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 have questions about the program, 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 (toll-free at 866-592-0835) 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 formula (200 X GPA) + GMAT >= 950. A GMAT score of 490 or higher is required for unconditional admission to the program. An applicant with a GMAT score of 450 to 480 is placed on a waitlist to be admitted as capacity allows. A decision about waitlisted admissions is made about one month prior to the start of the semester. The minimum GMAT score required for admissions (unconditional or waitlisted) is 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. A GMAT score of 540 or higher is required for unconditional admission to the program. An applicant with a GMAT score of 500 to 530 is placed on a waitlist to be admitted as capacity allows. A decision about waitlisted admissions is made about one month prior to the start of the semester. The minimum GMAT score required for admissions (unconditional or waitlisted) is 500.
If your GPA is 3.5 or greater, regardless of the time since your graduation and the start of the semester you want to enter the program, a GMAT score of 490 or higher is required for unconditional admission to the program. An applicant with a GMAT score of 450 to 480 is placed on a waitlist to be admitted as capacity allows. A decision about waitlisted admissions will be made about one month prior to the start of the semester. The minimum GMAT score required for admissions (unconditional or waitlisted) is 450.
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).
International Students
International students must score 50 points greater than domestic students in the above formula totals and GMAT minimum score requirements and must also satisfy minimum TOEFL score requirements of 213 (computer exam) or 550 (paper exam). For the TOEFL iBT (Internet based exam), the minimum score is 20 for each of the four sections with a total score of 80. In addition, sixteen years total education is mandatory.
Other Admission Information
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. Visit www.mba.com for GMAT information and study software. Plan to take the GMAT at least one month prior to the application deadline.
East Carolina University makes available the provision that an applicant can use the most recent upper-level 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 College of Business does not offer the professional admissions option mentioned on the Graduate School website.
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 without first receiving approval from the COB Graduate Programs office.
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.
Students must apply and be admitted into the MBA or MSA program prior to enrolling in graduate business courses. The student must complete all remaining undergraduate degree requirements during the semester 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.
