Master of Business Administration - Frequently Asked Questions

Applications/Admissions

What do I need to submit for my application?

Transcript from each junior college, college, or university you have attended
GMAT (preferred) or GRE scores
TOEFL score for international students whose first language is not English
Resume that describes relevant professional working experience
Recommendation letters (at least 2) from employers or supervisors
Statement of purpose (why this program is right for you, and what you intend to do with the MBA)

How are the admissions criteria weighted?

The Admissions Committee bases its decision on the strength of the application as a whole. Strong applicants have at least two years of professional working experience, as well as an excellent academic record (GPA and high GMAT or GRE scores). A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited university is required. Outstanding qualities or accomplishments in one area might overcome weakness in a different area.

What should I include in my resume if I do not have extensive work experience?

Your resume should include your academic record (degree(s) earned), academic honors and awards, internships, extra-curricular activities including volunteering and community service, international experiences, and any other activities that demonstrate your leadership qualities. The resume should also include your work experience: list any professional positions you have held, describing your job responsibilities, promotions, awards, leadership and management skills, and experience working in teams.

What is the average working experience of your current students?

Our current students have an average of 4.5 years of professional working experience.

What is the required GMAT score?

For the most recent classes, the GMAT average has been around 560. We strongly recommend that you prepare well before taking the GMAT.

What about GPA?

Strong candidates earned at least a 3.0 GPA in their last 60 undergraduate credit hours. In our most recent MBA classes, the average undergraduate GPA was 3.3.

Who must take the TOEFL? What score do you require? What about the verbal score on the GMAT?

We require TOEFL scores from applicants whose native language is not English or who earned their baccalaureate degrees attending non-English speaking institutions. The minimum acceptable TOEFL score is 550 for the paper version, 213 for the computer-based, or 79 for the Internet-based. Applicants must also score at least a 25 on the verbal section of the GMAT.

What other skills or knowledge are important to be successful in USF MBA Program?

Proficiency in college algebra, Internet searched and working knowledge of commonly used business software such as Word, Pages, or similar word processing programs; Excel, Numbers, or similar spreadsheet programs; and PowerPoint, Keynote, or similar presentation programs. You must also have high-speed Internet access.

International applicants from non English-speaking countries must also meet minimum TOEFL scores.

Does my undergraduate degree or my professional experience have to be in business?

No. Applicants must hold a degree from an accredited undergraduate institution in the United States or from a recognized institution in a foreign country, but MBA students come from a myriad of backgrounds. They hold undergraduate degrees from a variety of areas, such as business, psychology, communications, medicine, education, engineering, arts, or architecture. Students work in fields as varied as sales, education, military, manufacturing, healthcare, marketing, technology, the arts, banking, or professional sports.

Are students with non-business degrees at a disadvantage when sharing a classroom with those who studied business?

The Tool courses (introductory business courses taken at the start of the program) provide the necessary business knowledge needed for the program and are geared toward those with little prior business background.

Do jobs held while attending college apply to the professional work experience requirement?

Many students work part-time in professional jobs while attending college, and professional experience gained during this time period will apply toward the work experience requirement. Applicants are asked to submit a résumé, a statement describing work-related responsibilities and accomplishments, and two letters of recommendation (from current or former supervisors).

How long does it take to complete the MBA program?

USF's MBA is a 37-48 credit hour program. The number of hours required varies based on the student's undergraduate degree program. Most non-business majors are unable to waive any of the Tool courses, while graduates who earned a degree within the last seven years from AACSB-accredited business programs are able to waive some of these classes after a coursework review.

While the program can be completed in as few as 20 months, students typically take 2-3 years to complete the degree, depending, of course, on the number of credits they take per semester. Students must complete all coursework within five years.

Getting Started

Can I register for classes as soon as I am accepted into the MBA program?

No. Newly-accepted students will see a hold placed on their registration account, preventing them from registering for classes until they have attended orientation. Details regarding orientation are included with the departmental acceptance letter.

Do I have to attend MBA orientation?

Yes. All MBA students must attend orientation, and newly-accepted students will see a hold placed on their registration account, preventing them from registering for classes, until they have done so. At orientation, students not only learn more about the program and how to register for classes but also have a chance to learn about additional services/opportunities for MBA students and have a chance to meet faculty, MBA program staff, and fellow students.

What are Tool courses?

Tool courses (also known as Common Body of Knowledge courses) provide background in several functional areas in order to prepare for more advanced studies. Each is a two credit-hour course and assumes the student has little or no prior knowledge in the field. USF's alternative calendar was designed to allow students to move through the courses quickly.

USF Tool courses include:

ACG 6025 Financial Accounting for Managers
ACG 6075 Management Accounting and Control
QMB 6305 Managerial Decision Analysis
QMB 6603 Operations Management and Quality Enhancement
MAN 6055 Human Behavior and Organization
ECP 6702 Managerial Economics
ECO 6708 Global Economic Environment of Business
FIN 6406 Financial Management
ISM 6021 Management Information Systems
MAR 6815 Marketing Management

Can I waive courses if I took similar courses as an undergraduate?

Students who completed undergraduate or graduate courses in business or economics from an AACSB- accredited business school may receive course waivers for Tool courses only if they earned grades B or better in those subjects. Certain limitations and timelines apply (among them: a maximum of 20 credit hours can be waived, and the degree must be no more than seven years old). Students who waive the Tool courses are required to take a Business Skills Review course (non-credit) in the first semester of enrollment. Waivers are granted only after USF personnel analyze the student's transcript and review completed coursework.

Can I transfer courses from another university's MBA program to USF's MBA program?

Up to 12 credit hours can be transferred, provided they were earned at an AACSB-accredited institution and the courses are equivalent to courses offered at USF. Additionally, a grade of B or higher must have been earned in each course.

Costs/Fees

How much is MBA tuition?: Tuition information can be found at the USF Financial Services website.
Is financial aid available for MBA students?: A step-by-step guide for financial aid for graduate students and other information about financial aid can be found on USF's University Scholarships & Financial Aid Services website.
Why do I have to pay a $100 professional development fee?: This non-refundable fee "secures a space" for the next entering class and is used throughout the program to support educational and social activities of the Graduate Business Association as well as equipment and supplies for student use, special events and seminars, subscriptions, publications, and other professional development programs. The professional fee is in addition to the $35 Comprehensive New Graduate Student fee assessed by the university.

General Information

How many students are in the MBA program? How large are class sizes?: There are usually 300+ students in the MBA program during the year. Tool courses average 40 students per class; elective/track courses average 30 students per class.
What accreditation does USF's MBA program hold?: USF's MBA program, along with the College of Business and the School of Accountancy, is accredited by AACSB International – The Association for the Advancement of Collegiate Schools of Business. AACSB accreditation is the highest level of accreditation for business schools worldwide, and less than 10% of all business schools hold such accreditation. Click here for more information about why accreditation matters or a list of accredited institutions worldwide.
Does USF offer online courses in the MBA program?: Stand-alone online courses are not a part of the MBA program, although some lectures may be available online. Many professors use Blackboard, a course management system as well as an online communication tool, to post readings, course assignments, book information, send email, and share other course-specific information.
Can I take undergraduate courses and MBA courses concurrently?: No. Students who have "graduate status" in the system may not take undergraduate courses; enrolling for undergraduate courses may result in the student being dropped from the graduate program.
Can I take graduate-level business courses if I am not (yet) in a graduate program?: No, not unless you are a visiting MBA student from another AACSB-accredited MBA program. Call (813) 974-3335 for special approval.
What are the computer requirements?: Hardware, software, and Internet connectivity requirements are posted here.

Admissions Testing

What is the GMAT?

The Graduate Management Admission Test is a standardized assessment test comprised of three sections: analytical writing, quantitative reasons, and verbal reasoning. The GMAT tests abilities that you have developed over a long period of time; it is not intended to test specific subject areas, nor does it presuppose any prior business coursework. The test takes 4.5 hours and is computer adaptive (the difficulty of later questions is based on whether earlier questions were answered correctly).

Can the GMAT be waived?

No, the GMAT is required of every applicant. If you have already taken the GRE or have an MD degree, contact us at (813) 974-3335.

When and where do I take the GMAT?

Because the GMAT is offered via computer, the test can be taken almost any time at the nearest testing center. The testing center closest to USF is the Pearson Professional Center (3922 Coconut Palm Drive, Sabal Business Center, Suite 101, Tampa, FL 33619). Visit mba.com to find a testing facility and schedule an appointment to take the exam.

How do I report my GMAT scores to USF?

Test-takers specify institution codes on the day of the exam, signifying to which institutions scores should be reported. USF's code is VP9-M4-80 for the part-time program and VP9-M4-97 for the full-time program.

How should I prepare for the GMAT?

Free test preparation information can be found on mba.com, the official GMAT website. This website also has practice questions, free downloadable test preparation software called POWERPREP, and a study guide that is available for purchase.

USF Continuing Education offers GMAT preparation courses, as do a number of companies such as Sylvan Learning Centers and Kaplan (which also offer private tutoring and online prep courses of varying length and interactivity). Some students prefer the interactive classroom or online environment while others can confidently prepare alone for the test. We recommend that test-takers assess their own needs by beginning with a preparation book. Test preparation books are numerous and can be a valuable resource because they help a test-taker determine if further preparation is needed, while requiring a small initial investment. Many GMAT prep books contain full or partial sample exams (sometimes on CDROM or via the Web) with tips and techniques for succeeding on the test. There are entire books devoted to each of the main test sections for those who only need help with one area. GMAT preparation books are available at most retail bookstores, including the USF Bookstore.

Career Development

Does the MBA program offer career development or placement services?

USF's Career Center coordinates USF's Career Fair and offers on-campus interviewing, job search workshops, mock interviews, and résumé referral services. The Career Center's cooperative education program provides alternating terms of full-time study and full-time employment in a private enterprise or government agency over the course of the academic year.

The College of Business Office of Employer Relations works jointly with the Career Center to serve MBA students, offering an MBA Career Guide, detailed career advice, and résumé reviews. A number of specific career events are planned for MBA students to gain access to top employers. A calendar of career events, including company information sessions, on-site tours, and networking events, can be found online.