Accreditation
Is the University of Michigan-Dearborn an accredited business school?

Academics
What is the difference between an MBA and an MS degree?
What areas of concentration do you offer in the MBA?
How and when are classes offered?
How many students are in classes?
Does the College of Business offer dual degrees or joint degrees with other academic units within the university?
How long will it take me to complete my degree?
What is considered a normal academic load?
Why does the MBA take between 36 and 60 credits to complete?
When can I start my graduate degree program?
How do I know what classes will be offered each term?
Can I get help finding a job once I complete my degree?
Are there any opportunities to study abroad?
How do I contact the graduate programs office?

Financial
What is the tuition for graduate business courses?
What types of financial assistance are available?

Application and Admissions
How do I apply?
What documents are needed to apply?
Do I have to submit all application materials at once?
What are the application deadline dates?
Is a transcript required for every college or university I attended? What about summer courses or programs abroad?
How long does it take for an admissions decision to be made once I’ve applied?
How can I find out about possible course waivers or transfer credits?
Do I have to take the GMAT?
When, where, and how do I take the GMAT?
What GMAT score and undergraduate GPA is needed to be admitted?
Is professional work experience a condition of admission?
Is it necessary to have an undergrad degree in business to be admitted?
Can I apply to the MBA degree if I already have an MS, or to the MS if I already have an MBA?
When is it necessary to take the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), MELAB (Michigan English Language) or IELTS (International English Languages Testing System)?
How is the application process different for international applicants?
If I haven’t taken all prerequisite classes, can I still be admitted?
What information comes along with my admission letter?
Can I start classes before I am officially admitted?
Are admitted students allowed to defer starting their program?
Can I take graduate courses in the College of Business without being an admitted student?

Accreditation

Is the University of Michigan-Dearborn an accredited business school? (Back to Top)
All degree programs offered by the College of Business at the University of Michigan-Dearborn are accredited by AACSB International – The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Fewer than 30% of U.S. business schools meet the rigorous accreditation standards of AACSB International.

Academics

What is the difference between an MBA and an MS degree? (Back to Top)
An MBA (Master of Business Administration) is a general business management degree that provides great breadth and integration across all business functions and activities. It is a widely recognized degree that is the most common professional education for advancement in management. Within the MBA, students have the opportunity to pursue an optional concentration in a single area.

An MS (Master of Science) degree provides specialist-oriented graduate education that allows students to focus on one functional area. The MS provides considerable depth of coverage, and is appropriate for those wanting to enter or advance within the fields of accounting, business analytics, finance, information systems, or supply chain management.

What areas of concentration do you offer in the MBA? (Back to Top)
MBA students may choose concentrations in Finance, International Business, Marketing, Supply Chain Management, or Accounting. 

How and when are classes offered? (Back to Top)
Graduate business classes are offered both on campus and online. On-campus classes meet one evening a week (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) from 6:10pm to 9:00pm. Fall and Winter term classes are 14 weeks in length. Summer term classes usually meet twice a week for 7 weeks, May through June or July through August.

Online classes are also 14 weeks in length during the Fall and Winter terms, and 7 weeks during Summer terms. 

How many students are in classes? (Back to Top)
The typical evening on-campus class is 35 students; the typical online class 25 students.

Does the College of Business offer dual degrees or joint degrees with other academic units within the university? (Back to Top)
Yes. See the Dual Degree Programs section for information about our programs for MBA/MS-Finance, MBA/MS-Engineering, MBA/Master of Health Services Administration, and the student-initiated dual MBA/MS-Information Systems degree.

How long will it take me to complete my degree? (Back to Top)
If students are working full time and taking a part-time course load, it will typically take 2-1/2 to 4 years to complete the MBA, and 2 years to complete the MS-Finance, MS-Information Systems or the MS-Accounting. Students taking a full-time course load will typically complete the MBA in 2 years or less, and the MS degrees in 1-1/2 years.

What is considered a normal academic load? (Back to Top)
Students usually take two classes (six credits) per term in the fall and winter, and one or two classes in the summer. It is possible to take more or fewer classes, depending on the demands of personal and professional life. Eight to twelve credits are considered a full-time load for graduate programs.

Why does the MBA take between 36 and 60 credits to complete? (Back to Top)
Students who have completed business classes in their previous academic background may qualify for waivers in MBA core classes or for transfer credits. It is necessary to complete a minimum of 36 credits to receive an MBA from UM-Dearborn.

When can I start my graduate degree program? (Back to Top)
Students can be admitted for fall, winter or summer terms. New students will typically have a range of courses to choose from in any term.

How do I know which classes will be offered each term? (Back to Top)
See the Graduate Course Reference Guide. This guide provides information about when each graduate business course is planned to be offered. Course schedules are posted online several weeks before registration opens for each term.

Can I get help finding a job once I complete my degree? (Back to Top)
The Career Planning and Placement Office offers services to graduate students in the form of resume writing, career fairs and other job search activities.

Are there any opportunities to study abroad? (Back to Top)
Yes, the College of Business has partnerships with several international universities that allow opportunities for earning graduate credits.

How do I contact the graduate programs office? (Back to Top)
To reach a graduate programs admissions coordinator or graduate programs advisor, call (313) 593-5460 or send a message to gradbusiness@umd.umich.edu.

Financial

What is the tuition for graduate business courses? (Back to Top)
The current tuition and fees schedule is available at Tuition and Fee Schedule.

What types of financial assistance are available? (Back to Top)
Aid is available in the form of low cost loans and limited scholarships. More information on financial aid can be obtained by visiting the University of Michigan-Dearborn financial aid website. In addition to campus wide scholarships, see the College of Business Scholarship information.

Application and Admissions

How do I apply? (Back to Top)
See the information on our admissions page.

What documents are needed to apply? (Back to Top)
Students need to submit an application and application fee, a resume, a statement of career plans, transcripts from all universities or colleges attended, GMAT (unless qualified for GMAT exception) and English Proficiency Test scores (if applicable). Letters of recommendation should be sent to the College of Business. (the recommendation form is included with the application).

All application materials should be sent to:

Graduate Programs
College of Business
University of Michigan-Dearborn
19000 Hubbard Drive
Dearborn, Michigan 48126-2638

Do I have to submit all application materials at once? (Back to Top)

No. Supporting materials such as GMAT scores, transcripts, and letters of recommendation can be sent at any time before or after submitting your application with application fee. However, an admission decision will not be made until all materials have been received.

What are the application deadline dates? (Back to Top)
Although we admit students on a rolling admission basis, we suggest that you submit your application materials as early as possible to avoid problems with closed classes during your first term. Applications for the Fall term should be complete by August 1, for the Winter term by December 1, and by April 1 for the Summer term. However, we will accept applications after those dates if space is available.

Is a transcript required for every college or university I attended? What about summer courses or programs abroad? (Back to Top)
Yes, we require transcripts documenting your Bachelor’s degree and any advanced degrees, as well as any additional coursework you may have taken. Unofficial copies may suffice for the admission decision, but we will require official copies as a condition of your admission.

How long does it take for an admissions decision to be made once I've applied? (Back to Top)
Once we have received your application and supporting documents, an admission decision is typically made within a few days.

How can I find out about possible course waivers or transfer credits? (Back to Top)
Your transcripts will be evaluated as part of the admission process, and you will receive information about course waivers, exceptions or transfer credits along with your admission letter. If you wish to receive an informal advance evaluation of potential waivers, exemptions or transfers, please contact the Graduate Programs Office.

Do I have to take the GMAT? (Back to Top)
All MBA candidates must submit GMAT scores. MS-Accounting, MS-Information Systems and MS-Finance candidates may be exempted from the GMAT under certain conditions. The following provisions may qualify an applicant to be considered for the GMAT waiver:

• An advanced degree (e.g. master’s, doctorate, JD, etc.) in business, economics, law or related field, or in a discipline involving a significant quantitative component (e.g. engineering, science, statistics).
• A CPA, CFA, or CMA certification.
• A bachelor degree in business with a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher completed within the past 5 years from an AACSB-accredited institution.

The College of Business reserves the right to request a GMAT score from an applicant even if these conditions are met.

When, where, and how do I take the GMAT? (Back to Top)
GMAT sessions are available at varying times and locations nationwide with more information available at the GMAT website. The GMAT is a computerized test that may be scheduled at your convenience. Most test centers can schedule test administrations six days a week during day and evening hours.

What GMAT score and undergraduate GPA is needed to be admitted? (Back to Top)
The average GMAT score for newly-admitted students is typically in the mid five hundreds, and the average undergraduate GPA is 3.2. Generally, students who have a GPA of 3.0 in junior/senior coursework are considered academically qualified when submitting a satisfactory GMAT score. A somewhat lower GPA may be offset by a higher GMAT, and vice versa.

Is professional work experience a condition of admission? (Back to Top)
MBA applicants need at least two years of full-time professional experience. This is typically experience obtained after completing a bachelor degree. Full-time or part-time work experience, co-operative education or internships completed prior to earning their bachelor degree, may be considered toward fulfilling this experience requirement, but the applicant must provide a thorough description of job duties, starting and ending dates, hours worked per week, and contact information for at least one person who can verify their experience. The two-year experience minimum may be waived for individuals with exceptionally strong academic records and GMAT scores.

There is no professional work experience requirement for the MS-Accounting, MS-Information Systems or MS-Finance programs.

Is it necessary to have an undergrad degree in business to be admitted? (Back to Top)
No. The majority of graduate business students at the University of Michigan-Dearborn do not have their undergraduate degree in business. Most MS-Accounting students have bachelor degrees in Accounting, but it is not required as long as they meet the accounting course admission prerequisites.

Can I apply to the MBA degree if I already have an MS, or to the MS if I already have an MBA?
(Back to Top)
Yes, you may apply to the MBA if you already have an MS (and vice versa). It is common for our graduate students to have prior graduate or professional degrees in engineering, law, medicine, science, or other fields. Many students entering the MS-Finance already have an MBA.

When is it necessary to take the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), MELAB (Michigan English Language) or IELTS (International English Languages Testing Systems)? (Back to Top)
Students who completed all previous degree work in countries where the native language is not English must take the TOEFL, MELAB or IELTS test to demonstrate English language proficiency. Professional work experience in an English-speaking country does not satisfy this requirement.

How is the application process different for international applicants? (Back to Top)
International students needing full time status and an F-1 visa must apply at least three months prior to the desired term of entry. Financial support information is required, including a notarized Affidavit of Support which must indicate that the student has access to funds, including living expenses equaling at least $30,000 US for one academic year of study. International students must also demonstrate proficiency in English comprehension, writing, grammar, and vocabulary if all degree work was completed in countries where the native language is not English. For more information, see International Students.

If I haven't taken all the admission prerequisite classes, can I still be admitted? (Back to Top)
Students missing one academic prerequisite can be conditionally admitted and complete the missing prerequisite in their first term of graduate enrollment.

What information comes along with my admission letter? (Back to Top)
Your admission packet will contain everything needed to get started with your program, including a letter of admission, information about any course waivers or transfers, a list required and optional courses needed to complete the degree, and detailed information about course schedules and registration. Any conditions of your admission will also be specified, e.g. receipt of official transcripts, or completion of a prerequisite course or writing enhancement program.

Can I start classes before I am officially admitted? (Back to Top)
It is possible to start classes with a conditional admission if a student is lacking one academic prerequisite or needing to submit official versions of documents that may have been submitted informally.

Are admitted students allowed to defer starting their program? (Back to Top)
Yes. Once admitted, you may defer your enrollment for up to one calendar year. You will need to let the Graduate Programs Office know of your change in plans in writing, so that we may adjust your term of entry.  Email: gradbusiness@umd.umich.edu.

Can I take graduate courses in the College of Business without being an admitted student?
(Back to Top)
If you have been admitted to any UM-Dearborn graduate degree program, you may take up to twelve credits in graduate business courses.

We do not allow registration for courses on a probationary basis or to non-degree seeking students. The exception to this is for students who already possess a graduate degree, who may take up to nine credits. For information, see Guest and Post-Graduate Students.