Information Design and Visualization

Graduates of this certificate program are professionals who are prepared to tackle new information challenges and communicate and collaborate with researchers in a variety of fields, as well as with stakeholders and the public. Throughout the course of the certificate, students master how to think visually while also learning how to produce effective, meaningful visual information from various sources of data.

The Graduate Certificate in Information Design and Visualization is intended for practitioners and graduate students from related fields—media, design, communications, data science, and more—who would like to acquire competencies in information design and data visualization to complement their skills and address their professional needs. Embedded in the course offering of our Master of Fine Arts in Information Design and Visualization program, students in the certificate program will have the opportunity to join MFA students for activities such as attending guest lectures and workshops.

Over the past five years, interactive data visualization has grown to play an increasingly important role in the professional and research world. While visualization used to be regarded as a discipline for specialists dealing with problems of limited scope, it has now developed into a complex field that major global companies—from Google to IBM—are recognizing as a key to growth and success in today’s competitive market. These large companies, as well as public sector institutions, increasingly hire information designers and establish information design departments as data- and analytics-related services become central to their activities.

The “data revolution” has affected all aspects of society as organizations from various disciplines recognize that more open data can unlock greater knowledge and influence, and information visualization is the native language for communicating and exploring data-related issues. While there is a sustained demand for dedicated data visualization experts, there is also an increasing need for professionals and experts from diverse backgrounds who have a competency in information design and visualization. This is where our Graduate Certificate in Information Design and Visualization fits in. Please explore the certificate’s educational objectives below.

More Details

The Graduate Certificate in Information Design and Visualization focuses on the data-driven analytical and visual design of information, preparing students to communicate visually while engaging advanced data analytics to produce meaningful information environments.

• Students in the certificate program have the opportunity to join MFA students for activities such as attending guest lectures and workshops
• Designed for practitioners and graduate-level students from related fields: media, design, communications, data science, and more.
• Designed to meet the increasing need for professionals and experts from diverse backgrounds who have competency in information design and visualization

Admissions Dates

Once your application is submitted, received, and processed, you will be able to access your Application Status Check. If you are required to provide further information regarding your proficiency in English, you will be able to complete the requirement in several ways, depending on your familiarity with English, and the frequency with which you use English each and every day:

• Non-native English-speaking applicants will be required to submit official and valid results from one of the following English Language Tests:
  • C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency (Cambridge English)
  • Duolingo English Test (DET)
  • IELTS Academic
  • PTE Academic
  • TOEFL Internt-based Test (CEEB Code: 3667) Northeastern will accept either the in-person version completed in a test center, or the TOEFL iBT Home Edition
• However, based on your academic environment and the primary instructional language in either your high school or university, you may be eligible for a waiver. All waivers must be submitted through your Application Status Check. For additional information and to determine whether or not you are eligible for a waiver, please read the section below on waiving the English proficiency requirement.

Please note: Northeastern’s Admissions Committee reserves the right to request proof of English language proficiency from any applicant, regardless of citizenship or first language, at any time during the evaluation process.

• 1.Create your application

  Submit your application through The Common Application or the Coalition Application (both are accepted). Once you have created your application, please select Northeastern University to directly submit your application to us. Application fee of $75 or need-based fee waiver* *Northeastern accepts need-based fee waivers from the Common Application, the Coalition Application, as well as organizations such as the College Board and ACT, or in a written request from a school official.

• 2.Submit all required materials

  Double check to make sure that you have submitted all required materials. Even if your application has been submitted, we cannot begin reviewing your file until all of your required materials have been received. For applicants applying for the 2022-2023 academic year, Northeastern University is test-optional and does not require standardized testing to complete an application for admission.

• 3.Check your application status

  Within seven days of applying, you should receive a confirmation email containing your Northeastern University ID number and instructions for setting up your Application Status Check account. To ensure all of the necessary documents have been submitted, and for updates or information about your application, visit your application status check.