Certificate in Engineering Leadership at Northeastern University

    Certificate in Engineering Leadership at Northeastern University

    Certificate in Engineering Leadership at Northeastern University

    The Engineering Leadership at Northeastern University is a Full Time Certificate program offered on the Boston campus in United States of America. The program is delivered on campus in English and can be completed in 1 year. Students develop academic knowledge and practical skills that prepare them for future careers in this field. The next available intake starts on January 1, 2027.

    About Certificate in Engineering Leadership

    The Gordon Engineering Leadership Program offered by the Gordon Institute of Engineering Leadership is a transformational graduate program designed to build a future corps of engineering leadership professionals. GEL seeks to accelerate leadership development capability in an engineering context through a concentrated curriculum that inculcates both the psychological skills and capabilities needed to lead engineers in parallel with technical skills to successfully engineer products to customers and markets. 

    The program teaches relevant leadership theory followed by practice in leadership laboratories. Technical product development and scientific principles courses are followed by the completion of a market-worthy challenge project. This learning framework is supplemented with three-way mentoring from industry, faculty, and program mentors. Graduates of the program, known as Gordon Fellows, have an opportunity to gain the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required to successfully lead engineering teams. They stand out from their peers in their ability to invent, innovate, and implement engineering projects from concept to market success. Participation in GEL accelerates Gordon Fellowsʼ careers, making them more valuable to their company.

    This certificate can be pursued alongside the following programs:

    • MSBioE Bioengineering
    • MS Biotechnology 
    • MSChE Chemical Engineering
    • MSCivE Civil Engineering (select concentration)
    • MSCSE Computer Systems Engineering
    • MS Cybersecurity 
    • MS Data Analytics Engineering 
    • MSECE Electrical and Computer Engineering (select concentration)
    • MSECEL Electrical and Computer Engineering Leadership
    • MSENE Energy Systems
    • MSEM Engineering Management
    • MS Engineering and Public Policy (select concentration)
    • MSEnvE Environmental Engineering
    • MSIE Industrial Engineering
    • MSIS Information Systems
    • MSME Mechanical Engineering (select concentration)
    • MSOR Operations Research
    • MSSBS Sustainable Building Systems
    • MS Telecommunication Networks

    GEL candidates must apply for and be admitted to both the Northeastern Graduate School of Engineering and the Gordon Institute of Engineering Leadership. Students pursue GEL as part of a Master of Science degree in the engineering discipline of their choice or as a stand-alone graduate certificate. Upon completion of the program, students earn both the Master of Science degree in the discipline of choice and a Graduate Certificate in Engineering Leadership. Students who already hold a graduate degree in engineering or have more than three yearsʼ engineering work experience can complete the program to earn a Graduate Certificate in Engineering Leadership. The core GEL curriculum takes place during one year (September–July), and additional course work required for the Master of Science degree can be pursued before, after, or in parallel with GEL.


    More Details

    Unique Features

    • Can be pursued as part of a Master of Science degree in any engineering discipline offered by the College of Engineering at Northeastern University
    • Can be pursued after earning a Master of Science in any engineering discipline
    • The core curriculum takes place during one year
    • Candidates complete a thesis-equivalent challenge project
    • Nationally recognized by the National Academy of Engineering

    The Gordon Engineering Leadership Program’s mission is to create an elite cadre of engineering leaders who stand out from their peers in their ability to invent, innovate, and implement engineering projects from concept to market success.

    • Can be pursued as part of a Master of Science degree in any engineering discipline offered by the College of Engineering at Northeastern University
    • Can be pursued after earning a Master of Science in any engineering discipline
    • The core curriculum takes place during one year
    • Candidates complete a thesis-equivalent challenge project
    • Nationally recognized by the National Academy of Engineering

    Requirements and Admission Criteria for Certificate in Engineering Leadership at Northeastern University

    Entry Requirements

    • GEL online application. As part of the GEL application, you must provide contact information for an individual at your organization who can 1) nominate you for the program and 2) attest that the organization can provide a suitable Challenge Project for completion during the program.
    • Current resume
    • Interview with the GEL admissions committee

    Prospective students must apply to both the Gordon Institute of Engineering Leadership and their Master of Science engineering discipline at the College of Engineering.

    English Requirements

    • PTEMin 76
    • IELTSMin 8
    • TOEFLMin 108

    English Program Requirements

    Northeastern students will be exposed to not only a rigorous academic environment but also a fast-paced experiential one. In order to be successful in both, all first-year and transfer applicants, regardless of citizenship, must demonstrate proficiency in English to be considered for admission to Northeastern.

    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.

    Tuition and Fee Information for Certificate in Engineering Leadership at Northeastern University

    Application Fee 75

    How to Apply for Certificate in Engineering Leadership at Northeastern University

    • 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.

    Certificate in Engineering Leadership at Northeastern University
    Northeastern University
    Northeastern University
    United States of America

    United States of America, Boston

    WhatsApp student consultation with YouApply