Applicants can expect an admission decision in about three weeks after the application deadline which is normally July 15 for fall admission and December 15 for spring admission.

Once an admission decision is forthcoming, applicants will receive a written notice of decision from the University’s Graduate School and the College of Business.  Once admitted to the MBA program, an  admittant will receive information about class registration, textbooks, and course procedures from the MBA program advisors.

Please use the following checklist to complete your application documentation.

• Graduate School Application Form is completed online.
• The $50.00 application fee is paid upon completion of your online application with a major credit card.
• Cover letter stating your purpose for pursuing a graduate degree and the value you feel you bring to the program. This cover letter may be attached to the Graduate Application Form or sent separately to the College of Business.
• GMAT waiver petition, if applicable, may be submitted using the GMAT Waiver Petition Form (pdf version). Note that the GMAT Waiver Petition requires a verification of employment history by one of the three references used in the application process.
• Letter to the Graduate Admissions Committee explaining the circumstances relating to academic performance below the requisite 3.0 cumulative GPA for undergraduate or graduate study.
• College of Business Applicant Data Sheet (Click Here)
• Current résumé, this may be attached to the Graduate Application Form or sent separately to the College of Business.  
• GMAT/GRE and TOEFL/IELTS scores must be sent directly to the University. Do not include student copies of GMAT/GRE or TOEFL/IELTS scores. These scores must be sent directly from Pearson VUE (GMAT) or Educational Testing Service (GRE or TOEFL/IELTS) to the College of Business.
• Two (2) sets of official transcripts from all institutions attended in pursuit of your undergraduate or graduate degree(s) in sealed envelopes; these may be issued to you and then sent to the College of Business. International students require only one set of official transcripts.
• Three (3) professional recommendations using the College of Business’ Recommendation Form in sealed envelopes (pdf version)
• Graduate Assistantship Application (for MSBA, MMP, MAcc or Professional MBA Program applicants only), if applicable. Priority is given to applications received by April 1, 2009.
• Military personnel and veterans: A copy of your military ID, separation papers, or a copy of recent orders is required to qualify you for the Military Tuition Reduction Program. Federal and state employees: A copy of a recent pay stub clearly showing the organization with whom you are employed is required for you to be eligible for the Tuition Reduction Program.

Graduate School On-line Application

Admission into the College of Business graduate programs starts with the completion of the University’s Graduate School application which must be completed online. Click here to complete the Graduate School Application. When completing the Graduate School’s online application, the following information will be helpful:

The department to which you are applying is "College of Business”

• ACCY is the code for MAcc degrees
• BUSA-DD-MBA is the code for the Distance MBA Program
• BUSA-EV-MBA is the code for the Professional MBA Program
• BUSA-GSSZ-MS is the code for the MSBA-GSSE Program 
• BUSA-MS is the code for the MSBA-CIS Program
• BUSA-VM-MBA is the code for the joint DVM/MBA Program  
• MGPR-MMP is the code for the Masters of Management Practice (MMP)

One of the following should be used for proposed area of study

• Distance MBA Program
• DVM/MBA Joint Program
• Master of Accountancy (MAcc)
• Masters of Management Practice (MMP)
• MSBA in CIS
• MSBA in GSSE
• Professional MBA Program
  

You pay the $50.00 application fee with a major credit card at the time you complete the Graduate School application form. Your application cannot be processed until the application fee is received.

University Admission Criteria

Colorado State University’s Graduate School’s criteria for graduate study is a 3.0 cumulative GPA (on a 4.0 point scale) from an accredited 4-year undergraduate institution and, in the case of international applicants, a successful TOEFL or IELTS score if English is not the official language in the country of origin or the candidate did not graduate from an American university.

College of Business Admission Criteria

The College of Business has additional admission criteria that must be met for all graduate programs; further, the individual graduate program may have specific admission criteria that must be met by applicants. The College of Business uses a self-managed application process to allow you more control over the timing and completion of your application. You are requested to complete, gather and submit the application and all supporting documents in one package, if possible. Documentation that may come in separately are GMAT/GRE score reports, TOEFL or IELTS score reports (for non-native English applicants), and transcripts from undergraduate and graduate institutions. The Graduate School Application Form is completed online only and will come directly from the Graduate School to the College of Business.

The decision to admit an applicant is based on an evaluation of the candidate's potential for the successful completion of the graduate business program, the ability of the candidate to add to the perspective of the class and the school's ability to accommodate a limited number of students with the exception of the Distance MBA Program which has no enrollment limit.

A primary goal of the Colorado State University graduate programs is to select a richly diverse set of candidates with various undergraduate/graduate degrees and professional experiences. Additional requirements include a minimum of 4 years professional work experience for students wishing to enter the Professional MBA Program or the Distance MBA Program. There is no work experience prerequisite for applicants wishing to enter the MAcc, MMP, or the MSBA program in Computer Information Systems. The MSBA in Global Social and Sustainable Enterprises has some very specific experience required; review those requirements at the link below. Applicants with all types of undergraduate backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

 
Undergraduate/Graduate Grades or Scores

The College of Business requires applicants to have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher, or equivalent in undergraduate or graduate studies. If an applicant‘s cumulative grade point average is below 3.0 in undergraduate or graduate studies, a separate letter must be included with the application packet. This letter, addressed to the Graduate Admissions Committee, should be approximately a page in length and explain the circumstances that contributed to earning grades below the requisite 3.0 GPA.

 
GMAT/GRE

Your application for the MAcc, MSBA-CIS, MMP, or MBA programs will be considered complete only after official GMAT scores have been received. Within the MBA programs, petitions to waive the GMAT may be considered. See the criteria below. The MSBA-GSSE program will accept GRE or GMAT scores. Scores must be less than five years old. The quantitative score is especially significant. If an applicant takes the GMAT/GRE more than once, only the top score is taken into consideration.

If you have previously taken the GMAT/GRE but have not had your scores reported to Colorado State, you will need to request that your test results be sent to the University. The school code is 4075. To make your request, contact:

Internet: http://www.mba.com/mba

Internet: http://www.gre.org

If you have not taken the GMAT, register to take the test and have the results sent to Colorado State University. You can register on-line or call 1-800-717-GMAT.

GMAT Waiver Petition

An applicant with at least a 3.0 cumulative  GPA in undergraduate work (3.0 GPA in the last 60 hours may be acceptable) and at least 8 years of full-time professional work experience that shows a progression in responsibility or a graduate studies degree may petition for a waiver to the GMAT. The GMAT Waiver Form (pdf version) must be completed, signed and submitted with your application packet that is mailed to the College of Business. Please note that one of your three references is required from an individual who can attest to the content and accuracy of your resume. Please note the recommendation form has a specific question to be completed by this designated individual. The petition is subject to the approval of the Graduate Admissions Committee.

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Testing System)

TOEFL scores are required for international applicants, accepted scores are 565/227/86 or higher. An applicant is exempt from the TOEFL requirement if the official language of his or her country is English, or if the student has recently earned a degree from an American university. The IELTS is now accepted at Colorado State University; a score of 6.5 or better is acceptable.

International applicants are evaluated on the same admission criteria, with the addition of the TOEFL. A minimum score of 565/227/86 is required on the TOEFL. To receive information on taking the TOEFL contact:

TOEFL Services
Educational Testing Service
P.O. Box 6151
Princeton, NJ 08541-6151, USA
http://www.toefl.org
(609) 921-9000

To recieve information on taking the IELTS contact: www.ielts.org or www.ieltsUSA.org

 
Transcripts

A complete application packet must include two official transcripts from each college or university you have attended. Applicants must present a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited 4-year college or university.

International applicants must submit one set of official transcripts and a degree statement with a certified translation into English from each college or university attended. Documents must show courses and final examinations taken, marks received for each year and degree or diploma received.
Note: When you receive your transcripts do not open the envelope in which they arrive. The official transcripts must remain in sealed envelopes and be included with your application packet.

Résumé

A résumé describing each fulltime professional position you have held is required. It is important that your resume show the length of time for each position held. Be certain that each position shows the month and year you started and the month and year that you left the position. Also, include a reference at each place of employment, so that we may verify your length of employment, position and responsibilities, if required.
International students, please provide the city, state (if applicable) and country for each of the position held and the length of time of your employment in that location. Additionally, make sure the country is noted for all educational institutions.

Cover Letter

A cover letter must accompany your application; this letter should address your reasons for pursuing a graduate degree as well as those points from your background and experiences that bring value to the program. These letters are usually about one page in length.

Recommendations

Recommendations should be solicited from individuals who can objectively comment on your performance in an academic or professional setting. Usually these recommendations are from the applicant's supervisor or manager, co-workers or peers, former professors or other individuals who are able to judge the applicant's strengths as well as on-the-job or academic performance. Applicants are discouraged from using friends and relatives for recommendations.

The College of Business no longer requires original signatures on professional references; the forms may be sent directly to the College of Business via fax (970 491-3481), emailed to gradadmissions@business.colostate.edu, or through the US mail to: Rachel Stoll, Graduate Admissions, 1270 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1270. Or, you may also include the references still sealed in their original envelopes in their application packet sent to the College.

Please download, forward, and/or print three copies of the Recommendation Form for the program you are applying for.

• Distance MBA, Professional MBA, MAcc, MMP, MSBA-CIS (pdf version)

• MSBA-GSSE (Fillable PDF)

College of Business Applicant Data Sheet

The College of Business Applicant Data Sheet is important as it provides supplemental information not gathered on the Graduate School Online Application.

The Applicant Data Sheet is available for completion online; this form is used for the Distance and Professional MBA, MAcc, MMP and MSBA-CIS programs.  Please fill it out completely to facilitate completion of your application packet and the admission process.

 
Applicant Data Sheet for MSBA-GSSE program applicants.

 

Other Admission Requirements

Visit the website for the specific program of interest to read about additional requirements.

Application Deadlines

Application deadlines may be different from those found on the University's Graduate School pages. Admissions to all programs are on a rolling basis with the exceptions of the Professional MBA Program, MMP, and the GSSE program which are a competitive admission structure. To avoid disappointment, please ensure the College of Business receives all your application documents by the published deadlines.

 

• Distance MBA Program July 15 for fall admission and December 8 for spring admission
• Professional MBA Program May 1 for fall admission
• Master of Accountancy July 15 for fall admission and November 15 for spring admission
• MSBA in CIS July 15 for fall admission and November 15 for spring admission
• MSBA in GSSE March 31, 2009
• Master of Management Practice (MMP) June 1 for fall admission

 

Mail your completed application packet to:

Ms. Rachel Stoll
Colorado State University
College of Business
1270 Campus Delivery
Fort Collins, CO 80523-1270
Phone: (970) 491-3704
Toll-Free: (800) 491-4622, ext.2
Fax: (970) 491-3481
Email: GradAdmissions@business.colostate.edu

For admissions questions email: GradAdmissions@business.colostate.edu

 

For program information email: GradInfo@biz.colostate.edu