Program Overview

Introduction to the Certificate Program for Undergraduates

The Certificate Program for Undergraduates is an elite, four-course academic program for undergraduate students at Northwestern University, offering early exposure to careers in consulting, financial services, and other data-driven professions. The program is designed to complement and build upon Northwestern University's world-class liberal arts education and highly regarded engineering curriculum.

Program Overview

The program is open to all Northwestern undergraduates who fulfill the prerequisite courses, regardless of their school or major. Students admitted to the program begin in the spring quarter of their sophomore or junior year. The program offers two certificates: the Financial Economics Certificate and the Managerial Analytics Certificate. Both tracks help students improve their critical thinking skills, business acumen, and understanding of strategic models used in a wide range of industries and occupations.

Program Structure

• The program consists of four certificate courses, which do not need to be completed in one year.
• The first certificate course, Principles of Finance, must be taken in the spring.
• The remaining three courses may be taken in any order, but students are encouraged to complete them during their junior year to avoid scheduling conflicts during their senior year.

Admission Criteria

• Successful applicants perform at a high level academically, particularly in analytical and quantitative subjects.
• A combined 3.0 average among all Certificate Program prerequisite courses is required to apply.
• The program looks for overall academic accomplishment, recognizing that taking more challenging courses can impact grades.

Prerequisites and Corequisites

• Students must complete several prerequisite and corequisite courses in advanced calculus and linear algebra, economics, probability, and statistics.
• One prerequisite course may be taken during winter quarter of the application year.
• All corequisite courses must be completed within one year of starting the program.

Program Benefits

• The program provides a unique and advantageous learning environment, with academic rigor, emphasis on collaboration and teamwork, and a community of like-minded students.
• Students have access to a state-of-the-art facility at 555 Clark St. on the Northwestern University campus.
• The program helps prepare students for graduate school and careers in consulting, financial services, and other data-driven professions.

Certificate Details

• The certificate is noted on the student's transcript upon successful completion of the four certificate courses and graduation from Northwestern University.
• Students must earn at least a "B" average in the four courses to earn the certificate.
• The certificate is not considered an academic major, minor, or concentration, and students remain in their home schools.

Research Opportunities

• Many Kellogg professors employ Certificate Program students as Research Assistants.
• Students may seek out a Kellogg professor to advise them on a research project of their own design, either as a separate project or as their senior honors thesis.

Additional Information

• The program is designed for students who excel in mathematics and other quantitative subjects.
• The program is not a substitute for an MBA, but it can supplement core major curriculum and give students a sense of what to expect in the Kellogg classroom.
• Each year, a handful of Certificate students pursue graduate degrees, including master's, doctoral, medical, and law programs.