UMN Admissions Requirements: Online MBA
Explore the Admission Requirements for Our Online Master's Program
Below you'll find an in-depth description of our requirements for the Online MBA program. Here, you'll find all the information you need about start dates, admission requirements, receiving a decision and more.
Start your journey to the Online MBA program below.
Application Deadlines
The Online MBA program begins in the fall, spring, or summer semesters. Applications are considered on a rolling basis with three priority rounds, and decisions are sent within 10 business days of completing your application.
Online MBA applicants will receive their admission decision within 10 business days of the admission committee receiving a submitted and completed application. Completed and submitted applications require that all materials have been received by the admissions committee. This includes transcripts, resumes, a personal statement, and recommendations. You will receive communication from the admission committee when your application has been received and marked as complete.
Deadlines that occur on a holiday or weekend will be extended through the next business day. Please contact carlsongradinfo@umn.edu if you have questions or concerns about your timeline.
Key Admission Dates
| Spring Start (January) | Summer Start (June) | Fall Start (September) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | October 15 | February 15 | May 15 |
| Round 2 | November 15 | March 15 | June 15 |
| Round 3 | December 15 | April 15 | July 15 |
We will accept applications after the deadline if space is available. Please inquire at getstarted@umn.edu to learn more.
Admission Requirements
Please note that all materials will be required in some form for an Online MBA application. If materials are missing, an application will be marked incomplete, and a decision will be delayed. Please check your applicant checklist in the application portal to ensure all materials are received.
You must complete the application online.
Under the Program Selection tab, please select 'University of Minnesota—Twin Cities Campus.' Then, filter by college/school to 'Carlson School of Management.' Under the Carlson School of Management Programs field, select 'Business Administration—Online MBA.'
Unofficial transcripts can be submitted through the online application or emailed to mbamsapp@umn.edu for attachment to your application file. Paper transcripts may be submitted to 321 19th Ave. S, Room 1-110, Minneapolis, MN 55455
You will need to submit a transcript from each college or university where you have completed coursework before your application will be considered complete and reviewed by the admissions committee. This includes institutions where you have earned credit that transferred towards degree credit at another college/university. Third Party credential evaluation reports and degree planning audit documents are not accepted as equivalent to a transcript.
Official transcripts will be required if you are admitted to the program.
The Carlson School of Management's Online MBA does not require GMAT/GRE scores. However, depending on personal qualifications, certain candidates may still be strongly recommended to submit scores to demonstrate their abilities to successfully complete the degree's academic requirements.
When are test scores strongly recommended?
While submitting test scores is optional, completing an exam with strong results can still boost an applicant’s chances of admission. Test scores are strongly recommended for applicants with academic weaknesses (cumulative GPA below B average) or deficits (below B grades in quantitative or relevant business coursework).
Applicants may opt for one of the following tests: GMAT, GRE, Executive Assessment, or MBA Math. The admissions committee does not have a preferred test within that selection and does not have minimum required scores. Applicants pursuing a consulting or investment banking career may consider taking the GMAT, as a strong score could be an asset when seeking internships or full-time roles within the industry.
Unofficial scores may be entered directly into the online application. Official scores should be received before the application deadline for which you would like to be considered. MBA Math transcripts can be uploaded directly within the online application if complete at the time of submission.
If a candidate indicates at the time of application that they do not intend to submit scores with their application, they will be unable to submit scores later. If they are denied admission to a term, they will need to re-apply with the addition of optional scores for a future term.
Where do I send test scores?
For GMAT, arrange for the testing service to send an official score report to code D2N-VJ-15, Carlson MBA. Results arrive 2-3 weeks after the test.
For GRE, arrange for the testing service to send an official score report using institution code 8387. Results take 3-4 weeks to arrive.
For MBA Math, please download and submit the MBA Math test transcripts via email to mbamsapp@umn.edu if you plan on completing the exam following your application submission.
Use the online application to provide the names and contact information of two professional references. We partner with GMAC for the common letter of recommendation.
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 double-check spam/junk mail folders if they don't receive the message.
NOTE: A company email address is not required. Some companies have firewalls that prevent receipt of the recommendation request email. Recommenders typically receive the recommendation request email within 12 hours of saving contact information in the application. If recommenders do not receive the email within 12 hours, please try again with another email address.
The best practice is to use a Gmail, Yahoo, or Hotmail account for recommendations. Recommendation providers can submit their recommendations anytime before and after you submit your application.
To consider this section complete, we require two complete recommendations, but you can list up to six professional recommendations. The admission committee will review all completed professional recommendations.
Limit the statement to 1,200 words (three pages) and address the following questions:
- Why are you choosing to pursue an MBA now in your career? What are you hoping to accomplish by doing so? Briefly describe your short-term (upon graduation from the program) and long-term (5-10 years after the program) career goals. Please be specific with roles, companies and/or industries if possible.
- What excites you about being part of the Carlson School MBA program? Do you have a specialization you are currently interested in, and why?
- Describe your current thinking about diversity, equity, and inclusion. How has your thinking changed over time?
Scholarship Essay Details
All applicants are invited to submit an essay to be considered for one of the 50% or 15% merit-based scholarships offered to admitted candidates entering the Online MBA program. Scholarships will be awarded on merit to a limited number of admitted candidates who demonstrate the potential to be exemplary contributors to the Carlson School community and possess outstanding academic and professional achievements. Selected students will be notified of their award at the time of admission.
This scholarship essay is not required for admission to the program but is required to be considered for the scholarship. Scholarship applicants must include the essay when applying. Late or alternative submission methods will not be accepted.
The scholarship is nontransferable to other Carlson School degrees, is not "stackable" with other scholarships or discounts, and may only be applied toward the Part-Time or Online MBA programs.
The scholarship essay should be 300+ words (1 page) and address the following:
- Can you tell us about a time you advocated for a more inclusive or welcoming community, professionally or personally? How do you plan to carry what you have learned from this experience forward and positively impact the Carlson School?
Additional Considerations for Corporate Discount Applicants
Carlson corporate discount applicants may also submit an essay for consideration of the available scholarships, but no "stacking" of scholarship awards and corporate discounts is allowed. Additionally, corporate discount candidates must submit two letters of recommendation and the scholarship essay to fulfill the requirements for scholarship consideration.
Use this essay to share information that is not presented elsewhere in the application, for example:
- Explanation of employment gaps or academic weaknesses
- Quantitative abilities
- Choice of recommenders
- For re-applicants, improvements to your candidacy
Limit the essay to 500 words (one page).
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 two years of a bachelor's degree or one 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 my education solely in English in a country where English is not an official language with documented proof
- Will provide the official results of an English language test taken within the last two years
The following tests are all accepted:
The application fee is $75 (non-refundable) for U.S. citizens, international applicants, 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 MBA 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.
The video essay is a required component of the application that provides candidates with an opportunity to show the admissions committee the authentic you. Think of this video essay as if you were answering an interview question with a member of our admissions committee.
You will need to use a computer with camera and microphone capabilities. You will also need a strong internet connection for uploading the video. You will be able to test your technology before starting the video essay and submit a practice video essay. You can test your technology and run the practice simulation as many times as you wish to be comfortable with the format and technology. You will be able to review your practice videos. Recording(s) will not be retained beyond the testing phase and will never be reviewed.
You can also practice responding to impromptu questions offline with a friend or colleague before completing the video essay portion of your application.
You will be prompted to click "Ready" once you are prepared to submit an official video essay. You will be asked one impromptu question from a bank of imaginative or behavioral questions selected by our admissions team. Two minutes (120 seconds) will be provided to prepare an answer and two minutes (120 seconds) to record an answer. Recording will automatically stop after two minutes. You are not required to use the full two minutes. If you have time remaining once you complete your response, click the "Stop Recording" button to end the recording. You will only be provided one attempt to record your official video essay.