Admissions Requirements
Carlson School of Management’s graduate certificates offer learners an excellent opportunity to gain expertise in specific areas to advance their careers. Learners must apply and be accepted into each graduate certificate area of study to be eligible to receive a certificate and may apply the credits earned through these programs toward a graduate degree at the Carlson School.
Application Dates - Fall and Spring Starts
| Round | Submission Deadlines | Decision Notification |
|---|---|---|
| Spring (January) Start | ||
| Round 1 | October 15 | November 1 |
| Round 2 | November 15 | December 15 |
| Round 3 | December 15 | January 15 |
| Fall (September) Start | ||
| Round 1 | May 15 | June 1 |
| Round 2 | June 15 | July 15 |
| Round 3 | July 15 | August 1 |
*Please note the Business Analytics Certificate only has a Fall start.
Application Checklist
Use the information provided below to help guide you through the applications process.
Complete the application online.
Under Program Selection tab, please select 'University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Campus'
Filter by college/school to 'Carlson School of Management'
Under Carlson School of Management Programs select 'Postbaccalaureate Certificate' desired
Unofficial transcripts can be submitted through the online application or emailed to mbamsapp@umn.edu for attachment to your application file. Candidates will need to submit a transcript from each college or university where a candidate completed coursework. All transcripts must be received before the application is marked as complete and will be reviewed by the admission committee.
A Minimum of 2 recommendations is required.
Use the online application to provide the names of two professional references; one must be your current supervisor. Your recommendation providers will receive an email from "gradappinfo@umn.edu." The subject line will include your name and the words "Recommendation for the University of Minnesota" Please ask your providers to include this email address in their contact lists and to double check spam/junk mail folders if they don't receive the message. Recommendation providers can submit their recommendations anytime, both before AND after you submit your application.
We require two complete recommendations to consider this section complete, but you can list up to six professional recommendations. All completed professional recommendations will be reviewed by the admission committee.
Personal Statement: This section of the application helps the admissions committee get to know you better as an individual, and allows the committee to evaluate the extent to which your skills, interests, values, and career goals are well suited for the program. Please write a personal statement using no more than 500 words (1 page), that addresses the following questions:
- Briefly describe your short-term and long-term career goals.
- Why are you choosing to pursue a certificate at this time in your career, and what are you hoping to accomplish by doing so?
- Why are you interested in pursuing a certificate at the Carlson School of Management?
- What do you feel makes you a strong candidate for the program?
Use this essay to share information that is not presented elsewhere in the application. Your statement should be limited to no more than 250 words (1 page).
The application fee is $75 (non-refundable) for U.S. citizens, international applications, and U.S. residents with foreign credentials. Your application fee will be waived if you have been on active duty in the U.S. military within three years of submitting your application.
Submit a current resume that includes job responsibilities and accomplishments. Resume can include part-time work, internships, graduate assistants, or co-ops as necessary.
Proof of English Language Proficiency is required of all applicants and must be demonstrated in one of the following ways.
- Completed at least the last 2 years of a bachelor's degree or 1 year of graduate school (full-time) in the U.S., U.K., Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Anglophone Africa, or the English-speaking Caribbean and will provide official transcripts
- Completed education solely in English in a country where English is not the official language and will provide documented proof (ex: India)
- Will provide the official results of an English language test taken within the last two years
- The following tests are all accepted:
Certificates are not able to offer student visas to candidates who live outside the United States. If you are living in the United States on another type of visa, you are eligible to take in-person courses. For candidates unable to attend classes in-person, we encourage you to explore our certificates that can be completed virtually or a degree program that can grant a student visa.