UMN Admissions Requirements: Part-Time MBA
Explore the Admission Requirements for Our Master's Program
Get all the details you need to apply to the Part-Time MBA program and start your application today. Here, you'll find information about start dates, admission requirements, receiving a decision and more. Reach out to our team if you have any issues applying.
Application Deadlines
The Part-Time 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 out within 10 business days of completing your application. Review the milestones below to see when to submit your application to start the program at the best time for your schedule and professional goals. Deadlines that occur on a holiday or weekend will be extended through the next business day.
Part-Time MBA applicants will receive their admission decision within 10 business days of the admission committee receiving a submitted and completed application. Applications will be considered complete when the admission committee has received all materials, including 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. If granted a scholarship, notification will be included in your admission decision.
Key Admission Dates
| Round | 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 [email protected] to learn more.
Admission Requirements
Apply to the Part-Time MBA program at Carlson today. Please note all materials below will be required in some form for a Part-Time MBA application. If materials are missing, your application will be marked incomplete, delaying your admission decision. Please check your applicant checklist in the application portal to ensure all materials are received.
You must complete the application online.
- Under Program Selection tab, select 'University of Minnesota – Twin Cities Campus.'
- Filter by college/school to 'Carlson School of Management.'
- Under Carlson School of Management Programs, select 'Business Administration – Part-Time MBA.'
Unofficial transcripts can be submitted through the online application or emailed to [email protected] for attachment to your application file. All unofficial transcripts must include the institution’s name and the name of the applicant. Paper transcripts may be sent 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 Part-Time MBA does not require GMAT/GRE scores. However, depending on personal qualifications, test scores may still be strongly recommended for certain candidates to demonstrate their abilities to complete the academic requirements of the degree.
When are test scores strongly recommended?
Test scores are strongly recommended, particularly for applicants with academic weaknesses (cumulative GPA is below B average) or deficits (below B grades in quantitative or relevant business coursework).
Applicants can take one of the following tests: GMAT, GRE, Executive Assessment, or MBA Math. The admissions committee does not prefer one test over the other, and we do not have minimum required scores. Applicants interested in pursuing a career in consulting or investment banking may consider taking the GMAT specifically, as a strong score could be an asset when applying to internships or full-time roles.
Unofficial test scores may be entered directly into the online application. Official test 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 they are 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 test scores later. If they are denied admission to a term, they will need to re-apply with the addition of optional test 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 [email protected] if you plan on completing the exam following your application submission.
Use the online application to provide two professional references' names and contact information. We partner with GMAC for the common letter of recommendation.
Your recommendation providers will receive an email from [email protected]. 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 their 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 should receive the recommendation request email within 12 hours of saving their contact information in the application. If recommenders do not receive the email within 12 hours, please try again with another email address. Best practice is to use a Gmail, Yahoo, or Hotmail email address for recommendations. Recommendation providers can submit their recommendations anytime, both 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.
Your personal statement should be no more than 1,200 words (three pages) that address the following questions:
- Why are you choosing to pursue an MBA at this time 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 as specific as possible with roles, companies and/or industries.
- What excites you about being part of the Carlson School MBA program? Do you have a specialization that 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 Part-Time MBA program. Scholarships will be awarded on a merit basis 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. The essay must also be submitted within the application, as no late or alternative submission methods will be accepted.
The scholarship is non-transferable 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 prompt should address the following in no fewer than 300 words (one page):
- Can you tell us about a time you advocated for a more inclusive or more welcoming community, either 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 the consideration of the available scholarships, but no "stacking" of scholarship awards and corporate discounts is allowed. Additionally, corporate discount candidates must also submit two letters of recommendation, along with the scholarship essay, to fulfill 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
Your statement should be limited to no more than 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 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:
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
- International Language Testing System (IELTS)
- Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE)
- Duolingo
For further details, visit the international applicants page.
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 allows candidates 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 have the ability 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 video essay(s) and your recording(s) will not be saved 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.