Graduate Certificate in Entrepreneurship

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: 4–5 courses
Class Schedule: Monday–Thursday evenings at 5:20 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Time to Complete: 8 months when studying full-time; 8 months to 3 years when studying part-time

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.

Full-Time Graduate Certificate for international students |Typical program timeline

*Course offerings vary per semester.
*Typically starts in September or January. May be completed in eight months (two semesters) to be F-1 visa compliant.

Download the fact sheet

Unique Features

145+

countries represented by Northeastern students and faculty

12 or 15

credits may be applied toward a future MBA

#11

Graduate entrepreneurship program (Princeton Review, 2021)

study options

The business learning you need

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
Access expert career guidance from an experienced counselor at Northeastern's office of Employer Engagement and Career Design
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 program

Admissions

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.
Interview Required? International applicants who are not native English speakers must demonstrate English language proficiency. You may demonstrate this in one of two ways: submit your test score from TOEFL iBT, IELTS, or PTE academic.

Helpful Guides

Application Checklist

Need guidance on completing your application? The application checklist provides step-by-step instructions and tips from our admissions team.

Download PDF

Personal Statement Guide

Need guidance in composing the personal statement for your application? The essay guide will help you organize your thoughts and draft your copy.

Download PDF

Full-Time Graduate Certificates (F-1 Visa Compliant)

2023 Application Deadlines	Decision Notifications	Classes Begin
Oct. 4	Rolling Basis	January
Nov. 9*	Rolling Basis	January
Dec. 8	Rolling Basis	January
Mar. 21	Rolling Basis	September
Apr. 20	Rolling Basis	September
Jun. 1*	Rolling Basis	September
Jun. 29	Rolling Basis	September

*Nov 9 deadline is the final deadline for international candidates who require a new F-1 visa
*June 1 deadline is the final deadline for international candidates who require a new F-1 visa

Part-Time Graduate Certificates

2023 Application Deadlines	Decision Notifications	Classes Begin
Oct. 4	Rolling Basis	January
Nov. 9	Rolling Basis	January
Dec. 8	Rolling Basis	January
Mar. 21	Rolling Basis	September
Apr. 20	Rolling Basis	September
Jun. 1	Rolling Basis	September
Jun. 29	Rolling Basis	September

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. You may 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 School of Business community stands with our university and its leadership in our dedication to cultivating equity and inclusion for all humankind. Understanding and solving our problems requires constant interaction among people who bring their own diverse contexts and experiences to the conversation. Therefore, we must be a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community that values the uniqueness of its members, recognizes the power and importance of diversity in our own and surrounding communities, and ensures their engaged participation.

View D'Amore-McKim's commitment to diversity

Graduate Student Clubs

There are numerous university-wide and D'Amore-McKim-affiliated student groups that you may wish to join, and several are grounded in building inclusive communities and resiliency. Many of our graduate business students participate in the Graduate Students of Color Collective, Grad Q, and Out in Business.

Campus Resources

Participate in community-building programs, lectures, and events offered by Northeastern's cultural centers representing a range of affiliations and interests including the LGBTQA Resource Center, Latinx Student Cultural Center, Asian American Center, Office of Global Services, and many more.

View All Campus Resources

Apply for the Graduate Certificate in Entrepreneurship

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

Harnessing lean design
Uncovering opportunities for disruption
Creating a positive business culture

Choose your format

Full-time curriculum

Study on our Boston campus and complete the program in eight months. Full-time study is F-1 visa compliant.

students sitting around a table studying

Part-time curriculum

Study on our Boston campus at the pace that works for you.

The following is a sample curriculum and is subject to change. Enrolled students should reference the academic catalog for current program requirements.

Meet Some of Our Students

Expanding career opportunities through pursuit of a graduate certificate

“Without having a formal education in the field, my knowledge was limited to my experiences. I wanted to learn more about marketing and earn a graduate certificate to provide myself access to more career opportunities in the future.” says Danielle Cochran, Graduate Certificate in Marketing'21

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.” says Jay Addo, Graduate Certificate in Entrepreneurship'21