Online MBA Admissions Requirements by Program
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An MBA takes hard work and dedication, starting with the application process. While each school’s admissions requirements differ, commonalities exist, and knowing what to expect is the first step in making a proper first impression.
All MBA programs require a completed application and processing fee. Prospective students must also prepare official transcripts from previous education, preferably with a competitive GPA and a bachelor’s degree in business, management, or another related field. Professional or executive work experience is always encouraged, and many programs ask applicants to submit a current resume along with their application.
Many programs ask for GMAT scores but may waive this requirement under certain conditions, usually based on relevant work experience. International students typically need to provide strong TOEFL scores in their application. A personal statement of one’s goals for study, one or more essays, and letters of recommendation are all standard requirements. In addition to the above, prospective students may need to have an interview with program faculty as part of the application process.
Outside of the standard requirements, there are other factors to consider. Executive MBA programs may ask for several more years of professional experience than traditional programs. Advanced standing MBAs or dual degree programs may necessitate additional prerequisites. However, concentration tracks like marketing, finance, or healthcare will not necessarily have different admissions criteria, but they may include course prerequisites in the concentration area.
| Featured MBA Programs | ||
|---|---|---|
| Rice University | MBA@Rice Online MBA | View Full Profile |
| Texas A&M International University | Online MBA - Management | View Full Profile |
| University of California, Davis | Online MBA (MBA@UCDavis) | View Full Profile |
| University of Miami | Online Master of Business Administration | View Full Profile |
| Southern New Hampshire University | MBA Online | View Full Profile |
| Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi | Online MBA | View Full Profile |
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For the 2023-2024 academic year, we have 118 schools in our BSchools.org database and those that advertise with us are labeled “sponsor”. When you click on a sponsoring school or program, or fill out a form to request information from a sponsoring school, we may earn a commission. View our advertising disclosure for more details. |
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Admissions requirements vary from program to program and can change yearly, so official websites may be outdated. In all cases, it is best to contact a program representative to ascertain what is required.
The following is a list of 30 MBA programs in the United States and their respective GPA, GMAT, work experience, and other requirements.
| School | GPA minimum | GMAT Required? | Work experience | Other Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American University | None | No | No | Resume, transcripts, two essays, and two letters of recommendation |
| Arizona State University | 3.0 | No | No | Resume, program-specific admission essay, transcripts, and two letters of recommendation |
| Benedictine University | 2.75 | No | No | Resume, a letter of intent, two letters of recommendation, and official transcripts |
| Calvin University | 3.0 | Required if GPA is below 3.0 | No | official transcripts and a 500-word response to the application question “Why have you chosen to pursue graduate studies, and to do so at Calvin University?” |
| George Mason University | 3.0 | No | No | Resume, two letters of recommendation, and a personal statement |
| Johns Hopkins University (Flexible MBA) | 3.0 | Waiver available | Not required. However, it may be required for a GRE or GMAT exam waiver | Resume, official transcripts, two essays, and one letter of recommendation |
| Maryville University | 3.0 | No | No | Resume, official transcripts, and a personal letter explaining qualifications for graduate work |
| New Jersey Institute of Technology | 3.0 | Waiver available | No | Resume, personal statement, and one letter of recommendation |
| Northeastern University | 3.0 | No | At least five years | Resume, official transcripts, two letters of professional recommendation, and one essay |
| Norwich University | 2.75 | No | No | Resume, official transcript, statement of purpose, and one to two letters of recommendation |
| Ohio University | 3.0 | No | Two to five years | Resume, official transcripts, statement of purpose, and two letters of recommendation |
| Pepperdine University | None | No | At least two years | Resume, a statement of purpose, official transcripts, and one letter of recommendation |
| Queens University | None | No | Three years of work experience is preffered | Resume, official transcripts, two letters of recommendation and a personal statement |
| Seton Hall University | 3.0 | Waiver available | No, but more than five years of related work experience is required for GMAT/GRE waiver | Resume, official transcripts, statement of purpose, and one letter of recommendation |
| Southern New Hampshire University | 2.75 | No | No | Contact school rep for more information |
| Syracuse University | 3.0 | No | Three or more years | Resume, interview, official transcripts, two personal essays, and two letters of recommendation |
| The George Washington University (Healthcare MBA) | None | Waiver available | At least three years | Statement of purpose, official transcripts, resume, and two letters of recommendation |
| The University of Scranton | 3.0 | No | At least three years | Resume, official transcripts, statement of purpose, and three letters of recommendation |
| University of Alabama Birmingham | None | Waiver available | No, but two to four years is preferred | Two reference letters or evaluation forms, plus resume and official transcripts |
| University of Dayton | None | No | No | Essay, personal statement, official transcripts, and one letter of recommendation |
| University of Dayton (Accelerated) | None | Waiver available | No | Essay, personal statement, and one letter of recommendation |
| University of Denver | None | Optional | At least two years | Resume, transcripts, interview, two to three essays, three letters of recommendation |
| University of Maryland | 3.0 | Optional | No, but two to four years is preferred | Resume, essay, plus letter of recommendation |
| University of North Carolina | None | Waiver available | At least two years | Resume, transcripts, three essays, personal interview, and two letters of recommendation |
| Villanova University | None | Yes | No | Multiple essays, official transcripts, and letters of recommendation |
| Washington State University | 3.0 | Waiver available | No | Statement of purpose, resume, three letters of recommendation, and official undergraduate and graduate transcripts |
| Washington State University (Executive) | 3.0 | Waiver available | At least five years of management, senior management, or executive experience | Letter of organizational support, resume, statement of purpose, organizational summary, organizational chart, interview, three letters of recommendation |
| Widener University | 2.7 | Waiver available | No | Statement of purpose, official transcripts, and two letters of recommendation |
| Winthrop University | None | Waiver available | At least five years | Contact school rep for more information |
Impact of Covid-19 on GMAT Test Waivers
When Covid-19 started spreading across the globe in 2020, business schools were forced to readjust their admissions requirements. Several countries closed standardized testing centers where aspiring MBA applicants would otherwise visit to take GRE or GMAT exams. Candidates could not visit campuses for face-to-face interviews and were forced to submit applications without their testing scores.
In response, business schools added unprecedented flexibility to their admission requirements. This flexibility included transitioning to online admission, waiving GMAT or GRE test scores, moving program start dates, and shifting application deadlines. Schools also started to conduct virtual admission interviews and held orientation events online.
As a result, the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), the administrator and owner of the GMAT, started the GMAT Online Exam, allowing business school candidates to complete their applications during this pandemic. Applicants can register for this exam at home, with around-the-clock testing appointments available.
As mentioned in the table above, several schools, such as Winthrop University, Widener University, University of North Carolina, and Seton Hall University, now offer GMAT waivers to candidates who request them. However, it is important to note that some schools may return to accepting GMAT or GRE scores after the disruption of this pandemic is nearly over.
