Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ for prospective students

Please note: For information about individual programs—such as start and end dates, format (hybrid or on site), application requirements, curriculum, cost, and many other details—visit the program page. Programs vary depending the Northeastern college or school in which they originate.

Where is the Roux Institute? Where will it deliver fall programming?

In early November 2020, the Roux Institute opened its campus in the city’s Old Port district at 100 Fore St., also the new headquarters of corporate partner WEX, Inc. This initial campus, just one block from the eastern waterfront, features 25,000 square feet of space for classrooms, study, and meetings. Programs are taught both online and in person. Plans call for a permanent campus by 2024, with space for research laboratories as well as teaching.

Is parking available?

Yes, parking is available in our garage at 100 Fore St. Please park on level P0; the entrance is on Fore St. across from the Residence Inn, right after the Hancock-Fore St. intersection. There is a red “Roux Institute Parking Enter Here” sign.

There is also ample on-street parking. A new garage under construction at 100 Fore St. will soon offer additional parking.

If I complete a Roux Institute program, where will my diploma come from?

You’ll receive a diploma from Northeastern University. That’s true whether you study through the Roux Institute in Portland or any of Northeastern’s other locations in the U.S., the U.K., and Canada.

What is the relationship between the Roux Institute, Northeastern’s other locations, and the university’s various colleges (e.g., College of Science, College of Professional Studies, and Khoury College of Computer Sciences)?

The Roux Institute is the newest node in Northeastern’s network of 11 campuses, all of which provide education through academic programs and curricula developed with the university’s nine colleges and schools. However, studying in Portland means you’ll participate in an enhanced and distinctive cohort experience—one that brings together graduate-level learners and employer partners from the city, the state of Maine, and the Northeast region.

What is a co-op, exactly? What does co-op look like in view of the coronavirus pandemic?

Under normal circumstances, co-op involves working full-time, on site, for four to eight months, at one of Northeastern’s many employer partners. In 2019-2020, the Roux Institute welcomed 11 new Maine-based corporate partners into this network. You can apply and interview for co-op positions at an employer aligned with your interests. Most co-ops offer a competitive wage or salary, which varies by employer.

Whether co-ops are on site or virtual also depends on the employer. During the pandemic, we encourage creative arrangements—full or part time, of variable duration—provided that they provide you with valuable professional experience and are approved by an employer and the Roux Institute’s program leaders.

How does the Experiential Network, also known as XN, work? How does it differ from co-op?

Experiential Network projects are a popular and effective way for students to gain resumé-building experience and expand their professional networks. XN projects are challenging virtual projects that you can complete in about six weeks under the direction of a company mentor. This work is unpaid because it represents an extension of academic coursework.

How big are classes, and how much instruction is online?

To deliver an exceptional learning experience, classes are typically limited to eight to 50 people, depending on the course. It is our intention to offer courses either on site or in a hybrid format that blends online and on-site learning. In view of COVID-19, we aim to provide an optimal learning experience that is as safe as possible.

How long does it take to complete a master’s program?

The time to completion varies depending on your schedule and whether you do a co-op. Full-time students typically take two four-credit courses per semester and finish in two to two-and-a-half years. Most part-time students take one four-credit course per semester, so their time-to-degree might be three to three-and-a-half years. The Align program is 44 credits and consists of two semesters of academic bridge courses and two semesters of master’s-level core courses and electives. Please visit the webpage for details regarding the program that interests you.

Do I need an undergraduate degree in STEM to apply to the Roux Institute’s graduate programs?

No, but to be accepted you’ll need a certain level of education or subject-area knowledge, which may be acquired through academic coursework, professional experience, or a combination thereof. Please review the specific application requirements for the program that interests you.

Can international students apply?

Yes! The Roux Institute is now accepting applications from international students.

We are proud to share that according to the Student Exchange Visitor Program, Northeastern is the #1 destination for international students.

I’m enrolled in a graduate program at a different college/university. Can I transfer my course credits to one of your programs?

Transfer applicants follow the same process and timeline as any other applicant for admission. Once admitted, please talk with a program advisor about the transfer credit process, which at Northeastern varies by college. Please note that we will not evaluate courses for transfer until after you have been accepted.

Are scholarships available?

Yes! The Roux Institute is currently offering generous scholarships to meet the financial needs of all students through its Alfond Scholars Initiative. Each award is determined by an individual assessment.

All Northeastern alumni are eligible for the Double Husky Scholarship, a 25 percent tuition discount.

For students affiliated with the military, Northeastern is dedicated to making education affordable. The university invites veterans and service members to apply for a limited number of scholarships from its Dolce Center for the Advancement of Veterans and Service members, regardless of whether they may already received an Alfond Scholarship or other forms of financial aid. Please direct questions to [email protected] or call 617.373.2392.

 

I work for one of the Roux Institute’s official employer partners. Does this mean I’m eligible for a scholarship?

Yes. One of the benefits of working for a Roux Institute employer partner is that you and others at your workplace are eligible for a special Employer Partner Scholarship. With your supervisor’s permission, you can pursue a graduate certificate or master’s degree while continuing to work. You’ll learn on the job—in the flow of your normal workweek—by taking on assignments that relate to, and reinforce, your coursework.

I’m a Northeastern alum. Do I get a tuition discount?

Yes. All applicants with a Northeastern degree who are accepted into a program receive a Double Husky Scholarship—a tuition discount of 25 percent.

Is other financial aid available?

Yes, you can also apply for federal aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. (More information here.)

Do you honor Fulbright or other fellowships?

Yes. Please contact us at [email protected] regarding your particular fellowship.

Are GREs required? Testing centers have closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

If you apply for admission in the 2021-2022 academic year to programs that traditionally require the SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT, or MAT, you will not be required to report your test results, although you are welcome to submit scores voluntarily. This test-optional policy is prompted by the widespread cancellation of standardized test-taking opportunities and uncertainty surrounding future test dates. Read about the policy here. The GRE is not required for the Align Master of Science in Computer Science program.

Can I apply to more than one program at the same time?

Yes. For each program of interest, you must submit a separate application. You’ll need to use an alternate email address in order to create a second account.

How can I check the status of my application?

After submitting your application, you can check its status on the ApplyYourself portal.

Please refrain from emailing us about your application status, as it can only be found on this portal.