Frequently Asked Questions

International applicants who did not complete their undergraduate work in the United States are required to take the TOEFL or IELTS. Citizens of approved countries are exempt.  International students who have completed one full year of full-time study in the United States or other approved countries are not required to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores.

Please note that some full-time students will be required to get additional language and accent training after beginning the program. This training is provided by NC State University and is intended to improve communication skills and increase employability.

Professional applicants may be exempt from the TOEFL/IELTS if two out of three of the following criteria are met:

1. Analytical writing assessment score of 4.5 or higher on the GMAT
2. Satisfactory communication and teamwork skills, as assessed during the admissions interview
3. Five years residency in the US, working in an establishment where all activities are conducted in English

Applicants who wish to apply for a TOEFL/IELTS waiver will need to submit a completed application (including all supporting documents) by the following dates:

Fall 2013: April 11, 2013

Full-time applicants may not apply for TOEFL/IELTS waivers.

Two years

We require a minimum score of 250 (computer-based test) or 100 (internet-based test) for the TOEFL. A minimum score of 7.5 is required for the IELTS.

Early In the first semester, international students will take an English speaking assessment. The outcome of the assessment may require participation in speaking and accent reduction classes that meet over the course of the first semester or first and second semesters. The MBA program believes in the importance of this training and assumes the cost involved. Therefore, students are expected to arrive on time and attend all classes.

The current economic environment is challenging for many students seeking internships and permanent positions. For international students, the challenge is most difficult. U.S. companies have scaled back hiring and, in many instances, have laid off employees; if companies are able to hire, their preferences, most often, are for domestic U.S. candidates who do not require sponsorship. International students should expect that most employment opportunities open to them will be outside of the U.S.

No. MBA classes are open only to students who are enrolled in graduate degree programs at NC State.

All students must complete a basic statistics or calculus course prior to beginning MBA coursework; however, you do not need to complete this course prior to submitting your application if you are starting in the fall semester. Students who are starting in the spring semester should have completed the statistics or calculus course at the time of application (Professional MBA applicants only).

Students may take the course at any accredited college or university. Classes that count towards this prerequisite are Statistics (ST) 311 & 350 or Calculus (MA) 121, 131 or 141. You can determine if a class you took is equivalent here.

Please note that some full-time students from outside the US will be required to get additional language and accent training after beginning the program. This training is provided by NC State University and is intended to improve communication skills and increase employability.

Applicants are asked about their preferred concentration on the online application so that we can plan courses for future students. You can indicate your interest there on your application, but you may change your mind once you begin the program. All full-time students are required to complete a concentration in Finance, Marketing, or Supply Chain Management but may also complete a second MBA concentration of their choosing with their remaining credit hours.

It is your responsibility to request GMAT/GRE scores, send in supporting documents, and submit your application. We will acknowledge receipt of your application and will make an effort to contact you if your application is incomplete. If you prefer immediate verification that your application pieces have been received, we suggest that you use either the tracking number or return receipt service provided by the shipper. Once you submit your application, you may also log in to the application page and view the items that have been received by our office.

You’ll receive an official email informing you that a decision has been made and instructing you to log in in to your application to view the decision of admission or denial. (Please note: we will not give admission decisions over the telephone.)

Yes. The official letter will state the reasons. The most common reasons for denial are:

• Undergraduate academic performance
• GMAT/GRE scores
• A poor fit between your career goals and the MBA program mission

All admissions decisions are final. If you are denied admission, you may reapply the following year. The MBA Office holds all applications materials for one year, so you will not need to resubmit transcripts or GMAT/GRE scores unless your scores or transcripts have changed.

Applicants placed on the waitlist will receive a final admission decision after the next corresponding application deadline.  For example, applicants placed on the waitlist after submitting materials by the first application deadline will receive a final admission decision after the second application deadline.

Interviews are by invitation and are required for admission to both the Full-time and Professional programs.

Yes. Please contact the MBA admissions office to schedule an interview.

We use the higher total score.

Yes, we will accept the GRE or the GMAT.

We report only the average GMAT score. You may use the GRE Comparison Tool to determine your equivalent GMAT score.

Applicants with a Ph.D., Pharm.D., JD, or MD are not required to take the GMAT/GRE. GMAT/GRE waivers for applicants who have a master's degree will be reviewed on an individual basis by the Admissions Committee. All other applicants, regardless of work experience, must take the GMAT or GRE.

You must contact the MBA Admissions Office as soon as possible and notify us of your plans. Otherwise, your application will be processed with the information you have submitted.

No, you must select one program (either the Main Campus or the RTP MBA). If you have already applied to one program and would like to switch, please contact the MBA Program office at 919.515-5584 or mba@ncsu.edu.

The admissions requirements, credit hours, length of program, faculty, and quality of the student body are the same for both Main Campus and RTP programs.  The only difference is the number of concentration offerings at the RTP site.

Foreign nationals will not be granted F-1 and J-1 visa documentation (the I-20 and DS-2019 respectively) based on admission to a Distance Education (DE) or On-line program. Additionally, it is a violation of status for an F-1 or J-1 student to change curriculum or major from a traditional course of study to a DE or On-line program after arrival to NC State University.

Sponsored F-1 and J-1 students are prohibited from enrolling in DE courses with or attending courses at NC State alternate sites of instruction, including but not limited to sites related to programs with the College of Education and the MBA program at Research Triangle Park. Any questions about international students and enrollment at alternate sites of instruction should be directed to the Office of International Services.

While all required courses will be offered at the RTP location, a limited number of concentrations will be offered at RTP, depending on demand and meaningful class size. If you select a concentration that is not offered at RTP, you will complete your concentration courses on the NC State University campus.

Yes, we offer both fall and spring admission to the RTP program. 

No. The RTP campus will offer first year professional classes, which have already been completed by current professional students.

1 Park Drive
Suite 130
Morrisville, NC 27709

You may upload your transcript as part of your online application. Your GMAT/GRE scores may be sent to our office at any time.

Completed applications (including GMAT/GRE score, transcripts, recommendations, etc.) are reviewed as they are received. Applicants can expect to receive a decision within 6-8 weeks of submitting a complete application packet.

Full-time Deadlines for Fall 2013:
Round 1: October 15, 2012
Round 2: January 15, 2013
Round 3: March 1, 2013

Professional Deadlines:
Fall 2013 Round 1: February 15, 2012
Fall 2013 Round 2: April 8, 2013 (April 1, 2013 for TOEFL/IELTS Waiver Requests) 
Fall 2013 Round 3: June 2, 2013 

Online Deadlines:
Fall 2013 Round 1: February 15, 2013 
Fall 2013 Round 2: April 8, 2013 (April 1, 2013 for TOEFL/IELTS Waiver Requests)
Fall 2013 Round 3: May 6, 2013

We offer graduate assistantships on several levels to students in the full-time program. Graduate assistants are required to work up to 18 hours per week during the school year for the NC State MBA Program. North Carolina residents are eligible for a full  or partial tuition waiver, a monthly stipend, and health insurance. We offer a limited number of tuition waivers to out-of-state residents and international applicants on a competitive basis.  Students seeking Graduate Assistantships or scholarships may read more on our scholarships page.

If you went to a university in the United States, you can refer to The Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs for accredited programs. If you went to school outside the United States and are unsure if we will accept your undergraduate transcripts, please feel free to contact our office.

Students may switch status with approval from the MBA Office.  Professional students switching to full-time status will need to complete the 55 credit hours required for the full-time program. Full-time students switching to professional status will still need to complete the 55 credit hours required in their original program.

Admission to the Professional MBA Program is granted for the fall and spring terms for classes taken at the NC State campus and the RTP campus. Admission to the full-time program is granted for the fall term.

Contact the NCSU's Residency Officer. More information regarding obtaining North Carolina residency may be found here.

No. Once your application fee has been received and processed you cannot receive a refund.

Estimated annual expenses for graduate students can be found here. Please note that tuition charges for MBA students are higher than that shown on the general University estimate. MBA tuition rates can be found here. In addition, many full-time students travel to national career fairs, which are not included in tuition fees. Students beginning the program in Fall 2009 or later will pay a one-time $100 fee to the MBA Student Association (MBASA). The fee will be used for professional and social student events and activities within the MBA student clubs.