You don't have to choose between moving fast and planning big. Many D'Amore-McKim students start with a graduate certificate or a specialized master's program and later apply those earned credits toward an eligible master's degree or MBA at Northeastern.
This flexible, stackable pathway lets you build the skills you need now, while laying the groundwork for a future degree.
What does “stacking” mean?
Stacking allows you to apply eligible credits earned in one D'Amore-McKim graduate program toward a future master's or MBA program, so the coursework you complete today continues to power your progress tomorrow.
Many students follow paths like:
- Graduate certificate → Master's degree
- Graduate certificate → MBA
- Master's degree → MBA
At D'Amore-McKim, you have the flexibility to learn, earn credentials, and advance your knowledge strategically over time. All at your own pace.
Why start with a certificate?
Graduate certificates deliver focused, in-demand skills, often in less than a year, and can be an excellent way to:
- Explore a new field
- Upskill quickly
- Build confidence before committing to a degree
“The certificate allows you to get what you need today at the moment you need it; and as you need more, take on more,” says Kate Klepper, Associate Dean of Graduate Business Programs.
Do master's degrees stack toward an MBA?
Yes. In many cases, completing a specialized master's degree, such as the MS in Business Analytics, MS in International Management, or MS in Management, can help accelerate your path toward an MBA, with eligible credits applied once you're admitted. This lets motivated learners like you deepen expertise now and add executive-level training later.
Stacking depends on factors like GPA, curriculum alignment, elective availability, and admission to the next program. Most D'Amore-McKim graduate programs offer flexible stackable options, including applying credits between online and campus-based degrees.
There are timeline requirements to keep in mind, too. Credits earned in online programs need to stack within two years, while credits from campus-based programs must stack within three years.
Worth noting: If you stack a master's degree into an MBA or another Northeastern degree, you'll qualify for Northeastern's Double Husky scholarship—a 25-percent savings on tuition. (Double Husky does not apply if your first degree is a graduate certificate.)
The transition from the graduate certificate to the Part-Time MBA has been really smooth. The ability to apply, or ‘stack,' credits from my certificate towards my MBA made for an efficient, seamless process.
Megha Varghese, Graduate Certificate in Business Administration'24, MBA'26
What about stacking outside D'Amore-McKim?
Some university-wide interdisciplinary programs, like the Graduate Certificate in AI Applications for Business, already stack into eligible business degrees, and more may be added.
Your academic advisor can confirm how your credits may apply. If you plan to transfer credits to an other Northeastern colleges, check directly with that program since policies vary.
Take the next step
Whether you're building toward a master's degree or planning for a future MBA, stacking lets you turn progress into possibility—one credential at a time. Explore programs and connect with your academic advisor to map the most effective path toward your next degree, and the career you want to build.