The Master of Business Administration at Charleston Southern University accepts applications year-round for fall, spring or summer admission.
We are here to help you through your journey by fostering your dedication to studies and academic success. Students will be provided with an engaging learning environment and the tools necessary for fostering relationships with peers, faculty, staff and employers.
Step 1: Review Application Requirements
The following requirements must be met to be eligible to apply for the program:
- Online application
- Official transcripts from every university/college ever attended
- Two signed letters of recommendation
- Academic Statement (300 – 500 word essay explaining why you chose to attend CSU and your academic and professional goals)
- Resume
- Official Test Scores if requested*
*In any reputable MBA program, a GMAT may be required in order to determine whether the applicant has the potential to successfully complete the program. The GMAT may be waived if the admissions committee believes that your educational and work histories demonstrate this ability to their satisfaction.
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.
Step 2: Apply
Submit your online application. 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 Nielsen College of Business and the vice president for academic affairs.
Charleston Southern’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.
Step 3: 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.
Step 4: Acceptance Requirements
Applicants are notified as soon as the MBA Admissions Committee has made their decision. If the student does not attend within two terms of their acceptance, then their acceptance will expire, and if they decide to attend later, they will need to reapply, regardless of prior acceptance.
Each student admitted to the program is assigned an academic advisor. Prior to registration, the advisor will discuss with students the upcoming course offerings and determine the program of study. Graduate students are eligible to complete online registration once this advising conference is completed. The conference may be in person or via the internet or telephone to facilitate advising for students who are not in the Charleston area. Graduate students are provided with a course checklist and are responsible for degree progress checks with their advisor.
Selection Process
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.
Primary Factors of Selection
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: