Degrees | Online MBA | Admission Requirements

Admission to the MBA Program

Thank you for your interest in the Ole Miss MBA program. The application process is your opportunity to tell us who you are, why you seek admission to our program, and how you will succeed in our program.

Please note that the admissions requirements listed below are the minimum required for consideration for admission. Admission is competitive.

To Apply

1.  Apply

To apply to the online MBA program, complete the University of Mississippi's Application for Graduate Admission and follow the instructions to submit all required materials. A $50 application fee is required.

Online Application

2. Transcripts

Candidates must hold a bachelor's degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution. Please send transcripts directly to the University of Mississippi Graduate School, P.O. Box 1848, University, MS 38677-1848. Candidates must have a 3.0+ overall GPA or on the most recent 60 semester hours of course work.

3. GMAT/GRE Scores

Requirements

Applicants for the online MBA program with  5+ years of post graduate work experience may qualify for a test waiver. If you think you might meet this requirement, contact Amy Johnson to confirm details.

Candidates who do not qualify for a waiver must submit an official GMAT or GRE score that is no more than five years old.

Candidates must have a 485 minimum on the GMAT or the equivalent GRE score of a 302 (Total of the Verbal and Quantitative sections combined). While the Admission Committee considers the entire application, if your GMAT or GRE equivalent is below a 485, we recommend that you retake the exam in order to be competitive for admission.

Significant preparation, ideally two months of study, for either exam is encouraged. Testing information can be found here: GMAT | GRE and a GMAT guide for online MBAs can be found here: Online MBA Review GMAT Guide

Sending Scores

The University of Mississippi Institution Code for both the GMAT and GRE tests is 1840. The Department code for the GRE is 5199.  All test scores should be sent directly to the Graduate School at gschool@olemiss.edu.

If you did not request that your score be sent to Ole Miss at the time of testing, please contact ETS to have your GRE score or GMAC to have your GMAT score sent to the Graduate School at gschool@olemiss.edu. 

4. TOEFL Scores

If you did not earn your undergraduate degree in the U.S., there is a minimum required English language proficiency exam score(s). (Citizens of countries on the exemption list and students who graduated from institutions in those countries are not required to submit scores.)   International candidates must submit an official TOEFL score of at least 600 or an equivalent score of 99-100 on the IBT.

5. Resumé

A minimum of two years of work experience post-bachelor’s degree is required for the online MBA program.

Candidates must submit a current resume via the online application. We do not have a format preference.

6. Statement of Purpose*

A candidate must submit a Statement of Purpose with his or her name included via the online application. The Statement of Purpose is a short essay in which an applicant reflects on the contribution the MBA degree will make to his or her future success and the special characteristics that he or she brings to the MBA program.

The typed Statement of Purpose (about 400 words) should address the following questions:

• Why have you chosen to pursue the MBA?
• How will these studies help you attain your career goals?
• Is there anything you wish us to know that is not reflected in the other application materials?

* Please be sure that your name is included on your Statement of Purpose.

If you would like to inquire about the status of your application, please contact Mrs. Amy Johnson at ajohnson@bus.olemiss.edu.

7. Prerequisite Coursework

Completion of two prerequisite undergraduate courses is required prior to enrolling in MBA courses: Principles of Accounting (UM ACCY 201 or ACCY 202) and Business Finance (UM FIN 331), or their equivalencies. Courses must be completed with a “C” or higher.

It is possible that applicants have completed the above courses or their equivalencies in undergraduate coursework, particularly if a degree has been awarded in a Bachelor’s of Business Administration. To confirm that you meet the prerequisite course requirements, you may email copy of your unofficial transcript to Amy Johnson at ajohnson@bus.olemiss.edu for further review.

Prerequisites are not required to be completed before applying or even being admitted. However, admitted students are not permitted to enroll in MBA courses until the prerequisite courses have been completed with a grade of "C" or better. These courses can be completed as part of an undergraduate program or they can be taken at any accredited institution. Additionally, they are both now offered through the University’s Independent Study Office, also known as iStudy. http://www.outreach.olemiss.edu/istudy/.

Course Structure

The Online MBA program can be completed in as little as 2 years or up to 6 years. Courses follow the University academic calendar, and students complete 1 class per term, with each term lasting around 8 weeks. Classes offered during a specific term are only offering during that term (i.e., summer classes are offered during Summer term). 

For example, a student starting in Summer would complete their first class during the First Summer term before completing their second class during Second Summer term (following a full-time commitment to complete in 2 years). 

Application Deadlines

To be considered for admission for one of the three possible entry points, all application materials must be received by the following deadlines:

• Summer Admission (starting in May) - April 1
• Fall Admission (starting in late August) - July 1
• Spring Admission** (starting in mid-January) - November 1

Admissions Decisions

Admitted candidates will receive an email of acceptance from the MBA Office. If a candidate is admitted to the program, he or she must respond to indicate whether or not he or she plans to join the program. The Ole Miss Graduate School also generates emails to accepted candidates based on the decision made by the department.

If your application is complete, but you wish to retake the GMAT or GRE before your file is reviewed and a decision is made, please notify Mrs. Amy Johnson at ajohnson@bus.olemiss.edu and indicate the new test date.  

Computers

All students are required to have a portable computer when they begin the online MBA program. The computer should be up-to-date and able to run the most current version of Microsoft Office, which is also required. Students should assure themselves that service and support would be available from the vendor, as any down time will be detrimental to class performance. A personal printer is also very helpful but not required.

PCs are recommended as software in the statistics class can be unavailable for Macs.