Course Number System/Leveling

Every course number at Northeastern University consists of two parts:

  • A subject code
  • A four-digit number

For example, in the course number ECON 1115, ECON is the subject code (indicating economics), and 1115 is the four-digit
number.

The four-digit number indicates the course level.

Four-Digit
Number		Level
0001–0999Orientation and basic
No degree credit
1000–1999Introductory level (first year)
Survey, foundation, and introductory courses, normally with no prerequisites and
designed primarily for students with no prior background
2000–2999Intermediate level (sophomore/junior year)
Normally designed for sophomores and above but in some cases open to freshman
majors in the department
3000–3999Upper-intermediate level (junior year)
Designed primarily as courses for juniors; prerequisites are normally required, and these
courses are prerequisites for advanced courses
4000–4999Advanced level (senior year)
Designed primarily for juniors and seniors; also includes specialized courses such as
research, capstone, and thesis
Four-Digit
Number		Level
0001–0999Orientation and basic
No degree credit
5000–5999First-level graduate
Courses primarily for graduate students and qualified undergraduate students
with permission
6000–6999Second-level graduate
Generally for master’s and clinical doctorate only
7000–7999Third-level graduate
Master’s- and doctoral-level courses; includes master’s thesis
8000–8999Clinical/research/readings
Includes comprehensive exam preparation
9000–9999Doctoral research and dissertation