Northeastern Universite Banner Global Pathways Northeastern University Logo
University Life at Northeastern
Overview Admission Graduation Application Process Housing Costs

The Undergraduate Pathways Program

The Northeastern Undergraduate Pathways Program is your first step toward a bachelor's degree from Northeastern University. Complete high school in your home country then apply to Northeastern University's Global Pathways Program. Once you are accepted and arrive in Boston, this program may be completed in as few as one term or over more semesters, depending on your academic background and English skills.

Undergraduate Pathways students improve their academic English while completing academic coursework toward their program of study. Once you meet the graduation requirements, you'll be admitted to one of the bachelor's degree programs.

Did you know?

  • You can earn up to 16 credits from the Undergraduate Pathways program, which count toward your bachelor's degree
  • Undergraduate Pathways students with a 550 PBT/79 iBT TOEFL score may complete the program in as little as 1 term
  • Students with a 500 PBT/61 iBT TOEFL score may complete the program in as little as 2 terms
  • Students with a 470 PBT/52 iBT TOEFL score may complete the program in as little as 3 terms

Not ready to meet the TOEFL requirement? Apply to improve your English prior to the start of the Undergraduate Pathways program.

Business and Social Sciences track

Term 1
52+ iBT TOEFL Score*
Term 2
61+ iBT TOEFL Score *
Term 3
71-79 iBT TOEFL Score *
Core Communication Skills: Listening, Speaking and Grammar Culture & Communication Skills for College

Advanced Communication Strategies

Composition Academic Reading and Writing Introduction to Philosophy
Academic Reading Introduction to Business and Leadership Introduction to American History
Focus on Business and Social Science Precalculus Macroeconomics

By successfully completing the Undergraduate Pathways Program in Business and Social Sciences you will be eligible to progress to one of the following Northeastern bachelor's degrees:

  • Architecture†
  • Business Administration - Accounting
  • Business Administration - Entrepreneurship and New Venture Management
  • Business Administration - Finance
  • Business Administration - Management
  • Business Administration - Marketing
  • Business Administration - Management Information Systems
  • Business Administration - Supply Chain Management
  • Communication Studies
  • Criminal Justice - Globalization and International Criminology
  • Criminal Justice - Institutions and Leadership
  • Criminal Justice - Law and Justice
  • Digital Art
  • Economics
  • International Affairs
  • International Business††
  • Journalism
  • Political Science
  • Psychology

† Additional requirement in calculus and physics may be required at time of application

†† Requires student to choose a language track at time of application

Engineering, Mathematics & Computer Science track

Term 1
52+ iBT TOEFL Score*
Term 2
61+ iBT TOEFL Score *
Term 3
71-79 iBT TOEFL Score *
Core Communication Skills: Listening, Speaking and Grammar Culture & Communication Skills for College Advanced Communication Strategies
Composition Academic Reading and Writing Introduction to Environmental Science
Academic Reading Introduction to Science & Technology Introduction to American History
Focus on Science and Technology Calculus 1 for Science and Engineers Calculus 2 for Science and Engineers

By successfully completing the Undergraduate Pathways Program in Engineering, Mathematics & Computer Science you will be eligible to progress to one of the following Northeastern bachelor's degrees:

  • Computer Science
  • Engineering – Chemical
  • Engineering – Civil and Environmental
  • Engineering – Computer Systems
  • Engineering – Electrical
  • Engineering – Industrial
  • Engineering – Mechanical
  • Information Science
  • Mathematics
  • Physics

Physical & Life Sciences track

Term 1
51+ iBT TOEFL Score*
Term 2
61+ iBT TOEFL Score *
Term 3
71-79 iBT TOEFL Score *
Core Communication Skills: Listening, Speaking and Grammar Culture & Communication Skills for College Advanced Communication Strategies
Composition Academic Reading and Writing Introduction to Environmental Science
Academic Reading Introduction to Science & Technology Introduction to American History
Focus on Science and Technology Precalculus or Calculus 1 Calculus 1 or Calculus 2

By successfully completing the Undergraduate Pathways Program in Physical & Life Sciences you will be eligible to progress to one of the following Northeastern bachelor's degrees:

  • Behavioral Neuroscience
  • Biology
  • Chemistry

Key

ESL Academic Culture Credit-bearing Course (4cr)

Classes subject to change.

Admission Requirements

All Undergraduate Pathways students must meet the following requirements to be considered for admission to the program.

  1. Completed Undergratuate Global Pathways application
  2. Minimum score on one standardized English language test. Choose from:
    • TOEFL 470 PBT/52 iBT
    • Kaplan Aspect 52 iBT
    • IELTS 5.0
    • TOEIC 550.

      Did You Know?

      Global Pathways students with a 470 PBT/52 ibt TOEFL score may complete the program in as little as 3 terms.
      Global Pathways students with a 500 PBT/61 ibt TOEFL score may complete the program in as little as 2 terms.
      Global Pathways Students with a 550 PBT/ 79 ibt TOEFL score may complete the program in as little as 1 term.

      To take the TOEFL, IELTS or TOEIC test, please see the test-makers websites:
    1. TOEFL
    2. IELTS
    3. TOEIC
  1. A minimum GPA (Grade Point Average) of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent) and official High School transcripts (translated into English). For minimum education requirements specific to your country please click here for further information.
  1. Personal Statement
  1. A character reference letter. Ask one of your teachers, someone you've worked for or your guidance counselor, to write a reference letter for you. The reference should mention how long they've known you and in what capacity (for example, they were your boss or your Professor of Mathematics). They are free to write whatever they like that will help us to better know you. This letter should be translated into English. The certified evaluation will provide you and Northeastern with U.S. equivalent to your credentials

Graduation Requirements

To graduate from the Undergraduate Pathways Program and begin the second year of the Northeastern bachelor's program of your choice you must have:

  1. Completed the Pathways program with a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.5 or better. This is also called a "C+ average." If you're not sure what this means please contact our representative in your country or send us an email at northeastern@global-pathways.com.
  1. Demonstrate your improvement in English during the Pathways Program. During the year you will take several English language courses. At the end of the year, we'll ask you to take an English proficiency test, for which we help you prepare. You can take the TOEFL on which you must score at least 550 on the paper-based test (PBT), or 79 on the Internet Based Test (iBT). Alternatively, you can elect to take the IELTS on which you should score at least 6.0, or the TOEIC on which your score should be at least 730. Lastly, Northeastern offers its own English exam, which you can take if you prefer.
  1. Reference letters from two of your Pathways teachers. All of your Pathways  professors know that toward the end of the Pathways Program you might ask them for a reference letter. We will help arrange these letters for you.
  1. Complete a short essay in English, which you will work on as part of one of your Pathways English classes.
  1. Meet Northeastern standards regarding financial, behavioral and immigration status. If you have any questions about this please send an email to northeastern@global-pathways.com or read the FAQ.

Application Process

The step-by-step guide to applying to Pathways at Northeastern University.

  1. Learn about the Northeastern Global Pathways Program.
    Talk with one of the Pathways representatives in your country. Send an email to pathways@kaplan.com and we'll make an introduction for you.
  2. Send in your completed application.
    Request an application form from your local Global Pathways representative, or download the Undergraduate pathways application form. Be sure your application is complete by the application deadline and has all required documents including your English test score and secondary school and/or college transcripts. Our representative in your country will guide you through the entire process.
  3. Receive confirmation of receipt.
    After we receive your completed application, we'll send you confirmation of receipt by email. Upon acceptance, a visa eligibility document (Form I-20) will subsequently be issued by the ISSI to eligible applicants.
  4. Begin your visa application process.
    Allow approximately six weeks for your U.S visa to be processed once the U.S. embassy or consulate has received your completed visa application and payment. You can get help with the visa process from one of our local representatives in your country.
  5. Accept offer within 30 days
    To secure your place in the Global Pathways program, you will need to accept your offer by paying a deposit of US $1,000 within 30 days of receiving your offer details. Payment can be made by bank draft, electronic transfer or credit card. If you do not receive a visa, your deposit will be refunded..
  6. Remit full tuition and fees.
    Once you have secured your visa, you must remit (by bank draft, bank transfer, or credit card) tuition and fees for the Global Pathways Program prior to your arrival in the U.S.
  7. Receive Student Arrival Guide.
    We will send you all the information you need such as where you will be staying and what to pack so you can prepare for your trip. Your Student Arrival Guide will also outline important dates such as when you can move in to housing, the orientation schedule, and when classes start so you can plan your flight accordingly.
  8. Arrive in Boston and attend orientation.
    The orientation program will help you with the transition from your home culture to the Northeastern University environment. You get to meet your fellow Global Pathways students, and be introduced to the University and the city of Boston!!
  9. Start classes!

Pathways Timeline

Start of Pathways Classes September 9, 2009 January 11, 2010 May 12, 2010
Application received by Northeastern
July 15,
2009
November 15,
2009
March 15,
2010
Arrive Boston
August 30,
2009
January 3,
2010
May 2,
2010
Pathways Orientation
September 2,
2009
January 4,
2010
May 3,
2010
End of Semester
December 19,
2009
May 1,
2010
August 21,
2010

The Date of Graduation and when you would begin your degree program depends upon your proficiency.

Housing options

You have many choices of where to live during your Undergraduate Pathways Program. When you receive your official Offer Letter to Pathways you will also receive information about your housing and preferences. For example, do you want to live alone or with roommates? Do you prefer to cook or buy your food at the many dining facilities on campus and in the Boston area?

As an Undergraduate Global Pathways student, you'll have three housing options: an apartment either on your own or with other students, a "homestay" involves living with an American host family, or a Guest House in the Boston area. Of course, if you have family in the area, you can choose to stay with them. Whichever you choose, the Global Pathways staff will make sure that you're safe and happy in your new home. Once you matriculate to a degree program you'll have one more choice of where to live on campus in one of Northeastern's many dormitories.

As for food, this is Boston which means you have lots and lots of choice both on campus and surrounding the campus. If you have religious or dietary concerns you won't have any problem finding good food at reasonable prices. If you want to eat on campus you can buy meals a la carte or sign up for one of the meal plans, which is very economical.

Download our Housing options PDF for more information

Costs for the Undergraduate Pathways Program

These are the estimated costs (in USD) for the Undergraduate Global Pathways program.

 
1 Term
2 Terms
3 Terms
Tuition
$10,920
$18,720
$25,480
Room and Board1
$6,000
$12,000
$18,000
Books and Supplies
$600
$1,200
$1,800
University Fees2
$2,572
$2,695
$2,816
Personal3
$1,350
$2,700
$4,050
Total Cost
$21,442
$37,315
$52,146

1. Will vary based on chosen housing and meal plan; several options available.
2. Includes Northeastern health insurance and health center, use of recreation facilities, and the cost of international student activities and student center.
3. Clothing, personal expensis, etc.

University Fees

As a Pathways student, you receive all the same services that every Northeastern University student receives. University fees cover health insurance, the healthcare center, athletic facilities, International Student services and activities, use of the Student Center and Northeastern libraries.

© 2009 Kaplan, Inc. All rights reserved.