªArt Appreciation

MUS 100¡ªMusic Appreciation

THEA 100¡ªIntroduction to Theatre

THEA 131¡ªIntroduction to Acting

Language and Literature(prerequisites may apply)

ENGL 210¡ªIntroduction to Literature

GLAN 101¡ªIntroductory German I (or a higher-level course, depending on experience)

FREN 101¡ªIntroductory French I (or a higher-level course, depending on experience)

SPAN 101¡ªIntroductory Spanish I (or a higher-level course, depending on experience)

Social Connections

HIST 121¡ªWestern Civilization I

HIST 122¡ªWestern Civilization II

PHIL 100¡ªIntroduction to Philosophy

SGR Goal 6: Natural Science ¡ª select two courses/labs for a total of at least six credits. Prerequisites may apply.

Biology and Environmental Science

BIOL 151/L¡ªGeneral Biology I and lab AND BIOL 153/L¡ªGeneral Biology II and lab

CHEM 106/L¡ªChemistry Survey and lab - may be taken as an elective to prepare for CHEM 112/L

CHEM 112/L¡ªGeneral Chemistry I and lab AND CHEM 114/L¡ªGeneral Chemistry II and lab

Chemistry

CHEM 112/L¡ªGeneral Chemistry I and lab AND CHEM 114/L¡ªGeneral Chemistry II and lab

Science courses should be completed in sequence. Often, students interested in science-based majors are better served by taking lab science courses face-to-face in an actual lab, so online courses may not be the best option for some students.

The natural science requirements for degree programs may vary. It is recommended that students confirm the required courses for their desired degree.