How to Apply

Our admissions committed reviews the applications to certificate programs. Priority Application Deadline 1 is Jan. 24. Priority Application Deadline 2 is April 1, and the Final Application Deadline is June 10. Apply by the Priority Application Deadline for faster review.

Application Deadlines

Entry Quarter	Priority Application Deadline 1	Priority Application Deadline 2	Final Application Deadline
Fall 2025	Jan. 24	April 1	June 10

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Application Process

Our Admissions Committee takes a holistic approach to evaluating each applicant. We consider:

Scholastic and Leadership Achievements: Your academic background and leadership roles
Future Aspirations: Your learning goals and career objectives.
Interpersonal Skills and Professional Performance: Your ability to work with others and your accomplishments in the workplace.

Start Your Application Early Using our Application Portal

To streamline your experience, we encourage you to begin your online application as soon as possible. Our application system is designed with built-in guidance and instructions to support you throughout the process. Key features include:

The ability to save your progress and continue later
Comprehensive instructions for successful completion

Application Review Process

Admissions Committee members will begin reviewing applications once they have been submitted and are completed in time for the nearest application deadline.

You will be notified by email regarding our decision. You should receive a notification within six weeks of the stated deadline or the receipt of all application pieces.

Incomplete Applications

You must submit your online application by the stated deadline. Transcripts and recommendations may arrive after the deadline. If we have not received all supporting documents (transcripts, recommendations, test scores, etc.) within four weeks of the application deadline, we may make the decision to move your application forward to the next deadline.

Application Requirements

Submit your Application Using the Application Portal

Applications must be submitted online by the deadline corresponding to the academic quarter you wish to begin. You may submit your application up to one year prior to your planned enrollment date. For example, you could submit an application for fall admission in the following year on the November 1 deadline of the current year. Our certificates have a limited number of openings for each incoming class. We recommend applying early.

Minimum GPA of 3.0

You'll need a strong academic record from a recognized college or university with a bachelor’s degree; in the U.S. context, this implies at least a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0-point scale.

Statement of Purpose

Submit a statement of purpose describing why you want to pursue this certificate and what you hope to achieve the education.

Personal Statement

Northwestern University values diverse backgrounds, approaches, and perspectives, recognizing them as essential for true academic excellence. As a graduate student at Northwestern, how would you contribute to an intellectual community that prioritizes equity, inclusion, belonging, and cultural humility?

Your response may draw on past or present experiences from academic work, extracurricular or community activities, or daily life.

Two Additional Essays

These two essays should demonstrate analytical thinking and writing skills.

International Students

Demonstrate English Language Proficiency with TOEFL or IELTS Test Scores

You'll need to demonstrate English language proficiency, either by obtaining a degree from a university in the United States or completed an English medium bachelor’s degree program; by scoring at the very minimum 85 or higher on the internet-based TOEFL test or 563 or higher on the paper-based TOEFL (though we will strongly suggest a score of 90 or higher on the internet-based TOEFL or 577 on the paper-based TOEFL); by scoring a minimum of 7.0 overall on the IELTS.

For more information about the TOEFL, visit the official site. Be sure to submit scores to code D928 NWU MS in Tech People Policy (not 165 NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY).
For more information about the IELTS, visit their official website. Be sure to submit scores to Northwestern University Master of Science in Technology, People, and Policy (not Northwestern University).
Both TOEFL and IELTS will send scores electronically. Paper delivery is also acceptable. Paper materials should be sent to 618 Garrett Place, Evanston IL 60208.

Visa Status

Eligibility depends on your visa status. If you want to attend under an F-1 student visa, which allows you to study in the U.S., you will need to apply for the degree program as well. This is because U.S. Immigration law requires that F-1 visa holders attend full-time. International students with an H-1B or another visa status may be eligible to apply for certificate student status. Please review the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Study in the States for additional information and resources.

Transcript Evaluation

If you attended academic programs outside the US, we'll need a a transcript evaluation. You must use a credential evaluation service that converts the scores and grade point average into US-based grades, and confirms the educational experience meets our requirements.

World Education Services and Education Perspectives both offer transcript credentialing services; others will be accepted as long as they are certified by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services. Request the course-by-course or detailed report (vs. the document-by-document report). They will ask you to have your academic program(s) send them your transcripts. In turn, they will generate a report and send it directly to us.

You do not need to send us your original transcripts.

If the credential evaluation service offers secure electronic delivery, please have the evaluation sent to mtepp_assistant@northwestern.edu. Alternately, all hard-copy transcript evaluations should be sent to this address:

Master of Science in Technology, People, and Policy
Attention: Admissions
618 Garrett Place
Evanston, IL 60208