1940
- Frank Palmer Speare retires, Carl Stephens Ell inaugurated as second president.
- University added to the list of institutional members of the New England Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools.
- First Northeastern University teaching fellows (Department of Chemistry).
1941
- College of Business Administration and College of Liberal Arts accredited by the University of the State of New York.
- Department of Chemistry accredited by the American Chemical Society.
- University made an institutional member of the American Council on Education.
- Chapter of Tau Beta Pi, national honor society, established in the College of Engineering.
- Science Hall occupied.
1942
- University made an institutional member of the Association of American Colleges.
- Curriculum in Chemical Engineering accredited by the Engineers' Council for Professional Development.
1943
- Women students admitted to the Day Colleges.
- Alumni Office created.
- School of Law accredited by the University of the State of New York.
1945
- The University accepts its first sponsored research contract, a $10,000 project for the Office of Naval Research.
- School of Law made a member of the Association of American Law Schools.
1947
- Student Center occupied.
1948
- College of Engineering offers the University's first graduate courses.
- Fiftieth Anniversary convocation and banquet, October 2.