Master of Business Administration Admissions

Admission Requirements for the Master of Business Administration (MBA) Program

1. Have a minimum of a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. If your GPA falls below this threshold, you may still be admitted to the program if you score a 440+ on the GMAT or a 142+ on the GRE.
2. Hold a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an accredited institution. The Bachelor’s degree can be in any field of study.
   1. Previous coursework in business, marketing, accounting, economics, and finance are highly recommended. If you have not successfully completed the above courses, you may be required to do so prior to full admission to the MBA program. The MBA Program Director will work with you individually to create a course completion plan as needed.
3. Have 2-5 years professional work experience. You can be directly admitted from an undergraduate program if you meet the rest of the acceptance criteria.
4. 440+ on the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) or 142+ on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) for applicants who do not meet at least two of the three criteria below.
   1. An undergraduate GPA of 3.0+ (on a 4.0 scale)
   2. Earned a post-graduate degree (any discipline)
   3. Three+ years of professional work experience that demonstrates competencies in professional performance.
5. English proficiency is required for international applicants. Graceland accepts proof of English proficiency through the TOEFL, IELTS, or DuoLingo English services.
   • You must submit an official or certified copy of the score.
   • You must submit one of the following minimum scores:
     • TOEFL: 62 (internet-based)
     • IELTS: 6.0
     • DuoLingo English: 90
   • If you obtained your high school degree from one of the countries below, you will not be required to submit English proficiency scores:
     • Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, Canada (except Quebec), Cayman Islands, Dominica, England, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Gibraltar, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland (Northern) Ireland (Republic of), Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Micronesia, Montserrat, Namibia, New Zealand, Nigeria, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Scotland, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Swaziland (Eswatini), Trinidad and Tobago.
   • If you completed and passed English Composition 1 and 2 with a grade of C or better from a college or university within the U.S. you will not be required to submit English proficiency scores.

Transfer Requirements

If you are currently enrolled, or have previously been enrolled, in a graduate level program, you may be eligible apply to the Graceland MBA as a transfer student.

• You may be eligible to transfer a maximum of 9 credit hours for equivalent coursework.
• You must have maintained a minimum 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) for consideration and be able to demonstrate success in relevant coursework.
• Three+ years of relevant professional experience may strengthen your transfer application, especially if it aligns with the goals of the MBA program.

Additional Transfer Considerations for International Students

If you are an international student, consider the Visa implications of transferring between programs. Ensure that you comply with immigration regulations.

• Current Visa Status. International students must have a valid visa status. A Transfer Eligibility Form (SEVIS Form I-20 or DS-2019) may be required for the transfer process.
• Visa Transfer Process. The student will have to coordinate with their current institution to release their SEVIS record to the new institution.
• Financial Proof. Proof of sufficient funds (bank statements, scholarship award letters, etc.) to cover tuition and living expenses for the duration of study.

Official Transcripts. The student will need to provide official transcripts from their previous institutions. These must be translated into the institution’s official language (if necessary) and authenticated.

• WES (World Evaluation Services) – evaluates educational credentials from international students and professionals to determine how their academic qualifications compare to those in the United States. Some institutions conduct a transfer credit evaluation to assess how many students’ previous credits can be applied toward the new program or degree.
  • Credential Evaluation. WES evaluates academic transcripts from international institutions to compare the educational system in your home country to those in the United States or Canada. This helps institutions, employers, and licensing bodies understand the value and equivalency of your international qualifications.
  • o Verification of Documents. WES verifies the authenticity of academic documents, such as diplomas and transcripts, by contacting the issuing institutions, if necessary.

TOEFL/IELTS/Other Exams. Some universities require a standardized test score like TOEFL or IELTS to prove English proficiency. Alternative Proof. If your previous education was in English, you may be exempt from submitting language proficiency scores.