Graduate Business Admission Requirements

To apply for admission to one of the programs of study offered by the Palumbo-Donahue School of Business, all applicants are required to submit the following application components:

1. Duquesne University Online Application

2. Official Undergraduate and Graduate Degree Transcripts

Official transcripts from all previous institutions are required. If completion of the degree is in progress, submit a current transcript, followed by a final official transcript indicating degree received and date conferred upon enrollment. Preference is given to applicants with a 3.0/4.0 cumulative overall GPA or better. Applicants who earned college credit outside of the United States will be required to submit transcript evaluations from a Duquesne-approved credential evaluation services.

3. Official GMAT/GRE Scores (Optional)

Candidates for admission may choose to submit a GMAT or GRE score if they do not think their work experience or academic performance accurately reflects their potential for success in graduate study.

Although the GMAT or GRE is not required for admission, applicants submitting strong test scores (500+ GMAT, 305+ GRE) will automatically be considered for fellowships and certain endowed scholarships. Candidates with less than a 3.25/4.0 CGPA will be required to submit a GMAT or GRE score in order to be considered for Graduate Assistantships.

4. Two Professional References

Two professional references from current or former professors and/or supervisors who can evaluate your potential for graduate study are required. Applicants to joint degree programs may be required to provide recommendations confirming their eligibility.

5. Personal Essays

A personal statement in response to essay prompts specific to each program of study is required. Applicants who submit essays that do not address the essay prompts will be asked to resubmit their essay.

6. Professional Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV)

A resume or CV including contact information, educational degrees and certificates, and employment and volunteer experience is required. Professional experience is preferred, particularly in the MS in Supply Chain Management, Graduate Certificate in Supply Chain Management, and MBA programs. However, many applicants pursue an MBA immediately following undergraduate studies.

7. Additional Prerequisite Requirements for Master of Science in Accountancy (MAcc) Applicants

In addition to the above requirements, applicants for the MAcc program must have completed 15 credits in accounting before entering the program. Specifically, three (3) credits in each of the following:

  • Financial Accounting
  • Managerial Accounting
  • Intermediate Accounting I
  • Intermediate Accounting II
  • Auditing

A 3.0 or better cumulative GPA within the five prerequisite courses is preferable for admission consideration.

8. Additional Requirements for International Applicants

In addition to the above requirements, international students are required to submit a TOEFL score of 90 (or above), an IELTS score of 7 (or above), or a DET score of 125 (or above) that is current within the past year. Students with scores below the stated thresholds may be considered for admission into an International Pathway Program.

9. Additional Requirements for One-Year MBA Applicants

An admissions interview is required for admission consideration.

Application Review

After all required materials have been received, the application will be reviewed by the program's admission committee. Given the broad range of backgrounds that graduate applicants bring to our programs, the admission committees diligently work to consider the unique qualities of each applicant and strive to admit applicants who are most likely to succeed in our programs. Admissions guidelines vary by program and are subject to change. Performance at or above the guidelines described above does not guarantee a favorable admission decision.

Admissions

Admission decisions for all Palumbo-Donahue School of Business graduate programs are made on a rolling basis by an Admission Committee. The Committee also makes recommendations regarding the awarding of graduate assistantship (GA) positions, fellowships, and scholarships, if applicable. Specific programs may have application deadlines for merit funding consideration. Some merit funding opportunities may require a GMAT/GRE score. Admission offers are valid for the accepted semester only. Applicants may defer admission for up to one calendar year by submitting a non-refundable enrollment deposit and deferral request form. Application materials are valid for one calendar year from the semester for which the applicant has been accepted.

GMAT/GRE Test-Optional Admission

Candidates for admission may choose to submit a GMAT or GRE score if they do not think their work experience or academic performance accurately reflects their potential for success in graduate study.

Although the GMAT or GRE is not required for admission, applicants submitting strong test scores (500+ GMAT, 305+ GRE) will automatically be considered for fellowships and certain endowed scholarships. Candidates with less than a 3.25/4.0 CGPA will be required to submit a GMAT or GRE score in order to be considered for Graduate Assistantships.

Admission Decisions

Full

Applicants are admitted to the program without restrictions or additional requirements.

International Pathway Admission

Admission through Duquesne's Pathway Program for International Students may be offered to international applicants for the Professional MBA, MS-AIM, and MS-SCM programs who meet the general admission requirements for the program, but have not yet achieved an acceptable score on the TOEFL/IELTS/DET. Applicants who are admitted to the Pathway Program must meet certain requirements to gain full admission to the Professional MBA, MS-AIM, and MS-SCM programs. Applicants must take the University's English Language Placement Test to determine the need for English as a Second Language (ESL) support for up to one (1) year. Pathway admission does not guarantee full admission to the Professional MBA, MS-AIM, or MS-SCM programs.

  • Applicants will only be considered for full admission once they have received full ESL clearance and have obtained a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better in their academic coursework.*
  • Conditionally admitted students are required to meet the following conditions for full admission to the program within one (1) calendar year of their enrollment:
  • Register as a full-time student. Enrollment may include a mix of both ESL and academic courses dependent upon the university administered English Language Placement Test taken upon arrival.
  • A maximum of nine (9) credits to 12 of academic coursework may be completed prior to full admission into the program, depending on the program;
  • Receive clearance by the ESL Program.

Provisional

The Admissions Committee may offer provisional admission when an applicant's academic record falls below admission standards but the applicant demonstrates potential for success in graduate study. The applicant's graduate course-load typically will be limited to six (6) credits. Academic performance and enrollment status will be monitored through the first twelve (12) credits in the program, and the student must maintain at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA. Failure to meet these provisions will result in possible dismissal from the program.

Not Accepted — Retake GMAT/GRE

An applicant submits a GMAT/GRE score and is denied due to a test score that falls below admission standards. The applicant is offered an opportunity to retake the GMAT or GRE to meet the minimum score necessary to be reconsidered for admission.

Not Accepted

Admission is denied based on the applicant's academic credentials.