Application Deadlines
Fall 2025 Applicants
Applications are open.
Next Deadlines:
May 12
June 23
Winter 2026 Applicants
The Winter Quarter begins early January 2026.
Round 1: May 12
Round 2: July 14
Round 3: September 15
Final Round: November 10
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Applications are due by 11:59pm CT on each date. Admission is competitive and space is limited. Applications will continue to be accepted after the final deadline as space in the program allows.
The Master of Science in Communication, M.S. in Leadership for Creative Enterprises, MA in Sound Arts and Industries, and Doctor of Speech-Language Pathology programs share one application system. Applicants can apply to one program per academic year. Please review program information to determine which program is the best fit for you prior to submitting an application.
Application Instructions
Click the button below to start the online application. For full application instructions and a list of required documents, expand the appropriate section below. If you are starting an application for the first time, click on the ‘Start Application’ button below and then select ‘Create Account’. Applicants with an account should select ‘Online Application’ to return to their started application or to check on the status of a submitted application.
Start your application
The MS in Leadership for Creative Enterprises online application consists of the following items:
- Online application form
- Statement of Purpose (prompt in application)
- Personal Statement (prompt in application)
- Resume
- Transcripts
- Transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
- Unofficial transcripts can be uploaded for the purposes of the application. Once admitted, official transcripts from the college or university must be submitted before the first day of classes. Official transcripts must be sent in envelopes sealed by the issuing colleges or universities. PDF files originating from the issuing college or university are acceptable when sent directly to the Admissions Office at creative@northwestern.edu. Transcripts not received in this manner are not considered official and will not be accepted.
- Two letters of recommendation
- Recommendations from individuals who are familiar with your academic or professional work and can comment meaningfully on your potential as a graduate student
- Recommenders are emailed directly by the online application once contact information has been entered.
- $40 application fee
Domestic students who earned their bachelor’s degree outside the US should see the international applicant section on how to get their transcript evaluated.
GRE/GMAT scores are not required and will not be reviewed by the admissions committee.
Official transcripts may be mailed to the MSLCE Office at:
MS in Leadership for Creative Enterprises Admissions
Northwestern University
2240 Campus Drive, Rm 1-256
Evanston, IL 60208
The MS in Leadership for Creative Enterprises online application consists of the following items:
- Online application form
- Statement of Purpose (prompt in application)
- Personal Statement (prompt in application)
- Resume
- Transcripts or Transcript Evaluation from ECE or WES if degree is earned outside the US
- Transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. See instructions below.
- Two letters of recommendation
- Recommendations from individuals who are familiar with your academic or professional work and can comment meaningfully on your potential as a graduate student
- Recommenders are emailed directly by the online application once contact information has been entered.
- Official TOEFL or IELTS score
- The TOEFL/IELTS may be waived for applicants who earned their bachelor’s or graduate degree from a university where English was the primary language of instruction. Check the ‘Yes, English is the primary language of instruction at this institution’ box in the Academic History section of the MSLCE application.
- Applicants may indicate language test scores in the application, but the application will not be considered complete until the program has received official documentation directly from TOEFL or IELTS per the instructions below.
- Tests must have been administered no more than two years prior to the application date.
- TOEFL: A minimum overall score of 100 is required with a minimum score of 26 on the “Speaking” section. Students with TOEFL scores below these standards will not be accepted. The TOEFL code is 5956.
- IELTS: A minimum overall band score of 7.5 is required with a minimum score of 8 on the “Speaking” section . Contact the test center directly where you took the IELTS test and request that your official test scores be sent electronically using the IELTS system. All IELTS test centers are able to send score electronically to our institution
- $40 application fee
GRE/GMAT scores are not required and will not be reviewed by the admissions committee.
Transcript Evaluation Instructions
Applicants who earned or will earn their bachelor’s degree outside of the U.S. must submit all transcripts to Educational Credential Evaluators (www.ece.org) or World Education Services (www.wes.org) for a course-by-course verification. Applications will not be reviewed without the degree verification. Be sure to select the MS in Leadership for Creative Enterprises program as the recipient of your evaluation. Foreign transcripts sent directly to our office will not be accepted.
Educational Credential Evaluators (www.ece.org)
After creating an account and entering in all necessary information to order a course-by-course evaluation, you must order an additional report copy to be delivered to the MSLCE office. Under the Additional Report Copies page, you should click the Search for Institution button and type “Northwestern”. A list of programs within Northwestern University that accept ECE evaluations will appear. Select “Northwestern University-MS in Leadership for Creative Enterprises”. (Note that another program at the School of Communication will also be listed under a similar address. DO NOT select the program that delivers to “MSC Office of Admissions” or the processing of your evaluation will be delayed.) You should see the following text: “Your report copy will be sent to this institution electronically.” Click Continue, and please make sure to follow all other necessary steps to completely submit your order. You should receive an ECE reference number to keep on file.
World Education Services (www.wes.org)
After creating an account and entering in all necessary information, navigate to the Your Evaluation tab and select a course-by-course report. Click Add Recipient, and you should see a drop down box that will allow you to choose Educational Institution. Click Continue and type in “Northwestern”. Select Northwestern University-Illinois, then School of Communication- MS in Leadership for Creative Enterprises. On the next page, you should see our mailing address as 2240 Campus Drive, #2-156. (Note that there will be several other programs within the School of Communication listed. DO NOT select any of these other programs, and DO NOT select the generic “Office of Admissions” or the processing of your evaluation will be delayed.) Please make sure to follow all other necessary steps to completely submit your order. You should receive a WES reference number to keep on file.
Questions and Status Updates
Applicants can review the status of their supporting materials by logging into their application and reviewing the application checklist. Contact admissions at 847-467-7117 or creative@northwestern.edu with questions regarding the application process or for an update on the status of your application. Students should allow two weeks for all supporting materials to be received after the application has been formally submitted.
Application Decisions
After the admissions committee has reviewed your completed application, you will receive a letter informing you of its decision. Qualified applicants may be invited to interview with the admissions committee.
Once Accepted
Complete the Admission Decision Form and if enrolling, make your non-refundable $500 tuition deposit by the deadline listed in your acceptance letter. Your place in the incoming class is not secure until both items have been received. Students risk losing their space in the upcoming class if they do not confirm their intent to register in a timely manner.
If you are unable to make your deposit promptly, contact admissions at 847-467-7117 or creative@northwestern.edu.
Accepted Student Checklist:
- Complete the Admission Decision Form with a non-refundable $500 tuition deposit.
- Activate your Northwestern email account upon receipt of Net ID activation code.
- Complete the Entrance Health Requirements for Non-Healthcare students as mandated by the state of Illinois.
- If eligible and interested, apply for Federal Loans. See Tuition + Financial Aid or visit Northwestern University’s Student Financial Services Office. Please note that the MSLCE program is under the School of Communication and is not connected with The Graduate School (TGS).
- If you were in the process of completing your degree when you applied, have your degree-awarding institution issue an official copy of your final transcript to the M.S. in Leadership for Creative Enterprises program, showing degree conferral.
- International students should begin the student visa process after submitting the Admission Decision Form and non-refundable tuition deposit.
Students are eligible to enroll in the student NU-SHIP health insurance plan on a voluntary basis. To enroll, students must complete the application and submit payment during the first quarter of enrollment. Students who do not elect coverage in the first quarter of enrollment will not be able to enroll in health insurance thereafter.
