Apply for a graduate degree program

Completing the Admissions Process

As a student submitting admissions materials, it is crucial that you submit everything required, and on time. The materials checklist below lists the requirements. A Graduate Admission Committee reviews all application materials received for all College of Business Administration (CBA) graduate programs.

The University of Akron Graduate School oversees admissions for all graduate programs. They provide a mandatory online application process. Students can submit required forms through the online application system. Items which are not provided in the online system prior to submission can be sent to the Graduate Programs in Business Office. Once an application is submitted and transcripts are provided, the Graduate School will forward your application information to the CBA Graduate Programs Office, (College of Business Administration, Room 412, Akron, OH 44325-4805) for review.

Deadlines

Domestic Students

• Fall Semester Start – August 1
• Spring Semester Start – January 1, 2021 (the deadline date for Spring 2021 has been extended).
• Summer Semester Start – May 1
• Weekend Professional MBA - Fall Start only

International Students

The Graduate School recommends applying six months prior to the start of the semester in which you plan to begin your studies. The CBA recommends applying no later than the following dates:

• Fall - June 15
• Spring - October 15
• Summer - March 15

Online and Mailed Application Materials

To apply, you will need to complete an online application portion and send certain materials through the mail or via email to gradcba@uakron.edu by the deadline.

To apply, complete all of the following steps:

Step 1 : Complete the online application, which includes:

• Application form
• Application fee
• $45 for domestic students
• $70 for international students
• $45 reapplication fee

Step 2: Mail or email the following to: gradcba@uakron.edu

• Your Current Resume
• Letter of Intent outlining your story. Describe what motivates you to pursue the degree and what characteristics will lead to your success.
  If you are applying to the Weekend Professional MBA Interdisciplinary concentration, please indicate your interest in Weekend Professional MBA in the first paragraph.
• Official transcripts. All transcripts (including electronic transcripts) must be submitted to the Graduate School. Students may submit unofficial copies to gradcba@uakron.edu for admission purposes, but an official transcript must be presented or sent to the Graduate School located in the Leigh Hall building.
• Standardized test scores. Unofficial copies may be sent to gradcba@uakron.edu for admission processing.
  
  GMAT (send a copy of your results). Request to have the official copy sent to The University of Akron either when taking the test or after. The Graduate Admission Committee (GAC) prefers that applicants have a minimum GMAT score of 500. For those applicants with scores slightly below this level, it is possible to submit a petition to the Admission Committee requesting provisional admission. GMAT information is available at www.mba.com. UA Code: 1829.
  
  Other standardized tests. Students who have taken the GRE, MCAT, PCAT, LSAT or CAT may request consideration for admission based on those scores. Students providing CAT are expected to provide scores of 90% or above. If a student has not yet taken a test, the GMAT is preferred. Joint Business/Law students may request that the School of Law forward all paperwork to the CBA and The Graduate School. See the Joint Degree Application process for more details.
  
  Students holding a Masters, Doctorate or Juris Doctor from an American university may request admission based on the advanced degree. Applicants to the Accelerated MSA, MSM and M. Tax programs are not required to take an admissions test if they meet the program requirements.
  A student's overall application will be reviewed and the GAC reserves the right to require the GMAT for admission.
  
  Applicants may petition the GAC for a waiver of the GMAT, GRE or other standardized test, if they have achieved three years of professional responsibilities, after completion of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university. Upon application, you may submit our online Test Waiver Petition Form. The decision to waive will be reviewed during the review of the GAC.

The College of Business Administration generally does not offer an applicant admission without a standardized test score. If you have a non-business undergraduate degree and have not yet taken a standardized test, you could enroll as a non-degree* student, which allows you to take up to nine (9) credit hours of Gateway or Foundation coursework while you prepare for your standardized test. 

Please note: Degree-seeking students have priority for enrolling in classes

*This non-degree option is limited to domestic students.

Mailing address:

International Applicants

International applicants are required to provide additional language requirements, Visa information and proof of funding.

Language Requirements

Duolingo English Test temporarily permitted in lieu of in-person TOEFL. (We will continue to monitor the situation closely and will make further considerations as warranted.)
March 2, 2020—Given the closure of testing centers in areas affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, The University of Akron has approved the use of the Duolingo English Test (DET) for demonstration of English proficiency. The DET will be accepted in place of the in-person TOEFL and IELTS through August 31, 2021. Applicants will need to receive a DET score of 115 or higher to satisfy our proficiency requirement for graduate admissions.

NOTE: A minimum Duolingo score of 115 is expected.

International Students, and even some permanent residents, are expected to show proof of proficiency in English. This can be done by providing acceptable scores on the Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or through testing available at The University of Akron English Language Institute (ELI). Those who do not meet the expected minimum scores of 79 on the TOEFL or 6.5 on the IELTS could apply for a conditional admission to study English at the UA-ELI.

• TOEFL minimum scores of 79 Internet Based Test or 550 Paper-Based Test
• IELTS minimum sore of 6.5 on the IELTS

UA English Language Institute (ELI) resources:

• U-ADEPT – a test of English Language Proficiency developed by the ELI and accepted by UA in place of the TOEFL or IELTS.
• Instruction in English as a Second Language

Visa Information and Proof of Funding

The Declaration and Certification of Finances is a form used to show proof of funding so that visa paperwork (I-20) may be issued to the student.

Each student must show that they have sufficient funding to attend The University of Akron before visa paperwork (an I-20) will be issued. This can be done with a combination of the student’s own resources plus any scholarships or third-party funding which may be provided. A Declaration and Certificate of Finances form is required to show funds available visit International Students Forms for this form and additional information.

Mailing address for additional international student materials:

Incomplete Applications

Any materials (resume, letter of intent, etc.) which were not provided prior to application submission may be directed to the CBA Graduate Programs Office via email at gradcba@uakron.edu.

Our staff processes all applications and provides feedback to students related to missing documentation.

Admissions Meetings

The GAC meets monthly to make recommendations to the Graduate School. Applications are evaluated based on our Admissions Criteria. Final decisions are approved by the Dean of the Graduate School. An e-letter regarding your status will be sent by the Graduate School. Students accepted for admission will be sent a CBA Admission Packet.

If you have questions contact:

The CBA Graduate Programs Office by phone at 330-972-7043, or email gradcba@uakron.edu.