Graduate Engineering Programs for Non-Engineering Backgrounds

Transform Your Career

The College of Engineering offers MS degree programs specifically designed for students with bachelor’s degrees in non-STEM or non-technical fields. The core curriculum provides the foundational knowledge for students to advance in the program. Students can build upon their undergraduate degree and transition their career into the high-demand technology sector with an engineering master’s degree.


Information Systems

Applicants with any science, engineering, or other technical major are acceptable as long as the candidate provides evidence of technical or programming skills.

Information Systems Program

Information Systems-Bridge

Students with non-STEM, non-technical bachelor’s degrees have the opportunity to earn a Master of Science in Information Systems (MS in IS) with Northeastern’s MS in Information Systems-Bridge program. Current students come from over 24 non-STEM/non-technical bachelor degree backgrounds. No pre-Calculus or higher level math required. No programming background required.

Information Systems-Bridge Program

Bioengineering-Connect

Gives students with life sciences, medicine, or other non-engineering backgrounds the opportunity to transition their career to the in-demand field of bioengineering.

Bioengineering-Connect

Bioengineering

Any engineering or science degree (e.g. Biology, Chemistry) are acceptable

Bioengineering Program

Chemical Engineering

Biology or Chemistry undergraduate degrees are acceptable

Chemical Engineering Program

Climate Science and Engineering

This is a joint Master’s program between the College of Science and the College of Engineering and is open to any student with a science or engineering background seeking foundational knowledge in the climate system, its changing dynamics and impacts, and solutions for mitigation and adaptation.

Climate Science and Engineering Program

Data Analytics Engineering

Applicants who hold a Bachelor’s degree in any of the following fields are academically qualified for admissions consideration: Applied mathematics, mathematics, statistics, physics, chemistry, computer science, or quantitative business (e.g. economics, finance, information systems)

Data Analytics Engineering Program

Energy Systems

Energy Systems applicants with quantitative business or finance majors are acceptable if candidates also have some background in computer science and calculus. The Energy Systems-Academic Link program is available for engineering students who have not had any exposure to thermal sciences.

Energy Systems Program

Energy Systems – Academic Link

Engineering Management

Mathematics or physics majors with linear algebra and multivariable calculus, or students of any major with the equivalent background in mathematics as an engineering major are acceptable.

Engineering Management Program

Engineering and Public Policy

This program is designed to build proficiency in the skills and knowledge needed to serve as policy leaders on large engineering issues in the public and private sectors.  Students can be from any science or engineering major, or from other majors with a background in quantitative analysis, such as public policy, architecture and urban planning, business, economics, or environmental studies.

Engineering and Public Policy Program

Mechanical Engineering

Applicants with majors in applied physics are acceptable

Mechanical Engineering Program

Sustainable Building Systems

Applicants with any engineering or science degree are acceptable; candidates with degrees in architecture and other related fields, or who have some background in the built environment are also considered for admission on a case-by-case basis.

Sustainable Building Systems Program

Certificate in Sustainability Engineering

This certificate allows non-engineering graduate students to complement their degree program with foundational technical vocabulary, concepts, and skills that will enhance collaboration and solution generation as part of multidisciplinary teams tackling challenges related to sustainability and climate issues. This program is open to students of any major, however, a background in college-level mathematics, such as statistics or quantitative analysis, is necessary.

Sustainability Engineering Certificate