Graduate Program > Admission Information  

Admission Criteria ● GMAT/GRE ● TOEFL ● Transcripts ● Application Deadlines ● Program Specific Checklist
 

MBA, MAcc, and MSBA-CIS Program Application Checklist
Note: for the MSBA-GSSE program application checklist click here

	Graduate School Application Form is completed online.
	The $50.00 application fee may be 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
	GMAT waiver petition, if applicable, may be submitted using the GMAT Waiver Petition Form (pdf version | doc version). Note that the GMAT Waiver Petition requires a verification of employment history by one recommender's comments provided with the application packet.
	Letter to the Graduate Admissions Committee explaining the circumstances causing academic performance below the requisite 3.0 cumulative GPA for undergraduate or graduate study.
	College of Business Applicant Data Sheet (pdf version | doc version)
	Current résumé
	GMAT/GRE and TOEFL scores should be sent directly to the University. Do not include student copies of GMAT or TOEFL scores. These scores must be sent directly from Pearson VUE (GMAT) or Educational Testing Service (GRE or TOEFL) 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
	Three (3) professional recommendations using the College of Business’ Recommendation Form in sealed envelopes (pdf version | doc version)
	Graduate Assistantship Application (for MSBA or Professional MBA Program applicants only), if applicable
	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:

You may pay the $50.00 application fee with a major credit card at the time you complete the Graduate School application form. Your application can not 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 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 score reports (for non-native English applicants), and transcripts from undergraduate and graduate institutions. The Graduate School Application Form 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.

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 program or the MSBA program in Computer Information Systems. The new 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. 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 | doc 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 by an individual who can attest to the content and accuracy of your resume. Please note the recommendation form below 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). TOEFL scores are required for international applicants. 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

If you need to take the TOEFL, register to take the test and have the results sent to Colorado State University. You can register on-line at: http://www.toefl.org

Transcripts. A complete application packet must include two official transcripts from each college or university you have attended. If credits were transferred to the degree institution from which you received a degree then each and every one of those transcripts must accompany your application packet. Applicants must present a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited 4-year college or university.

International applicants must submit official transcripts and 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.

Resumé. A resumé 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.

Cover Letter. A cover letter should 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.

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 in hard-copy or to the applicant for inclusion in the application packet or the signed reference may be sent via fax or the reference may have an electronic signature affixed and emailed. 

If the reference is mail then please have it sent to:  Rachel Stoll, Graduate Admissions, 1270 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1270.  If it is faxed then please use 970 491-3481 and if it is email please use rachel.stoll@colostate.edu.

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

• Distance MBA, Evening MBA, MAcc or MSBA-CIS (pdf version | doc version)

• MSBA-GSSE

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. Please download the Applicant Data Sheet, print the Applicant Data Sheet, complete it, and include it with your application packet. Or, you may email the completed form to Rachel.stoll@colostate.edu.

• Applicant Data Sheet for Distance MBA, Evening MBA, MAcc or MSBA-CIS program applicants (pdf version | doc version)

• 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 (these deadlines may be different from those found on the 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.

The Distance MBA Program	July 15 for fall admission and December 8 for spring admission
Professional MBA Program	May 1 for fall admission
National Guard MBA	June 1 for fall admission
Masters of Accountancy	July 15 for fall admission
MSBA in CIS	July 15 for fall admission
MSBA in GSSE	First Round: March 1st, 2008
	Second Round: June 1st, 2008
Masters 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
164 Rockwell Hall
Fort Collins, CO 80523-1270

Phone: (970) 491-3704
Toll-Free: (800) 491-4622, ext.1
Fax: (970) 491-3481
Email: gradinfo@biz.colostate.edu