M.S. in Management Studies | Kellogg School of Management

M.S. in Management Studies
The Russell Fellows Program

Introducing the M.S. in Management Studies (MSMS) degree through the new Russell Fellows Program at the Kellogg School of Management. The new M.S. program is named in memory of Jim Russell, a 1935 alumnus of Northwestern's School of Commerce, now the Kellogg School.

If you're a Northwestern undergraduate completing your degree in the current academic year and interested in learning about management and business, there is now a Master of Science program that will equip you with specialized business skills in just one year.

This program is designed to complement and build upon Northwestern University's world-class liberal arts education and highly regarded science curriculum. Graduates who complete this degree will have a strong grounding in liberal arts and management fundamentals.

The curriculum will expose you to a variety of managerial topics, from accounting and marketing to strategy and leadership. Developing broad-based business acumen and skills, in combination with your undergraduate degree, will position you for success across any number of industries, functions and roles. It will empower you to solve problems, evaluate and sell your ideas, lead teams effectively, and take control of your career.

Whether you’ve studied economics, history, music, engineering, philosophy, or any of the 100-plus majors at NU, the Russell Fellows Program will offer you a thorough grounding in business principles, strategies and tools. This multifaceted training will make you more attractive to firms and organizations and better prepared to navigate new challenges throughout your career.

The Learning Environment

Russell Fellows engage in challenging, fast-paced coursework that prepares you to successfully deal with on-the-job demands in a wide range of organizations, including business, government and non-profits. Both inside and outside the classroom, students are encouraged to collaborate as a team — a hallmark of the Kellogg School's programs.

Students develop advanced skills in qualitative and quantitative reasoning; gain exposure to real-world corporate scenarios; understand the nuances of solving challenging business problems; and receive training from some of the world's most highly regarded academics. The program produces highly skilled graduates who stand out from their peers in the marketplace.

Dedicated Career Support

Helping students make that leap into the workforce is another critical component of the program. A career adviser, dedicated exclusively to Russell Fellows, will help students launch their careers upon graduation.

Support includes developing a targeted job search strategy, arranging career treks to top companies to learn about various industries, and connecting students to unique recruiting opportunities.

And throughout their careers, Russell Fellows can leverage the power and connections of the Kellogg alumni network.

This 12-credit program begins mid-July 2013 and runs through mid-May 2014. Application for Summer 2013 admission is now closed. Admission decisions will be made by April 1, 2013.

Dean Sally Blount on the
MSMS advantage »

"In developing the M.S. program, we talked to business leaders and corporate recruiters across many industries. The consensus?

Russell Fellows will be in high demand for their business acumen, critical thinking and that distinctive, collaborative approach to leadership as only Kellogg can teach it"

— Betsy Ziegler, Associate dean of MBA programs and dean of students

Empower Yourself for a Lifetime

View the tentative 2013-2014 course schedule »

The M.S. program's challenging and fast-paced curriculum delves into the fundamentals of management education. You learn the skills and tools essential to any type of organization, from a beverage company or school to a movie studio or hospital.

What you learn will empower you for a lifetime -- not just on your first job, but throughout your entire professional career. You will have the knowledge and tools to make more impact in the workplace and become a more effective leader. The material will focus on real-life business applications and scenarios, such as:

Persuading others to seize an opportunity
Determining how to best reach your target customers or donors
Crafting a message that resonates with your audience
Deciding which projects to pursue and how to fund them
How to make processes more efficient
Managing group dynamics
Leading change effectively
Developing your personal network to help open opportunities

Russell Fellows learn how to work in groups and develop an appreciation for collaboration in academic and real-world settings. All students move through the program in lockstep, taking the following classes together:

Financial Accounting
Statistical Methods
Organizations and Leadership
Finance I
Finance II
Marketing I

Marketing II
Strategy
Operations
Decision Making and Modeling
Communications
International Business

"The Russell Fellows Program complements our students' broad-based rigorous undergraduate education in the liberal arts and sciences with a highly focused general management curriculum. Marrying these two learning approaches will yield well-rounded, thoughtful young leaders for the world."

— Kathleen Hagerty, First Chicago Professorship in Finance Chair of Finance Department

An Edge in the Marketplace

Russell Fellows enjoy their own specialized career development services. The career adviser will help you define your career path, connect you to employers, and help you master the career development skills that will pay off for a lifetime.

The career adviser, who works exclusively with students in the program, delivers:

Specialized career expertise

The program's career development specialist provides students with support as they engage in their career development and planning. Importantly, the career adviser leverages the Kellogg School's employer partnerships to strengthen recruitment of students into entry-level jobs in a wide variety of organizations.

Personalized attention

The career adviser offers students personalized assistance in crafting resumes and cover letters; practicing interviewing skills; choosing among job offers; and discussing questions that arise throughout the job-search process.

Workshops, programs and presentations

The career adviser facilitates workshops and programs — both on and off campus — to introduce students to various industries; learn more about critical job-search skills; and provide networking opportunities with potential employers. Through established relationships with employers, the adviser also helps students access programs that match their interests and career development needs.

"Kellogg's distinctive approach to business education, blended with a world-class undergraduate degree from Northwestern, will definitely give Russell Fellows an edge in the career marketplace."

— Michael J. Fishman, Senior Associate Dean: Curriculum and Teaching and Norman Strunk Professor of Financial Institutions

Eligibility and Deadlines

The M.S. in Management Studies through the Russell Fellows Program is open to Northwestern undergraduates who will complete their degree by June 2013. Students of all academic majors and encouraged to apply.

Candidates must have completed:

ECON 202 or higher AND
One of the following:

MATH 220 or higher
MATH 212 AND 213 (We do not accept MATH 211)
STAT 210 or higher
PSYCH 201
SESP 210
POLI SCI 312 (We do not accept POLI SCI 310)

Advance Placement or International Baccalaureate credits cannot be substituted for a prerequisite course.

Admissions will be based on:

Application
Undergraduate academic record
SAT or ACT scores
Two letters of recommendation
Two essays
Resume or CV, which includes information about extra-curricular involvement and/or other academic, professional, or artistic accomplishments not shown on the transcript
Interview by invitation
Demonstration of professional, academic and/or artistic achievements (optional)
GMAT or GRE scores (if already taken)

Important Dates

Application due (no fee)	Feb. 28, 2013
Decisions due	April 1, 2013
$450 Deposit due	May 1, 2013
Classes start	Mid-July 2013
Classes end and graduation	Mid-May 2014

Tuition costs are $45,000. Financial aid in the form of federal and private education loans is available.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the Masters of Science in Management Studies (MSMS) and a Masters of Business Administration (MBA)?: The Masters of Science in Management Studies is designed for students who have just completed their undergraduate degrees and whose work experience is limited to internships, summer jobs, or participation in the Cooperative Engineering Education Program. The curriculum does not assume significant work experience and offers a broad exposure to management topics over one academic year. The goal is to prepare students for entry-level jobs.

Standard MBA programs require significant work experience (typically, four to six years) and take two years. An MBA curriculum builds off that work experience, and students have significant opportunities to specialize in different academic areas. The goal is to prepare students for upper-level positions.
If I receive a Masters of Science in Management Studies, would I be able pursue an MBA at a later date?: Yes. Nothing precludes students who already hold a graduate degree from pursuing an MBA. In some cases, such students may be encouraged to consider a shorter program such as the Kellogg School's One-Year (1Y) MBA Program.
What is the relationship between the Masters of Science in Management Studies Program and the Kellogg Certificate Program for Undergraduates (CPU)?: The Masters of Science in Management Studies Program offers a broad foundational curriculum that exposes students to a variety of managerial topics. It addresses business problems from the perspective of multiple functional areas. The Kellogg Certificate offerings have a much narrower focus, emphasizing challenges in finance or managerial analytics. The CPU also demands greater time from students during their undergraduate careers. Each certificate requires an extensive list of pre-requisites on top of four CPU classes. The Masters of Science in Management Studies requires only two pre-requisites before post-graduate study.
What do you look for in applicants?: We are looking for well-rounded, high-impact candidates who are excited about augmenting their education with the core business fundamentals. We will look at all parts of the application process to understand applicants as a whole person. We encourage you to share with us as much about you as you wish.
Does it matter what my undergraduate degree or major is?: The Russell Fellows program welcomes a diverse group of well-educated, recently graduated students who come from a variety of academic disciplines. This is the opportunity to build on and expand your knowledge base, regardless of your undergrad major.
Is there a GPA requirement?: We will look at your entire record of accomplishments as presented in your transcript, application and recommendations. We will review your complete academic transcript, with special emphasis on the more recent grades.
Who should I ask to be my recommenders?: One of your letters of recommendation must be from a Northwestern University professor that has taught at least one of the courses on your transcript. The other recommender can be a professor, an employer, or other person (other than a personal or family friend) who knows you and your academic and professional potential. We would like for your recommenders to provide information that will help us form a more complete and nuanced picture of your abilities and accomplishments inside and outside the classroom.
Do students in the Masters of Science in Management Studies Program have flexibility in when they take classes?: Students in the Masters of Science in Management Studies program move through as a cohort. All students enroll at the same time and take the same set of classes each term.
May I apply to the MS if I am not currently a Northwestern University student?: Not at this time.
May I apply if I am going to graduate from NU in August or December 2013?: No. You must have graduated by June, 2013.
May I defer my admission until next year if I am accepted this year?: We do not defer start dates.
Is it OK if I complete one or both prerequisite courses this spring, after I have applied?: Yes.
May I complete one or both prerequisite courses this summer?: No. You must have completed both prerequisite courses and graduated from NU by June 2013 to be eligible for the program.
Will students in the Masters of Science in Management Studies Program be taking classes with MBA students or with Kellogg CPU students?: No. The Masters of Science in Management Studies is a unique curriculum and its classes are only open to students in the program.

Financial Aid FAQs

Is financial aid available to graduate students in the M.S in Management Studies (MSMS) Program?

Educational loans through the federal loan program are available to U.S. citizens and permanent residents. Private education loans are available for all students - U.S. Citizens, Permanent Residents and International Students.

Grants and scholarships are not currently available.

What financial aid education loans are available to Kellogg MSMS students?

U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan ($20,500.00 annual maximum)
Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan (no set annual maximum - students can borrow up to their Cost of Attendance less other financial aid resources)

U.S. Citizens, Permanent Residents and International Students

Private Education Loans

How do I apply for federal loans?

Complete the 2013-2014 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.ed.gov and designate Northwestern University (school code 001739) as a recipient.
We recommend completing your federal tax return before completing the FAFSA so that you can use the convenient data retrieval function.
In addition to the FAFSA, all admitted students applying for financial aid must complete a Request for Student Loans form from Kellogg (this form will be available in April, 2013).
Once we receive your completed financial aid application materials, we will complete the review of these materials. You will then be notified to log into CAESAR to view and electronically sign your financial aid award notification letter. We will also provide further instructions for completing the loan application documents online via the Department of Education website.

How do I apply for Private Education loans?

All admitted students applying for financial aid must complete a Request for Student Loans form (form will be available in April, 2013); students will list their private education loan lender on this form.
Once we receive your completed Request for Student Loan form, we will complete the review of this document. You will then be notified to login into CAESAR to view and electronically sign your financial aid award notification letter. We will also provide further instructions for completing the loan application documents for your selected lender.

How is the amount that I can borrow determined?

The amount you may borrow in student loans is based on your Standard Cost of Attendance for the M.S. in Management Studies Program. The Standard Cost of Attendance budget for this program will be available in April 2013; it will include educational costs associated with tuition, health insurance, room and board, books and supplies, personal, travel and loan fees. The combination of all federal and non-federal financial aid (from all sources) cannot exceed your Cost of Attendance.

View additional financial aid information »

Financial Aid Resources for M.S. in Management Studies (MSMS) Program

Loan Programs

Loan programs available to M.S. in Management Studies (MSMS) who are U.S. citizens and permanent residents include educational loans through the federal loan program (Federal Direct Stafford Loans, and Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loans.) Private education loans are available for all students - U.S. Citizens, Permanent Residents and International Students.

Changes to Federal Direct Loan Programs (effective July 1, 2012)
There were a number of changes to the Federal Direct Loan Programs made by recent legislation which began on July 1, 2012 that impacted graduate/professional students. Unfortunately, the changes resulted in an increase to the cost of borrowing federal Direct Loans. Please note that due to the Budget Control Act of 2011, for Loan periods first beginning on or after 7/1/2012, Subsidized Federal Direct Stafford Loans will no longer be available for graduate and professional students.

2012-2013 Federal Loan Options

Funds for the Federal Loan Programs, either in part or total, have been appropriated by the United States Congress and are administered by the University. You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident to participate in the federal loan programs.

Loan Program Name	Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan	Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan
Borrower	Graduate and Professional Students enrolled at least half-time. Students do not need to demonstrate financial need.	Graduate and Professional Students enrolled at least half-time. Students do not need to demonstrate financial need.
Lender	William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program	William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program
Loan Amount	Up to $20,500 per academic year.	Up to the cost of attendance less any other financial aid received annually.
Financial Aid Application Process	Complete the Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA); Complete request for Student Loans form (will be available in April 2013)	Complete the Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA); Complete request for Student Loans form (will be available in April 2013)
Loan Application Process	Electronically sign financial aid award letter indicating the amount you wish to borrow and complete the required loan application documents – online entrance counseling session and Direct Stafford Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN).	Electronically sign financial aid award letter indicating the amount you wish to borrow and complete the required loan application documents – online entrance counseling session and Direct Graduate PLUS Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN).
Credit Information	The Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford loan program is not credit based. No credit check is required.	Credit approval is based on federally mandated criteria, not a credit score. In order to qualify, you must not have any of the following items on your credit report: Any current delinquency of 90 days or more Any of the following within the preceding 5 years of the date of the credit check: Default Bankruptcy Discharge Foreclosure Repossession Tax Lien Wage garnishment Write-off of a Title IV debt Open collection Recent changes in the law that governs the terms and conditions of Grad PLUS loans establish a specific circumstance for certain Grad PLUS loan applicants who would otherwise be considered to have an adverse credit history. Specifically, a Grad PLUS loan applicant may qualify for a Grad PLUS loan based on extenuating circumstances if the applicant: Has been or is delinquent for 180 days or less on mortgage loan payments or on medical bill payments for the applicant or the applicant's family AND does not otherwise have an adverse credit history as determined in accordance with the federal regulations that apply to Grad PLUS loan applicants. Borrowers with an adverse credit history may apply for the loan with a cosigner (called an endorser) who does not have an adverse credit history.
Interest Rate	Fixed 6.8%. Interest accrues from the time of disbursement.	Fixed 7.9%. Interest accrues from the time of disbursement.
Origination Fee	1.0%	4.0%
Repayment	The borrower has up to 10 years to repay the loan under the standard repayment plan. Extended and income-based repayment plans are available under certain conditions.	The borrower has a maximum of 25 years to repay the loan.

Loan application instructions for federal loans

http://www.northwestern.edu/sfs/loan_instruc_info/loan_instructions.html

Private Education Loans

Information about Private Education loan programs for students can be found at this website:
http://www.northwestern.edu/sfs/loan_instruc_info/private_loans.html

A number of private outside agencies offer students alternative sources for financing their education. The list located on the above website was created for students as a starting point to begin their research. Ultimately, it is the student's decision to select a private education lender. Students are encouraged to investigate these options very cautiously and thoroughly. The Office of Financial Aid will process a loan with any lender the student selects regardless of the lender's inclusion on this list as long as the student is eligible for the loan.

Application Instructions and Required Materials

Application for Summer 2013 admission is now closed.
Admission decisions will be made by April 1, 2013.

Note: All application materials are due on Feb. 28, 2013. This includes your online application form, two recommendations and official transcripts from colleges/universities other than Northwestern that you may have attended. If you are accepted and matriculate into the M.S. program, you will need to submit an official Northwestern University transcript.

Please read this entire page before working on your application.

I. Instructions

Please note that each part of the application must be completed in one sitting. You do not have an option to save and continue at a later time. However you may complete and submit Part I before starting Part II. Download a sample application.

1. Complete Part I of the application online , “Secure and Register Your Recommenders.”

In Part I you will list the names of two people who have agreed to write recommendations for you. One of your recommenders must be a Northwestern University professor from whom you have taken at least one course. The other recommender can be a professor, an employer, or other person (other than a personal or family friend) who knows about you and your academic and professional potential.

After you submit Part I, your recommenders will automatically receive an email with instructions for submitting the recommendation online. You may wish to have the recommenders add (noreply@qemailserver.com) to their e-mail contacts so the message is not blocked by a SPAM filter.

The recommendations are due on Feb. 28, 2013, the same day your application is due, and it is your responsibility to make sure your recommenders submit them on time.

2. Complete Part II of the application online, “Application Form, Essays and Resume.”

Before starting Part II, make sure you have the following information and documents available:

Undergraduate academic record (NU GPA, prerequisite courses, and other Universities you may have attended)
SAT or ACT scores
GMAT or GRE scores and scanned copy of the original score reports for upload (note: the GMAT and GRE are not required)
Two Essays (see topics below), answered on two separate documents for upload (PDF)
One-page resume or CV (see areas to cover below) for upload (PDF)
Information about additional professional, academic and/or artistic achievements (this is optional)

3. If you attended a college or university other than Northwestern (even when you were in high school), ask the institution to send an official transcript to the address below. Transcripts are due by Feb. 28, 2013.

Carol Henes
The Russell Fellows Program
Kellogg School of Management
Jacobs Center Room 432
2001 Sheridan Rd.
Evanston, IL 60208

II. Essay questions

1. How have you grown and developed as a person over the last four years? What experiences at Northwestern have contributed to your development? [500 words]

2. Briefly describe a contemporary managerial issue or challenge that interests you. How do you expect that earning a Master of Science in Management Studies will enable you to better understand this issue? [300 words]

III. Minimal content for resume (Note: you may use any format you prefer. Please restrict the information to your college years.)

Name and contact information
Education
Work experience
Extracurricular and leadership experience
Other (Your interests, languages, special skills, awards, certification, etc.)

Please contact the MSMS office if you have questions.

Summer: 5 weeks (7/29 - 8/31/13)	Pre-term: 2 weeks (9/9 - 9/21/13)	Fall: 10 weeks + final (9/23 - 12/13/13)	*Winter: 10 weeks + final (1/6 - 3/21/14)	Spring: 5 weeks + final (3/31 - 5/9/14)
Orientation (2 days)	Principles of Leadership	Principles of Finance I	Principles of Operations*	International Business Course
Principles of Accounting	Professional Development (Co-curricular)	Principles of Marketing I	Analytical Decision Modeling on Spreadsheets	Strategy/Capstone Course
Principles of Business Analytics (Statistics)		Business Communication	Principles of Finance II	Travel abroad
			Principles of Marketing II
			Management and Organizations

M.S. in Management StudiesThe Russell Fellows Program