Undergraduate degree requirements are established by the faculties of each school. While the requirements consequently differ significantly by school, all students must pursue at least one major (their degree major) in their home school to earn a Northwestern undergraduate degree.

Students often also elect to pursue additional majors, minors, certificates, and other special programs in schools other than their own, in addition to those from their home school. A program like this results in a single undergraduate degree with multiple majors. 

Students may also apply and be admitted to multiple schools that offer pre-approved dual degrees. A program like this results in two different undergraduate degrees conferred by the two different schools and often requires an additional year of study.