Global Pathways FAQs
- Academics and Curriculum
- Admissions
- Contacts
- Graduation
- Money
How do I choose which Northeastern Pathways Program to attend?
The best way to answer this question is ask a question: what degree do you want
to earn and in what specialty? For example, if you would like to earn a Master's
in Economics, the Postgraduate program in Business and Social Sciences is the Pathway
toward your degree. If you want to earn a Bachelor's in Engineering the Undergraduate
program in Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science is the Pathways Program
for you. Learn more about Pathways to degrees and specializations.
Who are the Pathways teachers?
All the Pathways teachers are Northeastern professors or Doctoral candidates at
Northeastern University.
What qualifications do I earn when I graduate from pathways?
You will receive a Certificate in Undergraduate or Postgraduate Pathways Studies
in your chosen area of specialization. In addition, you will receive an official
transcript from Northeastern University listing the courses you took and the grades
you received.
How do I apply?
In brief, you need to complete the Pathways Application and send it along with your
official transcripts from your college or university and certified copy of coursework
equivalency evaluation translated into English, reference letters from people who
know you, results of your English proficiency exam (TOEFL, IELTS or TOEIC) and your
curriculum vitae. Please see the detailed instructions on how to apply to the Undergraduate
and Postgradute Pathways programs.
What must I send in with the application?
You must send in one envelope the completed application, your college or university
transcripts and certified copy of coursework equivalency evaluation translated into
English, one or more reference letters (depends on the Pathways course you apply
to), results of your English proficiency exam (TOEFL, IELTS or TOEIC) and a curriculum
vitae and your personal statement. All of these documents should be translated into
English. Please download the application. All applicants to Pathways must also complete
and send with the application the Declaration and Certification of Finances (DCF).
The DCF enables Northeastern to generate an I-20 form, which the U.S. government
requires in order to grant you an F-1 student visa. If you are already attending
a college or university in the U.S. and have a valid F-1 or J-1 visa, you must also
complete the Transfer-In form.
By what date must I apply?
In general, we need to receive your complete application package in one envelope
about 6-8 weeks before classes start. That gives us enough time to respond to your
application and for you to secure a U.S. visa. See the timelines for the Undergraduate
and Postgraduate Pathways programs.
Does my application have to be completed in English?
Yes, the Pathways Application must be completed in English
As part of the application, "reference letters" are requested; what are these?
We want to give you an opportunity to have people you know tell us about you. For
the Undergraduate Application these letters can be "character" references, which
are often from teachers, advisors, friends and/or colleagues. For the Postgraduate
Pathways application, these sometimes are character reference letters or "academic
reference" letters, which means they should be from a teacher or professor that
knows you. Please be sure to read the complete Admission Requirements for Undergraduate
and Postgraduate programs.
As part of the application, a "certified copy of the coursework equivalency evaluation"
is required; what is this?
If you completed all or some of your education outside of the U.S., you must have
your credentials evaluated in order to have them understood and recognized by Northeastern.
A certified evaluation will provide you and Northeastern with the U.S. academic
equivalents for your credentials.
Where, when and how do I take the test for English proficiency in my country?
Our representative in your country should be able to help you answer this question.
Please also be sure to visit the following Internet sites: TOEFL, IELTS, TOEIC.
Must I meet all the Admission Requirements in order to be accepted to Pathways?
The admission requirements are guidelines for you. In short, they are the qualifications
we recommend you have when you apply to Pathways. In some cases, we will consider
an applicant who falls a bit short in one area but excels significantly in another
area.
When will I know if I've been accepted to Pathways?
As part of the application we ask for your email address. We will send you email
notification within 7 business days after we receive your completed application
file. Written notification by post will follow a few days later.
Who do I contact if I have any further questions about Pathways? You are welcome
to send us an email at northeastern@global-pathways.com. Better yet, you might want
to contact our representative in your country who can speak to you by phone or even
meet with you.
What degrees am I eligible to earn after I finish Pathways?
When you graduate from the Undergraduate Pathways Program you will enter the second
year of one of Northeastern's bachelor's degree programs. Depending on which major
area of study you chose when you applied to Pathways, you will earn a Bachelor's
of Arts, Bachelor's of Fine Arts or Bachelor's of Science. Different majors earn
different bachelor's degrees. The Postgraduate Pathways Program leads to earning
a master's degree. Find out about the complete range of degree choices. The transition
to Northeastern University is different for each college. Some graduate schools
require that students use “Apply Yourself.”
Once I'm accepted to Pathways, do I automatically also get accepted into a bachelor's
or master's degree program?
In order to progress from Pathways to the bachelor's or master's degree of your
choice you are required to graduate from Pathways. Please see the Graduation Requirements
for Undergraduate and Postgraduate Pathways Pograms.
What University standards or rules must I comply with in order to graduate?
All students at Northeastern must meet the University's standards and abide by its
rules regarding financial, behavioral and immigration status while you are a Northeastern
student. Financial compliance means that you have met your financial obligations.
Behavioral status means that you are in compliance with city, state and federal
laws and that you are in compliance with Northeastern's Code of Student Conduct.
For more information, see http://www.osccr.neu.edu Immigration status means that
you are in compliance with the terms of your U.S. visa.
What can I do if I have a few weeks or months between when I finish Pathways and
when I start my bachelor's or master's degree?
The time between finishing Pathways and starting your bachelor's or master's degree
will be as little as two weeks or as long as 18 weeks. Some students use the in-between
time to travel around the U.S. or to go home for vacation. Others use the time to
take a class or two at Northeastern or elsewhere that earns them credit toward their
degree. If you do leave the country it's very important that you speak with our
International Office to make sure you remain in compliance with your student visa
regulations.
How much does it cost to apply to Pathways?
It is free to apply to the Northeastern Pathways Program. There are no application
fees. However, you are required to submit your score on a recognized English proficiency
test such as TOEFL, IELTS or TOEIC. The test provider in your country may charge
you a fee to take this exam, however, this fee does not go to Northeastern.
Must I pay a deposit if I am accepted to Pathways?
There are a limited number of places available in the Pathways program. Therefore,
if you are accepted to Pathways we require a deposit to secure your place. If we
do not receive your deposit we can not hold a place for you. The deposit is US$1000
and is applied to your tuition. This deposit is payable to Northeastern University
and must be paid by U.S. bank draft, credit card (Visa or MasterCard) or electronic
transfer. Details on where, how and when to remit payment will be in your acceptance
packet, which you'll receive shortly after being accepted to Pathways.
If I'm accepted how much tuition do I pay?
The Pathways program tuition will depend upon the number of terms studied as determined
by student's eligibility. Undergraduate Pathways tuition costs are as follows: 1
Term: $10,500; 2 Terms: $18,000; 3 Terms: $24,500. The Postgraduate Pathways program
tuition costs are as follows: 1 Term: $10,500; 2 Terms: $18,000. Each term's tuition
is due four weeks before the start of the semester. Tuition is payable to Northeastern
University and must be paid by U.S. bank draft, credit card (Visa or MasterCard)
or electronic transfer. Directions regarding your deposit will be in your offer
letter, which you'll receive shortly after your acceptance into the Pathways program.
Can I work and earn money while I'm attending Pathways?
During the Pathways program, you may not engage in employment; however, when you
are accepted into a Northeastern bachelor's or master's degree program, you may
be eligible to work and earn money, for example, as part of the Northeastern "Co-op"
program for bachelor's degree candidates, pending authorization from Northeastern’s
International Student & Scholar Institute (ISSI).