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MBA Admissions Process & Application Guide

Applying to The W: What to Expect

Below you’ll find action items related to the admissions process and learn what to expect before, during, and after you apply.

Application Deadlines

The MBA has the following application deadlines:

Fall Term: August 1st
Spring Term: December 1st
Summer Term: May 1st

Please Note: all required elements of the application process must be submitted by this deadline. This includes a completed application, transcripts, resume, 3 essays, and recommendations.

MBA Application Requirements

  1. Bachelor’s Degree: A completed bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited four-year institution is required to start the MBA program.
    • Undergraduate students of all disciplines can get a jump start on career plans by gaining early admission during their final semester in the undergraduate program.  If accepted, admission will be pending successful completion of the undergraduate degree.
  2. Minimum GPA:  A minimum 3.0 overall GPA on a four-point scale for undergraduate studies is required for full admission.
    • The GPA on the last sixty (60) hours bears no additional consideration.
    • Students with less than a 3.0 overall GPA may be considered for conditional admission.
  3. Prerequisite Courses: Completion of foundation courses (with a grade of C or better) in accounting, economics, management, marketing, and information technology/computer is required.
    • Students can apply to our MBA program without fulfilling these requirements, but they must complete all the degree requirements shown above before enrolling in MBA courses. We offer prerequisite courses online each semester, including summer.
    • For a no obligation prerequisite evaluation, please send an unofficial transcript of all your college course work to our MBA Coordinator, Dr. Dee Larson dalarson@muw.edu.
  4. Application Form: Applicants must complete the Graduate Application form.
    • Application fee: $25 paid online with your application.
  5. Transcripts: Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work from each institution attended, including any transcripts from MUW.
    • Electronic transcripts should be sent to Office of Graduate Studies
    • Hard copies transcripts should be mailed to Office of Graduate Studies, 1100 College Street W-1603, Columbus, MS 39701
  6. Resume: Applicants must submit a professional resume detailing skills, educational experience, and work experience (with a particular emphasis on relevant work experience and managerial / supervisory experiences).
  7. Essays: The required essays allow the admissions committee to learn about the applicant, his/her accomplishments and professional aspirations.
    • Responses should be double-spaced and each page should clearly list the applicant's full legal name and the essay topic.
    • The application software will only allow one essay document to be uploaded.  Please include all three essays on one document separated by subheadings. 
    • Address ALL of the following topics:
      Purpose Essay: Describe your career goals and explain how a Master of Business Administration degree from The W will help you accomplish these goals. (750 words maximum)
      Creativity / Entrepreneurship Essay: Imagine a small business that you would like to open. Give a comprehensive overview of the opportunities and challenges facing the business. The essay might include (but not limited to) discussions of your business's customers, revenue sources, business model, competition, operating environment, marketing efforts, information technology, and management structure. (750 words maximum)
      Ethics / Critical Thinking Essay: Describe a significant ethical dilemma you have faced. What action did you take to resolve it? How did you evaluate your available options and decide on this course of action? What lessons did you learn that could be applied to an ethical dilemma faced today? How has this dilemma shaped your values?  (750 words maximum)
  8. Three letters of recommendation from faculty or other professionals who have personal knowledge of the applicant's academic/work performance.  References should be individuals who know you well and are qualified to evaluate your potential for graduate study.
    • Requests for recommendations will be sent electronically through the Graduate Admissions application portal. After you enter your recommender’s information, the application system sends a personalized link to that individual to submit the recommendation online.
  9. Proof of Immunization: Applicants are required to show evidence of 2 doses of MMR (mumps, measles, and rubella) vaccination (some exemptions may apply). Submit all immunization records to the Campus Health Center:
    • Mail to: Campus Health Center, 1100 College Street MUW 330, Columbus, MS 39701
    • Email to healthcenter@muw.edu
    • Fax to (662) 241-7486

Conditional Admission

Students with less than a 3.0 overall GPA may be admitted conditionally. Criteria for conditional admission may include other factors such as availability within the cohort.

Students may remove the conditional status by earning at least a 3.0 MUW cumulative GPA with no grade below a B at the end of their first six to nine hours or their first two semesters of graduate study, whichever comes first. Students admitted conditionally may not enroll in more than six hours during a semester.  Students admitted conditionally are not eligible for financial aid during their conditional admission status.

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MBA Tuition & Costs

Flat rate of $10,000 for the 36-hour program, spread out over the course of the program. The rate includes tuition, online fees, capital improvement fees, and eliminates all out-of-state fees.  The rate does not include the cost of books or other supplies.

Gradutate Tuition & Costs

Financial Aid

Financial aid is available to students admitted on a “full admission” status after acceptance to the program. For more information, please call the Financial Aid Center at (662) 329-7114.

Financial Aid Center

Graduate International Admissions

We welcome students from around the globe to our online MBA program. Please note, the 100% online MBA does not meet the residency requirements for a F-1 student visa. Additional application information for international students is located on the following website.

International Graduate Admissions