The Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a graduate program designed to provide upwardly mobile business professionals and qualified international students with the skills and knowledge to advance in their careers through experiential learning in various delivery formats. The program seeks highly motivated college graduates who will bring their personal values, experiences, and interests to the classroom.

Admission to the MBA Program is based on a combination of undergraduate grade point average, score on the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), references, and work experience. To be admitted, applicants must have at least 1,050 points based on this formula: 200 times the last 60 hour undergraduate GPA plus GMAT score. The GPA must be a minimum of 2.5 for the last 60 hours in an undergraduate program, and the GMAT score must be a minimum of 450 or an equivalent GRE score. Information on the GMAT may be found at mba.com.

Recent scores of the Graduate Records Examination (GRE) are acceptable. Equivalent GRE test scores can be used to meet minimum GMAT score requirements and can be used in formula calculations for admission purposes. See ets.org for information on conversion of a GRE score to a predicted GMAT score.

International students must have a bachelor’s degree with an acceptable grade point average from an educational institution approved by the Haenicke Institute for Global Education.

In addition, international students whose native language is not English must demonstrate proficiency in the English language by taking the TOEFL examination. Those scoring less than 213 on the computer form of the TOEFL examination may be required to participate in English language programs offered by the Center for English Language and Culture for International Students (CELCIS) prior to beginning the MBA program. Information on CELCIS may be found at wmich.edu/celcis.

Waiver of GMAT

The GMAT requirement may be waived for:

1. Applicants who hold a graduate professional degree from an educational institution approved by Western Michigan University.
2. Applicants admitted to WMU’s School of Medicine MD program.
3. Applicants with substantial professional work experience who meet both of the following criteria:

• Minimum undergraduate GPA requirements (3.0 or higher in the last two years of an accredited undergraduate degree program); and
• Three or more years of substantial, full-time, managerial work experience which has occurred prior to the date of program application, after completion of undergraduate degree (including military and entrepreneurial experience). See GMAT Waiver Application for additional information regarding managerial work experience requirements.

Requests for a GMAT WAIVER based on substantial managerial work experience must be approved by the Haworth College of Business Graduate Programs Council. Completion of the petition to waive the GMAT Exam is required, and satisfaction of the above criteria does not constitute an automatic waiver.

Appeals and Requests for Exceptions

Appeals and requests for exceptions to the admission standards must be made in writing to the MBA advisor, Room 2320 Schneider Hall, Haworth College of Business, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI 49008. All appeals and requests for exceptions will be reviewed by the Haworth College of Business Graduate Programs Council.