Admissions
Process and Requirements of the Master of Business Administration
An
admission decision at Charleston Southern University is based
on a balanced appraisal of the applicant's overall scholastic
and professional record, aptitude for graduate study, and
character. All students, regardless of admission status,
must submit a graduate application for the MBA program with
a nonrefundable admissions application fee to the Graduate
Center. Exceptions to this policy require the permissions
of the Director of Graduate Studies, Dean of the School of
Business, and the Vice President for Academic Affairs.
Application
Procedures
Interested
persons with backgrounds in all academic disciplines
are encouraged to apply. Prior study in business and/or economics
is not a requirement for admission. Anyone holding a
bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or
university (or a parallel curriculum and degree from an equivalent
international program) is eligible for consideration.
Prospective
students are encouraged to submit their initial application
with the application fee as soon as possible, to allow graduate
admissions representatives to begin processing the file.
After the application has been received, a Graduate Admissions
Counselor is available to help guide the applicant through
all remaining admissions steps.
An
application will be considered complete when each of the
following has been submitted:
- Official
CSU Application Form, including essay (either submitted
online or by mail or fax).
- Appropriate
application fee
- Resume
or Curriculum Vitae (CV) detailing professional experience
- Official
transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Must
include evidence of a completed undergraduate degree from
a regionally accredited institution or an equivalent from
a foreign institution. (If the degree is in process,
see Enrollment Status below.)
- Two
letters of recommendation as described below.
- Additional
documentation for International Students, as listed below
under International Applicants
- Applicants
who plan to include a graduate entry examination score,
such as the GMAT score, in their application file should
mark their application accordingly, so that the Admissions
Committee will know to delay action on the application
until that score has been received.
Preferred Application Deadlines
CSU's
MBA Program has a rolling admissions policy. While many
applicants may plan to begin their program in the fall semester,
applicants may be admitted to begin their coursework in any
term. Deadlines for admission are flexible, but for
full consideration, applicants are encouraged to ensure that
all materials required for the application are received at
least two weeks prior to the first day of the semester they
intend to begin. If an applicant has particularly strong
credentials, it is possible that the application may be processed
more quickly, and for that reason, applications will be accepted
until classes begins. International student applicants are
subject to separate deadlines. Please see the section
about international applicants.
Preferred
application deadlines are as follows:
Spring:
December 15th
Maymester and Summer: April 25th
Admissions Decisions
The
ideal student will recognize business and management as a
life calling, and will show a commitment to the qualities
of personal character development which are relevant to business
success and ethical behavior. Application materials
are also reviewed thoroughly for evidence of writing and
communication skills, and of such values as initiative, maturity,
commitment, leadership, teamwork, innovation, and creativity.
Involvement and leadership in professional, community and
collegiate activities may thus be considered by the Admissions
Committee, and would strengthen the application. In order
to maintain as rich a learning environment as possible, Charleston
Southern University also seeks to enroll students from a
variety of economic, occupational, racial, social, religious,
and geographic backgrounds.
The
Admissions Committee also may consider responsible academic
performance and excellence in testing as evidence of the
applicant's ability to do well in graduate study. There
is no single GPA requirement that will guarantee admission.
The GPA range of admitted students is very broad. To be viable
candidates, applicants who did not perform well in their
undergraduate academic career would typically be expected
to show ability and motivation through such measures as GMAT
scores and/or professional success in the business world.
All applicants are encouraged to submit as persuasive an
application package as possible. Some of the primary
factors that will draw the attention of CSU's Admissions
Committee are:
- Strong
professional work experience, as reflected in a resume,
C.V. (curriculum vitae), or other documentation.
- Undergraduate
GPA: While
no specific GPA is required for admission, students who
bring GPA's above 3.0 overall, or in their major, from
colleges with rigorous academic programs have shown that
they can marshal the necessary skills for high academic
performance. However, students whose professional
experience or other evidence shows that they have matured
since their undergraduate record will typically be accepted
with lower GPA levels. Grades earned in graduate-level
coursework completed at regionally accredited American
colleges or universities or equivalent programs in other
countries may also be considered.
- Application
essay: This
essay on the application form describes the applicant's
interest in attending CSU's MBA Program, their plans
for the future, and how the MBA from CSU will help them
achieve those goals. It will be evaluated both with
respect to motivations and mastery of communication skills.
- Graduate
School Entry Examination Scores, such as the GMAT. Optional,
but highly recommended for those whose other credentials
may not otherwise be strong enough to warrant acceptance
into the program. GMAT scores are preferred, but GRE
or other scores may also be considered. Applicants
who want CSU to consider these scores must arrange for
the testing institution to provide an official score report
to CSU's MBA Admissions. Proof of successful completion
of a post-baccalaureate professional certificate program
such as the CPA, CFA, etc. may also be submitted in lieu
of, or in addition to, test scores.
- Recommendations: Applicants
should ask two individuals who are familiar with his/her
character, work performance, academic ability, and leadership
potential to provide confidential recommendation letters
directly to the Admissions
Office of CSU's MBA program. Recommenders are
encouraged to use the standard CSU recommendation form,
but personal letters are also accepted. Applicants
are encouraged to request recommendations from: (1) current
or past supervisors, 2) current or past professors, 3)
academic or business professionals, 4) pastors or religious
leaders; or any combination thereof. At least one
letter should come from an individual familiar with the
applicant's professional work record. At least one
of the recommendations should come from an individual who
can attest to the applicant’s character and ethical
standards. All recommendations should come from objective
sources. Applicants should generally avoid using family
members or persons who they currently supervise for recommendation
letters.
- Interview: After
a preliminary review of the application, the Admissions
Committee may request an evaluative admission interview
for some candidates. This interview with the MBA Program
Director and/or other members of the Admissions Committee
may be conducted either in person or by telephone, and
is by invitation only. Applicants will be contacted
by email or phone if an interview is suggested. The
interview is optional, but is highly recommended for students
invited to participate. The interview will evaluate an
applicant's level of maturity, interpersonal skills, career
focus, and motivation.
No
single criterion will be decisive. Each item will be considered
in relation to the applicant's total qualifications. Although
Charleston Southern University has preferred levels for such
criteria as applicants' undergraduate GPA and GMAT scores,
each application is evaluated on an individual basis.
Applicants
are notified as soon as the MBA Admissions Committee has
made their decision. If the student does not attend
within 2 major terms (major terms are Fall and Spring) of
their acceptance, then their acceptance will expire, and
if they decide to attend later, they will need to reapply,
regardless of prior acceptance.
The
Admissions Committee
The
Admissions Committee is composed of the Director of the MBA
Program and two other graduate business faculty members who
will serve staggered one-year terms. Under the guidance
of the Director of the MBA Program, the committee will be
involved in the decision-making process for MBA Program applicants. In
consultation with the Graduate Center, the Committee will
typically set admission guidelines for the year, based significantly
upon such factors as program capacity and volume of applications
received, but always keeping the primary focus on maintaining
program quality. The Committee will apprise the admissions
counselors of the guidelines for acceptance, rejection, and
further consideration. The committee will then evaluate in
detail the individual applications for those candidates who
merit further consideration, and at times meet with prospective
students to evaluate their potential for success at CSU.
Enrollment
Status
Enrollment for graduate study in business is
granted in the following categories:
Regular Admission
Regular Admission requires that the student
has met all of the requirements for admission to the MBA
Program as listed in the section on Application Procedures.
Provisional Admission
A student seeking the MBA degree from Charleston
Southern University who has not submitted all of the required
documentation and materials for Regular Admission may be
accepted on the provision that he or she submit the missing
required materials as determined by the Enrollment
Services Office prior to pre-registration for the next
term. The minimum requirements for Provisional Admission
are (1) the completed graduate application, (2) the application
fee, and (3) evidence of a bachelor's degree from a regionally-accredited
institution. Enrollment cannot exceed 9 credit hours of MBA-level
courses during the provisional period. Students admitted
under Provisional Admission will not be eligible for financial
aid.
Non-Degree Admission
Non-Degree Admission is granted to students
who do not intend to apply for regular admission. Such
students must have a baccalaureate degree from a regionally
accredited institution and have at least a 2.50 undergraduate
GPA, or permission of the Director of the MBA Program. A
student may take a maximum of nine graduate hours in the
MBA program under the non-degree admission status. Financial
aid is not available to non-degree students.
International Applicants
Academically qualified students from foreign
countries are encouraged to apply for admission to Charleston
Southern University. Applicants must be sufficiently proficient
in English to be able to study entirely in the English language.
The following must be sent to the Enrollment Services Office
in addition to the admission materials for the graduate program:
1. Official Bank Statement
2. Official Course by Course Evaluation (See admissions application
packet for approved agencies)
3. Official TOEFL (Students from countries where English is not the
primary language will be required to submit a minimum TOEFL score of
550; computer-based score of 213 or
Internet-based score of 79).
4. International Student Eligibility Form
Due to Immigration and Naturalization Service
requirements and the necessity of having transcripts evaluated,
the deadline for admission applications from
International students is one calendar month prior
to registration day (according to the CSU Academic
Calendar) of the academic term of entry.
Applications received after the deadline may
be considered for a future entry term if the applicant desires.
Students are required to have their academic transcript(s)
evaluated by an outside agency prior to admissions acceptance.
All fees for these services are paid by the student directly
to the party or agency providing them. You may call the Office
of Enrollment Services for more information.
When an applicant has been accepted by the
University, a Certificate of Eligibility for the nonimmigrant
(F-1) student, known as Form I-20 A-B, will be mailed along
with an acceptance letter. Students entering Charleston Southern
University must assume full financial responsibility for
tuition and charges incurred. In the event a student
is being sponsored by an individual or company, an Affidavit
of Support and supporting financial documents must be submitted
by the sponsor on behalf of the student. After issuance of
Form I-20 A-B and prior to the drop/add deadline of the respective
term, an advance cash deposit is required to be on file within
the business office in the amount of the total cost of the
term, including any necessary insurance premium. Otherwise
Charleston Southern University reserves the right to deny
the student attendance for that term.
Transfer Credits
With prior approval, a maximum of six semester hours of transfer
credit may be accepted from a graduate business program at
a regionally accredited institution, toward the fulfillment
of requirements for the MBA degree at Charleston Southern University.
Approval of the Director of the MBA Program or the Dean of
the School of Business must be obtained during the application
process, and the decision whether or not to award credit at
that time is final. Students may not attempt to transfer previously-taken
courses at a later date. Credit will not be given for courses
taken more than six (6) calendar years prior to the awarding
of the MBA degree at Charleston Southern University. Transfer
credit cannot be revalidated if the time limit expires. Only
courses with grades in the "B" or "A" range
will be considered for transfer. Pass/Fail courses may not
be transferred into the program. Credit will not be given for
courses taken to obtain another master's degree.
Students currently enrolled in any of the programs at CSU
must have prior written approval to take courses from another
institution for transfer credit. This approval form must carry
the signatures of the Director of the MBA Program or the Dean
of the School of Business, and the Registrar. Courses accepted
in transfer are recorded as credit only: grades are recorded
on a transfer evaluation form, but no grade points or grade
point averages are computed. The grade point average used for
administering policy and for graduation is computed on academic
credit earned at CSU. The primary purpose of the transfer credits
policy is to grant incoming students credit for work previously
completed. Students are expected to take the appropriate courses
offered by Charleston Southern University once they enter the
program. Students may be granted the opportunity to take courses
offered by other institutions only under special circumstances.
Student Progress
Students must take at least two of the following quantitative
courses among their first five MBA-level courses: BUSI 522,
552, 625, 630 and 635. Students who fail to take two of these
quantitative courses among their first five cannot proceed
further in the MBA program.
Course Limits
Under no circumstances may any student take more than three
regular MBA-level courses (9 hours) unless or until they have
completed all requirements for regular admission, including
all pre-requisites. This includes regular admission students,
non-degree students, or any other enrollment status.
Satisfactory Progress
Academic Probation
Students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 for graduation from the
MBA program. Students whose graduate GPAs drop below 3.0 will
be placed on academic probation, and may take a maximum of
six (6) graduate credit hours per semester until a GPA 3.0
is obtained. Any student who earns a grade below a "B" will
receive warning letter from the MBA program, and will be required
to meet with the Director of the MBA Program to discuss their
commitment to graduate education and their ability to continue
in the program. If a student should receive a second grade
below B, that student will be placed on academic probation
for the remainder of their tenure in the program. Students
on academic probation will be required to meet with the Director
of the MBA Program regularly for academic advising and monitoring.
Expulsion
A student who earns one "F" or one "WF" or who earns their
third grade lower than a "B" in MBA courses shall be expelled
from the MBA program. An expelled student may not be considered
for readmission to the program for any term within one year
after the date of expulsion. If and when the student's application
for readmission is submitted it must be accompanied by a letter
from the student justifying why he or she should be readmitted.
The student's request for readmission must be approved by a
majority vote of the MBA faculty before the student can be
readmitted and begin taking classes again. Expelled students
may only petition for re-admission once. If their first request
fails, further requests for re-admission will not be entertained.
Graduation Requirements
All students must apply for graduation in the Office of the
Registrar. Those students who have applied for graduation will
be registered for BUSI 699, the MBA Exit Assessment, a non-credit
course related to program assessment. Refer to the Academic
Calendar for deadline dates.
Time Limits
All credits for the MBA degree, both local and transfer,
must not be more than six (6) years old at the time the MBA
degree is awarded.
