Master of Science in Telecommunication Networks

Master of Science in Telecommunication Networks

Overview

The Master of Science, MS, Telecommunication Networks degree program is designed to help students enhance their skills and credentials, deepen their telecommunications knowledge base, and/or extend their professional expertise to business management or marketing. It is designed for both current telecom and networking professionals and those interested in entering the field. With an industry-driven lens, the program develops next-generation engineers capable of building, testing, and debugging telecommunication networks. It is one of only a very few master’s programs nationwide to take a truly multidisciplinary approach to telecommunications and networking, and combines resources from graduate programs in engineering, computer science, and business. The program may be pursued on a full- or part-time basis.

 

 

Innovative Curriculum - MS in Telecommunication Networks

Telecom networks provide the infrastructure for all communications. The internet and its suite of protocols enable most communication applications, from 5G phone calls to the internet of things (IoT) based robotics, including cloud and edge computing. In addition to the internet, telecom includes topologies and technologies such as mobile wireless, content delivery networks, data centers, and transport infrastructures. The field is constantly evolving with new standards and recommendations. Virtualization, software-defined networks (SDNs), IoT, 3GPP 4G/5G/6G, cloud and edge computing, infrastructure automation, satellite networks, and security are in-demand areas and all are covered in the MS in Telecommunications program.

With an industry-driven curriculum, the program focuses on industry-aligned initiatives, including:

  • 3GPP Networks: 4G/LTE, 5G and 6G
  • Internet of Things (key to Cyber-Physical Systems)
  • Satellite, terrestrial and transport Networks
  • Software Define Networks and Network Function Virtualization
  • Next Generation Wide Area Networks
  • Devops
  • Unified Communications
  • Infrastructure Optimization
  • Standard Protocols (i.e., IETF, ITU, ETSI)
  • Softwarization

Our graduates are highly sought after by industry, and their career paths lead them to practical applications in industry.

According to the Mass Technology Leadership Council, Massachusetts companies excel in five areas of telecommunications: wireless, broadband, voice-over-Internet, security and distributed computing.

By being located in Boston, a city renowned for innovation in technology, Northeastern students have access to both large and small telecommunications companies located in the Boston metropolitan area directly related to their program of study.

The Industrial Advisory Board (IAB) for the Telecommunication Networks program provides guidance and strategic direction to the program.  Board members assist with curriculum development and cooperative efforts with industry, and help ensure that the program remains relevant to industry’s needs.   The IAB meets at least once per year.

Current members of the Industrial Advisory Board include:

  • Steven Blumenthal, CTO, Bridgeport Networks
  • Deepak Chakravadhanula, Systems Engineer, Acme Packet
  • Ofer Gneezy, CEO,  iBasis
  • Dr. David Morgan, VP, Fidelity Investments
  • Gregory Najjar, Director, Sprint
  • Dr. David Oran, Fellow, Cisco Systems
  • Bill Stinson, Senior VP, Verizon
  • An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems.
  • An ability to explain and apply engineering design principles, as appropriate to the program’s educational objectives.
  • An ability to produce solutions that meet specified end-user needs with consideration of economic factors, and, where relevant, factors related to public policy, safety, and the environment.
  • An ability to design and analyze communications networks (at all levels from optical to IP) to ensure the core infrastructure provides high performance and high availability
  • An ability to design, and manage complex physical and virtual network environments using a range of network protocols
  • An ability to troubleshoot complex IP/switched networks using a set of monitoring and testing tools
  • An ability to work in a team environment to design and configure a large network

Beyond the academic program, students have opportunity to get involved with:

  • The Cyber-Physical System and Telecom Lab in Boston, which is open to applied research
  • IoT Connect Club, a student organization that links students with industry
  • Membership to standardized bodies, e.g., Thread, OPC, and more)

Over 15 graduate certificates are available to provide students the opportunity to develop a specialization in an area of their choice. Certificates can be taken in addition to or in combination with a master’s degree, or provide a pathway to a master’s degree in Northeastern’s College of Engineering. Master’s programs can also be combined with a Gordon Engineering Leadership certificate. Students should consult with their faculty advisor regarding these options.

Gordon Institute of Engineering Leadership

Students may complete a Master of Science in Telecommunications Networks in addition to earning a Graduate Certificate in Engineering Leadership. Students must apply and be admitted to the Gordon Engineering Leadership Program in order to pursue this option. The program requires fulfillment of the 16-semester-hour curriculum required to earn the Graduate Certificate in Engineering Leadership, which includes an industry-based challenge project with multiple mentors. The integrated 32-semester-hour degree and certificate require 12 hours of technical core courses from the telecommunication networks program and 4 hours from the technical course list provided for this program.

Unique Features

  • Ranked among the top networking and communication programs in the country.
  • In Boston, a hub of innovation with a diverse range of full-time jobs, putting academic pursuits and career ambitions within reach.
  • Flexibility to personalize the student’s learning journey with a vast array of electives across a variety of disciplines, enabling students to tailor studies to their unique interests and career aspirations.
  • Hands-on learning with project-based coursework.
  • Current, cutting-edge curriculum taught by industry-leading faculty and designed to meet in-demand needs of industry.
  • Top-ranked co-op program, providing the opportunity to gain up to eight months of professional experience as part of the academic curriculum.
  • Successful co-op hiring and graduation job placement rate and excellent salary offers.

 

Experiential Learning

Northeastern innovative approach to experiential learning and research has made us one the top engineering school in the world. The Cooperative Education Program at Northeastern University, also known as a “co-op,” is one of the largest and most innovative in the world, and Northeastern is one of only a few that offers a Co-op Program for graduate students. Through this program, students gain up to eight months of professional experience employed in their field of  interest as part of the academic curriculum, giving them a competitive advantage after graduation. Northeastern has over 3,000 co-op employer partners, from large companies to entrepreneurial start-ups, and dedicated co-op coordinators to guide students through the process.

Program Contact


Rolando Herrero
Rolando Herrero
Program Director,  Telecommunication Networks & Cyber-Physical Systems
Program Director,  Cyber-Physical Systems

Academic Advising

The Academic Advisors in the Graduate Student Services office can help answer many of your questions and assist with various concerns regarding your program and student record. Use the link below to also determine which questions can be answered by your Faculty Program Advisors and OGS Advisors.

Admissions & Aid

Ready to take the next step? Review degree requirements to see courses needed to complete this degree. Then, explore ways to fund your education. Finally, review admissions information to see our deadlines and gather the materials you need to Apply.

Student Experiences

How This Gordon Institute Fellow Stays Determined to Follow His Dream

After 13 years in industry, Raymond Tay, MS’24, is gaining new insights on the telecommunications industry as he simultaneously pursues a master’s in telecommunications networks from the College of Engineering, and a graduate certificate in engineering leadership from the Gordon Institute of Engineering Leadership.

A Confidence Boost to Succeed in the Telecommunications Industry

Varun Sachdev, MS’09, chose Northeastern to pursue a master’s in telecommunication networks because of its focus on industry experiences to complement the academic program. He focused on areas including 4G LTE, multimedia, and advanced networking, and well as management. He did a co-op at Qualcomm in San Diego.

Securing Mobile Networks 4G to 5G and Beyond

Apoorva Jain, an alumnus of the MS in Telecommunication Networks program, gained valuable experience on an eight-month co-op at telecommunications company Ericsson, working on the systems integration team. Upon graduation he received a full time position at Ericsson in product development and validation. Now Jain is a senior product manager in cloud and network security at Palo Alto Networks.