I have no background in computers nor in engineering.  Is this program right for me?
No prior technical background is required for the IS Program.   Applicants come from all disciplines including the arts, the sciences, engineering, business and many others.  Those who do not have a technical background will most likely need a few prerequisites.  For more information on the prerequisites, see the curriculum description.

Do I have to take the GRE exam?
All applicants are required to take the GRE general test.   The purpose of the exam is to evaluate a candidate's analytical and quantitative skills for the purpose of determining aptitude for the Information Systems field.  Candidates who hold a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering, mathematics or computer science from a U.S College or University may request a waiver of the GRE.   This request must be in writing and accompany the application.

What is the minimum GRE score?
Students should achieve a minimum score of 680 in the quantitative section and a minimum of 4 in the analytic writing section.

Do I have to take the TOEFL?
Applicants who have lived in the United States for two or more years may request waiver of the TOEFL exam.  All others are required to take the TOEFL exam.  To be considered for acceptance, the minimum TOEFL score is 250.

Is there a minimum undergraduate grade point average I must have?
Generally, applicants should have a grade point average of 3.000 or higher.

What if my grade point average is below the minimum requirement?  Can I still apply?
Applications are evaluated on the basis of all aspects of a student's background.   We look at performance at the undergraduate level, as well as test scores.   Letters of recommendation and life experience are also considered. 

Can I begin the program at any time?
The course schedules are set up so that both full and part time students may begin the IS Program in any semester.  Most full-time students begin in the fall, but are eligible to begin at any time.

Can I take courses without being admitted?
No. There is no open enrollment in the IS Program.  All students must apply for admission and be accepted before registration is allowed.

Can I take the GRE and/or TOEFL after having been admitted?
No.  All required admissions material must be submitted before any decision will be made.

Is it possible to be admitted on a provisional basis pending completion of a required exam?
No.  Provisional admission is for students who have submitted all required material, and whose background indicates likely success in the program, but for whom some monitoring is suggested.  It is not a temporary admission status for those who have not submitted required material.

Can an international student be admitted as a provisional student?
No.  International students require a regular student admission to obtain an F-1 visa.

Is there any type of financial aid?  How about assistantships?
U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible to apply for financial aid.   Deadlines for financial aid are quite strict, and may differ from the application deadlines posted by the Graduate School.  For more information on the deadlines and the options for graduate students, contact the Student Financial Services office at 617.373.5899 or visit the web site at http://www.customerservice.neu.edu/welcome.html.   A limited number of graduate assistantships are available to full-time students.   If you are interested in  being considered for an assistantship, you must submit an assistantship application along with your application for admission.

How long does it typically take to complete the IS program?
For full-time students who do not go on co-op, the program generally takes four semesters.   Part-time students should plan on three to four years.  Full-time students who participate in the co-operative plan will require some additional time, depending on the length of the co-op assignment.

If I apply, how long will it be until I receive an answer?
Once all required materials have been submitted, it generally takes no more than a few weeks for the applicant to be informed of the admissions decision.

What options do I have if I am denied admission?
All applicants have the right to ask for reconsideration of the admissions decision.   However, a decision is generally not changed unless additional supporting documentation is submitted.  For example, an improved GRE or TOEFL score may be needed.  In such a case, no additional application fee is required.  If you do decide to ask for reconsideration, you must do so in writing to the Director of the Graduate School of Engineering, and be sure to include the additional supporting documentation.

Are there application deadlines?
The Graduate School of Engineering posts the application deadlines at http://www.coe.neu.edu/gse/applying.html. If you submit your application after the official deadlines, every effort will be made to review it, but we are not able to guarantee an answer prior to the start of the semester.

What is the difference between this program and a degree in computer science?  An MBA?
The IS Program is unique, providing the opportunity for students from all backgrounds to pursue a technical career.  Unlike a business degree, the courses are technical in nature.  However it is not a theoretical program such as one might find in a CS program.   For some, it is an opportunity for career transition, for others an opportunity to continue their education in a technical area. 

What kinds of jobs are available for graduates of this program?
Our graduates find employment in a wide range of positions.   Many will take their new skills and apply them to the field from which they originally came.  For example, someone with a health sciences background may choose to return to the area of medical information services.  Most, however, tend to move on to new areas.  Our graduates find positions as software developers, web application developers, database administrators, IT consultants, and product support specialists, to name a few. 

How do I register for classes?
For the first semester, you are to meet with your advisor prior to registering for classes.  All registration at Northeastern University is done via telephone or the web.  Web registration requires myNEU account which you may acquire from http://myneu.neu.edu. Each semester, the Registrar's office publishes an official schedule booklet to be used for registering for courses.  Course Schedules, including any change to the printed booklet, can be found at the Graduate School of Engineering and the Registrar's web sites. This booklet contains specific instructions for using the telephone registration system.

Is there an orientation program?
Prior to the start of each semester, the Graduate School of Engineering presents an orientation for new IS students.  The IS Program provides additional orientation specific to the program.

I have been accepted as a provisional student.  What does this mean?
Provisional status means that the admissions committee felt that you have the necessary background to succeed in the program, but also feel that some monitoring is needed.   Since all graduates of the program must have a minimum 3.000 grade point average, it is important to your success that you get off on the right foot.  Provisional students must maintain a 3.000 grade point average during their first eight semester hours, and may also have additional requirements spelled out in the admissions letters.  If you have been accepted as a provisional student, please make sure that you are familiar with any additional requirements.

Will I receive an individualized program of study?
Yes.  During the first week of classes, all new students are invited to meet with their academic advisers to obtain a program of study.  This program of study will be tailored to each student.  Part-time students may find it more convenient to meet at another time to be arranged or to communicate by e-mail or telephone.

How do I obtain a computer account?
You will need to fill out a UNIX Account Application. This can be done online. To request a COE UNIX account go to https://www2.coe.neu.edu/account/register.cgi.

What if I want to deviate from my program of study?
To deviate from the program of study, prior approval of your advisor must be obtained.  

How many courses should I take each semester?
Generally, your program of study will clearly indicate how many courses you should take each semester.  Full-time students usually take eight credits per semester. Part-time students may take up to eight credits per semester without special permission.

One of the courses I wish to take has a prerequisite.  Do I have to take the prerequisite first?
Yes!  Prerequisites are established to ensure that you have the proper knowledge to succeed in each course (Prerequisite tree).   Instructors assume that the students in their courses have the required prerequisites, and will teach accordingly.  If you do not have the proper prerequisites for a course, taking that course seriously jeapordizes your ability to perform at a satisfactory level, and could even have an adverse affect on the classroom experience of your fellow students.  Under no circumstances should you take a course without having the prerequisite material unless given explicit permission by your advisor by means of an approved petition.

What is a course waiver, and how do I do it?
A course waiver is a request to be excused from taking a required course because you have had  similar material previously.  For example,  you may have previously taken a course which is similar to one of our core courses, but that previous course is not eligible for transfer.  Or, you may have been asked to take a prerequisite course but feel you have already covered the topic material in a previous course at NEU or course taken outside of NEU previously.   All course waivers are handled by petition, and must be accompanied by supporting documentation such as copies of transcripts and course descriptions.  If a request to waive a core course is granted, then the credits must be replaced by some other elective, unless the course being waived is a prerequisite course.   

What if I want to transfer a course from another university?
A maximum of nine credits can be transferred from another university.  To be considered for transfer, the course(s) must have been graduate level, and you must have earned a grade of B or better.   The course must also be relevant to the field of information systems,  and cannot have been used toward any other earned degree. There is also a seven-year time limit on the completion of your degree which can affect transfer credit.  See below for more details.   Courses taken prior to enrolling in our program can be transferred at any time.  If a student seeks to take a course from another university during his/her time in the IS program, then prior approval must be obtained.  To obtain prior approval, submit a petition and a course description to your adviser.  A more formal description of the transfer credit policy can be viewed here.

Is a course taken from another college at Northeastern considered transfer credit?
No.  If you take a course from the College of Computer Science, the College of Arts and Sciences, or the College of Business and wish to use that course toward your IS degree, this course is not considered transfer credit.  However, some of the same rules apply.  For example, the course cannot have been used toward another earned degree, must be graduate level, and must be relevant to the program.  To obtain prior approval for such a course you must file a petition.

What is a course substitution?  Is it the same thing as a waiver?
A course substitution is not the same thing as a course waiver.   A course waiver, as described above, deals specifically with required courses.   A course substitution, on the other hand, is a request to replace one course with another, similar course.  A substitution request can apply to a core requirement or an elective.  For example, one might request to substitute the course CSG 150 offered by the College of Computer Science for the core requirement ISYG 225.  Substitutions are handled by petition.

Can I transfer a course from Northeastern's School of Professional & Continuing Studies (SPCS)?
No.  Transfer of credit for SPCS courses is currently not permitted.

How do I change my status?
A student accepted as a full-time student can petition at any time to change to part-time, provided that there are no visa restrictions preventing the change.    Students interested in switching from part-time to full-time may also do so at any time, and should have a grade point average of 3.000 or higher.   A petition form is used to accomplish this.

I have received a grade below a B in a course.  Is this a failing grade?  How will this affect me?
As long as your overall grade point average is above a 3.000 at the time of graduation, you will still receive credit for courses with grades below B.   However, Graduate School regulations do state that if a student has more than eight credits with grades below B-, that student may be placed on probation or possibly dismissed from the program.  So it is important to minimize grades below B.  The only failing grade is F.

How long do I have to finish the program?
The university establishes a time limit of seven years on the completion of all MS degrees.  You have seven years from the time you enroll in your first course.   For example, if you take your first course in September of 2000, you will have until September of 2007 to complete all requirements.  This time limit includes all transfer credit.  Therefore, if you have transferred a course from another university and you took that course before enrolling at Northeastern, it is possible that the transferred course will "expire" earlier than the courses you have taken at Northeastern. 

Can I take a leave of absence?
Yes, a leave of absence can be arranged.  Students take a leave of absence for many reasons, but the most common reason is for a medical condition.  To obtain a medical leave of absence one should file a request with the Graduate School office.    A specific form is available for this purpose, and will require documentation from a physician.  A personal leave of absence may be requested in writing to the Graduate School office.  No specific form exists for the personal leave.  The Graduate School will determine whether any supporting documentation is required.

What is the co-op program?
The co-op program at Northeastern University is a unique opportunity to combine learning with practical employment experience.  Typically, students complete two semesters of study followed by one semester of co-op.  While working on co-op, students may continue to take a reduced course load.  Students who choose to co-op must be full-time students.

Who is eligible to participate?
All full-time students are eligible, provided that they have applied for the co-op program during their first semester of study, have a minumum 3.000 grade point average, and have completed no more than half of the degree program.

Are international students eligible to participate?
Yes.  International students who hold an F-1 visa and qualify in the respects mentioned above are eligible to participate.  J-1 visa holders are also eligible provided that the terms of their visas permit co-op employment.   For more information, check with the International Student and Scholar Institute.

How and when do I apply for the co-op program?
During your first semester of study you must submit an application to the Graduate School of Engineering.  Co-op application forms are available in the Graduate School office, 130 Snell Engineering Center.

Am I guaranteed of finding a co-op job?
No.  Co-op advisors will assist you as much as possible, but much of the responsibility for locating a co-op job lies with the student.

As a co-op student, will I be paid by the company that hires me?
The vast majority of co-op positions are paying positions, especially in the software industry.

A key component of the IS Program is our commitment to providing our students not only with a top-notch set of technical skills, but also a strong set of career development skills. Northeastern's Department of Career Services provides a significant amount of support to students of the IS Program, including job placement assistance, career counselling, and a number of career development seminars each year.

These seminars focus primarily on developing job acquisition skills and include such topics as resume preparation, interviewing skills and career development. All students are strongly encouraged to attend. The effective seminars and quality service provided by the Department of Career Services have helped many of our graduates in finding jobs.

Are international students eligible to participate in the co-op program?
Yes.  International students who have held an F-1 visa for at least nine months and qualify in the respects mentioned above (see the co-op section) are eligible to participate.  J-1 visa holders are also eligible provided that the terms of their visas permit co-op employment.   For more information, check with the International Student and Scholar Institute.

What type of visa must I have to be a part-time student?
You can consult International Student and Scholar Institute for the visa types.

As a foreign student, can I work while studying?
Some visas, such as the F-2, specifically exclude a student from being eligible for employment.  Other visas, such as the F-1, will permit a student to work up to twenty hours per week on campus.  F-1 holders may also be eligible to participate in the co-op program.

Is it ever possible to take a reduced course load as an international student?
If your visa requires that you maintain full-time status, then the only semesters in which you may take a reduced course load are: during your last semester in the program, during co-op employement, and during summer semesters (if you have maintained full-time status during the Fall and Spring semesters).

What is practical training?
Practical training allows international students to develop necessary job skills in the area of their academic program.  There are two forms of practical training.   The first, known as Curricular Practical Training, involves practical training as part of the academic program of study.  Participation in the co-op program falls under this category.  You are allowed a maximum of eleven months of employment under this category of practical training.  The other category is Optional Practical Training, and allows a student who has completed his/her program to work for up to one year.  If you are interested in practical training, it is very important that you follow all guidelines so that you do not jeapardize your status or eligility for changing your status in the future.  For more information, consult the International Student and Scholar Institute.

I am almost done with my courses.  Now what?
You must file a commencement card at the Registrars office if you plan to graduate.   The University uses the commencement card as a way of finding out whether you intend to graduate or not.    Once a year, in the fall, the university will mail out commencement cards to all active students.  You must fill out and return this card if you plan to graduate in January or May of the following year.

When is commencement?
The university holds one graduation ceremonies each year in May. There is no ceremony in January but you can get your diplomas. 

I didn't receive a commencement card but I plan to graduate. What do I do?
Remember - those cards are only mailed to active students, and only once a year in the fall semester.  If you did not receive one, then it may be because you have not taken courses recently and are not considered an active student.  Or, it may be that your current address on file is incorrect.  Or it may simply be the wrong time of year.   Whatever the reason, if you are planning to graduate you must contact either the Registrar's office or the Graduate School of Engineering right away so that you can be included on the list.  Use some common sense, though: don't call the Registrar's office in August and tell them that you plan to graduate the following May.  It would be too early for notification.

What are the requirements for graduation?  How do I know that I have met the requirements?
You must have a minimum 3.000 grade point average, and have completed all degree requirements including any required prerequisite courses.  As long as you have filed a commencement card, the Graduate School office will mail you a letter informing you of any outstanding requirements.  Those letters are sent out during the Fall semester for January graduation, and in late January-February for May graduation.  Make sure you fulfill any outstanding requirements that appear in your letter.  That letter will be used to determine whether you are eligible to graduate.

I will finish my courses at a time other than January or May.  What do I do?
If you complete your courses at the end of the summer semester, you would graduate the following January.  Make sure that you file a commencement card.  You can request that the Graduate School office give you a letter of completion should you need it for employment or immigration purposes.

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