Admissions Requirements

Enrollment Requirements

The Carson College of Business MBA at Washington State University prides itself on our land grant mission. We are keen to attend to our purpose to provide quality education to those willing and able to participate successfully in our programs. To that end, we evaluate the whole of a person’s experiences. No one thing defines an individual’s candidacy for this prestigious program. As such, we consider the following for which you can find more information below; a complete program application, a history of academic performance through transcripts, a complete resume or curriculum vitae, letters of recommendation and a statement of purpose. Exam scores are requested of all candidates but may be waived for those meeting specific criteria.

Application

All persons wishing to be considered for our MBA must have completed and signed graduate application. Completion of the application will be facilitated by an enrollment advisor who will support you as you collect the various materials required for review.

Transcripts

Before an application will be reviewed for admission, applicants must provide official transcripts or unofficial transcripts paired with a receipt proving an order of official transcripts has been placed from each college or university attended. Applicants must have completed a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited four-year institution or have the international equivalent* at the time of applying. Alternately, you may communicate an expected conferral date that takes place prior to your desired MBA enrollment term. All official transcripts must be received prior to the completion of the first course as a student at WSU. Typically successful candidates have achieved a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale, however, the age of GPA and the level of degree and rigor will be considered in the evaluation. Candidates with professional degrees (i.e. MD, PharmD, DVM, and others) who may not have completed a bachelor’s degree are also encouraged to apply.

Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Please submit a comprehensive resume or curriculum vitae (maximum of 2 pages) so that we can best assess your ability to succeed in the program and ensure that program features will support your success.

One Letter of Recommendation

Please submit one letter of recommendation from a person intimately familiar with your professional experiences, preferably an immediate supervisor. Be sure to select an individual capable of detailing why you will be successful in the MBA program.

Statement of Purpose

In no more than 500 words, demonstrate how your professional and academic experiences have prepared you for success as an MBA student. Be sure to let us know why the Carson College of Business at Washington State University is right for you. What are your future goals and how can the Carson College MBA help you achieve those goals. In addition, if you are seeking a GMAT waiver, please include that request in your essay along with supporting information as to why a waiver should be considered.

GMAT/GRE Score Report

The GMAT is required for admission, however, may be waived for individuals exceeding the minimum MBA admission requirements as detailed above and meets one of the below criteria.

• Previously earned a graduate or professional degree with a 3.00 GPA or higher
• Five-plus years of progressive work experience and a 3.00 GPA or higher
• STEM degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics with a 3.00 GPA or higher (no work experience required)
• Business degree from an AACSB-accredited institution with a 3.00 GPA or higher (no work experience required)
• Ten-plus years progressive work experience and a 2.79 GPA or higher

If you would like to be considered for the GMAT/GRE waiver, please contact an enrollment advisor. The GMAT waiver request should be included in your statement of purpose.

Online MBA Business Foundation Course Requirements

To best ensure students will be successful in the program, it is important for students to possess core business competencies. If you earned your bachelor’s degree in business, or took equivalent courses with an average grade of B (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) with no more than two grades below a 3.0, you may satisfy that requirement. If not, we offer the foundation courses to cover these basics, which will be required. Please consult with your enrollment advisor to confirm. Should you need to take the prerequisite courses, these are also offered online.

We Offer the Following Foundation Courses in a Five-Week Format

MBA Online Foundation Courses

Introduction to Financial and Managerial Accounting (Acctg 550) – 3 credits
Data Analysis for Managers (BA 500) – 2 credits
Foundations in Marketing (BA 501) – 2 credits
Foundations in Operations Management (BA 502) – 2 credits
Foundations of Business Law (BA 503) – 2 credits
Foundations in Finance (BA 504) – 2 credits
Managerial Economics (Econs 555) – 3 credits
Note: WSU may accept transfer credits from qualified institutions.

International Students

All international transcripts should be sent to World Education Services (WES) or Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) for evaluation.

Please submit all required materials in addition to the following:

• International transcript evaluation
• English proficiency exam from one of the following accepted sources:
  • TOEFL (minimum score 580 PBT, or 93 iBT) – School Code 4705
  • Pearson Test of English (minimum score 62) – School Code 8Z2-GT-38
  • IELTS (minimum score 7.5)
  • MELAB (minimum score 90)
  • Duolingo (minimum score 120)