College of Business > Admission & Aid > Graduate Admission

Graduate Admission & Aid

Whether you’re planning on becoming a full-time student or would like to pursue your graduate degree while working, we’re here to help make the business school admission process easier. Our students come from diverse backgrounds, and each one brings with them a unique experience that enhances our programs.

Admission Requirements by Program

You’ll need to submit the following to apply for the DePaul Full-time Day MBA:

  • Application & fee
  • Essay
  • Letter of recommendation
  • Resume
  • Test optional – GMAT/GRE Scores (submission is optional)
  • Official Transcripts
  • Interview

See General Graduate Admission Requirements below for more information.

The Evening MBA is offered in a flexible format - study at your own pace weekday evenings. You'll need the following to apply to either choice:

  • Application & fee
  • Essay
  • Letter of recommendation
  • Resume
  • Test optional – GMAT/GRE Scores (submission is optional)
  • Official Transcripts

See General Graduate Admission Requirements below for more information.

The Weekend MBA is offered online by premier faculty. Classes meet online in real-time faculty meetings on two Saturdays each month; asynchronous coursework takes place between sessions. You'll need the following to apply:

  • Application & fee
  • Essay
  • Letter of recommendation
  • Resume
  • Test optional – GMAT/GRE Scores (submission is optional)
  • Official Transcripts
  • Interview

See General Graduate Admission Requirements below for more information.

General Graduate Admission Requirements

In order to be considered for admission to DePaul’s Kellstadt Graduate School of Business, applicants are required to submit the following:

Application & Fee

Apply online and submit a $60 application fee. Online applicants may pay by credit card. Otherwise, fees may be paid by check or money order payable to DePaul University.

Read more about special instructions for international students.

Essay

Applicants to all MBA and MS programs are required to submit an essay detailing their interest and professional goals.

Letter of Recommendation

MBA applicants: Submit one letter of recommendation, preferably from a current or previous employer. Letters may be submitted through the online application or to kgsb@depaul.edu. Be sure to include the name of the recommender and applicant’s name on each letter.

MS applicants: Letters of recommendation are optional for Kellstadt MS degree programs.

Official Transcripts

The Kellstadt Graduate School of Business requires official transcripts from all degree-granting institutions that the applicant attended. The admission committee reserves the right to request official transcripts from institutions where an applicant attended but did not complete a degree. Please note that not submitting all transcripts where courses have been completed could impact course waivers. Please contact our admissions committee with questions at kgsb@depaul.edu.

Read more about transcript requirements for international students.

Résumé/Curriculum Vitae

All applicants must also submit a professional résumé that summarizes their work experience and educational background.

Interviews

Interviews are required only for applicants to the Full-Time MBA program. The admission committee may require applicants to other programs to schedule an interview if necessary.

GMAT/GRE Scores

DePaul is test optional for GMAT/GRE scores, but if you choose to submit your score, here’s how:

GMAT information, including test dates, a list of test centers, and applications for the exam, may be obtained at mba.com or by contacting Pearson VUE at (951) 681-3000. Submitted score reports must come directly to DePaul University from Pearson VUE.

GRE information can be obtained at ETS.org. DePaul’s GRE code is 1165.

GMAT or GRE tests taken more than five years prior to the date of application are not considered valid.

Admission Deadlines

Take the fast track to earning your degree in this program designed for early career professionals and career changers who want to take day classes and complete their MBA in 18 months.

The Full-Time Day MBA program starts in the fall, but students may submit their applications any time of year.

Full-time Day MBA applicants who wish to be considered for scholarships or graduate assistant positions should apply by April.

If you need assistance with completing your applications or have questions, contact the Kellstadt office at (312) 362-8810 or kgsb@depaul.edu.

The Evening MBA offers two paths, Flexible or Cohort, to earn your degree through evening courses.

Flexible: Set your own pace by determining a course load that fits your life. Tailored to professionals with at least two years of experience, this program offers classes on weekday evenings, with core courses available online. Students may enter the program during any quarter.

Evening MBA–Flexible Deadlines: To ensure that you will be able to enroll in the quarter of your choice, we recommend that you apply by these dates.

Enrollment Quarter Domestic Student Deadline International Student Deadline
Fall August 15 June 15
Winter December 1 October 15
Spring March 1 January 15
Summer June 1 April 15

Cohort: Unique to the Chicago market, the Cohort choice combines convenient evening classes with the network-building advantage of taking your MBA courses together with a peer group of professionals in a set course schedule. This option is a good choice for working professionals who have at least five years of experience and want to advance into leadership positions. The Cohort program starts in the fall quarter.

Evening MBA–Cohort Deadline: Students may submit their applications any time of the year prior to entering the program in the fall quarter. The admission committee meets in February, April and July to make decisions on applicants. Students who apply after these deadlines may have their applications considered if space remains available.

If you need assistance with completing your application and/or have questions, contact the Kellstadt office at (312) 362-8810 or kgsb@depaul.edu.

The Weekend MBA program starts in the fall, but students may submit their applications any time of year. The admission committee meets in February, April and July to make decisions on applicants. Students who apply after these deadlines may have their applications considered if space remains available.

If you need assistance with completing your application and/or have questions, contact the Kellstadt office at (312) 362-8810 or kgsb@depaul.edu.

While MBA programs cover a broad range of business topics, DePaul’s specialized Master’s Programs provide a depth of knowledge in focused business areas. These degrees are designed for recent graduates and working professionals.

Students may apply to enroll in any quarter. To ensure that you will be able to enroll in the quarter of your choice, we recommend that you apply by these dates:

Enrollment Quarter Domestic Student Deadline International Student Deadline
Fall August 15 June 15
Winter December 1 October 15
Spring March 1 January 15
Summer June 1 April 15

Please note that the Entrepreneurship (MS), Sustainable Management (MS) and Supply Chain Management (MS) programs have a fall-only admission deadline of August 15.

If you need assistance to complete your application and/or have questions, contact the Kellstadt office at (312) 362-8810 or kgsb@depaul.edu.

The Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) is designed for high potential individuals who seek to take their careers to the next level by acquiring a mastery of sophisticated applied research for addressing contemporary business issues.

Students may submit their applications any time of year for admission into the program in the fall. Admission to the program is competitive and continues on an ongoing basis until the fall cohort has been filled. Applicants may be asked to interview with the admission committee as part of the admissions process.

For full DBA admission criteria and deadlines, visit go.depaul.edu/DBA. For more information, contact us at (312) 362-8810 or DBA@depaul.edu.

DePaul partners with Chicago organizations to offer education programs for their employees, including corporate-based graduate business degree programs. Application dates vary for these programs. Please contact the Kellstadt Admission Office at (312) 362-8810 or kgsb@depaul.edu.

The business college's Executive Education at DePaul also offers certificate programs for individuals and custom leadership development programs for organizations. Request info.

 
 

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Scholarships

Kellstadt awarded more than $3 million to incoming MBA and MS students last year.

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Contact us

Do you have questions about your academic and professional goals? Meet individually with a Kellstadt admission counselor.
Schedule an appointment

Contact us at kgsb@depaul.edu or (312) 362-8810. All application materials should be sent to kgsbdocuments@depaul.edu.