The Global Pathways curriculum is designed to improve English language ability and help students adjust academically and culturally to US university. During the program, students will take a 4-credit course that can be transfered into their master's degree. The Global Pathways program is 4 or 8 months long, depending on English level. After progression, an engineering master's degree at Northeastern University typically takes 21 months to complete. The Global Pathways program starts in January (Spring semester), May (Summer semester) and August (Fall semester) each year.