How to apply
Online MBA
Admissions
overview
The Online MBA program is offered by the D’Amore-McKim School of Business at Northeastern University. You can expect the same level of faculty expertise and academic rigor as an on-campus program.
Undergraduate degree from an accredited institution of higher learning
GPA score of 3.0 or higher on a scale of 4.0
$100 application fee*
No GMAT or GRE required
*Application fee waivers are available – contact us to learn more.
If you feel like your application materials don’t tell your full story, check out our performance-based admission pathway.
Step 1
Prepare your materials.
To apply, you’ll need to submit the following materials:
*Note, if you are applying to the Graduate Certificate in Business Administration, you will follow the same process as Online MBA applicants.
Professional Resume
You’ll need to upload an up-to-date professional resume that lists academic and professional experience. Please include dates for each experience.
Professional Resume
You’ll need to upload an up-to-date professional resume that lists academic and professional experience. Please include dates for each experience.
Transcripts
- Northeastern requires transcript from EVERY post-high school institution you have received academic credit.
- Unofficial transcripts are sufficient for a final application decision. Unofficial transcripts can often be downloaded as a PDF from your previous institution’s alumni portal.
- You will need to provide official transcripts prior to enrollment. Official transcripts are verified documents that come directly from your institution through a transcript service. Official transcripts must include degree conferral date, so transcripts should be requested after graduation.
- Requesting official transcripts:
- We accept official transcripts from the National Student Clearinghouse (www.studentclearinghouse.org), Parchment (www.parchment.com), and eSCRIP-SAFE (www.escrip-safe.com). Please note, transcripts can take 2-4 weeks to process.
- You can request to have your transcript emailed to us at [email protected] or select your program name through the services as follows:
- For online programs, including the Online MBA, use:
- Parchment program name: Northeastern University, D’Amore-McKim School of Business ONLINE
- National Student Clearinghouse program name: Northeastern University-D’Amore-McKim Online Grad Prg
Personal Statement
- 400 words minimum, 800 words maximum
- Questions to help guide your writing:
- What are your short and long-term professional goals?
- How will your previous experiences contribute to your academic success?
- Why are you interested in pursuing an MBA? Why Northeastern??
- This essay is an opportunity to tell us who you are and who you want to be!
- Use a formal tone, but keep your writing authentic and honest
Two Letters of Recommendation
- Provides additional perspective into your abilities and potential
- Should be professional references (i.e. supervisors, professors))
- Avoid family/friends
- Best practice: Ask recommenders 6-8 weeks in advance of deadline, when possible
Optional Supplemental Essay
Some applicants choose to submit a supplemental essay. Effective uses are to explain:
- Gaps in your work experience
- Your choice of recommender
- Past academic performance
- Personal or family circumstances that impacted a component of your application
While you don’t need these materials to start your application, having them prepared can help you apply in less than 30 minutes.
Step 2
Complete your application.
To start an application for the Online MBA or Graduate Certificate in Business Administration, go to enroll.northeastern.edu/apply.
*If you are applying for the Graduate Certificate in Business Administration, select “Graduate Certificate” in the “Degree Sought” field (minute 1:27 in the video).
Step 2
Complete your application.
Complete your application at enroll.northeastern.edu/apply.
*If you are applying for the Graduate Certificate in Business Administration, select “Graduate Certificate” in the “Degree Sought” field (minute 1:27 in the video).
Step 3
Check your application status.
Check your application status through the application portal and your email. We may reach out with additional questions/requests to submit additional materials.
You will typically hear back from us within 7-14 business days, regardless of application period.
Step 4
Enroll in the Online MBA program.
If you’re accepted, congratulations and welcome to the Online MBA community!
Check your email for next steps on how to enroll and prepare for your first course.
International students
In addition to the general admissions requirements, the following apply to international candidates. For more information, review our admissions policies, and the Graduate Admissions FAQ Section.
English Proficiency Skills
- Written and verbal English proficiency is necessary for success in D’Amore-McKim classrooms. If you are not a native English speaker, we require a standardized test of English language proficiency unless you completed a bachelor’s or master’s degree at an accredited institution where English is the language of instruction, or you have worked full-time for two years in the United States or other native English-speaking environment.
- Demonstrating Proficiency with Test Scores - We accept the following English language proficiency test scores: TOEFL iBT®, IELTS, Duolingo, and PTE Academic. Enter your scores and upload a scanned copy of your results as a document in your online application. Results from these tests are valid for two years. We do not accept TOEFL’s MyBest™ scores.
English Proficiency Skills
- Written and verbal English proficiency is necessary for success in D’Amore-McKim classrooms. If you are not a native English speaker, we require a standardized test of English language proficiency unless you completed a bachelor’s or master’s degree at an accredited institution where English is the language of instruction, or you have worked full-time for two years in the United States or other native English-speaking environment.
- Demonstrating Proficiency with Test Scores - We accept the following English language proficiency test scores: TOEFL iBT®, IELTS, Duolingo, and PTE Academic. Enter your scores and upload a scanned copy of your results as a document in your online application. Results from these tests are valid for two years. We do not accept TOEFL’s MyBest™ scores.
Academic Transcript Translation and Evaluations
- In addition to the standard application requirements, we require English translations of academic transcripts that reflect a GPA score of a 3.0 or higher on a scale of 4.0. You may submit unofficial, scanned academic transcripts through our application with an English translation.
- Include all postsecondary educational institutions you have attended, and any technical or professional schools and your diploma or degree earned. Do not include transcripts from your secondary school or high school.
- You’ll need to provide official test scores and can find instructions for requesting these in the FAQ about submitting official transcripts. You must request a course-by-course international credential evaluation if you earned a degree outside the United States.
- The Admissions Committee will accept an evaluation by any organization recognized by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). Many of our applicants use the services of World Education Services (www.wes.org).
Performance-based Admission pathway
If you’re interested in our Online MBA program but feel like the application materials don’t tell your full story, our performance-based pathway provides an alternative entry point.
How it works
- The performance-based pathway offers a great chance to enroll in online graduate-level courses, earn credits, and work your way into the Online MBA degree program, especially if your admissions profile might not qualify you for direct admission.
- After opting into the performance-based pathway, you’ll enroll in the 12-credit Online Graduate Certificate in Business Administration with the goal of entering the Online MBA degree program through your academic performance.
- Earn a B or better throughout the 12-credit program
- Upon completion of the 12-credit program, resubmit your application to the Online MBA program fee-free with your original application materials.
- Earn admission to the Online MBA by meeting the performance-based pathway requirements and passing a standard admissions background check.
- The credits you earn in the 12-credit program will be directly applied to the Online MBA upon entering the full degree program.
How to apply for the performance-based pathway
- Choose the performance-based pathway option within the Online MBA program application.
- Complete and submit the full Online MBA application.
- Upon submission of your application, you may be directly admitted into the Online MBA program. If not, you may be directed to enroll in the performance-based pathway program for the Online MBA program.