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The Postgraduate Pathways Program

The Postgraduate Pathways Program is your pathway to a master's degree from Northeastern University. Complete college or university in your home country then apply to Northeastern University's Postgraduate Pathways program. Once you are accepted and arrive in Boston, this program may be completed in as little as one term or over more semesters, depending on your academic background and English skills.

The Postgraduate Pathways program helps students prepare for a full-time Master's degree program at Northeastern and provides access to test preparation for the TOEFL, GMAT and GRE and academic tutors. If you are accepted into Postgraduate Pathways, complete the program, and meet the graduation requirements, you'll be admitted to one of the master's degree programs selected on your application.

Learn more about the types of courses you'll take during the Postgraduate Pathways Program specialization by clicking the course names below.

Business and Social Sciences

SEMESTER I
 SEMESTER II
Culture and Communication Skills for Graduate School Research Methods for Postgraduate Study
Writing for Graduate School Capstone Research Project
Global Corporate and Social Responsibility Managing in a Diverse and Changing World
State of the Field: Business and Social Sciences Globalization and International Affairs

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

  • Business Administration†
  • Corporate and Organizational Communication
  • Criminal Justice
  • Digital Media
  • Economics
  • Finance†
  • Global Studies and International Affairs
  • Higher Education Administration
  • International Business†
  • Leadership
  • Leadership – Financial Markets and Institutions
  • Leadership – Health Management
  • Leadership – Human Resources Management
  • Leadership – Project Management
  • Non-profit Management
  • Political Science – Public Administration
  • Project Management
  • Technological Entrepreneurship†

Engineering, Mathematics – Computer Science

SEMESTER I
 SEMESTER II
Culture and Communication Skills for Graduate School Research Methods for Postgraduate Study
Writing for Graduate School Technology and Human Values
Professional Issues in Engineering and Computer Science Capstone Research Project
State of the Field: Engineering and Computer Science Managing in a Diverse and Changing World

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

  • Computer Science
  • Engineering – Chemical (A)
  • Engineering – Civil (A)
  • Engineering – Computer Systems (A)
  • Engineering – Electrical (A)
  • Engineering – Industrial (A)
  • Engineering Management (B)
  • Engineering – Mechanical (A)
  • Informatics
  • Informatics – Healthcare
  • Informatics – Information Securities Management
  • Information Systems
  • Industrial and Applied Mathmatics
  • Information Assurance
  • Mathematics – Operations Research
  • Telecommunications Systems Management

Physical & Life Sciences

SEMESTER I
 SEMESTER II
Culture and Communication Skills for Graduate School Research Methods for Postgraduate Study
Writing for Graduate School Technology and Human Values
Biology and Society Capstone Research Project
State of the Field: Health and Life Sciences Managing in a Diverse and Changing World

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

  • Biotechnology†
  • Pharmaceutical Science†
  • Regulatory Affairs for Drugs, Biologics and Medical Devices

† Global Pathways will admit students for any term, but students can start their Master's degree only in the fall semester.

A/B Engineering subjects are grouped into A and B according to entry requirements

Classes subject to change

Admission Requirements

The following are the admission requirements for Postgraduate Pathways Program:

  1. Completion of undergraduate degree. Depending on the master's degree you wish to earn following Pathways, a minimum GPA (Grade Point Average) of approximately 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent) is required. In some countries this would be called a "B average." If you're not sure what this means ask our representative in your country or send us an email at northeastern@global-pathways.com. Also, some master's programs require that you had a particular major field of study as an undergraduate. Please see the list of Postgraduate Pathways Program Admissions Requirements,which shows complete details on which degrees require a GPA of 3.0 and particular undergraduate majors, and which do not.
  1. Official transcript(s) that show your grades and courses taken during your bachelor's degree and a certified coursework equivalency evaluation should be translated into English. If your college or university cannot provide a certified coursework equivalency evaluation, please use a service such as one of those listed below, which will provide you and Northeastern with the U.S. academic equivalents for your credentials.
    1. World Education Services
    2. Educational Credential Evaluators
    3. American Association of Collegiate Registrars & Admission Offices (AACRAO)
  1. English language knowledge as demonstrated by your score on the TOEFL, IELTS or TOEIC English proficiency test in your country. You should have at least 500 on the paper-based TOEFL (PBT); or 173 on the computer-based TOEFL (CBT); or 61 on the Internet-based TOEFL (iBT); or 5.5 on IELTS; or 590 on TOEIC. To take the TOEFL, IELTS or TOEIC test, please see the test-makers websites:
    1. TOEFL
    2. IELTS
    3. TOEIC
  1. Reference Letters. Please see the Postgraduate Pathways Program Admissions Requirements that lists how many and what kind of reference letters are required. Each reference letter should mention how long the writer known has known you and in what capacity (for example, they were your Professor of Mathematics). They are free to write whatever they like that will help us to better know you. These letters should be translated into English.
  1. Professional Experience. For some degrees, work experience prior to Pathways is required. Please click here for the Admissions and Graduations Requirements table that lists the degrees requiring this experience.
  1. Curriculum vitae that lists your extracurricular activities, academic achievements and work experience that you would like us to consider as part of your application.

Graduation Requirements

To graduate from the Postgraduate Pathways Program and enter the Northeastern master's program of your choice you must:

  1. Complete the Pathways Program with a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 or better. This is also called a "B 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, such as the TOEFL, TOEIC, or IELTS. Northeastern offers its own English exam, which you can take if you prefer. The minimum score on these exams varies by the master's program, please see the list of Postgraduate Pathways Graduation Requirements.
  1. For some degrees, you will be asked at the end of the year to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) in your chosen field or the Graduation Management Admissions Test (GMAT). Preparing for this exam will be part of your curriculum during the Pathways year so you are ready for the test. The minimum GRE and GMAT scores, if required, are shown in the list of  Postgraduate Pathways Graduation Requirements. Information about these exams can be found at the test-maker's websites:
    1. GRE
    2. GMAT
  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 to 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, or online at www.northeastern.edu/pathways or you can download the application here. Be sure your application is complete by the application deadline and has all the required documents including your English test score and secondary school and/or college transcripts. Our representative in your country will guide you through the 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 by paying a deposit 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 your 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 first semester of the 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 are 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'll 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 10,
2010
Application Received by Northeastern
July 15, 2009
November 15, 2009
March 15,
2010
Arrival in 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

Housing options

You have many choices of where to live during your Postgraduate 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 Postgraduate 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 Postgraduate Pathways Program

The cost for the Post Graduate Pathways Program is as follows:

 
1 Term
2 Terms
Tuition
$10,920
$18,720
Room and Board1
$6,000
$12,000
Books and Supplies
$600
$1,200
University Fees2
$2,572
$2,695
Personal3
$1,350
$2,700
Total Cost
$21,442
$37,315

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.
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