If you’ve been thinking about advancing your education and career goals by pursuing a graduate degree, then you’ve probably been wondering about the different admissions requirements involved. Take MBA requirements, for example. Whether your goal is to advance in your current career or embark on a new career journey, earning a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree can have a significant impact on your career, preparing you to pursue management-level opportunities across a variety of industries.

But what is the application and admissions process like for an MBA program? Do MBA requirements vary widely among programs or universities? Do you have to pass entrance exams? To pursue an MBA or other master’s degree, you must have successfully completed your undergraduate education and meet other specific admission requirements. The specific requirements will vary by institution and program type. There are several types of MBA programs, including full-time, part-time, executive and online, with varying program lengths, schedules and experience requirements.

In this article, we’re going to cover several aspects of MBA requirements, answering these questions and others, and taking the mystery out of the process so that you can be better informed as you explore this important personal and professional milestone.

Admission requirements for graduate education programs may vary widely from one institution to another, so for the purposes of this discussion we’ll focus on the admissions policies and MBA requirements for DeVry University’s Keller Graduate School of Management.

In the following sections, we’ll discuss the education, work experience, testing and language proficiency requirements for admission to an MBA program at Keller.

The most fundamental admission needs among MBA degree requirements is completion of undergraduate education. To qualify for admission to an MBA program or any other graduate degree or certificate program, you must be able to demonstrate that you have successfully completed a bachelor’s degree program (the highest level of undergraduate education) at a higher education recognized institution. This also holds true for international students applying from outside the United States; they must hold an undergraduate degree that is recognized as equivalent to a bachelor’s degree earned in the United States.

You may choose to apply for an MBA program after gaining several years of experience in the workplace, but is work experience a requirement?

Like many universities, Keller allows qualifying students to enroll in the MBA program right after they’ve completed their undergraduate education with no work experience. However, at Keller, many of our students are busy working adults who are well-established in their careers, and while they may have varying levels of experience under their belts, work experience is not one of Keller’s MBA requirements.

Another aspect of graduate school and MBA requirements to consider, is entrance exams. Will you have to take an entrance exam? If so, which one should you take? While graduate schools have varying MBA requirements, at Keller we have minimum GPA requirements which are used to determine whether you’ll have to take an entrance exam.

Here’s an in-depth look at how it works for Keller applicants who’ve met the baccalaureate degree requirement:

At some graduate schools, the MBA program admissions process requires applicants to submit letters of recommendation. Keller has no such requirement.

Verbal skills proficiency is another basic requirement for MBA program admissions. At Keller, all instruction and services are conducted in English, and all applicants must demonstrate verbal skills proficiency.

Proficiency can be demonstrated by submitting acceptable GMAT, GRE or Keller-administered test scores, or through performance in prior coursework.

You’ll find complete, detailed information about skills proficiency and other MBA requirements for admission in the Keller Graduate School of Management Academic Catalog.

Designed for motivated working professionals who want to advance their careers or explore new ones, the Master of Business Administration program at DeVry University’s Keller Graduate School of Management is driven by digital innovation to help you stand out and explore management-level opportunities in today’s evolving business and technological landscape. The flexibility of learning with Keller enables you to study when and how you need to – 100% online or in a hybrid format¹ with select in-person classes at one of our locations.

Adaptability is another reason to choose a Keller MBA. Ten industry-focused specializations, including accounting, finance, global supply chain management, entrepreneurship, marketing and information systems management, empower you to align your MBA with your professional goals.

And if you’re looking for a faster path to graduation, you can complete your program on an accelerated timeline. With at least 9 credit hours of qualifying prior learning credit, you can earn your Keller Master’s Degree in as few as 12 months² or, following a normal schedule, complete your program in 2 years and 2 months.³

Let’s talk about your professional goals and the MBA or master’s degree program that’s right for you. Classes start soon.