Admission Criteria
An earned undergraduate degree from an accredited institution is required to be considered
for admission to the MSBA program. The minimum undergraduate GPA is 3.0. Graduate
course work or (whether degree has been earned) will also be taken into consideration.
Transcripts from all institutions attended must be submitted to the Darla Moore School
of Business.
Preference will be given to STEM majors or applicants with strong quantitative backgrounds
as well as students who have a minor in business. Applicants are also expected to
have at least one semester of calculus or similar quantitative training.
Applicants must provide a valid (five years old or less) GMAT or GRE score to be considered for admission to the MSBA program. The GMAT and GRE are composed
of verbal, qualitative and analytical sections. The institutional/program GMAT code
for the school is JV2-TP-36. The GRE code for USC is 5818.
* The GMAT/GRE requirement may be waived for applicants with superior performance
in their undergraduate studies and/or significant related previous work experience.
Applicants whose native language is not English are required to submit a satisfactory score on the TOEFL, the IELTS Intl. Academic Course Type 2 exam, TOEIC, or the PTE Academic. This requirement may be waived if the applicant has graduated from a degree program taught in English. The minimum score for the TOEFL is 100 (internet-based), and the institutional code for the Darla Moore School of Business is 5818. The minimum score is 7.5 for the IELTS. Please make sure you select the University of South Carolina as a score recipient when taking the test.
You can attach unofficial transcripts to your online application for the review process. Transcripts are required from every institution attended for course credit, even if a degree was not awarded. Official transcripts are required for enrollment and must be sent before the end of your first term to continue in the program. Documentation includes grade sheets, a statement of degree(s) awarded and the date each degree was conferred. International universities often have separate grade sheets and certificates showing proof of degree.
Electronic Transcript Service (Clearinghouse, EScript, Parchment):
gradinfo@moore.sc.edu
Mail Transcripts:
Graduate Admissions
Darla Moore School of Business
1014 Greene Street
Columbia, South Carolina 29208
Note: the digital transcript service SPEEDE only sends documents to Undergraduate Admissions. Once you receive confirmation that your SPEEDE transcript has been downloaded, please forward the notification to gradinfo@moore.sc.edu so we can request your transcript to be sent to us.
Two letters of recommendation are required for the admission review. It is acceptable to have either professional or academic letters of recommendation. However, it is encouraged that candidates submit professional letters of reference if possible.
The application for admission requires a statement of purpose (500-word essay), which should outline your career goals and why you want to earn the MSBA degree. Applicants should also include a professional resume or CV detailing relevant work or school experience, previous internships and applicable skills.
Please note that professional work experience is not required to apply to the MSBA program.
Do you have questions? We have answers! Take a look at the Frequently Asked Questions page.
Application Deadlines
We are currently recruiting for the Fall 2024 cohort.
Fall 2024 Deadlines
- Priority: Dec. 5*
- Normal Decision: Feb. 25
- Late Decision: May 15**
*Seats are limited. Best consideration given to students who apply by the Priority
deadline.
**Followed by rolling admission until the program is full.
Application Process
Students in the MSBA program begin classes in the fall semester. Admission decisions are made once all required materials are submitted.
You must submit an online application and all supporting documents.
Qualified candidates will be contacted by the admissions committee for an interview.
Admission decisions are made when the application is complete and all documents and test scores are received. Primary criteria considered for admission include the quality and rigor of academic training and performance, quantitative/technical background, competitive test scores, recommendation letters, personal statement, related work experience (if any) and admissions interview. Preference will be given to STEM majors or applicants with strong quantitative backgrounds as well as students who have a minor in business. Applicants are also expected to have at least one semester of calculus or similar quantitative training.
To secure your seat in the class, pay the non-refundable $1,000 USD confirmation fee within 30 days of your acceptance notification. Your deposit fee can be paid online using your VIP ID and password to access your account.
You will need your VIP ID and password in order to confirm your award and seat in the class. As a reference, you received your VIP ID and instructions on setting up a password in your acceptance letter sent by the University of South Carolina Graduate School. While creating or retrieving your password, when prompted for your legal name, use your first and last name as listed on your Graduate School acceptance letter.