msu business school admission requirements

High school students wishing to apply for direct admission to the Broad College must complete the Michigan State University freshman application process through the MSU Office of Admissions. There is no separate application for the Broad College direct admission process. All Broad College Direct Admit communication will come from the Broad College of Business.

Applicants are first reviewed by the MSU Office of Admissions for admissibility to the university, and then reviewed by the Broad College for direct admission. Students not admitted to Broad via the direct admission process can apply to the Broad College through the current student secondary admission process after matriculating to MSU.

Phase 1 Decisions

• Students who apply to MSU and select a Broad major on the application by December 1 will be considered for direct admission in Phase 1.
• Direct admission offers will be sent to students in January.
• Students will have two weeks to accept a direct admit offer when received.

Phase 2 Decisions

• Students who apply to MSU and select a Broad major on the application by March 15 will be considered for direct admission in Phase 2.
  • Students who applied by December 1 but were not offered direct admission in Phase 1 will be considered in Phase 2.
• Direct admission offers will be sent to students in April.
• Students will have two weeks to accept a direct admit offer when received.

Once direct admit students matriculate to MSU, they must meet the following requirements to confirm their status, at which point their major will be changed to Business Admitted:

• Completion of CSE 102, STT 200, EC 201/202, WRA 101/195H
• 3.0 minimum cumulative GPA
• 3.0 minimum GPA of STT/EC/WRA courses (collective GPA, not 3.0 in each individual course)
• 28 cumulative credits

Students have three fall/spring semesters to meet the requirements. If students complete the requirements prior to the third fall/spring semester, their status will be confirmed at that time.

The Full-Time MBA program accepts applications in different rounds over the course of one cycle.

Round	Early Round	Round 1	Round 2	Round 3	Round 4
Application Deadline	October 4, 2021	November 8, 2021	January 10, 2022	March 7, 2022	April 4, 2022
Decisions Mailed By	November 12, 2021	January 14, 2022	March 11, 2022	April 8, 2022	May 13, 2022

Application Process

Steps to Apply

1. Take the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT).
   • Optional: see GMAT/GRE waivers info
2. Complete and submit the online application and pay the $85 application fee.
3. Schedule a virtual evaluative interview if/when you are selected.

Online Application

Application Components

The application includes the following components, which are described in further detail on this page:

Academic Record

Resume

GMAT or GRE Test Score (if applicable)

Essays

Recommendations / References

English Language Proficiency Test Score (if applicable)

In order to pursue a graduate degree at Minot State University, one must complete the application packet and receive an official letter from the Graduate School granting admission. Transcripts and test scores must be official (sent directly from the institution/agency).  There is a specific upload section in the application for the statement of purpose and resume.

A complete application packet includes the following items:

• Admission Application: To access the online application, please visit: https://app.applyyourself.com/?id=ndusmingr.  (Please allow at least 5 to 10 business days for processing; more depending on what semester you apply for and when)
  • For re-admission, complete the Application for Readmission located at Graduate Forms. This must be received in the graduate school two (2) weeks prior to the start of a term. The form can be emailed to:  graduate@minotstateu.edu.
• Application Fee: This is a one-time $35 fee. You have the opportunity to pay by credit card online prior to submitting your application or send a check or money order payable to Minot State University. Applications are not processed until the fee is received.
  • International applicants only: Make the check or money order payable to Minot State University and note the applicant’s full legal name as it appears on driver’s license/passport.
• Statement of Purpose (SOP): A concise (minimum 500 words, may vary for each program) essay describing his/her primary interest of study and objective in pursuing this degree at Minot State University. In particular, your essay should be as specific as possible in describing your interests, relevant education, research, commercial, government, or teaching experience. There is a specific upload section in the application for the SOP.
• Resume: Only required for the following programs:  Information Systems, Management, School Psychology, and Sports Management. There is a specific upload section in the application for the resume.
• Recommendations via the MSU Recommendation Form.
  • A recommendation provider is an individual who will complete and submit the MSU Recommendation Form on your behalf.
  • Recommendations must be submitted on the MSU Recommendation Form. The form is sent and submitted electronically through our online application system.  Complete details are provided within the online admission application. The application can be submitted prior to the recommendations being completed and submitted by the provider.
• Required Test Scores:
  • GRE/GMAT: The following programs require the GRE or GMAT:
    • Management (MSM): If the cumulative GPA is 3.00 or higher OR if your most recent semesters contributing to 60 semester hours is a 3.00, the scores for GRE/GMAT are not required.
    • School Psychology
  • English Proficiency- International students whose native language is not English must prove English proficiency.
    • TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language): taken within two years; minimum score of 79 is required.
    • IELTS (International English Language Testing System): taken within two years; minimum overall band score of 6.0 is required.
    • In some instances, international students who have earned a degree from an English-speaking university, where the primary mode of instruction is English, in the past 10 years, may also be considered for English proficiency waiver. Student must provide a letter of proof from the institution.
• Transcripts: Transcripts** from ALL previous colleges or universities, both graduate and undergraduate, are preferred.  An official transcript showing the earned baccalaureate degree is required for admission consideration. Please direct the institution(s) to submit transcripts directly to the MSU Graduate School Admissions Office. Official transcripts are only accepted from the originating institution.
  • **International (Non-Canadian) Students: Submit a course-by-course academic credential evaluation in lieu of official transcripts. Details are found on the International Student/Non-immigrant Admission section of the catalog.
  • The Graduate School requires applicants to have earned, or be in the process of earning, a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education and to have a minimum undergraduate grade point average of 2.75 (scale of A = 4.00) to be eligible for admission. Applicants who do not meet the minimum cumulative GPA for admission may be admitted provided the GPA for the most recent semesters in which the student completed at least 60 semester hours (90 quarter hours) is 3.00 or better. Calculation of the GPA must include all courses in the semester/quarters involved. Applicants without these requirements must appeal to the program director to be considered for admission. The program director and department/division chair must provide a written recommendation to the Associate Vice President of the Graduate School explaining the reason(s) for considering the applicant who does not meet the Graduate School minimum requirements. Departments/divisions may require more stringent grade point averages as part of the admission to their programs.
• Student Health Records: (Not required for admission consideration; required if admitted, by the start of your first semester.)
  • Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR). Proof of immunization for measles, mumps, and rubella requires two doses of vaccine given no less than one month apart, or positive serologic tests.
  • Students ages 21 and younger must provide documentation of immunity against meningococcal disease given at or after age 16.
  • All students must complete the tuberculosis questionnaire.
     

To submit the required documentation, go to  https://www.minotstateu.edu/health/immunization.shtml

 No student will be permitted to enroll in a subsequent term until immunization or documentation of a waiver is complete. 

• International Students: Please refer to the International Student/Non-immigrant Admission section of the catalog for information on the additional supporting documents needed for admission.
• Minot State University Graduate School reserves the right to refuse admission to any applicant on the basis of scholastic or other reasons.
• Mailing Address:  Minot State University, Graduate School, 500 University Ave W, Minot ND 58707.

Minot State University is authorized by the U.S. government to issue SEVIS form I-20s to assist non-immigrant international students to apply for F-1 student visas. The Office of Enrollment Services will issue I-20s to degree-seeking international students who meet all of the entrance requirements outlined below.

Admission is determined by a selective process that includes consideration of English language proficiency, academic achievements, financial resources, and student visa eligibility. For information regarding Admission to specific graduate programs, please refer to the graduate catalog or contact the Minot State University Graduate School at www.minotstateu.edu/graduate or 1-800-777-0750 (Ext. 3250).

Prospective international freshmen and transfer international students may apply online at: www.minotstateu.edu. Once the online application is submitted, the following supporting documentation must also be submitted by the appropriate deadline:

• A $35 non-refundable application fee
• Official academic records demonstrating prior academic achievement
• Official Entrance Exam Score
• Completed application for the Form I-20 and Certification of Financial Responsibility
• Supporting financial documents
• International Transfer Student Form (if applicable)
• Biographic Page of Passport

DEADLINES FOR ADMISSION

Fall semester: June 15 for application and all supporting documentation. Spring semester: Oct.15 for application and all supporting documentation.

FIRST-YEAR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS (FRESHMEN)

International students who have not already completed more than 24 credit hours of university level coursework are considered first year students. If you are transferring fewer than 24 semester hours of college or university credit, you MUST submit documents as a first-year student and official academic records of the credits earned at the university level (if those university level credits were earned outside of the United States, they must be evaluated with the same procedure outlined under transfer international students).

First-year students must supply official secondary education records which must come directly from the issuing institution. Personal documents supplied by the student and/or notarized copies are not acceptable and will not be considered for admission.

TRANSFER INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

International students who have previously attended a college or university and have completed at least 24 semester hours are considered transfer students. Students who have completed 24 or more credit hours of university level coursework MUST apply as a transfer student. International transfer students should follow the admissions procedures described above for international first-year students, but must also submit the following:

• Transcripts from all colleges or universities previously attended. Students transferring from a university outside of the United States must submit an official transcript from the institution reflecting all courses attempted and grades received, attached to a professional course-by-course evaluation and English translation completed by World Education Services, Education Credential Evaluators, or American Education Research Corporation. Information about the evaluation services can be found at www.wes.org, www.ece.org, and www.aerc-eval.com.
  
  Students must also provide an English translated copy of the institution’s catalog or a copy of the course descriptions or course syllabi from the catalog to aid in the evaluation of transfer credit. Since the evaluation of transfer credits from foreign institutions can be lengthy, please be aware that the results of the evaluation may not be available prior to your arrival and registration at Minot State University.
  
  Regardless of the number of credits transferred, students must meet all general and specific graduation requirements of the university.
  
  Transfer students should have a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
• Transfer Clearance Form If you are transferring to Minot State from a college or university in the United States, you must submit a transfer form signed by you and the international coordinator at your current school.
   

CREDIT TRANSFER

Post-secondary coursework completed prior to attending Minot State is subject to review and approval by the department of the student’s chosen major and the Registrar’s Office. Evaluation of transfer credit normally will not be complete until the applicant has arrived on campus and has enrolled for coursework. Applicants seeking transfer credits for higher education work completed outside the United States may be asked to bring with them a detailed syllabus for each course, and they must be prepared to provide a full description of prior coursework to their academic adviser to facilitate the evaluation of transfer credits.

ENTRANCE EXAMS

Academic success at Minot State University demands strong English language skills. Minot State requires all international students to provide an official Entrance before being accepted as a student. To be considered for admission, undergraduate applicants must submit one of the following:

• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) Scores taken within two years:
  • IBT Minimum Score of 71 or
  • Paper-based minimum score of 525
• IELTS (International English Language Testing System) taken with two years:
  • Minimum score of 6.0 overall band
• SAT Exam
  • Subscores: Writing and Language of 25 AND SAT Total of 920
• ACT Exam
  • Composite score of 17 and English sub test score of 18
• ACCUPLACER Exam
  • WritePlacer of 5
  • NextGeneration Writing of 256 or higher
• Duolingo Exam
  • Minimum score of 95
• Pearson Test of Academic English (PTE-A)
  • Minimum score of 50
• Transferring from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university after two years of study, in good standing, OR completion of Composition I and II with a grade of at least a B.

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT

Applicants should have completed their secondary education and obtained their high school diploma or school-leaving certificate. Minot State University will review all secondary and university-level coursework (if applicable) for academic rigor and trends in academic performance.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT

International students are not eligible for U.S. federal or state need-based financial assistance. Therefore, certification of adequate financial support to meet the needs during the period of enrollment at Minot State is required of all international non-immigrant applicants. The student must be prepared to document on a yearly basis the ability to pay the following year’s tuition and fees, as well as the cost of living expenses. To prove sufficient financial resources, international applicants should complete the Statement of Financial Responsibility form and submit it with the required documentation proving sufficient financial support to cover the entire cost of living and studying in the U.S. for every year of the student’s program of study. Documentation allocating support for at least one full year must be provided before admission is offered. Additional information regarding this requirement can be found on the Minot State Office of International Programs website: www.minotstateu.edu/international.

MANDATORY INTERNATIONAL STUDENT FEE

Please check with the Office of International Programs regarding any International Student fees.

MANDATORY HEALTH INSURANCE

Per the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education (SBHE) policy section 505, international students at Minot State University in F-1 or J-1 status are required* to be covered by the health insurance policy that has been designated by the Chancellor of the North Dakota State University System.

The insurance policy enrollment fee is automatically charged to an international student’s Minot State financial account at the beginning of each semester, and it must be paid with other tuition and student fees. This coverage is required from the time of registration at Minot State until termination or completion of program objectives. Any student who is not properly insured will be prohibited from participating in their program.

*Under NDUS Policy/Procedure 505, students from Canada and Norway are exempt from this requirement. However, students from Canada and Norway may opt to enroll in the NDUS designated policy if interested in obtaining coverage from a U.S. based insurance provider. Canadian students and parents should refer to www.minotstateu.edu/international for information regarding private and provincial health insurance considerations.

Other students might also be eligible for a waiver of the NDUS designated insurance if they are able to provide proof of comparable coverage. Waivers are granted in only a few exceptional situations. Instructions and a waiver form are provided at http://www.minotstateu.edu/international/ for those who wish to learn more about the process and requirements.

HEALTH RECORDS

Proof of Two Immunizations as required by the State Board of Higher Education: (Not required for admission consideration) Appropriate proof may be a copy of your childhood immunization records, school immunization records, documentation by your medical provider (personal physician, pediatrician, or county health department) that you had the respective disease(s) or the immunization and the dates.

• Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR). Proof of immunization for measles, mumps, and rubella requires two doses of vaccine given no less than one month apart, or positive serologic tests.
• Students ages 21 and younger must provide documentation of immunity against meningococcal disease given at or after age 16.

You can be immunized at a private health care provider or the Minot State Student Health Center. To submit your health records, please see www.minotstateu.edu/health/immunization.shtml. A hold will be placed on the registration process of non-compliant students attempting to register for their next term at Minot State.

TUBERCULOSIS

All students must complete the tuberculosis questionnaire at Minot State University. To submit your health records, please see www.minotstateu.edu/health/immunization.shtml. A hold will be placed on the registration process of non-compliant students attempting to register for their next term at Minot State.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT SERIVCES

After you are fully admitted to Minot State University, visit the Office of International Programs webpages for information on visas, entry into the U.S., life in Minot and more! https://www.minotstateu.edu/international/services.shtml.

VISA STATUS

International and Canadian students in F-1 visa status must abide by regulations specific to their F-1 student visa status. An F-1 Regulations Overview is available on the Office of International Programs webpage at: https://www.minotstateu.edu/international/pages/international-current/f-1-regulations-overview.shtml.

Admission to the MBA program is competitive.  Applications are reviewed and decisions made on a rolling basis when application packets are complete.  Candidates are encouraged to apply early, as seats often fill quickly.

The Program Director looks at a variety of criteria that measure a candidate’s potential for being a successful MBA student and business leader.  We look at the following characteristics in making admission decisions:

• Past academic performance (official transcripts)
• Official GMAT or GRE score*
• Professional work experience (Resume)
• Admissibility to the Graduate College 

*The GMAT may be waived for candidates who satisfy ALL of the following requirements:

• Earned a 3.25 cumulative GPA
• Admitted to or have graduated from a Missouri State COB business unit major in the past five years OR graduated with a business degree from an AACSB-accredited school in the past five years
• Completed a minimum of 80 hours at the time of application
• Meet all English proficiency requirements

To be considered for admission, students are required to submit the following**:

• Graduate Application
• Official transcripts
• Official GMAT or GRE Scores
• Resume

  **Additional documents may be required for international students.

XF Policy

High standards of professional conduct are required for admission to the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program and other College of Business graduate certificate programs.  Prospective graduate students who have been assigned a grade of XF (failure due to academic dishonesty) at Missouri State University (MSU), or the equivalent at another institution of higher education, may be denied admission to the Master of Business Administration program or College of Business graduate certificate programs.  Students who have been assigned a grade of XF at MSU, or the equivalent at another institution of higher education, are required to inform the MBA Program Director of such grade at the time of application, even if the X was subsequently removed.  Failure to inform the MBA Program Director of this previous XF or equivalent grade will result in removal from the MBA or COB graduate certificate program.  A student assigned a grade of XF while studying toward completion of the MBA or COB graduate certificate program will be immediately removed from the program(s).

GMAT preparation course

MSU’s International Center’s English Language Institute offers a GMAT preparation course each semester. For additional information, contact 417-836-6540 or review Test Preparation Courses.

Unclassified admission

Students who meet general Graduate College requirements, but have not fulfilled all requirements to enter the MBA program, may be admitted to the Graduate College as a “Graduate student – unclassified.” This status will allow a student to enroll in an absolute maximum of 9 graduate hours before being fully admitted to the MBA program. All courses at the 600-level or higher are considered graduate hours.

Computer application competency

Students entering the Master’s of Business Administration program are expected to be proficient in the use of word processing, database, and spreadsheet software. No coursework is required to fulfill this criterion. Knowledge derived from professional or personal experience will qualify. If a student feels that he or she does not have the necessary base of knowledge to fulfill this requirement, there are various resources available on campus, such as self-paced tutorials and hands-on programs that would be helpful to increase computer knowledge and experiences.

International applicants

Applicants from foreign countries whose native language is not English are required to submit scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Review English Proficiency Requirements.

English Language Institute

The English Language Institute (ELI) began classes in June 1996 with five students.  Since that time, the program has experienced continued growth and now serves more than 150 students, most of whom are preparing for study in undergraduate or graduate programs at Missouri State University.  The ELI offers five levels of study in core areas of writing, grammar, reading/vocabulary, academic listening skills, and speaking pronunciation classes.  Through an intensive twenty-five hours per week, students have the opportunity to prepare for the language challenges of American classrooms.  The focus of the English Language Institute, therefore, is to equip ESL students with the necessary language skills to achieve success in the degree program of their choice and to enhance their potential for future employment after graduation.

For more information, please contact: Director, English Language Institute, 301 S Jefferson, Springfield, MO 65806, USA, Phone 417-836-6540, Fax 417-836-4784, email JaneRobison@missouristate.edu or ELI@MissouriState.edu. You may also visit the ELI Website at http://international.missouristate.edu/eli.

Accelerated Master’s Degree option

Undergraduate majors in the College of Business may apply for admission to the Master of Business Administration program during the second semester of their junior year. If accepted, up to 6 hours of 600- or 700-level COB classes taken in the senior year may be counted toward both the undergraduate and graduate degrees.

Before enrolling in a course that will apply to both the undergraduate program and the master’s program, an undergraduate student must:

• Be accepted into the accelerated program.
• Receive prior approval from the graduate advisor, department head of the undergraduate program, and the Dean of the Graduate College. This is done by using a mixed credit form. 

Acceptance into the program and all approvals must be completed prior to the end of the Change of Schedule Period for the course(s). See the Graduate College for further information.

Accelerated Admission requirements (admission to the accelerated MBA program is competitive):

• Completion of 80 or more hours at time of application
• An overall GPA of 3.00 or better
• A competitive score on the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) or applicant must meet the requirements for a GMAT waiver (see Admissions Requirements for MBA Program).

Executive MBA option (EMBA)

When offered to a select group of students, typically a cohort, with significant business experience, the MBA Program may be presented in a format referred to as the Executive MBA Option or the EMBA. From a curricular viewpoint, the EMBA would be structured in the same way as the traditional MBA, however, the presentation format of core and elective courses will be designed in such a way as to maximize the benefit to working business professionals.

GMAT/GRE scores are not required for admission to the EMBA, however, the applicant would need to provide documentation verifying at least 5 years of business experience.

For EMBA students, prerequisite requirements for the core program courses can be satisfied through appropriate prior coursework, relevant business experience or by an individualized study program developed and supervised by the EMBA Program Director.

The credit hour costs for classes taken by students enrolled in the EMBA program are assessed at a higher rate than the traditional MBA offerings due to additional expenditures associated with the program.

Admission Requirements

Completion of a regionally accredited undergraduate degree.

1. Completion of 5 or more years of business/professional experience.

Academic standing

A student who fails to attain a 3.00 GPA after completing the approved program may enroll for additional course work not to exceed 6 semester hours to raise the GPA. The course work will be approved by the Director of the MBA Program and the Dean of the College of Business.

The maximum class load for a full-time student is normally 12 hours per semester. An overload is permitted only after students have demonstrated their ability to achieve an outstanding graduate record at this university. Students employed in a full-time job should not enroll for more than 6 semester hours.

All other University and Graduate College requirements governing grading and attendance will apply.

To enroll in graduate courses in the College of Business, a student must satisfy one of the two conditions listed below:

1. be admitted to a graduate program in the College of Business, or
2. have permission to enroll from the Director of the MBA Program.

Students who do not meet one of these two conditions will be dropped from the course(s) at any time during the session involved.