Admission Criteria

At BYU Marriott, we use a holistic admissions process to evaluate applicants to the Executive MBA program. We consider professional experience, leadership impact, academic preparation, alignment with BYU’s mission, and the strength of your written materials.

Our goal is to build a cohort that is both diverse and cohesive. We seek students from a variety of backgrounds, with diverse experiences, skills, and perspectives. This enriches the academic experience for all students and prepares them to be successful leaders in a competitive global marketplace.

By considering a candidate’s entire profile, we can identify those who have the potential to excel in our program and contribute meaningfully to our community.

Professional Experience and Leadership

Your professional background is central to your readiness for the Executive Program.

What we look for:

• Minimum of five years of full‑time, post‑bachelor’s professional experience (historical average is 12 years)
• Demonstrated leadership, management, and organizational impact
• Evidence of career progression, decision‑making responsibilities, and results

We are particularly interested in candidates who have demonstrated their ability to manage budgets, lead teams, and achieve strong results in their professional roles. We recommend that you make sure that you clearly communicate these types of accomplishments in your resume.

Evidence of your career progression and leadership skills can be showcased through your statement of intent, résumé, letters of recommendation, and interviews with members of the admissions committee.

Academic Preparation

We assess your academic readiness to succeed in a rigorous graduate‑level environment.

Undergraduate GPA

Your undergraduate academic record plays a vital role in our admissions process. We look for evidence of your ability to succeed in a rigorous academic environment.

Here’s what we consider when evaluating your undergraduate background:

• GPA: A strong GPA is a positive indicator of your academic preparedness. The average GPA of admitted students is 3.4. However, successful applicants can be found within a range of 3.0 to 4.0. We also recognize the importance of the rigor of your chosen undergraduate program and the analytical courses you took and take that into consideration.
• Coursework: We value a strong foundation in analytical and quantitative skills. Consideration is given to the types of courses you took during your undergraduate studies.
• Previous Graduate Work (if applicable): If you have completed previous graduate studies, we will also consider your academic performance from those programs.
• Degree: We require a four-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited university.
• Transcripts: Official transcripts from all undergraduate institutions are required. By carefully examining your undergraduate record, we gain valuable insights into your academic potential and preparedness for the challenges of the BYU Marriott Executive MBA program.

Needed for Application

• International students must submit transcripts with a credential evaluation.
• A four-year degree from an accredited university.
• Transcripts for all undergraduate institutions attended and any graduate institutions.

Standardized Test Scores (Optional)

Standardized test scores are optional for applicants to the Executive MBA program. You are not required to submit a GMAT or GRE score for admission.

However, a strong score (above the 80th percentile) can strengthen your application, particularly if:

• You already have a valid GMAT, GRE, LSAT, or MCAT score from prior graduate‑school preparation or applications
• You want to provide additional evidence of quantitative readiness
• Your undergraduate record does not fully reflect your academic abilities

If you do choose to submit a test score, it will be evaluated as a supplemental indicator of your analytical and critical‑reasoning skills, similar to how the Full‑Time MBA considers these scores.

Accepted Optional Test Scores

• GMAT
• GRE
• LSAT
• MCAT
• Other standardized graduate‑level admissions tests

Submitting a strong test score is entirely optional but can provide meaningful support to your application, especially if it is already valid and readily available.

Letters of Recommendation

Two professional letters of recommendation from individuals who can speak to your abilities and character traits. We recommend seeking recommendations from supervisors, colleagues, or direct reports, rather than professors or religious leaders.

Statement of Intent

The statement of intent is your opportunity to tell us more about you. This carefully crafted one-to-two-page essay gives the admissions committee an opportunity to learn more about you.

Please address the following in your statement:

1. Your preparation and background for the program to which you are applying.
2. Your academic and professional goals (both short- and long-term) and how the Executive MBA program fit into those goals.
3. Your academic and professional reasons for applying to the BYU Marriott Executive MBA program and the scholarly or professional contributions you expect to make to the program.
4. Briefly describe a time that a goal was not accomplished, or an aspiration was not achieved, or your leadership efforts have fallen short. What steps did you take to recover from this defeat? What resources did you use? How and why are you different today?
5. (Optional) Any special circumstances you wish the admissions committee to consider, such as circumstances that may have affected undergraduate academic performance, test scores, job gaps, etc.
6. (Required for reapplicants only) How have you strengthened your candidacy if you previously applied to this program and were denied admission? (e.g. changes in your professional development, improved academic qualifications, etc.)

Ecclesiastical Endorsement

Commitment to Live the BYU Honor Code

The BYU Marriott Executive MBA program is committed to developing individuals who will be an influence for good in the world through service to their families, professions, and communities. All enrolled BYU students are required to sign and commit to live by the BYU Honor Code while attending the university.

While the university is owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, membership in the Church is not required for admission to BYU. Applicants who are unfamiliar with the Church are encouraged to visit ComeUntoChrist.org to learn more about BYU’s sponsoring institution.

Needed for Application

• Signed Honor Code commitment [learn more]
• Ecclesiastical endorsement [learn more]

Start Your Application Today

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Application Checklist

Required Materials

1. Transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate programs attended
2. Professional résumé
3. Statement of intent
4. OPTIONAL Standardized Test scores
5. Two letters of recommendation
6. Ecclesiastical endorsement
7. Honor code commitment

NOTE: You can submit your application before your endorsement and letters of recommendation have been received.

International Applicants

Additional materials needed in addition to those listed above.

1. Transcript evaluation if your undergraduate institution is outside of the United States [learn more]
2. English proficiency exam if you are not a native English speaker [learn more]

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Deadlines

The BYU Marriott Executive MBA program reviews applications on a rolling basis. This means that applications submitted before each deadline round are given priority review. Incomplete applications are not held until the next deadline but will be reviewed as completed.

• Applications open on 1 September 2025, for the fall of 2026.
• The final application deadline is 1 May 2026.

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Also Note

• Temporary work visa holders (e.g. H1B and L1) may participate in the BYU Executive MBA conditional on maintaining full-time employment with the sponsoring business. Attendance in class is required. Individuals who lose temporary work visa status (due to job loss or reaching the visa’s time limit) may have to return home; consequently, they will not be able to continue in the BYU Executive MBA program. 
• Students who leave the program before completion do not receive tuition refunds. 
• Individuals on student visas (e.g. F-1 and J-1) are eligible for the full-time MBA but are not eligible for the Executive MBA.
• Executive MBA students are not permitted to switch to the full-time program.