MBA Admission Requirements and Application Information
 

Admission to Penn State Behrend's AACSB-accredited MBA program is possible each of the three semesters of the academic year (fall, spring, summer).  Please note that if your first semester of enrollment is summer, you will be enrolling in MBA electives.  An applicant's baccalaureate degree may be from any field of undergraduate study.  All applicants are expected to be proficient in Microsoft Office software and new students are required to attend Graduate Student Orientation.

Admission decisions are based on undergraduate grade point average, Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) scores, recommendations, and the degree of correspondence between the applicant's objectives and those of the program.

Admission to the MBA program is granted jointly by The Graduate School of Penn State University and Penn State Behrend's Black School of Business.

Semester Dates

 

Fall 2009:              August 24 - December 18, 2009

 

Spring 2010:         January 11 - May 7, 2010

 

Summer I 2010:     May - June, 2010

Summer II 2010:    June - August, 2010

 

Application Processing

• Applications are processed on a rolling basis
• Applicants requiring a student visa, should allow six months for complete processing of admission decision, student visa and financial clearance. 

Decision Deadlines

A complete application must be submitted, by domestic applicants, by or before the final deadline date. Applications are being processed now for spring and summer 2010.

Spring 2010 deadline ...........................November 16, 2009

• Take the GMAT by or before November 15, 2009.

Summer 2010 Sessions I and II deadline........ April 6, 2010

• Take the GMAT by or before April 5, 2010

Fall 2010 deadline............................................July 1, 2010

• Take the GMAT by or before June 30, 2010.

Contact and Address Information

Penn State Behrend

Black School of Business
228 Research and Economic Development Center (REDC)
5101 Jordan Road
Erie, PA 16563

Ann M. Burbules, Graduate Admissions Counselor, 814-898-7255

Penn State Behrend
Graduate Admissions Office

Glenhill Farmhouse, 2nd Floor

4701 College Drive
Erie, PA 16563

Toll free Telephone -866-374-3378
Graduate Admissions Fax Number - 814-898-6044

Request MBA information

MBA Application Checklist... see below for details regarding each requirement

• Penn State's Graduate School Online Application and App Fee       

• Statement of Purpose

• Two Official transcripts from all institutions attended (except PSU)

• Three References/Recommendations

• Official GMAT score report

International applicants must also submit:

• TOEFL score report
• University-attested Transcripts/Marksheets, in native language and English
• University-attested diploma, in native language and English
  • Attested copies must be attested by the university, only.
• Application for Student Visa and Financial Certification

International students, who are already in the US on a work visa, will need to provide their original passport, visa, and I-94 to the Graduate Admissions Counselor. Copies will be forwarded to the International Student Services staff located at Penn State University Park.

Penn State Behrend
Graduate Admissions Office
4701 College Drive
Erie, PA 16563

FORMALLY APPLY TO THE PROGRAM

• Why have you chosen to pursue the Penn State Behrend MBA?

• How will these studies help you attain your personal and professional goals?

• How will your participation contribute to the Penn State Behrend MBA program?

• If you are currently employed, indicate your work responsibilities.

3.  Transcripts

Two official transcripts are required from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended; Penn State alumni do not need to provide Penn State transcript(s).  Have transcripts sent directly from the Registrar's Office at each institution to Penn State Behrend's Graduate Admissions Office.

Individuals with foreign credentials:

• International students applying for admission to the Penn State Behrend MBA program must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited United States college or university, or its equivalent from a recognized foreign institution of higher learning.  This is determined by Graduate Enrollment Services located at the Penn State University Park campus.

• University-attested copies of transcripts/marksheets, in the native language, are required from each institution attended (undergraduate and graduate).

• University- attested copy of the diploma indicating both the date the degree was conferred and the name of the academic program.

• If the institution(s) attended were not English-speaking, applicants must submit one certified English translation of all academic records with their application.  Transcripts should include an explanation of the grading system.  Translations to English are typically provided by the "home" institution.

 5.  GMAT (Graduate Management Admissions Test) Requirement

Any applicant whose GPA is 3.0 or greater (cumulative or last 60 credits), will need to obtain a minimum of 450 on the GMAT Total Score; this number represents the absolute minimum that we will accept for admission consideration.   

If your GPA is less than 3.0, you can determine your GMAT minimum requirement using the formula below.

GPA (cumulative or last 60 credits, whichever is higher) multiply it by 200 then subtract 1050.  The remaining number, rounded to the next highest tenth, is the minimum score that you are required to obtain, to be considered for the MBA program.

• Ex. 2.9 x 200 - 1050 = 470

• Ex. 2.8 x 200 - 1050 = 490 

• Ex. 2.7 x 200 - 1050 = 510

MBA applicants must satisfy the Writing requirement by obtaining either a 4.0 on the GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment or by having obtained a B or better grade in an undergraduate English Composition course.

Test registration and information on preparing for the GMAT is available at mba.com/mba.  The cost of the exam is $250 (US).  Appointments are very limited; arrangements should be made 4 to 6 weeks in advance of taking the exam.

Local applicants can take the exam at Pearson Professional Centers, Edgewood Plaza, 3123 West 12 St., Suite D. 

Request previous GMAT scores from mba.com/mba.  Scores can be requested via phone, fax, or electronically. 

6.  TOEFL or IELTS Requirement

The TOEFL, Test of English as a Foreign Language, or IELTS must be taken by applicants for whom English is not their first language.   This is not required of students who have a baccalaureate or master's degree from an institution in an English speaking country or a regionally accredited American four-year institution. 

• Penn State's Institution Code: 2660 (all Penn State locations)

• Department Code: 02.

The Graduate School at University Park receives score reports monthly. 

Applicants must demonstrate a score of 80 (iBT exam), 550 (paper-based exam), or 213 (computer-based exam) on the TOEFL exam to be admissible to the program.  A minimum of 19 is required on the Speaking Skills section of the Internet based exam.  The IELTS minimum score is 6.5.

7. Application for Visa and Financial Certification

• Submit these documents with your application portfolio, to Penn State Behrend.

Information for International Students

Information for International Students  outlines information about Penn State Behrend and the local community.  Information is also provided on the resident MBA programs at Penn State Great Valley, Penn State Harrisburg, and Penn State University Park.