When a product or service wins your loyalty, chances are there's a savvy brand manager behind the scenes—someone who knows how to execute brand strategy successfully across the entire marketing spectrum. In just four or five courses, our Graduate Certificate in Brand Management will help you build a suite of skills for creating and implementing a brand strategy that resonates.

Graduate Certificate in Brand Management Program Overview

  • Program Structure: 12–15 credits
  • Class Schedule: Monday–Thursday evenings at 5:20 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
  • Start term: January or September
  • Time to Complete: 1 to 3 years

Typical program timeline

*Course offerings change each semester.
**Most finish in three semesters, but you can go at your own pace up to three years.
*Course offerings change each semester.
**Most finish in three semesters, but you can go at your own pace up to three years.

Unique features

  • Learn to identify customer needs, uncover marketplace trends, and read the competitive landscape to develop an integrated brand strategy
  • Gain a unique perspective on brand management thanks to Northeastern's signature focus on preparing you as a responsible business leader
  • Specialize in your studies by choosing electives relevant to your goals, such as consumer behavior, new product development, marketing research, customer engagement in the service sector, or driving marketing performance
  • Build your confidence and experience through applied project work and case studies—key components of Northeastern's practice-oriented approach to learning
  • Build the foundation for a future master's degree from Northeastern—you may be able to apply your certificate credits toward an eligible master's degree or MBA

The Graduate Certificate in Brand Management enables you to gain experience in fostering relationships with consumers through strategic brand activities. We develop your abilities to take insights from customers, the marketplace, and competitors to create informed, customer-centric brand plans that will position your brand for growth in this ever-changing marketplace.

Daniele Mathras, Associate Teaching Professor, Marketing

The business learning you need

The business learning you need Opens in Modal

Curriculum

The Part-Time Graduate Certificate in Brand Management—designed for professionals in the Boston area—will familiarize you with the knowledge, tools, and techniques you need to manage a successful brand.  Your core coursework will explore the brand-building process across evolving customer-centric marketing platforms. You'll choose two or three electives from a wide-ranging list of business courses, covering relevant topics from consumer behavior and market research to lean prototyping and innovation strategies.

Your faculty will be marketing thought leaders, scholars, Fortune 500 executives, and entrepreneurs who teach through the lens of their own experience.

Enrolled students should reference the academic catalog for current program requirements.

Experience-Powered Learning

Experience is the signature feature of a Northeastern education. Your Graduate Certificate in Brand Management courses will include applied project work that strengthens your collaboration and problem-solving skills. Some of your learning will happen outside your formal curriculum—take advantage of these non-credit opportunities to expand your knowledge base.

DATA Club

Participate in real-world data challenges to strengthen your skills and connect with a powerful network of like-minded students as you explore data's infinite applications.
Picture of a screen with many forms of data

Data KIPS

Join a supportive network of students and engage in peer-to-peer mentorship to apply data to strategic business decision-making. Participate as an expert or as a member.
Emalie Hermans and Bailey Kane, both college of engineering students graduating in 2019, work in the IDEA lab in Hayden Hall

IDEA Student-Led Venture Accelerator

Get comprehensive support to bring your big idea to market—or volunteer to coach budding startups on finance, marketing, or business strategy.
micro-internships

Micro-Internships

The search for meaningful work experience can be challenging, especially when juggling a busy class schedule. A micro-internship may be the answer you're looking for.
MS in Accounting portrait

Virtual Work Experience

“Work” for a real firm in a simulated format—so you can build your skills and resumé while exploring what your day-to-day could look like working in different industries.

Career Outlook

The D'Amore-McKim Graduate Certificate in Brand Management prepares you for leadership roles in most industries. This program builds your expertise and deepens your knowledge so you stand out with essential brand management abilities. Depending on your experience, your strong marketing savvy can lead to roles like brand manager, brand strategist, licensing coordinator, product manager, merchandising manager, and production supervisor. Our graduates are recruited by companies of all sizes, from startups to multinational organizations. 

Plan a successful career with genuine support

Dedicated career support through our Graduate Career Center

Tap into the extensive career planning tools and the deep understanding of the job market that our Graduate Career Center offers. Attend events, build your network, forge connections with fellow students, staff, and faculty, and hear insider insights from employer partners

Admissions

  • Interview required? Upon request.
  • English language proficiency: English proficiency, both written and verbal, is necessary for success in D'Amore-McKim classrooms. For more information, review our admissions policies.
  • GMAT Required? No.
  • Where do I apply? Learn more here.
  • Eligible for International Student Visa? No. This program is not F-1 visa compliant.
  • Is a graduate business certificate worth it? Learn more here.
Application DeadlinesDecision NotificationsClasses Begin
Sept. 26, 2024Rolling BasisJanuary
Oct. 24, 2024*Rolling BasisJanuary
Dec. 5, 2024Rolling BasisJanuary
Jan. 9, 2025Rolling BasisSeptember
March 27, 2025**Rolling BasisSeptember
May 15, 2025Rolling BasisSeptember
June 26, 2025Rolling BasisSeptember
Aug. 7, 2025Rolling BasisSeptember
*Oct. 24, 2024 deadline is the final deadline for international candidates who require a new F-1 or J-1 visa for a January start for eligible full-time programs
**March 27, 2025 deadline is the final deadline for international candidates who require a new F-1 or J-1 visa for a September start for eligible full-time programs

Tuition

Northeastern Student Financial Services publishes the tuition rates for Graduate Certificates. Under the “Graduate Programs” section, the cost per credit appears next to “D'Amore-McKim School of Business Programs.”

Financial Aid

Northeastern offers resources to help you finance your graduate education, and the Student Financial Services team will guide you through your options. Please visit the Graduate Financial Aid page.

Once you are a student, your financial aid advisor will work with you one-on-one to answer your questions, point you to resources and provide valuable insight as you navigate the financial commitments of your program.

Scholarships

Northeastern University has a variety of scholarships. As a graduate certificate applicant you may be eligible for the Full Circle Scholarship. You may also qualify for funding support as an alum, U.S. servicemember, or veteran.

Application Fee Waivers

D'Amore-McKim offers application fee waivers to applicants that meet specific criteria. You can review the policy on the Graduate Application FAQ web page.

The D'Amore-McKim community believes that understanding and solving problems requires constant interaction among people who bring different contexts and experiences to the conversation.

We value uniqueness, recognize the power and importance of belonging in our own and surrounding communities, and ensure engaged participation. Numerous student groups and campus resources focus on building dynamic communities. 

Get in touch

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Upcoming admissions events

Feb 15

Join us for a casual in-person chat about our graduate business programs over a cup of coffee, on us!

Feb 18

Join us for a casual in-person chat about our graduate business programs over a cup of coffee, on us!

Feb 18

Join us to learn how a graduate certificate from D'Amore-McKim can further your career goals.

Feb 19

Join us for a casual in-person chat about our graduate business programs over a cup of coffee, on us!

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