New Students
PhD students will obtain their academic and advising information from their departments and PhD programs. The information here is intended to get you started before your arrival at Northeastern.
All students should also refer to their departments and programs for specific program level information about registration and advising policies. The information in the links below will help new graduate students prepare for their studies at Northeastern and answer questions related to topics such as billing, housing, and required forms. In most cases, your questions will be answered at the PhD Network orientation. If you have a question that needs to be answered prior to your arrival, please reach out to your program contact or to a contact listed below.
Students should contact their PhD Program coordinator or academic advisor listed on the admission letter about how and when to register for coursework. PhD programs will generally provide registration guidance during their department level orientation at the beginning of the academic year. You can access the curriculum requirements for your PhD programs at the Graduate Catalog.
Students will receive an e-bill shortly after registering for classes. Students with assistantships should pay the balance of what is not covered by the award. Your admissions letter will detail what your award will cover. In addition, all students will be asked to review and accept the Student Financial Responsibility Agreement when they first log into the myNortheastern.edu portal. Contact Student Financial Services at 617.373.5899 with any billing questions. Questions may also be submitted through the PhD Network at: phd.northeastern.edu/sfra.
Students must apply for their email accounts through myNortheastern. InfoCommons can assist with any problems at: 184 Snell Library, 617.373.4357 or [email protected].
Northeastern related email will be sent to your Northeastern Husky email account; and it is important that you either check this account regularly or have this email forwarded to an email account that you do check regularly. Log into myNortheastern account to check your new Husky Gmail account. After logging in, look for the Gmail icon in the upper right-hand corner of the screen. You may find that there are already important emails waiting in your account. With that said, given that most people have at least two if not several email accounts (i.e. yahoo, gmail, etc.), you may wish to forward your personal email to your Husky Gmail account or vice versa. Note that your Husky Gmail account can easily be configured to automatically forward incoming mail to another address if desired. To learn the steps to do this, login to your Husky Gmail account, and look for a gear icon in the upper right hand corner of the page to begin the process.
Most PhD students are admitted into their PhD programs with funding through assistantships or fellowships administered by Northeastern University. Some PhD students pursue their studies with funding from outside sources. Students who receive assistantships or fellowships through Northeastern University are required to sign up for direct deposit. During the course of their studies many PhD students secure fellowships and pursue Experiential PhD opportunities. Both are prestigious and greatly enhance your resume or CV. The PhD Network maintains a list of funding opportunities. U.S. citizens or permanent resident aliens who will be enrolling in degree programs are also eligible to apply for federally sponsored financial aid administered by Northeastern University through Graduate Student Financial Services located at 354 Richards Hall; Phone: 617.373.5899; Fax: 617.373.8735; email: [email protected].
from Logan Airport
You can travel from Logan International Airport (BOS) to Boston, Northeastern, and surrounding areas utilizing a number of different options.
Taxi
Taxis are readily available from any terminal at Logan. Follow the signs in the airport terminal directing you to ground transport and taxi services. Taxi pick-up areas are usually located near baggage claim. The airport advises you to only utilize properly-licensed taxi services.
You should expect to pay $40 to $60 for a one-way trip into downtown Boston or surrounding areas, inclusive of tolls and fees. Taxis licensed by the City of Boston are required to accept credit cards as a form of payment. Taxis licensed by other cities in Massachusetts do not necessarily have to accept credit cards.
Shuttle Service (Private)
A number of private shuttle services operate from Logan and offer drop-offs to an address you specify. Shuttles may be more economical than taxis if you transporting a large group of people. Shuttles generally require advance reservation and payment.
- Flightline
- Go Boston Shuttle
- Super Shuttle
Note: This content is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as an endorsement by Northeastern University, of any of the products, services, or companies mentioned. This list is presented alphabetically and is not intended to be exhaustive.
Public Transit (MBTA)
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) offers a number of options to travel from the airport to the Greater Boston area. MBTA subway service, often referred to as the “T”, runs along multiple lines (Blue, Green, Orange, Red…the Silver Line is actually a bus line), some of which may include multiple branches. MBTA bus service covers most of the Boston metropolitan area.
Northeastern is accessible by subway via the Green Line of the MBTA. From downtown Boston, take an “E” train outbound to the Northeastern stop, the first stop above ground. The campus can also be reached from downtown via the Orange Line by taking any train going outbound to Forest Hills and getting off at Ruggles Station. Commuter rail lines connect with the Orange Line at Ruggles Station, Back Bay Station, and North Station.
It may be helpful to familiarize yourself with a map of the T (subway lines and major bus routes). Please note that the map is intended to enhance readability and is neither drawn to scale nor a perfect representation of geography.
Most students will want to take either the free Blue Line bus shuttle to Airport Station (if your final destination is near a Blue or Orange Line stop) or the free Silver Line bus shuttle to South Station (if your final destination is a Red or Green Line stop).
Fare machines are available in baggage claim in all terminals. A one-way trip on the MBTA will generally cost between $2.25 to $4.75, depending on whether or not you use a CharlieCard (recommended) and whether or not you transfer from subway to bus (or vice-versa). Daily, weekly, and monthly passes are also available. Discounted semester passes may also be available through Northeastern University after you start your classes.
While it is possible to bring luggage onto buses and subway cars, it is best to limit yourself to no more than two pieces of luggage and to avoid traveling during peak weekday hours (7am to 10am, 4pm to 7pm) or during large events like a Boston Red Sox baseball game when you are traveling with your luggage. The subway lines and buses can become very crowded during these times, and it can become very difficult to maneuver your luggage.
Please note that the MBTA usually closes shortly after midnight and does not reopen until around 5am, so please plan accordingly.
Parking
Visitors to the University are expected to park in the Renaissance Park Garage or the Gainsborough Garage. The fee is based on an hourly rate structure. Prior to the start of each academic year or semester/quarter, students can apply for a parking permit via myNortheastern. All vehicles being used by students must display a valid parking permit in order to park on University property. Please refer to the University’s Parking website for more information on where to park, fees, and other frequently asked questions.
The Graduate Catalog contains important information about your PhD Program requirements and information about every course offered at Northeastern. In addition, the beginning of the catalog contains Northeastern University’s primary statements about student academic life, conduct, and the responsibilities of students and the University to one another.
The University Health and Counseling Services (UHCS) provides support at the intesection of student life, health and wellness and offers on-site clinical assessment for walk-in access in areas of medicine and behavioral health. The UHCS also provides referrals to clinical care resources in the local community.
All students enrolled in at least one course at Northeastern are automatically enrolled in the Northeastern University Student Health Plan (NUSHP).
Massachusetts law requires all full-time domestic students on the Boston campus, and every international student, to be enrolled in a health insurance plan for coverage of unanticipated medical costs.
PhD students may waive NUSHP by showing proof of comparable coverage. Students who waive coverage may pay an annual fee for their unlimited primary care at University Health and Counseling Services (UHCS). Please review the UHCS site for more information.
The annual fee for the Northeastern University Student Health Plan (NUSHP) is waived for PhD students who receive assistants and fellowships through Northeastern University. Note that the University Health and Counseling Center Fee is not waived and students are responsible for this fee.
Health report
All full-time or international graduate students taking courses on campus must submit a Health Report Form prior to enrolling at Northeastern University. This form needs to be returned to University Health and Counseling Services—not the PhD Network. For more information, please email [email protected].
Northeastern graduate students generally live off-campus. Students may search for housing, sublets, and roommates by using NEU’s Off-Campus Student Services. Northeastern’s Off-Campus Student Services lists some options for temporary housing and can assist you in finding an apartment. It is recommended that you use Northeastern’s Off-Campus housing office rather than references through the internet.
Off-Campus Student Services
226 Curry Student Center
Phone: 617.373.8480
[email protected]
When you arrive on campus, one of the first things you’ll do is obtain a Husky ID Card. Along with identification, the Husky Card is also used for building access, research lab access, parking, printing, vending, dining services, library book check-out, discounts and more. The Husky Card can also be used as a debit card. When you add money to your Husky Dollar account, you will be able to pay for food and services at many locations in and around the University.
You can visit the Husky Card Office in Speare Commons and bring a government issued photo identification. A passport if you are an international student; a Driver’s License, or other government issued photo ID card, if you are a domestic student.
For more information, visit http://www.northeastern.edu/huskycard/.
Take the time to get familiar with your myNortheastern account. myNortheastern is the portal to most functions and services related to your academic experience at Northeastern. Under the Self-Service tab you will find information about your courses, your student account, and other relevant information. Under the myNortheastern Central and Community tabs, you will find information on upcoming events. Also use your myNortheastern account to access your Husky g-mail account. You are encouraged to start checking your Husky email regularly. If you have not set up your myNortheastern account, login to your electronic application to find the instructions to do so. If you have followed all the instructions and still have difficulty, InfoCommons can assist with any problems at: 184 Snell Library, 617-373-4357 or [email protected].
MasParc issues parking permits for Northeastern students who wish to commute by car. To obtain a parking decal, students must follow the MasParc Instructions on how to purchase a pass.