Opportunity Pathway Programs
From Northeastern’s earliest days, we have responded to the realities of our students’ lives with creativity and flexibility, from teaching evening classes — both on our Boston campus and far from it — to our early adoption of online learning. The initiatives and programs we offer today reflect the lives, interests and needs of students seeking education in the present, but we know that as students’ lives, careers and the economy change, we will, too.
Collaboration
The College of Professional Studies collaborates with a wide range of community-based and industry partners in building educational pathways that provide learners with the competencies needed to be successful in 21st century educational and career environments.
The Opportunity Pathway programs position students to enroll and succeed in college-level degree programs or short-term, high-value professional credentials. Our partnerships and pathways leverage students’ prior learning, whether demonstrated through work experience or through their previous educational programs, to accelerate learners towards their goals.
Partner with us
Would you like to explore partnering with us? Please contact Molly Smith, PhD, Associate Dean, Opportunity Pathway Programs, Northeastern University College of Professional Studies at [email protected]
Aevium Education
Aevium Education brings together leading universities, brands, and students to make education more accessible and affordable for all. Our partnership provides customers of popular brands the ability to discover educational opportunities at Northeastern University and earn Aevium Tuition Grant points that help reduce the cost of tuition. Tuition Grants can be redeemed by students at the time of application, with 100 Tuition Grants representing a 1% reduction in the cost of tuition. Students can achieve potential savings of up to 15% over the course of the program. Students interested in connecting with Aevium Education can create a profile at www.aeviumeducation.com to get started and learn more.
Balfour Academy
Balfour Academy has a long history of providing summer enrichment programming and academic tutoring to Boston middle and high school students. During the six-year program, students build community, develop leadership skills, and engage in college preparatory curriculum while leveraging the resources of Northeastern’s Boston campus.
Boston Ballet
Together, Boston Ballet and Northeastern University provide dancers with the opportunity to earn bachelor’s or advanced degrees while continuing their demanding practice and performance schedule. In preparation for their transition from professional dancing, this partnership offers degree programs and experiential learning opportunities that will position them for success as they start new careers.
City Year
City Year was founded in 1988 as a national service program to unite young adults from diverse backgrounds for a demanding year of full-time community service. City Year has grown from 50 corps members in Boston to more than 3,000 members serving in 29 U.S. cities, as well as in South Africa and the U.K. The College of Professional Studies is proud to partner with City Year to offer 25% tuition scholarships to all admitted City Year applicants for bachelor’s and master’s degree programs at the College of Professional Studies.
Foundation Year
Foundation Year integrates rigorous academics with student support services focused on success in the first year of college and through to graduation. Foundation Year students can earn a full year of academic credit from the College of Professional Studies. To foster camaraderie and peer-to-peer learning, this Boston-based program is a cohort model – all Foundation Year students attend classes together during the one-year program. Following successful completion of Foundation Year, students will matriculate into a degree program at Northeastern through one of two pathways: through Northeastern’s College of Professional Studies or through one of Northeastern’s seven undergraduate colleges by meeting academic standards. Students who successfully complete Foundation Year are eligible for the NU Promise, providing committed grant funds to fill the gap between your demonstrated need and cost of attendance.
Major League Baseball
Since 2017, Northeastern University has partnered with Major League Baseball to be the preferred education provider for players during and after their career. With the support of career and academic coaches, players can work toward their bachelor’s or master’s degree through online or in-person instruction.
“Major League Baseball has long understood the importance of player development, both on and off the field,” said Paul Mifsud, MLB’s vice president and deputy general counsel for labor relations and player programs. “MLB’s agreement with Northeastern University will provide players with a variety of world-class options to continue their personal and professional development.”
Merit America
Merit America seeks to provide a path to skilled careers in IT, advanced manufacturing, and healthcare for adults without bachelor’s degrees. Offered in a blended online learning format with live support through small group work and one-to-one coaching, students work toward completing one of the several industry-aligned program tracks offered. Recognizing the close alignment of the missions of Merit America and the College of Professional Studies bachelor’s degree completion programs, students who complete the Merit America curriculum and wish to pursue a bachelor’s degree are eligible for academic credit toward an undergraduate program offered by the college. For students, this expedites time to graduation and decreases overall tuition costs.
Year Up United
The College of Professional Studies (CPS) recognizes the learning built into Year Up United’s unique training and internship program that seeks to move young adults from minimum wage jobs to careers. CPS will award Year Up United alumni transfer credits toward a bachelor’s completion program. This shortens the time to graduation and reduces tuition. And, as with Year Up United, CPS incorporates the power of real-world learning into the curriculum.
“We are honored to partner with Northeastern University and expand access to the University’s College of Professional Studies to Year Up United alumni across the country. Northeastern’s commitment to flexible, personalized, and accessible learning – and to building seamless on-ramps for Year Up United graduates to transfer credits and work already done through Year Up United – will enable you to continue advancing in careers and education and ultimately earn meaningful postsecondary credentials. We are excited by this new opportunity to support our graduates in striving to learn, and I encourage all Year Up United alumni to explore and take advantage of the wide array of pathways and services now offered by Northeastern.”
– Gerald Chertavian, Year Up United Founder