Graduate Studies in Business: Admissions Information
Application Deadlines | Admissions Requirements | Application Process | Tuition Costs | Apply Online | Graduate Assistantship | Financial Assistance | Pre-MBA Tracks | GMAT Information
Application Deadlines
| Domestic | International | |||
| Fall Semester | July 1 | Fall Semester | May 1 | |
| Spring Semester | November 1 | Spring Semester | October 1 | |
| Summer Term | April 1 | Summer Term | March 1 |
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*Application deadlines are for master's programs only. Doctoral applications are due by January 15th.
Admissions Requirements
MBA Program
Beginning in January 2008, admission to the MBA program will require the following:
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A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution;
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A 3.0 on your most recent 60 hours of coursework;
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An acceptable GMAT score (510 or higher) administered within the last 5 years;
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For international applicants, a TOEFL score of: Paper Based - 575; Computer Based - 233; Internet Based - 90. An IELTS score of 6.5 may be substituted for the TOEFL.
Applicants who do not meet the above GPA and GMAT requirements may be admitted with an ACS score of 1110 (Based on the following formula: 200 x (Last 60 hours of GPA) + GMAT=1110;). An online ACS calculator is available to assist prospective students with estimating their ACS score. Completion of program pre-requisites is not required prior to admission but can be incorporated as part of the program of study. Enrollment is limited to the number of openings available each semester. For more information on the GMAT, click here.
Master’s Programs other than MBA
To be admitted to the MPA (Master of Public Accountancy), MTX (Master of Taxation), MSIS (Master of Science in Information Systems), or Master of Economics, you will need to meet the following requirements:
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution;
- A 3.0 on your most recent 60 hours of coursework;
- An acceptable GMAT score (MPA, MTX: 510 or higher, MSIS: 500 or higher) administered within the last 5 years, (except for the Master of Economics which requires an acceptable GRE score);
- Or an acceptable ACS score based on the following formula: 200 x (Last 60 hours of GPA) + GMAT=1110; An online ACS calculator is available to help prospective students estimate their ACS score.
- For international applicants, a TOEFL score score of: Paper Based - 575; Computer Based - 233; Internet Based - 90. An IELTS score of 6.5 may be substituted for the TOEFL.
Admission decisions for masters students are based on these factors plus an assessment of prior work experience and future goals. Enrollment in our masters programs is limited to the number of openings available each semester.
Ph.D. Programs
Admission to our doctoral programs in business is based on the following:
- A bachelor’s degree and/or master’s degrees from accredited institutions;
- A GPA of 3.0/4.0 both cumulatively, and over the last two years of undergraduate work;
- A GPA of 3.25/4.0 on all prior graduate work, with fewer than 20% grades below B on any Business and Economics coursework;
- For the Ph.D. in Business Administration, a GMAT score administered within the last 5 years of at least 550;
- For the PhD. In Applied Economics, an acceptable GRE score;
- For international applicants, a TOEFL score score of: Paper Based - 575; Computer Based - 233; Internet Based - 90. An IELTS score of 6.5 may be substituted for the TOEFL.
Admission decisions for doctoral students are based on these factors plus our consideration of the quality of previous academic studies, the meshing of your purpose of study and opportunities in the proposed academic field, prior professional and employment activities, and a recommendation of the faculty in the proposed field of study including the availability of faculty support for research. Enrollment in the Ph.D. program is limited to the number of openings available for each academic year.
Application Process
Applications for official enrollment must include the following:
- Completed application form;
- A statement of purpose describing your goals and the unique experiences/characteristics that you bring to our program;
- A current résumé;
- Three letters of reference;
- Transcripts of all schools you have attended;
- GMAT score submitted to Mississippi State University.
Remember: To have work experience considered in your application, you must submit a complete resume!
Official Application forms for on-campus students (all programs): http://www.msstate.edu/dept/admissions/bannerweb/grad_domestic_appl.pdf
Official Application forms for Distance MBA/MBA-PM students:
http://www.distance.msstate.edu/mba/PDF/DistanceMBA1006.pdf
Official Application forms for International Students (all on-campus programs): http://www.grad.msstate.edu/prospective/admissions/pdf/grad_internat_appl.pdf.
Unclassified Application Process
Unclassified admission may be granted to students who have not yet taken the GMAT but who have earned a 3.0 grade point average on cumulative undergraduate work and who would like to take several graduate courses. Students may take up to 9 hours in a degree program as unclassified graduate students upon approval of the Director of Graduate Studies in Business. On-campus students who have been admitted as unclassified students should report to 210 McCool Hall on the first day of classes each term to determine whether any class openings are available. Distance students should submit their unclassified application along with a course registration form by fax to the Department of Continuing Education. Unclassified admission does not constitute official admission to the program. Poor performance on classes or an unacceptable GMAT score may be cause for rejection.
Unclassified Admission form for on-campus students:
http://www.grad.msstate.edu/prospective/admissions/pdf/unclassapp.pdf
Unclassified Admission form for Distance MBA students:
http://www.distance.msstate.edu/mba/PDF/GradUnclassAdminApp1006.pdf
| Term You Desire To Enter | Masters Application | Doctoral Application* |
| Spring | November 1 | --- |
| Summer | April 1 | --- |
| Fall | July 1 | January 15 |
* Doctoral programs admit students only for the fall semester of each year.
Tuition Costs
Tuition costs and fees usually change once per year before the start of the Fall semester. Fees can somtimes change more often based on other occurences outside of our control. Here is a link to a tuition and fees outline as well as a tuition calculator. This page is maintained by the Office of the Controller and should contain the most current costs associated with attending Mississippi State University.
Tuition and other costs and fees: http://www.controller.msstate.edu/sas/account.htm
Tuition calculator: http://www.controller.msstate.edu/ar/cgi/tcalc.cgi
Apply Online
Graduate Assistantship
Graduate assistantships for on-campus masters and doctoral programs are awarded on a competitive basis. To obtain an assistantship, you must either be admitted or be in the process of being admitted full-time to one of our graduate programs (unclassified and/or part-time students cannot hold assistantships). Graduate students with assistantships receive a tuition exemption (fees not included) and a monthly stipend. Typical assignments of those receiving assistantships include teaching assistants, research assistants, office administration, lab monitors and so on. Click here to download the form.
Financial Assistance
Visit and fill out the online FAFSA application at: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov. You should apply each year as soon as possible, after January 1st, for the upcoming school year. Important requirements:
- Make sure you return the signature page within 14 days or you will have to start the application process over.
- You must be enrolled in a minimum of 6 hours of graduate courses during the semester you will be receiving financial aid.
What happens after your application is submitted?
- Approximately 30% of all applications each year will be selected by the processor for a process of review called verification.
If your application is selected, you will be notified and you must submit the following documents to the Department of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships at MSU:
- Signed copy of your (and your spouse's, if married) Federal Income Tax Return.
- Signed copy of your parents' Federal Income Tax Return (if you were required to apply as a dependent student).
- Completed Federal Verification Worksheet.
For more information about financial aid and scholarships, contact:
MSU Student Financial Aid and Scholarships
Garner Hall P.O. Box 6035
Mississippi State, MS 39762
Telephone: 662-325-2450 or 662-325-3990
E-mail: financialaid@saffairs.msstate.edu
Internet: http://www.msstate.edu/dept/sfa/
Pre-MBA Tracks
The Graduate Studies in Business offers several Pre-MBA tracks to facilitate undergraduate students from different departments to be able to do their MBA easily and quickly after their graduation . The following are some of them available at this point in time. We are in the process of adding tracks for some other departments.
General Business Administration Minor
