Applicants to The Master of Business Administration (MBA) program must hold an undergraduate degree from a fully accredited four-year institution of higher learning. The Southern Miss MBA is open to students from all academic disciplines.

Students with no undergraduate background in business complete a two-year program of approximately 48 hours, while students with an undergraduate degree in business complete a one-year program of approximately 30 credit hours.

A part-time program is available for students whose professional or personal commitments prevent them from pursuing the MBA on a full-time basis.

Beginning in December 2005, admission into the Southern Miss MBA program is based on the applicant’s academic background, work experience, and performance on the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) utilizing the following admissions formula:

(Last 60 Hours GPA X 200) + GMAT + Work Experience

Work experience is factored in as follows:

No work experience (part-time or full-time) = 0
Part-time work experience only = 10
Less than 5 years full-time work = 20
5 – 10 years full-time work = 30
11 - 15 years full-time work = 40
More than 15 years full-time work = 50

Admission Status
Applicants for graduate study in the College of Business may be admitted on a regular basis, a conditional basis, or may be denied admission.

Regular Admission Status. Applicants who meet or exceed an 1100 admissions formula score are admitted on regular status. This presumes the applicant has the minimum GPA of 2.75 that is required for regular admission to graduate study by University policy.

Admissions Committee Review of Applications. Applicants who are within 100 points of the formula score cutoff (1000 - 1099 points) may request a review by the MBA admissions committee.  Applicants who exceed the formula score cutoffs, but do not meet the minimum GPA requirement of 2.75 may also request admissions committee review. This review could result in any type of admission decision (regular, conditional or denied). 

Applicants requesting admissions committee review will be required to formalize the request and to submit all written documentation to the Graduate Director by the midterm date of each semester (Fall, Spring or Summer). The MBA admissions committee will meet to review all applications once during each semester, after the midterm deadline. The Graduate Director will inform the applicant of the admission committee decision within one month after the midterm date in the semester.

Conditional Admission Status. Graduate students who are admitted to the MBA program on a conditional basis must earn a grade of B or better on the first 9 hours of graduate level coursework, to remain in the graduate program.

Denial of Admission. Applicants who are not within 100 points of the formula score cutoffs (below 1000 formula points) are denied admission.  Applicants who do not meet the University GPA requirement of 2.50 for conditional admission to graduate study are denied admission.

Back to Top

Documentation Required for Admission
Application Form – Graduate application form can be acquired online at https://www.usm.edu/gradapp/ . This form should be turned in to the University of Southern Mississippi Graduate School.

Undergraduate record – Official transcripts from all institutions of higher learning previously attended.

Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) – Request that your official GMAT score report be sent directly to the University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg. USM GMAT code number is 1479. For information about the GMAT please visit www.mba.com and get the GMAT Information Bulletin, test preparation software, and more.

GMAT review books and programs can be particularly helpful, and are recommended for individuals who have been out of the academic environment for awhile. Three workbooks that we recommend are:

All books include sample tests (Web site or CD) for practice. It is recommended that you complete all materials in the study guide prior to taking the GMAT.

Personal Essay – The personal essay provides an opportunity to highlight the unique qualities and experiences that distinguish you as an applicant. You may wish to comment on your long-term career objectives and how graduate education will help attain your goals. Discuss your most important strengths and abilities, as well as the weaknesses or shortcomings you wish to address while in the program. Please limit your personal essay to two pages.

Three Letters of Recommendation – The required forms are available at the Southern Miss Graduate School web site at https://www.usm.edu/gradapp/ look for the underlined here in the right column.

Resume – If you think your business experience should be considered as an integral part of your application process, please provide a resume.

Back to Top

International Applicants
In addition to the documentation listed above, Students whose native language is not English must submit a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) report from a test administered within the past two years. The minimum score to be considered for regular admission is a 550 for the written exam, 250 for the computer exam. All material should be sent directly to:

Back to Top

Non-Degree Status
Students desiring to take MBA courses for purposes other than the attainment of a graduate degree may be do so under Non-Degree Status. A maximum of 6 hours of MBA classes can be taken non-degree and these hours can be transferred into the MBA program.

Students seeking non-degree hours must meet all course prerequisites, as well as minimum standards for admission into graduate study at the University of Southern Mississippi. The GMAT is not required for non-degree courses, but must be completed prior to regular admittance into the MBA program.

Back to Top

Transfer Credits
A maximum 6 hours of graduate transfer credits may be counted toward MBA degree requirements. The credits must be from a fully-recognized graduate program, reflect a grade of B –, or higher, and be deemed applicable to the applicant’s graduate program. Credits older than six years cannot be accepted, and applicants who wish to transfer 6 hours cannot count non-degree courses taken at the University of Southern Mississippi toward their graduate degree.

Back to Top

Preprogram Course and Proficiency Requirements
Demonstrated capability in calculus, personal computer software, writing, and statistics are also necessary for admission. However, otherwise qualified applicants deficient in one of these areas can fulfill these requirements in concert with their graduate course work.

• Admission Status
• Documentation Required for Admission
• International Applicants
• Non-Degree Status
• Transfer Credits
• Preprogram Course and Proficiency Requirements

• Director
• Southern Miss
• City of Hattiesburg
• Mississippi Gulf Coast
  
  MBA
• MBA Home Page
• MBA Program Options
• MBA 5-Year Plan
• Online Application
• MBA Course Requirements Checklist
• MBA Course Descriptions
  
• CoB Graduate Program Student Handbook