In an era where skills and practical knowledge are highly valued, pursuing a graduate education has become a key stepping stone for professionals aiming to advance their careers. However, for adult learners, traditional admissions processes can create unnecessary barriers, deterring capable individuals from achieving their goals.
That’s where Performance-Based Admissions (PBA) comes in, offering a new way to assess candidates based on their real-world achievements and potential rather than just academic history.
For those seeking a degree that values practical experience, Northeastern’s PBA offers an inclusive, flexible approach.
What Is Performance-Based Admissions?
Performance-Based Admissions is a progressive approach to college admissions that allows applicants to demonstrate their skills and capabilities directly through coursework. Rather than solely relying on transcripts and test scores, PBA enables learners to enroll in initial courses that count toward their degree and prove their capabilities through performance.
According to Robert Towner, Associate Vice President of EDGE at Northeastern University, the goal of PBA is to evaluate "what students can do now, the grades they can achieve, and how they can succeed within the program."
This method meets learners where they are today, focusing on their current potential rather than past academic credentials. It represents a significant shift from traditional admissions, which often emphasizes test scores and prior academic records.
By providing an opportunity for learners to prove their capabilities in real time, PBA aligns with the evolving demands of today’s workforce, where skills and experience frequently outweigh past academic performance.
3 Benefits of Performance-Based Admissions
1. Removes Barriers to Education
For busy professionals, the application process can be daunting. Traditional admissions often require standardized tests and complex application requirements, which can discourage qualified candidates from applying. PBA simplifies this process, eliminating many of these hurdles to make it easier to demonstrate potential through coursework.
In a podcast episode, Towner discusses how an adult learner behavioral survey revealed that 69% of adult learners are deterred from furthering their education due to traditional admissions requirements.
PBA addresses this by streamlining admissions and reducing the stress and anxiety often associated with the process.
“PBA allows us to work with faculty to identify students who are prepared,” Towner adds. “And, in many cases, have demonstrated more preparedness than a traditional application would reveal.”
2. Diversifies the Classroom
Performance-Based Admissions opens doors for a diverse range of students from various backgrounds and industries. Many professionals have built successful careers in fields that differ from their undergraduate studies, yet traditional admissions processes often overlook this evolution. PBA allows learners to showcase their current skills and professional growth, rather than being constrained by past academic credentials.
“Several populations have been disenfranchised by traditional admissions,” Towner explains. “PBA removes biases and gives them the opportunity to demonstrate, ‘Here’s the learner I am today, not who I was as an undergrad.’’'
This approach recognizes and values the unique journeys of today’s learners, fostering a more inclusive educational environment.
3. Ensures Student Success
Performance-Based admissions helps set students up for success by taking into account real-world experiences that better predict their potential in a degree program. These experiences often provide a stronger foundation for academic success than traditional metrics like test scores, leading to improved college retention rates.
Retention rates—the percentage of students who continue their studies at an institution from one term to the next—are a key measure of a program’s effectiveness.
“What we expect to see from PBA are much higher retention rates,” Towner says. “Learners know what they’re getting into, having already completed coursework that is reflective of the full program.”
By aligning admissions with practical experiences, PBA not only boosts retention but also empowers students to succeed by building on what they already know.
Northeastern University's Approach to Performance-Based Admissions
Northeastern University has adopted a student-centric approach to PBA, allowing candidates to experience the rigor of select programs before fully committing. In its pilot launch with the engineering program, over 99% of students chose the PBA option over traditional admissions. This popularity highlights the appeal of an admissions model that values skills over scores.
Through Northeastern’s Fast Apps, students can quickly apply and enroll in pathway courses designed to showcase their strengths. For example, students pursuing an Online MBA may take Financial Management and Customer Value and the Enterprise.
To advance into the full program, learners need to achieve a grade of B or higher in both courses and provide proof of a completed bachelor’s degree. These courses—one qualitative and one quantitative—enable students to demonstrate their diverse skill sets.
To support PBA learners, Northeastern provides dedicated resources, including a student success manager who guides each student through the admissions and academic process.
"Each program has a success manager who supports PBA students,” Towner adds. "Helping them navigate both the coursework and the transition into the full program.”
Take the Next Step
Performance-Based Admissions at Northeastern University reflects a shift toward a more inclusive and practical approach to graduate admissions. For professionals looking to advance, PBA is an opportunity to bypass traditional barriers and highlight their current skills and experience. By focusing on today’s abilities and real-world potential, PBA offers a meaningful, hands-on entry into graduate education.
Ready to start your journey? Learn more about programs offering performance-based admission and take the first step toward a transformative educational experience at Northeastern University.
