Studying Communications at Northeastern
Northeastern University appears in our ranking of the Top 20 Best Online Communications Degree Programs.
The College of Arts, Media and Design in Lake Hall offers a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies for Northeastern University undergrads to examine the theoretical principles of compelling speech. Chaired by Dr. Dale Herbeck, the 2010 NCA Donald H. Ecroyd Award winner, this 128-credit program integrates Boston courses like Consultation Skills, Conflict Negotiation, Mobile Communication, and Rhetorical Criticism. On Blackboard, there’s the 160-unit Bachelor of Science in Technical Communications Online for scientific writing. Transfers can also fast track the 80-unit Bachelor of Science in Organizational Communication Online with specializations in Public Relations or Human Resources Management. Other NEU opportunities include publishing The Huntington News, interning at MassBio, studying abroad in Athens, broadcasting on WRBB 104.9FM, researching in the Humanities Center, minoring in Digital Media, and joining Toastmasters.
In Boston or online, Northeastern University maintains its 14:1 student-faculty ratio in the College of Professional Studies for the Master of Science in Corporate & Organizational Communication. Directed by Dr. Carl Zangerl, the 45-credit curriculum waives nine credits for APR or SHRM certification to save time. Post-grads select from seven concentrations: Human Resources Management, Public Relations, Project Management, Social Media, Usability/User Experience, Cross-Cultural Communication, or Leading Communication Strategy and Talent Development. Two 12-week experiential semesters are required at 3,200+ partners, including The Boston Globe, Fidelity Investments, Harvard, NBCUniversal, and AMP Agency, before the capstone. Similar NEU graduate programs include the MFA in Information Design and Visualization, Online Master of Science in Technical Communication, Master of Arts in Journalism, and Master of Science in Media Advocacy.
About Northeastern University
Northeastern University traces back to May 1896 when Frank Palmer Speare founded the Evening Institute for Young Men at the YMCA’s first branch in Boston, Massachusetts. After adding day courses in 1909, the Institute outgrew its building and had President William Howard Taft lay the cornerstone for its current 73-acre Huntington Avenue campus. By the 1940s, the College of Liberal Arts had been founded and women were admitted into the private, research-intensive NAICU member. Raising $1 billion with the Empower Campaign, NEU now teaches 17,506 undergrad and 7,543 post-grad Huskies, including Communications majors. Northeastern University has trained media greats like Walter V. Robinson, Michelle Bonner, Richard Daniels, and Nat Hentoff.
The U.S. News & World Report ranked Northeastern the 40th best national university, 67th top value, sixth most innovative school, and 51st best online graduate college. On Niche, NEU is America’s 12th best communications school, 27th best location, and 30th most diverse campus. The Princeton Review placed Northeastern University #3 for career services and #1 for internships. According to the CWUR, Northeastern is the world’s 281st best institution with the 117th best alumni employment outcomes. Poets & Quants crowned NEU the 59th best graduate school. LinkedIn declared Northeastern University the 18th best pick for media professionals. In Washington Monthly, NEU is applauded for the country’s 102nd best faculty and 128th top research expenditures too.
Northeastern University Accreditation Details
In April 2009, Northeastern University had its Level VI accreditation continued for another 10 years by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) Commission on Institutions of Higher Education (CIHE) under president Joseph E. Aoun. This regional body in Burlington is authorized by the U.S. Department of Education to check the quality standards of NEU’s 175 baccalaureate, 202 master’s, and 33 doctoral majors from Boston and Toronto to Ho Chi Minh City and online.
Northeastern University Application Requirements
Starting the Communication Studies B.A. at Northeastern University is considered “very difficult” by Peterson’s because of the 27 percent admission rate. Standing out among the over 54,000 first-year applicants requires a strong work ethic in an 18-unit, college-prep high school curriculum. On average, admitted Huskies hold a 4.0 GPA, 1470 SAT score and 33 ACT score. Competitive transfers generally have 24-75 semester credits with a 3.5 GPA or better. Foreign learners need to score at least 62 on the PTE, 6.5 on the IELTS, or 92 on the TOEFL iBT. Master’s communication majors who’ve completed four-year baccalaureates with 3.0 GPAs or greater are favorable. Sending Graduate Record Exam scores via code 3682 is expected. The NEU average is 155 quantitative and 158 verbal.
Northeastern University enforces an Early Action deadline of November 1st and Regular Decision deadline of January 1st for undergrads. The Online Corporate & Organizational Communication M.S. has rolling admission until May 11th, June 29th, September 7th, December 21st, and February 8th. Interested students can submit the Coalition Application, Common Application, or Graduate Application wholly online. If needed, extra materials are mailed to 200 Kerr Hall at 360 Huntington Avenue in Boston, MA 02115. Any questions may be posed to (617) 373-2200 or admissions@northeastern.edu. Great communicators should let their talents shine by sending the following:
- $75 application fee (or waiver request)
- Secondary and college transcripts
- Counselor and teacher recommendations
- Official standardized testing results
- Professional résumé of experiences
- Statement of purpose (500-1,000 words)
- Online portfolio samples on SlideRoom
- English language proficiency proof
Tuition and Financial Aid
Full-time undergrads at Northeastern University are billed $24,280 per Fall or Spring term and $12,140 per Summer session. Studying part-time currently costs $1,518 per credit. Budgets should include the $70 student center fee, $245 study abroad fee, $56 recreation fee, and $131 activity fee. Living at the Boston campus’ dorms like Speare Hall adds $4,470 for room and $3,780 for board each semester. Annual attendance equals $68,177 for residents and $52,297 for commuters. The College of Professional Studies charges undergrads $378 per credit for a total price of $60,480 though. Finishing the Master of Science in Corporate & Organizational Communication Online also costs $646 per credit or $29,070.
According to the NCES College Navigator, 63 percent of full-time NEU Huskies share $216.6 million in annual financial aid packages that average $25,240. Institutional awards include the Curtis Lemar Haigh Scholarship, Dean’s Scholarship, Torch Scholars Program, Ujima Global Leaders Scholarship, RaiseMe Micro-Scholarship, Neighborhood Scholarship, and Balfour Academy Scholarship. Submitting the FAFSA with code 002199 determines EFC for the Federal Pell or Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant. Bay State natives may pursue the Mass Grant, Gilbert Matching Grant, Foster Child Grant, or John and Abigail Adams Scholarship. Money magazine reported median debt of $25,000 from Federal Direct, PLUS, Health Professions, and private loans. The Federal Work-Study program at Northeastern University also provides biweekly paychecks for at least $11/hour.
Learn more about Northeastern University at the Communication Studies Department website.