General Frequently Asked Questions

Is Kellogg Executive Education currently offering in-person programs on the Evanston campus?

In 2021, most of our programs will be held in the live virtual format. This decision was made to comply with region-specific health guidelines and provide maximum flexibility and access to members of our community. No matter the format, we are committed to delivering an exceptional experience for participants in all of our continuing education programs. Please refer to our Live Virtual Programs page for more details.

What actions are being taken to mitigate the risk of the spread of COVID-19 and to protect the health and safety of the Kellogg, Northwestern and Evanston communities?

Precautions and protocols are in place to ensure the health and safety of the Kellogg community. These protocols include social and physical distancing, face coverings, enhanced cleaning in all our spaces, testing strategy for symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals, procedures for positive cases and contact tracing. Please refer to Northwestern University’s COVID site for health and safety policies.

How can I decide which program(s) best suits my professional development needs?

Kellogg Executive Education offers non-degree short programs (3-5 days) offering deep focus on one specific topic as well as longer general management programs (3-4 weeks) offering a wider exposure to management and leadership skills and tools. To compare different programs, try our Program Finder tool.

Who can I talk to about choosing a program?

Our Executive Development Advisors are available to discuss your options. Please contact us at [email protected] or call 847.467.6018 and one of our advisors will be happy to schedule a conversation at a convenient time.

Do I earn credit from Executive Education programs?

Executive Education offers only non-degree programs, and each participant receives a certificate of completion at the end of the program. This certificate does not count as credit toward a degree. Participants who earn a Kellogg Executive Scholar Certificate or complete one of our general management programs are awarded Kellogg executive education alumni status at the successful completion of their programming.

Who teaches in Kellogg’s Executive Education programs?

Participants in Kellogg’s executive education programs benefit from exposure to our world renown faculty. These dynamic thought leaders bring to the classroom the latest findings from their own research as well as theory from their respective disciplines. For more information please visit the program’s webpage to view the faculty that teach in that program.

Where are the programs located?

Kellogg's primary campus is located on the campus of Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. Some of our programs are offered at our downtown Chicago campus as well as the Kellogg Miami campus, located in Coral Gables, Florida. Click here for more information on our learning environment.

Are there programs specifically for leaders in nonprofit organizations?

Yes, Kellogg is committed to providing academic programs specifically for nonprofit practitioners. Please contact our Center for Nonprofit Management if you have questions: [email protected] or 847.491.3415. They will be happy to assist you.

What is the Kellogg Executive Scholar Certificate?

The Kellogg Executive Scholar Certificate provides a practical, flexible, yet academically rigorous way to achieve your specific professional development goals by taking any four in-person or live virtual executive programs over a five-year period. Please note that our online asynchronous programs do not apply toward a Scholar Certificate. Upon completion, participants are awarded a Certificate of Professional Achievement in one of several subject areas and receive the additional benefits of becoming a Kellogg executive education alumnus.

I don’t live in the United States...What kind of visa do I need?

Participants in our non-degree Executive Education programs are not eligible for student visas. Participants requiring a visa should contact a U.S. embassy or consulate in your area to apply for a business visa (B-1). Please refer to our VISA guide for more information.

Will I need health insurance?

It is expected that participants have health insurance valid in the United States for the duration of the program. Northwestern University is not responsible for medical expenses incurred by participants during the program.

Are there any language requirements?

All lectures, discussions, and small group exercises are conducted in English. Because collaboration is the cornerstone of the Kellogg experience, all participants must be proficient in written and spoken English. The TOEFL test is not required.

How do I register or apply for a program?

There are two simple ways to apply to our programs:

• Complete the online application available on each program’s webpage.
• Download the printable PDF application available on each program’s webpage and return it to Kellogg Executive Education by mail, fax or e-mail.

If you have any questions please contact us at [email protected] or call 847.467.6018.

How do I register/apply for a program on behalf of someone else?

For our 3-5 day programs, HR and administrative professionals may register or submit an application on behalf of the participant.

If you have access to the executive’s e-mail to receive the online account password we recommend using the online application. The Kellogg Executive Education account should be created using the executive’s name and e-mail address. If you do not have access to the executive’s e-mail, we recommend using the PDF application form available on each program’s webpage.

Our general management programs and several of our 3-5 day programs require the approval of the Academic Director. Because of this stricter admissions criteria, applicants should complete the application independently.

If you have any additional questions regarding registration or application for others or for groups, please contact our technical support team at [email protected] or 847.467.3038.

When should I submit my registration or application?

We recommend submitting at least 30 days in advance of the program start date. Our programs require significant advance preparation and some of our more popular programs fill up quickly. For our longer general management programs, 2-3 months in advance can be helpful to allow the participant time to schedule extended time away from the office as well as travel.

What is the application timeline?

For programs with specific enrollment requirements, please allow up to 10 business days to receive admissions notification. Open-enrollment program registrations are processed within 2 business days of receipt. Registrations or applications that are not submitted online may take an additional day or two.

Is sponsorship from my employer required?

Participants are required to be available on campus and must be relieved of their work duties for the duration of the program. Financial sponsorship is not required.

When is payment due?

Enrollment is not confirmed until full payment is received. Payment may accompany the application or an invoice may be requested. Full payment is due within 30 days of the invoice date. If the participant is enrolling within 30 days of the program’s start date, full payment is due immediately.

What types of payment are accepted?

Payment must be in U.S. dollars and available payment methods are listed below:

• Check: Checks must be drawn on U.S. banks and payable in U.S. funds to "Northwestern University"
• Wire Transfer: Wire transfers must be accompanied by our bank information available on the invoice or by contacting our registrar at [email protected]
• Credit Card: We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express for all our programs

Can I pay online?

Online payment by credit card is allowed at the time of the registration unless the program has admission requirements, special pricing or is at capacity.

Is there special pricing for Northwestern and Kellogg alumni?

Yes, Northwestern alumni; Kellogg alumni, including Full-Time MBA, Evening & Weekend MBA, Executive MBA, and Executive Education alumni are eligible to receive a 15% discount on all Executive Education C-level, year-long online programs and a 30% discount on all other Executive Education open enrollment programs. Welcome back!

What is included in the program fee?

Program fees include materials, accommodations during the program*, most meals, coffee breaks and any receptions. Participants may be responsible for dinner on free evenings.

*For programs held at Wieboldt Hall, participants are responsible for their own accommodations.

What are my options if I cannot attend a program that I am registered for?

Because attendance at a Kellogg Executive Education program requires significant advance preparation and demand often exceeds capacity, it is important that you contact us in a timely manner if you must cancel or defer your attendance.

Participants may nominate an acceptable substitute or attend a future session of the same program within one year. If the session that one transfers to undergoes a tuition increase, the participant is required to pay the balance of the cost.

Please note, we only allow one program transfer. If you are unable to attend the program to which you defer, you may send a colleague in your stead or the program fee would be forfeited. If requesting a refund, please see our cancellation policy below.

Cancellation Policy

To receive a full refund, notice of cancellation must be received more than 30 days in advance of the initial program start date. Cancellations received less than 30 days in advance are not eligible for a refund but may be eligible for deferral to a future session.

Northwestern University reserves the right to cancel a program at any time for any reason. In the unlikely event of a program cancellation, paid program fees will be refunded, but the university is not responsible for any travel or other related expenses accrued by the program registrant.

Who can I contact if I need to change my registration?

Once your enrollment has been confirmed, you may contact your program manager if you have any questions about your registration.

Where will I stay?

Unless otherwise specified, lodging is included starting the first day of the program and ending the final day of the program. Rooms are automatically reserved for program participants as described below:

• Evanston Campus: Participants of programs held on the Evanston campus typically stay at the Allen Center. Occasionally demand for a program requires that participants stay at a nearby hotel. In that case all transportation to and from the Allen Center will be handled by Kellogg.
• Miami Campus: Participants of programs held on the Miami campus stay at the Hyatt Regency Coral Gables directly adjacent to our classroom facilities.
• Chicago Campus: Participants are responsible for their own accommodations. Please contact your program manager for hotel suggestions.

Can I make arrangements to arrive the night before the program starts?

Contact your program manager to inquire about room availability and fees. If you do not have your program manager’s contact information, please phone our main office at 847.467.7026.

Are accommodations available for family members?

Accommodations at the Allen Center are available for program participants only. Due to the rigorous course schedule, please do not invite family to join you on campus.

What amenities are available at the Allen Center?

The Allen Center is a unique living-learning center. Amenities include private bedrooms with a queen size bed and private bath, dining rooms, study group rooms, laundry and maid service, workout room, newspapers and a front desk manned 24 hours per day. There is free Wi-Fi access throughout the building and televisions in the common areas.

What recreational facilities are available on the Evanston campus?

The Allen Center has a weight room and sauna that you may use anytime. Kellogg Executive Education participants on the Evanston campus also have guest privileges at the University libraries, the 140,000-square-foot Henry Crown Sports Pavilion and Lester J. Norris Aquatics Center, the University beach, and miles of jogging paths along the lakefront.

Are meals included?

Program fees for our programs include most meals, coffee breaks and any receptions. Participants may be responsible for dinner on free evenings.

What if I have special dietary needs?

Vegetarian options are available at all meals and breaks during our programs. Please contact your program manager if you have specific questions about your dietary requirements.

Will I have internet access?

Yes, free internet access is available in all campus locations. For more information please visit our technical assistance page.

Will I receive any readings before the program starts?

Approximately 2-4 weeks prior to the program start date you will receive access to a course website. This site will contain pre-reading materials and logistical information to help you prepare for your time at Kellogg.

What do I need to bring to be prepared?

Please bring all advance readings with you, including print copies of any case studies. Special electronics such as laptops and tablet devices are not required but can be used to take notes if that is your preference.

What is a typical schedule like?

Class sessions typically last 1.5 hours. A class day begins at 8:30 a.m. with two morning sessions, a break for lunch and three afternoon sessions. Some programs also have evening class sessions ending at 9:00 p.m. On free evenings there might also be optional programming that you can attend.

For our live virtual programs, please see the topic overview on a program page for an example schedule.

What is the recommended attire?

Business casual attire is appropriate during all Executive Education programs. We recommend dressing in layers to accommodate temperature variances in the classrooms and common areas.

Evanston Campus - What transportation is available from the airport?

We strongly encourage participants to take a taxi or limousine to campus. We are located approximately 45 minutes from O’Hare International Airport and 1 hour from Midway Airport by taxi. Your course website includes a list of taxi companies that offer a preferred Allen Center rate. While it is possible to take public transit from the airport to our campus, we do not recommend the complicated transfers and long wait times.

Where can I find driving directions?

Due to ongoing construction on campus, please use the map provided. A GPS device may not be accurate. For 24/7 assistance, please contact our front desk staff at 847-864-9270. They will be happy to guide you to the Allen Center.

Is parking available on campus?

We strongly encourage participants to take a taxi or limousine to campus. If you must drive, remote parking is available on the Evanston campus. Please obtain a visitor parking permit from the front desk staff upon your arrival.

• Downtown Chicago (Wieboldt Hall) or Miami campus - If attending a program on the Chicago (Wieboldt Hall) or Miami campus, your program manager will provide transportation information.

How can I stay in contact with other participants?

All Executive Education program participants will receive a participant list for their session once they arrive on campus. After the program, we encourage participants to join our Kellogg Executive Education LinkedIn group.

How can I stay in contact with Kellogg?

You can stay up-to-date with the latest research and happenings at the Kellogg School by reading our faculty blogs, joining our Kellogg Executive Education LinkedIn network, or following us on Facebook or Twitter.

What are the benefits of being an Executive Education alumnus?

Becoming a Kellogg executive education alumnus offers:

• A Certificate of Professional Achievement in your selected specialization
• A 30 percent discount on Kellogg Executive Education open enrollment programs
• Membership in the global Kellogg alumni network and access to the online network
• Opportunities to participate in alumni clubs and events
• Access to cutting-edge research and thought leadership content from Kellogg faculty and leading practitioners
• A Kellogg branded Gmail account

Learn how you can become a Kellogg Executive Education Scholar.