Admissions

Admission to the MSA program requires acceptable scores on the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), an above-average overall grade point average, an above-average accounting grade point average (if applicable) and may include either a personal or telephone interview. An admissions committee also evaluates each applicant's communication skills, work experience and recommendations provided by instructors, colleagues and supervisors.

Admission decisions are based on a combination of these factors. Applicants must submit the following materials in order to be considered for admission to the MSA program:

• Application and application fee ($30 domestic students; $70 international)
• Official Transcripts of all academic records from colleges, universities, and professional schools attended
• Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) score (minimum of 500)
• Resume
• Three letters of recommendation
• Written essay response
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score (if applicable)
  

As one of several factors, a minimum GPA of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale is recommended. A GPA above 2.7 does not guarantee admission, just as a GPA lower than 2.7 does not automatically eliminate one's application. The selection committee looks at all aspects of the applicant's past experiences including GPA, GMAT score, work experience, letters of recommendation and TOEFL score (if applicable).

GMAT specifics

The admissions committee must receive GMAT test scores before it can make any admission decisions. A minimum score of 500 is required for admission. Attaining the 40th percentile or higher on both the GMAT verbal and quantitative scores is also desirable for admission. However, attaining these minimum GMAT scores does not guarantee admission. General information on the GMAT (including retaking the GMAT) is available at http://www.mba.com/mba.

Resume

A resume listing previous work experiences and accomplishments. Although not required, work experience is considered favorably in the admissions process.

Letters of Recommendation

Three letters of recommendation, used to assess academic or job performance.

Essay response

A written response to the essay questions, "What are your objectives and reasons for pursing an advanced degree? What are your career plans upon completion of graduate study?" is required.

TOEFL or IELTS details

International applicants whose native language is not English are also required to submit scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Kent State University requires a minimum TOEFL score of 550 for admission to all graduate programs (the computer adaptive test-minimum is 213, and the minimum Internet score is 79). The Department of Accounting normally requires a higher minimum TOEFL score for admission to the MSA program.
The IELTS is also accepted to test for an international student's working knowledge of the English language.  The minimum IELTS score for admission is Band 6.5.

* The Admission Committee considers applications as they become complete and attempts to respond within four weeks.


Graduate Assistantship Application - merit-based Graduate Assistantships are available for full-time students. If you are interested in applying for this award, please complete the Graduate Assistantship application and return it by March 1 to the Graduate Programs Office at 475 Terrace Dr., Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242 or email it to gradbus@kent.edu.

Application Deadlines

All International Applicants
March 1

Domestic Applicants
Fall Semester - March 1 (for those applying for a graduate assistantship) and July 1 for all others
Spring Semester - December 1
Summer Semester - May 1

* Applications received after these deadlines will be considered on a space-available basis.