Advance your career with a post-bacc certificate

Are you considering going back to school, but aren't sure where to start?

 Kyle Einck, enrollment adviser at Northwestern University School of Professional Studies, shares feedback he has for individuals who have completed their bachelor's degree and want more:

“A common misconception is that when we graduate from undergrad, whatever degree we receive is what we have to do for the rest of our life. Our part-time post-baccalaureate programs allow students the opportunity to explore new industries and gain the additional education to be qualified or competitive in a different career.”

 Take a look at the answers to the below common questions to help you determine if applying for a post-baccalaureate certificate is right for you.

 

Why should I consider applying to a post-baccalaureate certificate program? 

• If you want to gain the background needed to enter a new career sector or learn the latest theories, technologies, tools, and solutions in your current industry
• If you're interested in graduate or professional schools and want to use a post-baccalaureate certificate to show recent academic success, strengthen your academic transcript, and secure current letters of recommendation from Northwestern University faculty 

 

“A favorite story of mine to share is of a student whose family owned a small business. As their father prepared to retire, they decided to pursue one of our Accounting programs so that they could be prepared once they were in charge of the financial books and taxes. Since their background was in writing, our program helped make sure that they were ready to take charge of the company when the time came.”

Kyle Einck, Enrollment Adviser

 

What do I want to study? 

• Northwestern University School of Professional Studies offers over thirty certificates in a variety of topics including accounting and finance, creative writing, advanced sciences, business, information technology, management, marketing and advertising, pregraduate study, and premedicine and professional health careers.
• Programs are customizable to accommodate your individual interests and experiences.
• Most certificates consist of only four courses. Courses are either offered on campus or online and are scheduled in the evenings and on weekends so that they are easy to fit into your professional and personal schedules.
• As of right now, post-baccalaureate courses during fall quarter 2020 will be offered online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more about the School of Professional Studies’s response.

 

When should I apply? 

The best advice we can provide is to apply when you feel ready. That being said, students can start most post-baccalaureate programs at any quarter. You can even apply and defer your start for a later quarter.

 To start as early as:

• Fall quarter, apply by August 1^st
• Winter quarter, apply by November 1^st
• Spring quarter, apply by February 1^st
• Summer quarter, apply by May 1^st

Want to learn more? Contact our advising team at studysps@northwestern.edu or via phone at 312-503-2579.

 

What do I need to apply? 

• A completed online application 
• Official transcript showing bachelor's degree or higher conferred from a regionally accredited institution or its foreign equivalent 
• Select your intended certificate or enter your specialized course plan 
• A statement of purpose 
• A current resume or CV 

 

Finding your next step after undergrad can feel daunting. Peter Kaye, PhD, Assistant Dean of Undergraduate and Post-baccalaureate Programs at Northwestern University School of Professional Studies, says it best:

“In a competitive marketplace, a certificate from Northwestern University can help set a job applicant apart from the crowd. As I tell our students, a certificate—by itself—cannot get you a job. But if you have the right mix of experience and skills, a certificate can help get you noticed and in the door. The rest is up to you.” 

Peter Kaye, PhD
Assistant Dean of Undergraduate and Post-baccalaureate Programs

Northwestern University School of Professional Studies offers many degree and certificate programs, with evening and online options available. To learn more about Northwestern University's post-baccalaureate certificate options, fill out the form below and we will be in touch with you soon.