Frequently Asked Questions

Beginning Fall 2026, all College of Professional Studies (CPS) graduate programs, graduate certificates, and doctoral degrees will transition to a semester-based academic calendar.

The transition to a semester calendar is driven by several key factors aimed at enhancing the educational experience for our students.  

• Improved Learning Environment: The semester system allows for longer class durations and more in-depth instruction, enabling students to engage with topics over an extended period.  

• Seamless Transition: The transition to a semester-based calendar facilitates a seamless adjustment for many students, particularly adult learners, by aligning more closely with other institutions and industry partners, thereby enhancing work-life balance, improving credit transferability, synchronizing with workplace schedules, and allowing for extended learning periods. 

• Enhanced Faculty Interaction: With longer terms, students have more opportunities to build relationships with their professors, which can lead to better academic support and mentorship.  

• Expanded Opportunities: The new calendar will facilitate greater collaboration with other Northeastern colleges and campuses, and aligning with co-op, experiential, and research opportunities.  

A quarter-based academic calendar has 12-week terms for fall, winter, and spring, and an 8-week summer term. Full-term courses are scheduled for the entire 12 weeks, while half-term courses are scheduled for the first or last 6 weeks. 

 The semester-based academic calendar consists of 15-week terms in both the fall and spring, as well as a 15-week summer session. Full-term courses are held for the entire 15 weeks, while half-term courses are scheduled for 7 weeks.

If you are finishing your degree by the end of August 2026, you will not require a transition course plan from quarter to semesters.  Students who will not be completing their degree requirements by Fall 2026, should review the program specific information on this website. <insert link> 

CPS is firmly committed to a smooth and student-centered transition. Academic advisors are ready to work with students on their transition plan. We encourage students to contact their designated advisor. Our advisors will partner with you and serve as valuable resources during your journey. They will provide personalized one-on-one sessions to assist you in this transition.  

Graduate students have the responsibility to learn how the transition affects their academic program(s) and to make decisions about course enrollment that will best serve their interests. Graduate students will work with their academic advisor to complete a curriculum plan. The plan should include the date the form was completed and the deadline date by which coursework must be completed. If the coursework is not completed by the deadline, the graduate student will be required to complete the degree following semester-based requirements.  

Students interested in staying informed about the semester conversion project can access updates on the official Northeastern College of Professional semester conversion website.  <insert link>

Transition students (graduate students who matriculated prior to Fall 2026 and will graduate after Summer 2026) will work with their designated advisor to determine an academic schedule that will allow them to complete their degree on the same timeline as if they were on under the quarter system. Graduate students are responsible for following their schedule and successfully completing their academic requirements. Graduate students who follow their schedule will graduate on time and will incur no additional tuition cost as a result of the conversion. The graduation timetable and cumulative cost of tuition to earn a degree will remain unchanged for graduate students who begin under the quarter system and finish under the semester system. Notwithstanding, the College of Professional Studies will continue to experience normal annual tuition and fee increases. 

Graduate transition students have the right to graduate under quarter-based degree requirements; that is, to complete their original degree requirements in the semester format. However, graduate students also have the option of graduating under semester-based requirements. Typically, graduate students who have completed a substantial portion of their coursework will choose the quarter-based requirements. Advisors will help them plan their courses so that their semester coursework will satisfy their quarter-based requirements. Graduate students who have completed only a small amount of their coursework will generally choose the semester-based requirements. In both cases, advisors will work with graduate students to plan a program that provides an opportunity for any graduate student to graduate on time and at no additional cost. That is, If the graduate student adheres to the plan, the student will be held harmless under the conversion process. 

In a semester system, the University’s definition of full-time status may differ from that regarding federal financial aid eligibility. Graduate students who require federal financial aid must meet the higher enrollment standard. To be considered full-time, a graduate student must be enrolled in a minimum of eight (8) semester hours per full semester. 

To graduate from the University, all graduate students must complete University requirements, College requirements, and requirements specified by their degree program. CPS is committed to ensuring there is no loss of academic progress – by successfully converting quarter-based courses into a semester-based transcript and degree audit, and by providing (via academic advising and course scheduling) semester-based courses at the approximate equivalent credits to complete their degree. For example, if a student was approximately 2/3 complete under quarters, their credits will be converted such that they will be approximately 2/3 complete under semesters.

Beginning in Fall 2026, semester graduation requirements will replace the current quarter-system graduation requirements.

• minimum of 12 semester hours for a graduate certificate (some certificates may require more)
• minimum of 30 semester hours for a master’s degree (some programs may require more)
• minimum of 45 semester hours for the Education Doctorate degree
• minimum of 52 semester hours for the Doctor of Law and Policy degree
• minimum overall GPA of 3.000 (some programs may require a higher GPA)
  complete all requirements for the specific degree

Graduate students are urged to complete as much coursework as possible prior to Fall 2026. Students who do not complete requirements before Fall 2026 must complete remaining requirements with semester courses.

Students who will complete their degree requirements prior to the fall of 2026 will not require a transition plan from quarters to semesters.

To graduate from the University, all graduate students must complete University requirements, College requirements, and requirements specified by their degree program. CPS is committed to ensuring there is no loss of academic progress – by successfully converting quarter-based courses into a semester-based transcript and degree audit, and by providing (via academic advising and course scheduling) semester-based courses at the approximate equivalent credits to complete their degree. For example, if a student was approximately 2/3 complete under quarters, their credits will be converted such that they will be approximately 2/3 complete under semesters.

Beginning in Fall 2026, semester graduation requirements will replace the current quarter-system graduation requirements.

• minimum of 12 semester hours for a graduate certificate (some certificates may require more)
• minimum of 30 semester hours for a master’s degree (some programs may require more)
• minimum of 45 semester hours for the Education Doctorate degree
• minimum of 52 semester hours for the Doctor of Law and Policy degree
• minimum overall GPA of 3.000 (some programs may require a higher GPA)
  complete all requirements for the specific degree

Graduate students are urged to complete as much coursework as possible prior to Fall 2026. Students who do not complete requirements before Fall 2026 must complete remaining requirements with semester courses.

Students who will complete their degree requirements prior to the fall of 2026 will not require a transition plan from quarters to semesters.

Grade point average (GPA) will be unaffected by the change to semesters. The Registrar’s System will maintain both quarter and semester GPAs to facilitate grade changes. 

The conversion to semesters is an exciting opportunity for CPS to improve students’ graduate experience. The semester system will benefit students by aligning with traditional Co-op and employment opportunities.  

Graduate transition students who wish to repeat quarter courses should do so before Fall 2026. Some quarter courses may not have equivalents under semesters and, therefore, will not be repeatable in the semester system. The content of some quarter courses may be dropped completely in the semester system or may be dispersed among several semester courses. 

It may be possible to substitute a semester course for a quarter course. A listing of quarter-based courses and their semester-based equivalents will be provided by your Academic Advisor. Equivalent semester courses may be substituted for those programs that permit graduate students to substitute courses. When a semester course replaces a quarter course, the semester credits, and grade points replace the quarter credits and grade points. 

Financial aid eligibility and scholarships do not change with the conversion to semesters. Students with questions about financial aid should consult with their financial aid counselor. 

For specific inquiries about financial aid, please schedule an appointment with Student Financial Services. 

The change to a semester calendar will not impact the total tuition of the program. However, the College of Professional Studies will continue to experience normal annual tuition and fee increases. 

Transfer credit is accepted at the discretion of the College and is based on the degree requirements of the program. Courses transferred prior to Fall 2026 will not be reevaluated as we convert to semesters.  

• A maximum of 3 semester hours (30%) of transfer credit is allowed for a graduate certificate.  

• A maximum of 10 semester hours (30%) of transfer credit is allowed for a master’s degree.  

• For doctoral programs, a maximum of 30 percent of the total semester or quarter hours of required coursework may be granted upon the recommendation of the admitting college’s graduate committee. 

For information on advanced graduate credit toward the Doctor of Education program, click here.

For more information about transfer credit, see: https://cps.northeastern.edu/admissions-aid/graduate-admissions/graduate-transfer-credit/

Students become eligible to apply for co-op after completing 1 academic year of full-time enrollment in their degree program.  This would include the following combination of enrollment: 

• Three full-time quarters 
• Two full-time quarters + One full-time semester 
• One full-time quarter + Two full-time semesters 
• Two full-time semesters 

F-1/J-1 international students studying on U.S. campuses must ensure appropriate maintenance of nonimmigrant status, including maintaining on-ground presence, to gain eligibility for the work authorization (F-1 Curricular Practical Training or J-1 Academic Training) required for co-op participation. 

This would be contingent on enrollment and successful completion of INT6200.  Please work with your co-op advisor to discuss your co-op search strategy in more detail.  

You will be able to start a co-op after completing the eligibility criteria.  Please work with your academic and co-op advisors to discuss your plan. 

After Fall 2026,  Students on a U.S Based Campus will be allowed to complete (1) continuous 4 Month, 6 Month, or 8 Month Co-op. Students will be able to engage in the following Co-op patterns after Fall 2026.Please speak with your academic and co-op advisor to discuss your options in more detail.  

4 Month Options 

Fall only 

Spring only 

Summer only 

6 Month Options 

Spring + Summer I 

Summer II + Fall 

8 Month Options 

Spring + Summer 

Summer + Fall