We highly recommend that you contact the MBA Office first - before you apply to any of our programs. We can help guide you through the process.

To apply for admission to West Chester University's MBA Programs applicants need to follow the steps listed below. Applications to the West Chester University MBA are processed year-round and students may start at different times of the year.

To Apply

Make sure you have read all materials and requirements on the West Chester University MBA web site. If you have any additional questions please send an e-mail or call 610-436-2608.

• Visit the web site of West Chester University's Office of Graduate Studies. Read all material including information on required graduate level tests.
• Ignore the information found on the Office of Graduate Studies site regarding Important Dates and Admission Deadlines. The West Chester University MBA operates on a non-traditional academic schedule and starts courses throughout the year. To find out when materials should be submitted contact the MBA Office.
• All student applications must be completed online. Make sure to read all instructions prior to beginning the application process.
• When completing admissions application you are asked to provide a program code. The code for the MBA program is B134 and the code for the Entrepreneurship Certificate is C254. We suggest that if you intend to apply admission to the MBA and a Certificate at the same time, complete the MBA application process first.
• Along with completing the online application your admissions materials must also include:
  • Resume
  • Two Letters of Recommendation (form found online)
  • One official copy of your academic records (transcripts*) from every college and university attended (except West Chester University)
  • GMAT/GRE test scores, if required
  • Fee of $50 for online application

*Note: Students who have attended international institutions must have their transcripts evaluated through World Education Services and include this as part of their application submission.

• Fax To:
  610-436-2763
  ATTN: West Chester University MBA Application
• Mail To:
  Office of Graduate Studies
  McKelvie Hall
  102 Rosedale Avenue
  West Chester University
  West Chester, PA 19383-2300

Applicants should recognize that while the University can proceed with your application without all required materials a decision on final acceptance can not come until all items are received.

• Contact information for Graduate Studies:
  610-436-2943
  gradstudy@wcupa.edu

Successful applicants meet the following criteria:

1.   Hold a bachelor's degree or above in any major/field from an accredited institution; and

2.   Earn a GMAT minimum overall score (or GRE equivalent) of 460 or above within 5 years prior to the date of application.   GMAT/GRE waivers are granted at the discretion of the MBA Director based on prior academic performance and experience; and     

3.   Earn an admissions score ((Cumulative GPA from highest degree earned x 200) + GMAT Score) of 1100 or above; and

4.   Prove competency in the Prerequisite Knowledge Areas of Accounting, Economics, Finance, Marketing, Management, and Quantitative Business Analysis.    Competency is demonstrated at the discretion of the MBA Director by prior coursework with a C grade or above in the Prerequisite Knowledge areas, by third party certifications, or by experience.

 

Provisional admission is in certain cases available to applicants who have a strong business background (either coursework or experience) but either do not meet the admissions score for full admission, or to applicants who have, at the discretion of the MBA Director after reviewing the totality of the applicant’s file, substantially, but not fully met the Prerequisite Knowledge Area requirements.   Provisionally admitted students meet the following criteria before full admission:

1.   Hold a bachelor's degree or above in any major/field from an accredited institution; and

2.   Earn a GMAT minimum overall score (or GRE equivalent) of 460 or above within 5 years prior to the date of application.  GMAT/GRE waivers are granted at the discretion of the MBA Director based on prior academic performance and experience; and

3.   Earn an admissions score ((Cumulative GPA from highest degree earned x 200) + GMAT Score) of 1000 or above; and

4.   Prove competency in the Prerequisite Knowledge Areas of Accounting, Economics, Finance, Marketing, Management, and Quantitative Business Analysis.    Competency is demonstrated at the discretion of the MBA Director by prior coursework with a C grade or above in the Prerequisite Knowledge areas, by third party certifications, or by experience; and

5.   Complete up to 3 MBA courses with a cumulative 3.0 GPA within 1 year of provisional admission.   The courses are determined by the MBA Director based on the applicant’s background.           

Students have the option of completing a Project Management, Business Analysis, or Entrepreneurship Certificate together with their MBA or as a separate program.

MBA students must declare their intention to complete the Certificates while taking classes in the MBA program. If you are accepted into the MBA program you already meet the requirements for acceptance in the Certificate programs. Please contact the MBA office to enroll in the Certificate. Certificate students may continue on for the MBA if they meet GMAT score/waiver requirements.

Students who are not enrolled in the MBA program may enroll in the Project Management, Business Analysis, or Entrepreneurship Certificates. The admissions requirements are the same as those for the MBA program, except there is no GMAT requirement.

We accept both GMAT and GRE scores, although the GMAT is preferred. If you need to complete the GMAT or GRE, we strongly suggest taking the Graduate Exam Prep Course offered by Continuing Professional Education at West Chester University. The prep course provides training that will help to raise your score. You do not need to be a West Chester University student to take the prep course.

GMAT/GRE waivers are possible under certain circumstances.  All waivers are granted at the discretion of the MBA Director.   The totality of your file is examined and waivers are not guaranteed.    Examples of possible waivers are listed below:

Candidates with a bachelor's business degree from an AACSB school:

• You hold a bachelor's degree from an AACSB school; and
• Your degree was earned within the last 5 years; and
• You earned, at least, a 3.25 GPA for your highest degree earned; and
• You are assigned a standardized test equivalent of 510 points; and
• Your formula score (GPA x 200) + Standardized Test Score equals 1100 or above.

Candidates with a bachelor's business degree from an ACBSP school:

• You hold a bachelor's degree from an ACBSP school; and
• Your degree was earned within the last 5 years; and
• You earned, at least, a 3.75 GPA for your highest degree earned; and
• You are assigned a standardized test equivalent of 510 points; and
• Your formula score (GPA x 200) + Standardized Test Score equals 1100 or above.

Candidates who have passed the C.P.A. exam, or hold a valid C.F.A., C.I.M.A. or C.F.P. designation:

• You have successfully completed all sections of a C.P.A. exam; or
• You hold a valid C.F.A., C.I.M.A. or C.F.P. designation; and
• You are assigned a standardized test equivalent of 520 points; and
• Your formula score (GPA x 200) + Standardized Test Score equals 1100 or above.

Candidates with any graduate degree from an accredited institution:

• You hold an earned graduate degree (not a certificate) from an accredited institution; and
• You are assigned a standardized test equivalent of 520 points; and
• Your formula score (GPA x 200) + Standardized Test Score equals 1100 or above.

Candidates with an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited college:

• You hold an undergraduate degree from an accredited college (including WCU); and
• You possess a minimum of 5 years professional/managerial business experience; and
• You earned, at least, a 3.0 GPA for your highest degree earned; and
• You are assigned a standardized test equivalent of 510 points; and
• Your formula score (GPA x 200) + Standardized Test Score equals 1100 or above.

Candidates accepted into another AACSB accredited MBA Program:    

• You may submit documentation proving that you were fully accepted, without conditions, to another AACSB accredited MBA program within one year of your application to West Chester University; and
• You are assigned a standardized test equivalent of 510 points; and
• Your formula score (GPA x 200) + Standardized Test Score equals 1100 or above.

Successful applicants must demonstrate that they possess a foundational body of knowledge sufficient for them to begin the MBA and Certificate programs.   The Prerequisite Knowledge Areas are:

• Accounting (ACC)
• Economics (ECO)
• Finance (FIN)
• Marketing (MKT)
• Management (MGT)
• Quantitative Business Analysis (QBA)

Competency in each of the Prerequisite Knowledge Area Requirements is demonstrated at the discretion of the MBA Director by prior coursework with a C grade or above in the Prerequisite Knowledge areas, by third party certifications, or by experience.   There are five different ways to demonstrate competency (listed below).   The totality of your file is examined and waivers are not guaranteed.  

1.            Earned Degree from an AACSB Accredited Program.   You may submit documentation proving that you graduated from an AACSB accredited program.   For instance, if you graduated from West Chester University with a B.S. in Management you have demonstrated by virtue of your degree from that AACSB accredited program that you have met the Prerequisite Knowledge Area Requirements.

2.            Significant Experience:   You may submit documentation proving your competency in any of the Prerequisite Knowledge Area Requirements by virtue of your significant professional experience. 

3.            Undergraduate or Graduate Coursework:  You may complete subject-specific course work with a C grade or better (either undergraduate or graduate courses).   

4.            Acceptance into another AACSB accredited MBA Program.   You may submit documentation proving that you were fully accepted, without conditions, to another AACSB accredited MBA program within one year of your application to West Chester University.

5.            Bridge Programs.    Many institutions provide “bridge” programs that provide training in business fundamentals for students who do not have a strong business background.  Most of these programs are affordable and may be completed in a few months.    If you complete one of these bridge programs you have demonstrated that you have met the Prerequisite Knowledge Area Requirements.     These bridge programs can save you time and tuition dollars compared to the alternative of taking traditional subject-specific course work over several semesters.    In some cases it may result in a waiver of your GMAT requirement, too.

There are a variety of other options available for you to prove that you have met the Prerequisite Knowledge Area Requirements. Please contact the MBA Office directly for details.