Graduate Admissions
Ready to take the next step in your business career? At the VCU School of Business, we make the admissions process straightforward and supportive, whether you’re pursuing a specialized master’s, graduate certificate, MBA or executive program. Here you’ll find everything you need to know about VCU Business graduate application requirements, deadlines, tuition and aid, plus frequently asked questions.
Application requirements
The following instructions pertain to specialized master's, graduate certificate, Evening MBA and Online MBA programs.
How To apply
Submit the VCU online application with all required supplemental materials, including:
- A $75 nonrefundable application fee
- Transcripts from each college or university attended
- A statement of intent
- A current resume
- Three (3) letters of recommendation
- Application for Virginia In-State Tuition (if applicable)
- English proficiency score (if applicable, details below)
- Optional: GMAT or GRE score for consideration
Evening MBA applicants may be contacted for an online interview.
GMAT/GRE scores
We do not require the GMAT or GRE for any of our master’s-level programs. However, applicants may choose to submit a valid GMAT or GRE score as optional supplemental material for consideration.
GMAT code: LP8-QF-86
ETS code: 5570
English proficiency
International applicants who have not completed a bachelor’s degree or higher from a university or college in a country outlined by VCU International Admissions must submit a qualifying English proficiency score.
The School of Business requires higher scores than the minimum listed for all VCU programs:
- TOEFL: 100
- IELTS: 6.5
- Duolingo: 120
- Pearson Test of English: 65
Statement of Intent
The statement of intent should be a concise document (1–2 pages) in which you articulate to the admissions committee:
Why are you applying to the specific program you have selected, and how does it align with your goals?
Think of the statement of intent as a cover letter for your application. This is your opportunity to share your background, experiences and aspirations with the admissions committee.
Application deadlines
When to Apply
Application deadlines for specialized master's, graduate certificate, Evening MBA and Online MBA programs are:
- Fall: July 1
- Spring: Nov. 1
- Summer (domestic applicants only): March 1
Tuition and Aid
Our graduate business programs offer competitive tuition that covers not only coursework but also the resources and experiences that enrich your education. Financial aid — such as federal loans and grants — is available to eligible students.
Visit the Office of Financial Aid at VCU for details on available options and support. For billing and payment questions, visit VCU Student Financial Services.
Tuition and fees per semester
The 2025–26 academic year estimate of tuition and fees for evening master's programs and graduate certificates are listed below. The Master of Supply Chain student fee is an additional $85 per credit hour.
| 2025–2026 ESTIMATE OF TUITION (by semester) |
Full-Time (9–15 credits) |
Part-Time (1–8 credits) |
| Virginia resident tuition | $8,844.50 | $937 per credit hour ($2,811 per 3-credit course) |
| Non-Virginia resident tuition via the Graduate Education Innovation Program |
$10,084 | $1,067 per credit hour ($3,201 per 3-credit course) |
| School of Business fee (all students) |
$468 | $235 |
| Academic Support Services fee (all students) |
$50 | $50 |
Assistantships/Student Employment
Many graduate students find part-time employment in the School of Business or with other units across campus. A master’s student employee typically enrolls in at least nine credit hours per semester and may be required to provide up to 20 hours of service per week to the hiring department, office or faculty member. Compensation is typically an hourly wage that does not include tuition support.
Student positions are posted in Handshake throughout the year, but the highest volume of postings occur as the fall semester approaches. You will be able to create your Handshake profile and apply to student positions the day after you enroll in your first semester courses. Be sure to check Handshake often to view campus employment opportunities.
Financial aid
The Office of Financial Aid at VCU can connect you with federal, state, university and private resources that help make college affordable. For billing and payment questions, visit VCU Student Financial Services.
Frequently Asked Questions
The statement of intent should be a concise document (one to two pages) in which you articulate to the admissions committee: Why are you applying to the specific program you have selected, and how does it align with your goals?
You can think of the statement of intent as a cover letter to your application. This is your opportunity to share your background, experiences and aspirations with the admissions committee.
Yes. We require three references, which may be academic or professional. We do not have a preference between the two.
If you are currently employed, we recommend that at least one reference come from your current employer to confirm their support.
Avoid recommendations from personal connections (such as family friends). Instead, choose individuals who can speak to your abilities and aspirations as they relate to pursuing a graduate degree in business.
For example, recommenders may highlight:
- How the particular program supports your goals
- Your ability to collaborate in a team or demonstrate leadership
- Your work ethic or other qualities that show your potential for success in a graduate business program
We do not have specific formatting or length requirements for letters of recommendation.
While we do not have a minimum GPA requirement, we typically look for a 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
We review applicants holistically and place greater emphasis on GPA the closer an applicant is to their undergraduate graduation date. We also factor in work experience, which is evaluated through the submission of a current resume.
Yes, the VCU School of Business considers transfer credits from other AACSB-accredited business schools for our Evening and Online programs. Transfer credits may not exceed 30% of the total curriculum.
Please note: Transfer credits do not apply to our Executive and Weekend programs.
Applicants who wish to be considered for in-state tuition must submit the Application for Virginia In-state Tuition Rates through the application portal. Residency status, or domicile, is conveyed at the time of admission. Applicants must comply with the Code of Virginia.
Once a completed application is submitted, you can anticipate an admission decision sent to your email within two to three weeks.
We do not require submission of a GRE or GMAT for any of our master’s-level programs.
Typically, we recommend submitting a GRE or GMAT score if you feel your undergraduate GPA does not strongly reflect your ability to succeed in a graduate program.
If you have already taken either exam, you may include the unofficial score as optional supplemental material in your application.
Yes! Our recruitment team is happy to meet with you via Zoom, over the phone or by appointment at our office in Snead Hall. We look forward to connecting and answering your questions about the VCU School of Business.