Frequently Asked Questions

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

The NC State MBA Program can review up to 12 hours of transfer credit from another AACSB-accredited MBA program for the Professional Online MBA program, but not for the Full-Time MBA program. The grade received for a transfer class must be a “B” or better, and the class must have been taken no more than six years prior to the applicant’s projected graduation date from the MBA Program at NC State’s College of Management. Students must have a 3.0 GPA or higher when they left their previous program in order for transfer credits to be accepted.  

Students with more than 12 transfer credit hours should reach out to a member of our admissions team before applying to determine eligibility. You can schedule a phone consultation to speak with a member of our team or email mba@ncsu.edu, and a team member will be in touch with you soon.

All students must complete a basic statistics course prior to beginning MBA coursework; however, you do not need to complete this course prior to submitting your application for admission. 

Students may take the course at any accredited college or university. NC State classes that count towards this prerequisite are Statistics (ST) 311 & 350. There are also free online courses available through LinkedIn Learning. Please contact us for more information about this option.

Applicants are asked about their preferred concentration in 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.

The Jenkins MBA program accepts the GMAT and GRE standardized tests. You may choose to submit a standardized test score as supplemental information for the admission committee to review as part of your application.

Jenkins MBA test-optional admissions policy provides candidates the option to apply without a standardized test score.

We use the higher total score. In other words, we do not mix scores from different tests.

Yes, we will accept the GRE or the GMAT. There is not a preference between the two tests.

Interviews are by invitation and are required for admission for both the Full-Time MBA and Professional Online MBA programs.

If you are selected for an admission interview you will receive an invitation by email and may choose from the available dates and times listed. Your interview may be in-person if possible or virtual through Zoom.

It is your responsibility to 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, after a few business days you may also log in to the application page and view the status of 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.)

The admission decision letter will not include the reasons for your denial, however you are welcome to contact the MBA Office to request feedback from a member of the admissions staff. Please note that feedback may not be provided during peak times.  The most common reasons for denial are:

1. Undergraduate academic performance
2. 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 admissions cycle.

Applicants placed on the waitlist will receive a final admission decision after the final application deadline.

The Raleigh Residency Program is a requirement of the Professional Online program, and we cannot sponsor visas to attend these in-person events. At this time, there is no virtual option for residencies. 

International applicants interested in our online program should reach out to a member of our admissions committee before submitting an application to determine eligibility. You can schedule a phone consultation to speak with a member of our team or email mba@ncsu.edu, and a team member will be in touch with you soon. 

International applicants who did not complete their undergraduate work in the United States are required to take the TOEFL or IELTS. Those who have completed one year or more of full-time study as a degree-seeking student in a US four-year institution are not required to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores.

Applicants for the Professional Online MBA program 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 email an admissions counselor. Full TOEFL/IELTS waiver information is found here.

Full-Time MBA 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.

There are no required language courses to take while in the Jenkins MBA program.

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.

The Jenkins Graduate School of Management MBA Program has joined GMAC’s Military-Friendly Business Schools list and is committed to recruiting students with a military background. GMAC has also published a brochure with information for military personnel who are considering earning an MBA.

To apply for the waiver, indicate your military service in the MBA application and select “Yes” when asked if you would like to receive an application fee waiver. After you submit your application, do NOT pay the application fee. You will receive an email from the MBA office acknowledging the fee waiver request. Once your application fee has been received and processed, you cannot receive a refund.

Military applicants may also qualify for a GMAT/GRE waiver – please review our Test Waiver Information for more information.

For additional resources about how to obtain North Carolina residency for tuition purposes and how to pay your tuition under the GI Bill, please contact the Veterans Education Office through NC State University.

The Professional Online MBA program is the same quality program as the face-to-face programs taught by the award-winning faculty at NC State Jenkins Graduate School of Management. When you complete your course of instruction, your degree will be granted by North Carolina State University.

Your diploma will state that you have been granted a degree of Master of Business Administration. The diploma will not differentiate the mode in which the courses or degrees were completed.

You can review our admissions criteria and procedures here.

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 Online 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 online program after arrival to NC State University.

Sponsored F-1 and J-1 students may take courses in the Professional Online MBA program or on our main campus so long as the number of credit hours taken does not exceed 50% of the student’s total credit hours for the entire program and for any given semester.

Yes, all applicants to the Professional Online MBA program must have at least two years of full-time, post-baccalaureate professional employment.

Yes, all students must complete a basic statistics course (with a grade of C or higher) prior to beginning MBA coursework; however, you do not need to complete this course prior to submitting your application.

Students may take the course at any accredited college or university. NC State classes that count towards this prerequisite are Statistics (ST) 311 & 350. You can determine if a class you took is equivalent here.

The Accelerated Professional Track will allow you to complete your Jenkins MBA in as little as 21 months. You can find more information about an Accelerated Course sequence here.

The Flexible Professional Track is designed to allow you to complete the degree when you want, how you want. A student completing the Flexible Professional track may alter their schedule any way they wish as long as they complete the program within 6 years and maintain the requirements for continuous enrollment per the Graduate School policy.

The Raleigh Residency is optional for active-duty military students.

Professional Online MBA students do not declare a concentration. However, you can choose to earn a certificate in a particular field of study.

The Professional Online MBA program is taught using asynchronous methods, with some synchronous methods. This means that you can complete the course requirements at a time and location convenient to you. The timing of completed course requirements is subject to deadlines provided by your professors. Teaching methods include podcasts linked with PowerPoint, tools such as Blackboard Collaborate, streaming video files, and discussion boards. Face-to-face instruction is used for the mandatory Raleigh Residencies and optional International Study courses.

Absolutely! Professional Online MBA students should not feel that they are studying in isolation. Access to faculty and staff is available and routinely scheduled in advance.

You can order your books from the University Bookstore online or via other online book venues.

Access to high-speed internet service is required. Computers are platform independent – either a PC or MAC can be used (iPads will not run all of the software required for the program). Students are required to have access to a headset with microphone and a webcam. Additional information will be provided to enrolled students during the Virtual Orientation before classes begin.

Students in the Professional Online MBA program interact with each other through distance education technology (including Blackboard Collaborate and Moodle), e-mail, online discussion forums (message boards, instant messaging, etc.), telephone conferencing and the face-to-face Raleigh Residencies. Some courses require group projects. As the program proceeds, students pick specific interaction strategies that best meet their needs. Some opt to arrange their own in-person study groups.                                                                     

Students in our Professional Online program can also take in-person classes at Nelson as space allows.

Students in the Professional Online MBA program have the same academic support services as face-to-face part-time students.

Academic advising, career coaching and other tools to support both your career development and job search are available to you as part of your training.

Technical support will be available through the NCSU Help Desk and the Distance Education student help line.

The Professional Online MBA program requires a Virtual Orientation prior to the start of the program. In the Virtual Orientation, students explore, use, and master the technology they will work with in their courses during the program. Students also meet their classmates and begin engaging in online meetings, discussions, and simple group assignments. Orientation also provides discussion and information on the first residency, academic policies, expectations of the program, and logistical student support.

Tuition information may be found here.

Applicants also should expect a moderate increase (mandated by the legislature or university) in tuition and fees for each academic year. If you are not a North Carolina resident, but are a US citizen, your tuition and fees will most likely decrease your second year if you qualify for in-state residency.