MBA FAQs

Program information for the full-time MBA program. If you do not see the answer to your question, please contact us at fcb-gradprog@nau.edu.

Frequently asked questions

When does the program start?

The NAU MBA is a cohort based residential program. Each cohort starts in early August and graduates the following May. Students that receive their undergraduate degree in the fall term are encouraged to participate in a spring internship and join the cohort that begins the following August.

When should I submit my application and is there an advantage to submitting my application early?

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until the class is full. Application review begins in the early fall. Early applicants have access to a larger pool of financial aid offerings than do late applicants. The first round of financial aid awarding begins on November 1.

How do I submit my application materials?

Find the application checklist HERE. Apply through the Graduate College Application. Select the Master’s Program: Business Administration, Accounting or Applied Management (Flagstaff Mountain). Attach unofficial transcripts or a screenshot of your transcripts. Attach the required personal statement essay. Attach the required résumé and include two academic or professional reference names, phone numbers, and email addresses. Once all attachments are ready, you can submit the Graduate College Application. The MBA Office will receive your completed application in 24-48 hours.

I received an error when uploading my unofficial transcript, what should I do?

Undergraduate NAU students may receive a locked PDF error upon uploading unofficial NAU Transcripts to the Graduate College Application. To work around this issue, NAU (only) students can upload a Word document stating the student name, NAU ID, and “I give permission to the Graduate College to view my NAU unofficial transcripts”. Non-NAU students, please contact the Graduate College if you have an upload issue with your transcripts.

Do I need to send my official transcript to NAU?

Official transcripts are required by the Graduate College AFTER admission has been offered and the student has accepted admission. Official transcripts must be submitted to receive your official degree in May. NAU students do not need to send official transcripts after admission and acceptance.

What is the admission process?

After the MBA Office has received your completed application from the Graduate College, students will be invited for a brief interview in-person or via video conferencing. After the interview, students will have an admission decision in 3-5 business days.

Does NAU offer conditional admission?

Conditional admission may be granted to students that have completed the application and admissions process. International students without a degree in business administration must complete the Business Foundations Graduate Certificate before beginning the MBA program. Conditional admission is only for students who need prerequisite business foundational courses.

Can I take some of the courses online?

All courses are offered in person at the NAU mountain campus. There are no online, evening or weekend courses.

Are students in the MBA program permitted to work while they attend school?

The program is offered in a 10-month accelerated format, with students completing 30 credit hours of graduate coursework. The rigorous format is such that students are asked to not work more than 10 hours per week while enrolled. Graduate assistantships and internships available are limited to 10 hours per week.

Is post-undergraduate work experience required for admission?

Work experience is not required in order to apply to the program.

Does NAU accept 3-year bachelor’s degrees?

Three year degrees are accepted depending upon which country and university you attended. Please contact the NAU Center for International Education for clarification.

When is the deadline for international students to apply?

International students must apply by April 1 the same year of the Summer term they wish to begin. Financial aid is awarded beginning November 1 the fall before the April deadline; therefore, limited financial aid is available in April. We encourage students to apply in the fall for the best opportunity for financial aid.

Do you require the GRE or GMAT?

Due to difficulty in testing caused by the Corona Virus outbreak applicants for academic year 20-21 are not required to submit GMAT/GRE scores.

For 21-22, applicants must submit scores from either the GMAT or GRE. A qualifying score must be submitted before the admission interview can be scheduled.

GMAT Institutional Code: R02-BH-65

GRE Institutional Code: 4006

When should I submit my official examination scores?

The scores can be submitted at any time and are part of the application. An application is not complete until the official scores are submitted.

What is the average GMAT score for admitted students?

For the Class of 2017-2018 the score was 544.

What is the minimum undergraduate gpa requirement?

The minimum cumulative undergraduate gpa must be 3.0 or higher. Emphasis is placed on your last two years of study. If you are a current undergraduate student and your gpa is below 3.0, you are encouraged to apply with the intention of raising your gpa to the minimum requirement.

Does NAU require prerequisite math or business foundation courses?

Yes, you are required to complete a series of business foundation coursework. Your transcripts will be evaluated for coursework that satisfies the foundation requirement.  If you have an undergraduate business degree from a member institution of the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), have grades in core business courses of  ‘B’ or better, and a business gpa of 3.0 or higher, you will have met the foundation requirement. If you do not have an undergraduate degree in business, we will advise you on how to complete the prerequisites.

Does NAU accept transfer students or transfer credit?

Transfer credit is considered for equivalency for the foundation courses only.