Online MBA - Admissions Requirements

When you're ready to apply to the College of Business Online MBA, we're here to help

You’re ready for the next step in your career — whether that’s in your current job or an entirely new field. As a part of the Online MBA program at CSU’s College of Business, you’ll learn the skills you need to use business to advance your career and better the world around you.

Professionals pursuing our MBA are motivated self-starters interested in advancing their careers and earning potential, while making a difference in their organizations or communities to address today’s business challenges and drive opportunities to innovate. While you might not have a background in business, the value of an MBA is using your newfound knowledge in the real world. Learning the language of business can help you elevate your career, or even kickstart a business of your own.

“The program helped me develop the skills, language and confidence to know that I could have a seat at the table. It enabled me to get to where I wanted to go quicker. Every single day I’m implementing the lessons I learned from the MBA.”

- Sarah Miracle, CSU College of Business | Online MBA Graduate

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. While we encourage our applicants to meet the minimum criteria, the inability to meet one may be offset by strengths in other areas. If you do not meet the full eligibility requirements, there may be alternative paths to admission. Ask an enrollment counselor about our MBA Access option, which offers a pathway for those who have a GPA less than 3.0 or less than two years of professional working experience.

An undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited four-year institution in any field with a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher. No GMAT required

We review your field of study and cumulative GPA rather than the sole GPA from your degree-granting institution (if applicable). If your GPA is under 3.0, you may qualify for our MBA Access admission option.

We do not require GMAT test scores as part of your application, but welcome them if provided.

MBA Access – an alternative pathway to admission

There's another way to get in: MBA Access

As an undergrad, things can get in the way of a strong GPA. We get that! If your undergraduate GPA falls between 2.4 and 3.0, the MBA Access pathway allows you to start taking MBA courses right away either through the Business Management Graduate Certificate or individual courses.

If you're still in the early stages of your career, you may not meet our two years of work experience requirement. If you have 12 months of work experience, the MBA Access pathway helps you accelerate your academic plans and advance your career.

The MBA Access pathway helps you demonstrate that you're ready for the academic rigor of an MBA program, can apply the best of your work experience and can establish a new GPA to meet the requirements for admission. Upon completion of the four MBA Access courses, the course credits that you take in the MBA Access pathway will transfer seamlessly into the Online MBA program and you'll be close to earning the Business Management Certificate—a credential you can immediately add to your resume.

Want to learn more about the MBA Access option? Set up time with an enrollment counselor to talk about your options.

A minimum of two years of professional work experience

When evaluating your professional experience, we look for full-time positions, career progression, and an increase in responsibilities. If you have 12 months of work experience, you may qualify for our MBA Access admission option.

International applicants: satisfactory English proficiency test scores

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. The test must have been taken within the past two years.

Other TOEFL testing formats may be accepted. Please contact us for information.

Written communication skills

We evaluate your written communication skills via the statement of purpose and resume that you'll supply with your application.

Demonstrated capability, skills, and goals

We evaluate your capability, skills, and goals via the professional recommendations, resume, and statement of purpose that you'll supply with your application.

Application Deadlines

JanuaryApply by Dec. 1
MarchApply by Feb. 1
MayApply by April 1
AugustApply by July 1
OctoberApply by Sept. 1

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

Application Process

The time it takes to complete the application process mostly depends on how long it takes you to gather your materials. Completing your portion quickly will allow us to give you a decision sooner. The information below should help you with the application process, but please request information if you have any questions.

We accept applications for five start dates: August, October, January, March, and May. We strongly suggest that you not wait until the deadline, but submit the application well in advance. Admissions are competitive and 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 (M.B.A.)–Distance.
- 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.

Official transcripts

Unofficial transcripts are accepted. You may be admitted and registered in the first semester of courses with unofficial transcript(s). You must upload the front and back of transcripts and include any grading scale provided.

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.

However, official transcripts must be provided within the first semester before you can register for your second semester of graduate work. Admission may be rescinded, if you fail to meet this condition and will result in your dismissal from your graduate program.

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

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. Be sure to discuss our MBA Access pathway with your admissions counselor.

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

Professional recommendations

Recommendations provide insight into your skills and expertise in the professional environment and areas where a graduate degree can help you improve. Three 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.

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. A minimum Internet-based TOEFL score of 86 or a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 or a minimum of PTE score of 58 or a minimum of Duolingo score of 120 is required.

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

See eligibility section for more information.

Statement of purpose

Please write a Statement of Purpose approximately two-three pages (double-spaced) addressing the following topics:

Why you believe you’re ready to pursue an MBA
How an MBA aligns with your short-term and long-term career and personal goals
How will you contribute to our Online MBA program
Why do you believe our university is the best place for you to achieve your goals

Please include specific details (e.g., experiences, examples, and achievements, etc.) to support your statement.

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.

Pay the application fee
Use a credit card to pay your application fee ($60 for domestic applicants, $70 for international applicants).
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)
Effective Fall 2024
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, Assistantships, and Fellowships
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 admissions
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 a personal 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 two Program Admissions Committee representatives. Interviews usually take approximately 20 minutes and include questions focused on teamwork, leadership, career goals, 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.

Online MBA: Admissions

Eligibility and Requirements

Application Deadlines

Application Process