The Application Process
Thank you for applying to the College of Business!
Our MBA and MSA advisors are available to you for any questions or assistance you may need. If you experience any problems during the application process or would like to inquire about the status of your application, please do not hesitate to contact our office. We can be reached via phone at 252.328.6970 or email at gradbus@ecu.edu.
Admission Requirements
The MBA and the MSA degree programs are open to students with baccalaureate degrees in any discipline from institutions accredited by a CHEA-recognized institutional accrediting agency who present evidence of their ability to pursue graduate study. The decision is based on a combination of factors, including, but not limited to, satisfying minimum point totals and Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) scores as noted below.
Master of Business Administration
If at least one year has passed from your graduation date to the start of the semester you want to enter the program, you must earn at least 950 points based on the following formula:
(200 X GPA) + GMAT >= 950, with a minimum GMAT score of 450
If at least one year has not passed from your graduation date to the start of the semester you want to enter the program, you must earn at least 950 points based on the formula:
(200 X GPA) + GMAT >= 950, with a minimum GMAT score of 500
If your GPA is 3.5 or greater, the minimum GMAT score required is 450, regardless of the time since graduation.
Master of Science in Accounting
Students seeking admission to the MSA program must score at least 1000 points based on the formula:
(200 X GPA) + GMAT >= 1000, with a minimum GMAT score of 450
Students may enter the MSA program anytime after graduation from an undergraduate program. No distinction is made based upon the difference in time between a student’s graduation date and the start of the semester he or she wishes to enter the program.
In addition, students who majored in accounting as undergraduates must have a 2.8 GPA or better in their upper-division accounting classes (generally Intermediate Accounting I and higher).
Note that ECU students enrolled in the BSA/MSA degree program complete this combined five-year curriculum with no lapse in time between undergraduate and graduate classes.
International Students
If at least one year has passed from the time of a student's graduation date to the start of the semester the student wants to enter the program, he or she must earn at least 1000 points based on the following formula:
(200 x GPA) + GMAT>=1000, with a minimum GMAT score of 500
If at least one year has not passed from the time of a student's graduation date to the start of the semester the student wants to enter the program, he or she must earn at least 1000 points based on the formula:
(200 x GPA) +GMAT>=1000, with a minimum GMAT score of 550
Other Admission Requirements
Students must have a baccalaureate degree (in any subject) from an institution accredited by at least a regional association or accrediting agency. The degree must be in-hand by the date graduate study is to commence (ECU students see “6-hour rule” below). The total amount of pre-graduate schooling must be at least sixteen years (12 years of high school plus 4 years of college).
The GMAT test date must be within five years of the application date. Other standardized tests are not acceptable.
East Carolina University makes available the provision that an applicant can use the most recent 30 semester hours of undergraduate or graduate coursework in lieu of all undergraduate coursework when determining formula point totals. This provision is subject to the approval of the Assistant Dean for Graduate Programs, College of Business on a case-by-case basis. In such a case, the minimum point totals indicated above each increase by 50 points.
There are no exceptions to GMAT and formula point total minimums.
The TOEFL requirement is waived for international students if the undergraduate degree is from a US college or university.
The College of Business does not require letters of recommendation or a statement of purpose.
Applicants are admitted to the MBA or MSA program only upon the issuance of a formal letter of admission by the Graduate School.
Students must be admitted to the MBA or MSA program in order to enroll in College of Business graduate classes. Students cannot take graduate business classes with non-degree graduate student status.
The Graduate School will destroy incomplete applications one year after the beginning date of the term of intended enrollment. Applicants may request that copies of transcripts be returned before the year is over, or they may request that their applications be continued for another year.
6-hour Rule: ECU seniors within six semester hours (or less) of completion of all undergraduate degree requirements may enroll in 5000- or 6000-level courses applicable to graduate degree requirements in addition to their final undergraduate classes.
Successful business applicants must have otherwise completed an application packet, received acceptance into the MBA or MSA program, and must complete all remaining undergraduate degree requirements during the semester or summer term the student begins taking graduate classes. Failure to fulfill this requirement will result in cancellation of admission to graduate degree study and enrollment in any 6000-level courses will be invalidated.
