Overview
Admissions Committee members evaluate an applicant’s scholastic and leadership achievements, motivation, interpersonal skills, and professional performance. We also review your academic record, employment history, resume, essays, recommendations, interview performance (if requested) and test scores to make an admission decision.
We encourage you to start your online application early. The application system provides you with support and instructions for successful completion. Once you start an application you can save it and continue at a later time. MSLOC staff can only view submitted applications, so your entries remain confidential until submitted.
Submitting Your Application
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 upcoming year on the November 1 deadline of the current year. MSLOC has a limited number of openings for each incoming class. We recommend applying early.
A non-refundable processing fee of $100 US is required with your completed application. Payment is submitted via credit card. Please contact our office if you would like to request a fee waivers.
If the Admissions Committee requires a personal interview, you will be notified via email. Interviews are awarded at the discretion of the Admissions Committee; not all applicants will be interviewed. Interviews are conducted via Zoom.
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.
Notification
MSLOC will notify you by email regarding our admission decision. You should receive notification within six weeks of the stated deadline or the receipt of all application pieces.
Admission
If you are offered admission and wish to accept, you need to complete the web based “Intention to Register” form by the acceptance due date (instructions will be in your admission letter). You will be prompted to submit, via credit card, a non-refundable deposit of $500 US, which holds your place in the cohort.
Receipt of your form and deposit prompts us to initiate the University entry process and plan for your matriculation into the MSLOC program. You’ll also receive information regarding academic advising and dates to hold for MSLOC onboarding events (both in Evanston, Ill., and online).
Northwestern University Admission Policy
It is the policy of Northwestern University not to discriminate against any individual on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, age, disability, citizenship, or veteran status in matters of admissions, employment, housing or services, or in the educational program or activities it operates, in accordance with civil rights legislation and University commitment. Any alleged violations of this policy or questions regarding the law with respect to nondiscrimination should be addressed to:
The Director of Equal Employment Opportunities
Affirmative 13 Action and Labor Relations
720 University Place
Evanston, IL 60208-1147
Ph: 847-491-7458
Or
Office of the Provost
Rebecca Crown Center
Evanston, IL 60208-1101
Ph: 847-491-7041
Website: www.northwestern.edu/hr/eeo
Admission Requirements
Degree | Certificate | Certificate to Degree |
---|---|---|
Minimum two years relevant work experience | Minimum five years relevant work experience | |
Online application:
|
Online application:
|
Online application:
|
College/University transcripts *translated transcripts needed if degree was earned outside of the US. | College/University transcripts *translated transcripts needed if degree was earned outside of the US. | |
Resume | Resume | Updated resume |
Two letters of recommendation | One letter of recommendation | |
$100 US application fee (nonrefundable) | $100 US application fee (nonrefundable) | $100 US application fee (nonrefundable) |
GRE/GMAT (if suggested) | GRE/GMAT (if suggested) | |
Personal interview (if requested) | Personal interview (if requested) | |
TOEFL score (see international requirements) | TOEFL score (see international requirements) |
1 Qualified candidates are eligible to apply all credits earned while a certificate student to MSLOC degree requirements.
2 For those applicants whose undergraduate GPA was significantly lower than the 3.2 GPA threshold, an academic addendum explaining the circumstances of the lower GPA may be added in addition or in place of GRE/GMAT scores to an application by emailing msloc.assisstant@northwestern.edu.
Work Experience
We require a minimum of two years full-time relevant work experience. Relevant experience includes work within an organization that exposes the candidate to the operations and strategy of the workplace. Example areas could include human resources, organizational effectiveness, project management, consulting, strategic planning, teaching/educational administration, training and development, marketing, process improvement or general management.
Academic Record and GMAT/GRE
For those applicants whose undergraduate GPA was significantly lower than the 3.2 GPA threshold, an academic addendum explaining the circumstances of the lower GPA may be added in addition or in place of GRE/GMAT scores to an application by emailing msloc.assisstant@northwestern.edu.
Academic Transcripts
We require one official transcript from every college, university or professional school attended, whether or not you graduated. If you attended academic programs located outside of the US, the admissions committee needs to see translated transcripts (see section below on transcript translation). Transcripts must be sent to the MS in Learning & Organizational Change Program in one of two ways
- Preferred: in an email, with accompanying PDF file of the transcript, originating from the issuing college or university to msloc.assistant@northwestern.edu
- In an envelope sealed by the issuing college or university to Master of Science in Learning & Organizational Change Program, Northwestern University, 1800 Sherman Avenue, Suite 3500, Evanston, Illinois 60208
Transcripts not received in this manner are not considered official and will not be accepted.