Online MBA Programs That Do Not Require the GMAT

The Graduate Management Admission Test, or GMAT, has traditionally been required as part of the admissions process when seeking a Master of Business Administration degree, or MBA. The GMAT evaluates a candidate on three different levels. An analytic writing skills section requires written analysis of both an issue and an argument. The quantitative section evaluates data sufficiency and problem solving. The verbal section evaluates reading comprehension, critical reasoning, and sentence correction.

According to Bloomberg Business Week, some schools argue that this does not evaluate enough about the person's determination, drive, and leadership skills. Therefore, they are starting to drop the GMAT as a requirement. The following are four programs that do not require the GMAT.

Colorado State University

Colorado State University offers a distance learning MBA that includes both DVD presentations and online work. Admission requirements are an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution with a 3.0 overall GPA, or a graduate degree with four or more years of full-time professional work experience. For many applicants, the GMAT is required; however, one can petition for a GMAT waiver with work experience.

Northeastern University

Northeastern University is located in Boston, Massachusetts. They offer a number of online MBA programs, including finance, healthcare management, high technology management, innovation entrepreneurship, international management, marketing, operations and supply chain, and general management. Admission requirements for the program include undergraduate degree from an accredited program with a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, English language fluency, and at least 5 years full-time work experience that demonstrates leadership and responsibility in some budgetary and financial areas, as well as direct management. The GMAT is only used if an applicant has not yet achieved the minimum work requirements.

Syracuse University - Whitman School of Management

The Whitman School of Management through Syracuse University in Syracuse, NY is an accredited program that is highly selective. Admission requirements include a bachelor's degree or equivalent from a regionally accredited institution, as well as five or more years post-graduate work experience. They do not require the GMAT, nor the GRE. On their site, they claim to be ranked #45 by U.S. News and World Report for part-time iMBA degrees.

University of North Carolina - University of East Carolina

The University of North Carolina offers an online MBA program through the University of East Carolina. Admission requirements simply consist of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution. Work experience is encouraged; however, no course prerequisites nor business experience is required. There is no mention of the GMAT on their site, and they are listed by Business Week as not requiring one. North Carolina is ranked 5th on Business Week's Top 25 business schools.

Resources:

Colorado State University College of Business Distance MBA http://www.biz.colostate.edu/distanceMBA/pages/default.aspx

Northeastern University's Online MBA Program http://onlinemba.neu.edu/

Sidestepping the GMAT. (2005, August 5) Bloomberg Business Week. Retrieved 8-16-10 from http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/05_32/b3946109_mz056.htm

Syracuse University, Whitman School of Business iMBA Program http://whitman.syr.edu/MBA/iMBA/

Test Structure and Overview.. MBA.com Retrieved 8-16-10 from http://www.mba.com/mba/TheGMAT/TestStructureAndOverview/Default.htm

Top Business Schools: Executive MBA Rankings and Profiles (2010, August 16) Bloomberg Business Week. Retrieved 8-16-10 from http://www.businessweek.com/bschools/03/emba_rank.htm

University of North Carolina Online online.northcarolina.edu/program.php?id=195