How to Apply

Admission to the graduate programs of the Brennan School of Business is open to those who hold a bachelor’s degree in any field with an appropriate general education component from an accredited institution. No prior business courses are required. The Admission Committee ordinarily bases its decision on:

• Completed online application
• Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) score (this may be waived if applicant meets specified criteria)
• Official transcripts from all college-level institutions attended
• Applicants who have graduated with a nutrition-related bachelor’s degree but have not earned a DPD verification statement will have their transcripts evaluated to determine whether any further courses are required. Applicants who wish to pursue the MBA/RD program and do not have a nutrition-related bachelor’s degree are required to enroll first in the Certificate in Nutrition and Dietetics Program.
• Two professional references: one from a work/volunteer supervisor and one from a professor/instructor*
• Personal statement: Personal statement should be 2–3 pages, double-spaced, with one-inch margins all around. Please discuss each of the following: your strengths/weaknesses, personal definition of professionalism, and career aspirations.*
• Resume*
• Submission of an Authorization for Background Check (pdf opens in new window)

Additional Admission Consideration. A grade of B- or better must be earned in all ACEND-required DPD Professional Courses. Conditional program acceptance may be granted with requirement of successful completion of specified coursework/classes prior to starting the program’s supervised practice rotation courses based on (a) recency of coursework, (b) content of previous courses taken, and (c) grades earned as determined by program review of transcripts and course syllabi. Conditional acceptance may include requirement for repeat of or additional courses (including any course(s) for which successful completion is prerequisite to registration in required DPD courses) and all necessary documentation including college/university transcripts.

All application materials for U.S. students must be submitted no later than July 1st prior to the beginning of the fall semester in which the student desires admission. Materials for international students must be submitted at least three (3) months before the beginning of the fall semester in which the student desires admission. Students may apply online here.

*Resume, personal statement and recommendation letters must be submitted as PDFs.

There is one start day yearly for the MBA/RD program, which is in the fall semester.

For additional information on the Brennan school's programs, please contact the Office of Graduate Admission.

Request for Waiver of Admission Test

The GMAT/GRE requirement may be waived for applicants who meet one of the following criteria:

• 6 or more years of relevant work experience
• Strong GPA (3.0+) from Dominican University or other schools holding specialized accredited undergraduate programs, such as the AACSB (for business), and others (on a case by case basis)
• Membership in Beta Gamma Sigma, or other academic honors fraternities for non-business majors. 
• Applicants that hold another graduate degree, ie Masters or PhD degree
• For provisionally admitted students, that receive a B or better in 3 or more of Brennan's MBA Foundation, one-credit hour courses
• Please note: The GMAT/GRE test score is an important consideration in the awarding of merit scholarships

Foundation Course Waivers

Foundation courses required for degree programs may be waived if students have successfully completed equivalent course work at another accredited institution as part of their previous studies. In order to be eligible for waivers, students must have achieved a grade of B or better in an equivalent three-credit course(s). Original transcripts are required for consideration of waivers. Transcripts will be reviewed for waivers at the time of admission, but final approval of waivers may be withheld for students accepted provisionally until an acceptable graduate admission test score has been submitted. Core courses and electives cannot be waived. All waivers are subject to final approval by the admission committee in consultation with the university registrar. 

Transfer of Credit

Students who have completed relevant graduate courses at another accredited institution prior to matriculation at Dominican may transfer up to six semester hours of credit toward the MBA or MSA degree. All transfer credits are subject to approval and no transfer credit will be awarded unless an official transcript is provided showing that a grade of B or better was achieved. All transfer credit decisions are subject to final approval by the admission committee in consultation with the university registrar. 

International Students

International students must complete the general admission application and additional application and visa requirements. International (F-1 and J-1) students may not apply for the online version of this degree. They may only opt for the in-person version. F-1 and J-1 students must follow the plan of study in consultation with and devised by the academic advisor for this degree exactly as outlined. Any deviation may result in the student’s inability to maintain status, causing termination in SEVIS.

International students must be accepted by the following deadlines:

*All documents needed for an I-20, such as Financial Statement, bank statement, copy of passport, and in some cases copy of visa, previous I-20, etc. must be submitted before the deadline date for an I-20.

Returning for a Second Degree

Students currently enrolled in one of the degree programs in the Brennan School of Business who wish to apply for a second degree must submit a new application and a new personal statement. All other required documentation such as transcripts, recommendation letters, GMAT or GRE, and TOEFL or IELTS scores submitted for the first degree will be presented with the new materials to the Admission Committee for review.

Brennan School of Business alumnae/i seeking a second degree must submit a new application, a personal statement and two letters of recommendation. Transcripts, graduate admission test scores, and English proficiency test scores used to evaluate the original application will be presented with the new materials to the Admission Committee for review. International students seeking to continue or return for a second degree must also submit a current financial statement (pdf) in addition to the other documents specified. Students are subject to degree requirements in effect the first semester they attend classes after being accepted for the second degree program.

Returning for a Second MBA Certificate

Any alumna/us who has earned an MBA from Dominican University may return as a student-at-large to complete an additional certificate.

Student-at-Large Status

An applicant wishing to enroll as a student-at-large, rather than as a degree-seeking student, must submit a student-at-large application and official transcripts. Student-at-large status is permissible for one semester only and for a maximum of six-credit hours. International students are not eligible to apply for student-at-large status.

Student Referrals

Current students are encouraged to refer to the Brennan School of Business other qualified individuals interested in a graduate business degree. If the referred person is accepted and matriculates into a Brennan School of Business graduate program, the referring student may be eligible for textbook reimbursement of up to $500 in the first semester of the new student’s enrollment. The referring student must be identified on the new student’s application to be eligible and the referring student may receive credit for only one new student per semester.

Non-Discrimination Policy

Dominican University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, national or ethnic origin, disability, age marital status or sexual orientation.

Students with Special Needs

Accommodations and Disability Access can provide information regarding services for students with special needs. Students needing these services are encouraged to meet with the coordinator prior to enrollment.