In considering the circumstances and events surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, the College of Business Administration will apply a holistic approach to graduate admissions to UA for the 2020-21 academic year. In this environment, it is impossible to ignore external factors that are impacting individual circumstances and lives. Many are finding their jobs and careers in transition and the College of Business Administration wants to provide as much flexibility as possible to any student who is deciding late in the year to attend graduate school at UA. As a result, any applicant may petition to waive the standardized admission test requirement. Applicants may choose to include these scores, but tests will not be required.
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. Review our Graduate Application Flowchart for a visual representation of the process.
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.
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:
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:
Step 2: Mail or email the following to:gradcba@uakron.edu
Students with less than three years of work experience may request a waiver based on our COVID-19 Response. Applicants should mention the COVID-19 Exception under "additional information" on our online Test Waiver Petition Form.
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:
The Graduate School
The University of Akron
Akron, OH 44325-2101
Graduate Programs in Business
The University of Akron
College of Business Administration, Room 412
Akron, OH 44325-4805
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 March 31, 2020. Applicants will need to receive a DET score of 115 or higher to satisfy our proficiency requirement for graduate admissions.
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.
UA English Language Institute (ELI) resources:
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:
Graduate School
The University of Akron
Akron, OH 44325-2101
Any materials (resume, statement of purpose, references) which were not provided prior to application submission may be directed to the CBA Graduate Programs Office via email at gradcba@uakron.edu.
Our advising staff processes all applications and provides feedback to students related to missing documentation.
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.
