Admission Requirements
Admission to the MPA-Online programs is competitive. Students seeking admission must apply to the Graduate School online and submit the following admission portfolio materials.
- Application to the Graduate School completed online;
- Official undergraduate and graduate transcripts sent to the Graduate School; JSU alumni transcripts can be accessed electronically and do not need to be sent;
- International applicants or those with degrees from international institutions must have their transcripts translated, if needed, and evaluated from a reputable international transcript evaluation agency;
- Statement of Purpose uploaded to the application portal providing background information, motivation for pursuing graduate business education, and how the degree will help achieve professional goals;
- Current professional resume uploaded to the application portal;
- 3 Letters of recommendation from academic and/or professional references sent directly to the application portal;
- Official GMAT score taken within the past five years;
- An interview is optional;
- Application fee of $25.00 for non-Mississippi residents;
- Official TOEFL scores or IELTS (for international students only)
The GMAT may be waived under certain conditions such as: 3.0+ undergraduate GPA from a regionally accredited institution; OR 3-5 years of professional work experience; OR a professional certification in a business field such as CFA, PHR, CPA etc.; OR an earned graduate degree such as MS, JD, MD, PhD.
A prospective student’s overall application portfolio is evaluated to discern program fit and potential for success. A “cut-off” score for the GPA and GMAT are not used.
Regular Admissions
To be considered for Regular Admission into the MBA or the MPA program, an applicant must have at least a 3.0 cumulative undergraduate GPA from a regionally accredited institution.
Conditional Admissions
The College of Business may admit a limited number of students who meet with a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.5 – 2.99 whose application portfolio demonstrates strong potential for academic success. The number of students admitted in this category will not exceed 20% of the total number of students granted Regular Admission for the semester of application.