If the idea of getting an online MBA has you excited, then your next step is to make sure that you can get into a great program. The admissions process for an online MBA program varies from school to school, although there are some commonalities between all of them. If you are about to apply for an MBA program, there are two things that you primarily need to worry about: meeting prerequisites and submitting a comprehensive application packet.

Prerequisites

Prerequisites for admission into an MBA program generally include a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college, completion of foundational undergraduate courses, and adequate professional experience. At the very least anyone who wants to pursue a graduate-level education must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university. Thankfully, given the nature of the MBA program, that degree does not have to be in business and most majors are considered adequate preparation. While major does not carry much weight, most schools do want to see that students were able to maintain a high GPA during their time as an undergrad and that their education equipped them with inter-personal, communication, reasoning, problem-solving, and organizational skills.

MBA programs also have course prerequisite requirements to ensure that students possess general knowledge that is relevant to the understanding of foundational business disciplines. Many schools do not require applicants to complete these prerequisite courses before applying to the MBA program, although they typically must be completed before one begins taking MBA courses. Taken as undergraduate-level courses, these prerequisites do not actually fulfill any credit requirements in an MBA program but qualify individuals to enroll in the graduate-level business courses which do. Course prerequisites are usually an aspect that only non-business majors have to worry about, as those who majored in business likely completed these courses in undergrad. The majority of course prerequisites are fulfilled through business-specific classes that introduce the disciplines of management, finance, marketing, and accounting. They may also pertain to general, yet foundational, disciplines that are applied in business courses such as economics, statistics, and calculus.

Those applying to MBA programs likely will have several options considering how they can go about meeting these prerequisites. First, those who completed relevant courses as an undergraduate student can apply those credits to fulfill prerequisite requirements for an MBA program. Prerequisite courses can also be taken at another college, university, or local community college before beginning an MBA program. Some business schools offer certification programs or accelerated preparatory course programs that can help satisfy prerequisite requirements. If the completion of a program alone is not enough to fulfill prerequisites, they can also be taken in order to prepare individuals to pass competency exams.

Individuals who prefer to pass out of a course rather than take one may want to consider the option to CLEP out, otherwise known as the College-Level Examination Program. These comprehensive examinations cover college-level course material within a specific subject and are taken to verify that an individual already has sufficient knowledge in that area. By receiving a satisfactory score on a CLEP, college credit for a course can be earned and applied to fulfill the prerequisite. According to College Board, there are currently five Business CLEPs including Principles of Management, Financial Accounting, Introductory to Business Law, Principles of Marketing, and Information Systems and Computer Applications. There are also CLEP exams for macroeconomics, microeconomics, mathematics, algebra, and calculus.

While most people enrol in graduate programs either directly or soon after completing an undergraduate degree, MBA programs are purposed for an experienced professional who has several years of work experience under their belt. This is one of the reasons that prior experience is often a requirement in order to be accepted into an MBA program. Many business schools have preferences when it comes to an applicant’s professional background, therefore MBA applicants may have a prerequisite to meet when it comes to the minimum number of years they have been working professionally. That number can vary considerably depending on business school, type of MBA program, and area of business specialization. Some programs prefer more general experience and may require that applicants have two to three years of full-time, post-graduation work. These types of programs want students who can demonstrate that they have experience working in an organizational setting whether its business, non-profit, or the public sector. Other programs may be more specific depending on emphasis, for example, an MBA program with a management specialization may ask that applicants have three to five years of managerial experience. Given its level of prestige, an advanced program like the EMBA, or Executive Master of Business Administration, can require applicants to have at least seven years of full-time, post-undergraduate work experience.

Submitting Your Application

Now that you are aware of the various prerequisites that must be met when applying to an online MBA program, here is a little bit of information about application packets and what information you will need to provide. First, most business schools will have an online application form where you will be required to fill out information regarding your demographics, professional training, academic credentials, employment history, and personal skills and abilities that are relevant to the program. Second, even though it may contain information similar to that on your application form, you will likely have to also submit a professional resume detailing your professional work experiences such as titles held, duties performed, specific responsibilities, and significant achievements. Submitting a quality resume is important because it will give the admissions department a feel for your professionalism and an idea of what you could bring to the MBA program. You may also be asked to submit letters of recommendation from professors, employers or associates who can provide testimony of your competencies.

As the academic potential is also important, official transcripts from each college you have attended will be required so that the admissions office can examine your educational history to verify degree completion and Grade Point Average, as well as approve any applicable MBA prerequisite courses for transfer. Sometimes applicants are given the opportunity to make a good impression on paper or in person. You may be given the option to write an application essay or attend an interview to provide further information about why you want to become an MBA, what your career goals are, and what makes you a good candidate for the program. Finally, many applicants may be required to submit their scores from the GMAT, otherwise known as the Graduate Management Admissions Test, which is used to measure business aptitude and can be a predictor for student success in an MBA program. To learn more about the GMAT, and whether or not you’ll really need it, read on to the next section.

• Online MBA: Getting into a Program Without GMAT
• OnlineMBA Guide: Getting Into a Program with the GMAT
• Is an MBA Right for Someone Without a Business Degree?
• What Are the Benefits of Going to an AACSB Accredited School?
• What Is AACSB Accreditation?