Graduate Certificate in Entrepreneurship - D'Amore-McKim School of Business

It takes more than just a good idea to launch a successful business in today's digital-first economy—it takes knowledge of product development processes, business models, and competitive strategies. When you earn your Graduate Certificate in Entrepreneurship, you'll learn the process for turning a promising idea into reality and build a complete business plan for your own high-potential venture.

Graduate Certificate in Entrepreneurship 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: 8 months when studying full-time; 8 months to 3 years when studying part-time

Full-time Graduate Certificate | Typical program timeline

*Course offerings vary per semester.
*Starts in September or January. May be completed at a flexible pace but is usually completed in two semesters.

Part-time Graduate Certificate | Typical program timeline

*Course offerings vary per semester.
*Starts in September or January. May be completed at a flexible pace but is usually completed in three semesters.

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Unique Features

Learn core business skills that will help you turn an entrepreneurial concept into a real, thriving enterprise
Build a complete business plan for your own high-potential idea
Specialize your studies with electives that are relevant to your goals, such as disruptive technologies, intellectual property, or design thinking
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 earned certificate credits toward an eligible master's degree or MBA

The business learning you need

Dive Deeper

Are graduate business certificates worth it?

Graduate certificates can be a worthwhile investment as they can enhance specific skills, boost career advancement opportunities, and offer flexible, cost-effective education. These programs are ideal for professionals seeking targeted knowledge without the commitment of a full degree, which in turn provides networking opportunities and the potential to stand out to employers in a short-term timeframe. Learn more about the benefits of a graduate certificate, what earning a graduate certificate entails, and if pursuing one might be the right fit for you.

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Graduate certificate vs. master's degree: what credential is right for me?

Exploring graduate education options is an important step towards advancing your career, gaining specialized knowledge, and enhancing your professional qualifications. If you're contemplating graduate-level education, you may be weighing the benefits of pursuing a graduate certificate versus a master's degree. Learn more about these distinct types of graduate credentials, their key differences, and the pros and cons of each option.

Learn more about the difference →

Curriculum

You can study for your Graduate Certificate in Entrepreneurship full-time or part-time.

In both formats, you'll be learning from world-renowned faculty—industry leaders, leading consultants, and founders of startups—and you'll study alongside a diverse group of students with a mix of industry and academic backgrounds.

Through core coursework and electives, you'll explore the fundamentals of entrepreneurship, focusing on the skills and knowledge you need to launch and manage a successful business. You'll dive into topics such as designing a successful organization, developing next-generation products, building business plans, creating a positive business culture, harnessing lean design, and uncovering opportunities for disruption.

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

EXPLORE the CURRICULUM

Experience-Powered Learning

Experience is the signature feature of a Northeastern education. Your Graduate Certificate in Entrepreneurship 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.

Bloomberg Business Lab

Access almost any piece of information you need about global markets and business using the powerful research and analysis tools leveraged by the financial services industry.

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.

Career Outlook

The D'Amore-McKim Graduate Certificate in Entrepreneurship prepares you to bring high-potential ideas to market. This program builds your expertise and develops competitive strategies so that you can bring your own high-value ventures to life. Depending on your experience, your certificate may lead to roles like founder, public relations specialist, business consultant, financial manager, account executive, or sales. 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

visit the career center site

Your Graduate Career Center

Prepare for your future through a structured, self-paced module in Career Management, hosted by the Graduate Career Center.

Get job search ready

Our Graduate Career Center has collected extensive resources to help you navigate the job market and grow the career of your dreams—now and after graduation.

Build your network

A strong professional network can help you develop and improve your skillset and stay on top of the latest industry trends.

Explore job postings

The Graduate Career Center connects our exceptional and diverse graduate students and alumni with employers looking for skilled job candidates.

Meet Our Students

Former consultant builds entrepreneurial skills

“The graduate certificate was the perfect mix of entrepreneurship and innovation coursework that helped me explore career paths while building the skills to grow my career at BCG.”

How his dream of leading a startup started with D'Amore-McKim

“My graduate certificate provided me with the tools and ability to understand and learn about entrepreneurship with a different vision.”

More Student Experiences

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? Yes. This program is F-1 visa compliant.
Is a graduate business certificate worth it? Learn more here.

Application Deadlines	Decision Notifications	Classes Begin
Sept. 26, 2024	Rolling Basis	January
Oct. 24, 2024*	Rolling Basis	January
Dec. 5, 2024	Rolling Basis	January
Jan. 9, 2025	Rolling Basis	September
March 27, 2025**	Rolling Basis	September
May 15, 2025	Rolling Basis	September
June 26, 2025	Rolling Basis	September
Aug. 7, 2025	Rolling Basis	September

*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.