What International Students Should Know About Applying for a WSU MBA

November 9, 2023

The Washington State University Carson College of Business offers a competitive online Master of Business Administration program that can help students advance in their careers. This program is designed to build on existing business knowledge and can provide students with the foundation necessary to reach a management, senior management, or even executive positions.

This program has wide-reaching applications, and also global reach. WSU also accepts international applicants. While the enrollment requirements are slightly different, the curriculum and benefits of studying online are the same whether you are in the United States or abroad.

If you are an international student who wants to earn an MBA and is looking at U.S. schools, consider applying to WSU. Here is a brief summary of what you need to know, including why attending a U.S. school is a good idea, the number of international students who do so, what you need to apply to the Carson College of Business, and available opportunities after graduation:

International Students Favor Studying in the U.S.

As an international student considering getting a master's education in the United States, you are not alone. According to the Graduate Management Admissions Council, this country is the preferred destination for the majority of international business graduate students.

The GMAC's 2017 mba.com Prospective Students Survey Report, which analyzed the study destinations, program choices, and preferred career outcomes of 11,617 prospective graduate business school students from around the world, found 58 percent of non-U.S. students wanted to study here.

The survey respondents who wanted to study outside of their home countries gave, in total, 3 reasons for why they had such a goal:
• 51 percent wanted to develop a stronger network of international connections.
• 63 percent wanted a higher-quality education than they could receive at home.
• 58 percent believed studying abroad would increase their chances of working internationally.

With so many great graduate business programs—like the one at the Carson College of Business—that can help students fulfill these desires, it is easy to see why international students choose to get a degree from U.S. schools. In fact, according to the IIE's 2017 Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange, the United States has more international students than any other country—1.08 million, to be precise.

International students often prefer to earn degrees from U.S. schools.

The Carson College of Business is happy to be the educational choice for many of those students. The college is proud to be part of the group of U.S. schools that supports international students, and our program can help individuals like yourself achieve the aforementioned goals. We do this in a number of ways throughout the program. Our International Field Study allows you to visit, study, and develop connections in the world's fastest-growing economies, and the core MBA curriculum is designed to teach you high-level business theories and concepts. Furthermore, the program gives you the option to tailor your education to 1 of the following 4 concentrations:

• Finance
• Hospitality business management
• Marketing
• International business

Each track consists of 3 courses related to the specific area of focus. If you want a more universal education or simply are not sure of what track best suits your goals, you also have the option of choosing our General Track. This route gives you a comprehensive business education and allows you to select 3 electives that you are most interested in.

Keep in mind that all concentrations and the general track end with 3 capstone courses that involve creating a full business plan, preparing you for a business career in a number of fields and countries.

Because the program can be completed 100% online and finished in as few as 22–29 months, you can earn your MBA from anywhere in the world, completely on your schedule.

Applying to the Carson College of Business as an International Student

Because they can complete the program online, international students wishing to enroll in the Carson College of Business's online MBA program have the option to remain in their home countries if they wish. On the other hand, they can also travel to anywhere in the United States and complete the program from there. No matter where you choose to reside and complete the program, many of the application requirements are the same for international students as they are for native U.S. students. However, there are a few additional elements that non-residents must include.

Standard Enrollment Requirements

The following details are the same for all students regardless of residency. To enroll in the Carson College of Business's online MBA program, you must have:
• A completed and signed application
• A minimum 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale
• Transcripts from each college or university you attended
• A copy of your current resume
• A statement of purpose
• A GMAT* or GRE score report. *GMAT waivers are available for qualified applicants
• The international equivalent of a completed bachelor's degree from an accredited 4-year college or university

Note that a degree from a program accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) or EFMD Quality Improvement System (EQUIS) satisfies the latter requirement, which exists to ensure incoming students have the background knowledge necessary to succeed in our graduate program. If you do not have a degree that meets these conditions or did not have a 3.0 GPA, you may be required to enroll in our foundational program. This consists of 7 courses available in a 5- to 7-week format. Should this become necessary, know that the foundation program is also available online, so you don't have to worry about traveling to the United States to take the classes.

International Student Enrollment Requirements

In addition to the items listed above, international students must also include the following with their applications:
• Official copies of any and all previously acquired certificates or diplomas
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) results
As an alternative to the TOEFL, you can submit your results for the Pearson Test of English.
For both domestic and international students, note that our admissions staff looks for a specific level of aptitude when evaluating your various tests.

For more information on admissions requirements, tuition, and financial services, check out the enrollment details page of the online MBA website.

International students have additional application requirements.

Compiling Your International Application

Applying to a graduate program is cumbersome and can be even more so if the school you chose is outside of your home country. To help you stay organized and ensure you deliver everything on time, here are some tips to keep in mind when applying to the Carson College of Business:
• Make note of application deadlines and start dates. The following list details the start dates for each of the 2018 terms:
Spring
• Term 1: January 8, 2018
• Term 2: February 19, 2018
• Term 3: March 26, 2018
Summer
• Term 1: May 7, 2018
• Term 2: June 25, 2018
• Term 3: July 16, 2018
Fall
• Term 1: August 20, 2018
• Term 2: October 1, 2018
• Term 3: November 5, 2018

• Arrange your letters of recommendation well in advance of the application due date. In fact, this step should be the first part of the application you approach. The people you ask to write them may be incredibly busy and not have time to craft the endorsement you deserve if they are approached at the last minute.

• Make sure your statement of purpose is comprehensive, factual, and engaging. Use this space to further describe your experience, professional goals, and educational objectives. Furthermore, you can use this statement to help convey to admissions staff why you are a good fit for the online MBA program.

Looking Toward Post-Graduation Options

If you are accepted into the online MBA program and complete your degree, you have a number of options for your future. Like many international students, you may choose to remain in the United States to work. In fact, according to Pew Research Center, an increasing number of international graduates are being approved to work in the United States. Many of these students find employment through the Optional Practical Training program, which has no limits on the number of program participants. Although most of these individuals graduate from STEM fields, the second-most common degree for OPT participants is in business administration and management. This makes sense considering the industry is increasingly global, with more companies hiring internationally and reaching across borders in search of new markets.

That said, you can also utilize the skills and knowledge you acquire at the Carson College of Business back home. In fact, the experience of earning your degree from a foreign school can help you bring new ideas to your future local employers. Furthermore, by networking with Carson College of Business teachers, students, and alumni, you may be better able to work with U.S. employees should your business begin operating internationally.

The Carson College of Business is a great choice for international students studying for an MBA due to its flexibility and comprehensive curriculum. With its rigorous online coursework that can be completed in fewer than 2 years, the Carson College of Business gives students an unparalleled educational and networking experience from anywhere in the world.