Impact MBA: Admissions

When you're ready to apply to the Impact MBA at CSU's College of Business, we're here to help

Business for a better world is our college motto and if you’re ready to learn the business skills needed to support change locally, nationally or globally, then our Impact MBA is for you. Our students are creative problem solvers who believe our different perspectives provide new and innovative solutions to some of the toughest challenges we face. Our students are goal-oriented collaborators who know that by working together across industries, communities and governments, we can achieve more.

When you graduate from our program, you’ll be joining our network of 35,000+ College of Business alumni and our very tight knit community of Impact MBA graduates representing over 76 countries. If you’re ready to make a difference, come join us in beautiful Colorado and apply today!

Eligibility and Requirements

We know you're more than a test score or a grade. The admissions committee takes a holistic approach when considering applications, which means we look at who you are as a person and what you would bring to our program and campus community. If you find you do not meet one of our minimum criteria, you can still apply as it may be offset by strengths in other areas.

Demonstration of Academic Achievement

We value a diversity of educational and professional backgrounds. An undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited four-year institution in any field is accepted. Applicants should also demonstrate a growth mindset, intellectual curiosity and a strong work ethic.

Ability to Contribute to the Impact MBA Experience

A current resume highlighting work and volunteer experience, especially highlighting anything related to sustainability and community impact. Be sure to also highlight your leadership experience, extracurricular activities, languages, professional development, and service.

We believe you will learn from your professors as well as your classmates and therefore are committed to enrolling a cohort of students from diverse academic, professional and personal backgrounds.

Alignment with Program Goals

We look for students who environmentally and socially aware and active. We are seeking those who question the status quo and are optimistic that they can use business for a better world.

We want your application process to be smooth and successful, so please reach out to us.

Application Deadlines

Fall AdmissionEarly consideration
submit completed application by December 1Early funding consideration deadline
apply by February 1International applicants
apply by May 1 U.S. applicants
apply by July 1

Please be aware that deadlines for financial aid may occur before the application for admission deadlines.

Scholarship and Assistantship Awards

In order to be considered for our limited scholarship and assistantship awards, you need to provide a GMAT or GRE score, which needs to be submitted from the testing agency.

We encourage all applicants to apply for graduate assistantships at the same time as applying to the Impact MBA program. You will not be considered for assistantship positions until an assistantship application is received, you are admitted to the program, and we have received your official GMAT or GRE score from the testing agency.

After you are admitted to the program, all candidates who have submitted an official GMAT or GRE score will automatically be considered for the Impact, Sustainability, Green and International scholarships. These awards are competitive and based on merit, and will be announced after our two main review sessions in January and March. After March, if awards are declined, we continue to offer them to the next qualifying candidate until all funding has been awarded and accepted.

To be considered for additional scholarships, we encourage all applicants to apply via the CSU general scholarship application .

Application Process

You can begin your application by submitting your online profile. Once your application is initiated it is saved and you can return to complete all required components. Please make sure your application is completed by the application deadline in order to be considered in that round. The information below should help you with the application process, but please contact us if you have any questions.

We accept applications for fall admission only. Classes start on campus in August. Admission is competitive and decisions are made on a rolling basis.

Submit CSU Graduate School Application online
- Visit gradadmissions.colostate.edu/apply to start your application.
- Under "Select an application type," choose the term that you are applying to.
- Under "Program," choose Business Administration/Impact (M.B.A.)
- Request/upload application materials directly to your online application and then submit.
  As soon as you have completed the required information, please submit your application. You do not need to wait for recommendations, scores, or transcripts to move your application forward.

Statement of Purpose

In your Statement of Purpose (no more than 1,000 words), describe a pivotal moment that ignited your passion for sustainability. Explain how this experience shaped your understanding of the challenges and opportunities in this field. Highlight your relevant work experience, academic background, leadership skills, and any sustainability-related projects or initiatives you've undertaken.

Current resume

Describe the responsibilities of your professional experience and what you accomplished while in those positions; show the length of time for each position (including the month and year). International applicants, please provide the city, state, and country for your employment and academic history. You will upload this document to your online application.

Professional recommendations

Recommendations provide insight into your skills and expertise in the professional environment and areas where a graduate degree can help you improve. Two professional recommendations are required for your application to move forward and be reviewed. You will provide three recommenders' contact information in the online application. CSU will email them and provide a link to a secure form where they will submit a recommendation on your behalf.

A professional reference is typically a current or former employer, colleague, client, supervisor, or someone who has first-hand knowledge of your professional background. Please request that your recommender provide specific examples of past interactions with you.

Official transcripts

Official transcripts are required. Official transcripts must be submitted, prior to or during your first semester, before you can register for your second semester of graduate work. Failure to meet this condition will result in your dismissal from the Graduate School.

Original and official transcripts must be received from each institution you attended, including the institution from which you received your degree. Institutions may mail or email transcripts directly to the address below. If you already have sealed, official copies of your transcripts, you may mail those directly to us. (Student copies are not accepted.)

Transcripts are required for study abroad if the courses, grades, and credits are not recorded on the transcript of the university that sponsored the study abroad.

International applicants: You 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. These must be mailed to us.

Mail transcripts to:
Graduate Admissions
Colorado State University, Office of Admissions
1062 Campus Delivery
Fort Collins, CO 80523-1062
gradadmissions@colostate.edu

Satisfactory GMAT score (for scholarship consideration)

In order to be considered for scholarships for Fall 2025 admissions, applicants must complete the GMAT or GRE test, and have the testing agency submit the official score along with the application materials. Please note that for Fall 2026 admissions, GMAT or GRE scores will be required of all applicants to the Impact MBA.

Test scores must be submitted directly to Colorado State University (school code 4075) from the testing centers.

English language proficiency test (if needed)

International applicants must complete the TOEFL or IELTS or PTE or Duolingo if the official language of your country is not English or if you did not earn your undergraduate or graduate degree from a U.S.-accredited institution. If you are an international applicant, you should have one of the following: Internet-based TOEFL score of 86 or higher, an IELTS score of 6.5 or higher, a minimum of Duolingo score of 120, or a PTE score of 58 or higher.

See eligibility section for more information.

Western Regional Graduate Program tuition reduction application (eligible states: AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, NV, NM, ND, OR, SD, UT, WA, WY, CMNI)

The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) allows students who are residents of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) member states to apply to pay Colorado's resident tuition. The WICHE states are Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. You will apply with your online application.

See more details and guidelines.

Academic performance explanation (if GPA is below 3.0)

If your undergraduate or graduate* cumulative GPA is below 3.0, explain the circumstances relating to your past academic performance on your online application.

* A cumulative GPA is a calculation of the average of student’s grades for courses taken at all institutions attended.

Pay the application fee
Use a credit card to pay your application fee ($60 for domestic applicants, $70 for international applicants). Explore ways to skip the fee.
Submit the online applicant data sheet
Use your CSU ID number to complete and submit the College of Business applicant data sheet. After you submit your application online, you will receive a CSU ID number in approximately two to three days, unless you already have one (alumni and current students).
Check your status
We know you are eager to hear about your application status, so you can check it any time to make sure your application is complete or to keep an eye on updates. You will receive a confirmation email once your application is complete.
Schedule an Admissions Interview (invitation only)
You will be invited to complete an admissions interview. Interviews are conducted by invitation only. You are selected based on the quality of the completed application. We will only offer admission to a candidate once they have completed an interview with a member of the Program Admissions Committee and a completed application has been received.
Apply for Scholarships and Assistantships
To increase your chance for funding, you are encouraged to apply for funding as soon as you submit your application. More information about assistantships can be found here.
Accept your admission
Confirm your decision to attend through your admissions application.

Interview Policy and Process

Interviews are conducted by invitation only. Applicants to the graduate program are selected to interview based on the quality of a completed application. We will not offer admission to a candidate until they have completed an interview with a member of the Program Admissions Committee and a completed application has been reviewed.
If you are chosen to interview, we will send you an email message that describes the process for scheduling an interview. Interviews may be conducted virtually via Slate Scheduler.

Interviews are typically conducted with the applicant and one Program Admissions Committee representative. Interviews usually take approximately 20 minutes and include questions focused on career goals, teamwork, and professional/academic experience. If time allows at the end, applicants are welcome to ask questions about the program and admission process. The suggested attire for the interview is business professional. Unless otherwise notified, applicants do not need to bring any materials to the interview.