MASTER OF SCIENCE IN GLOBAL STUDIES AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
SATURDAY PROGRAM COHORT FAQS
What does a cohort model mean?
 Students go through an academic program at the same pace, taking classes together to
better create an intellectual community and networking opportunities. Students in the
Saturday cohort will meet once a month for the duration of the program to take their core
courses together.
What will the class size be?
 The cohort will be 24 students.
When will class meet and at what time?
 Class will meet once a month, on a Saturday, from 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM, with short breaks
and an hour for lunch.
Is this program I-20 compliant?
 Yes, and international students are encouraged to apply!
What format will the classes be in? Will I be taking online classes? How often will classes
be meeting?
 Students take two classes each quarter. The cohort courses (the core classes) will meet
once a month on Saturday at the Broad Street campus. Learning will also continue online
between the monthly meetings. Students choose a second course from one of the
concentrations that can be taken either online or on the main Boston campus, depending
on your preference. Your second course will have weekly online requirements or meet
weekly in person; only the cohort courses meet once a month.
Is there housing available for international students in this program? What about hotel for
out-of-town students?
 We encourage out-of-town students to consider the Saturday option; heavily discounted
parking rates are available, as well as the possibility of lodging at two local hotels for
those who need it.
 As for more permanent housing, the College of Professional Studies does not provide
housing for any of its students. While students are expected to find their own housing, we
do encourage you to use the apartment search resources through Off Campus Student
Services: http://www.northeastern.edu/offcampus/apartment-search/.
Are there any scholarships available?
 Currently, there are no scholarships available for this program/model.
What does my tuition cover? What is not included in tuition?
 Course tuition is based on the number of quarter hours in each class; this covers the
classes. Student fees – such as the Student Center Fee and Campus Recreation Fee –
are not included in tuition costs. Additionally, the program fee for INT 6900 International
Field Study Experience is not included in tuition costs.
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Who are my classmates?
 Each class is different, but the 350 currently active students in the master’s program come
from an impressive variety of backgrounds. They represent 24 different countries and
more than 30 U.S. states. Their professions range from commercial airline pilots, athletes,
foreign diplomats, journalists, deployed military (both officers and enlisted) aid workers,
NGO staff, teachers, medical workers, study abroad leaders, and returned Peace Corps
volunteers – just to name a few!
Who are my professors?
 Our professors are almost as international as our students! They come from more than a
dozen countries and bring impressive academic credentials, along with “real world”
experience as foreign policy practitioners. Several fulltime instructors will teach in the
Saturday program, including program director Dr. Mary Thompson-Jones and Dr. Marissa
Lombardi, who leads the IFSE trip and the global student mobility concentration.
What are the academic benefits of studying on Saturday with a cohort?
 Students will interact with special guest speakers during lunchtime talks and through social
events. Studying as a community allows for more in-depth interaction and special
programming. In addition, studies show working adults are more likely to complete a
master’s degree if they enroll in a cohort-based program.
What happens if I need to stop in the middle of the program?
 If you think you may need to stop out of your program, please consult with your academic
advisor who can help you choose the best path for you. If you are an international
student, stopping out of the program will impact your I-20 so you will need to speak with
ISSI as well.
What is the schedule of classes? What if I don’t want to take classes in this order?
 One core course will be offered on the Broad Street campus each quarter. In addition to
this, you must choose one concentration course each quarter, either online or on campus.
We have provided curriculum maps to help you plan and you will also have the support of
your academic advisor. If you do not take courses in the prescribed order, you will fall out
of the step with the cohort and will not be able to continue in the Saturday program.
Are there any special requirements for admission to this program?
 The admissions requirements for the Saturday program align with the general
graduate admissions requirements for the College of Professional Studies.
If I’m a current student in the program, can I switch over to the Saturday cohort model?
 Unfortunately, current Global Studies and International Relation students cannot
register for this program, as it is likely they have already taken a number of core
courses, which is what the Saturday cohort model is based around.
If you have additional questions, please email [email protected].
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