FAQs

The BYU Marriott MBA requires two full academic years (or four semesters) to complete. Students begin the program in fall semester only. No MBA courses are taught during spring/summer between the first and second year. Students are strongly encouraged to complete internships during this time.

During the first year, students are not allowed to be employed, which includes within their own businesses. The course load is too intense during the first year to split the required time with study groups and employment responsibilities. Admitted applicants are required to sign a commitment that they will not have any outside employment during the first year of the MBA program.

Generally, the second year of the program allows for a lighter course load; therefore, students may work part-time during the second year. A number of research and teaching assistantships are available to second-year MBA students.

No, not at the present time.

The executive MBA program differs from the traditional daytime MBA program in the following ways:

Yes, it is possible to transfer to the BYU Marriott MBA program from another university. In order to transfer, you must apply as a regular applicant. You should include in your statement of intent why you desire to transfer to BYU Marriott. If you are admitted, the admissions committee will evaluate your transcripts from your previous MBA program and choose a maximum of 15 graduate credit hours to accept. The 15 credits that are transferred will count as elective credits. You will still be required to complete the MBA core classes, even if you have previously completed similar classes.

No, we do not discourage students from receiving both their undergraduate and graduate degrees from the same university. Even if you graduated in business from BYU Marriott, the MBA program provides much more advanced training than is available at the undergraduate level as well as vastly different placement opportunities. Regarding admissions, you must have graduated from an accredited university.

The BYU Marriott MBA Program is a rigorous, internationally recognized MBA program with a goal of preparing business leaders who lead with excellent business acumen and who follow Christ’s example in their leadership.

In addition to other requirements, the BYU Marriott MBA Program requires an undergraduate degree from an accredited university.

In past years, BYU Graduate Studies has required a four-year degree but has granted exceptions (based in part on the recommendation of the graduate program to which an applicant is applying) to well qualified applicants with accredited three-year degrees.

The BYU Marriott MBA Program policy to is to request that Graduate Studies grant this exception to well qualified graduates of accredited three-year bachelor degree programs (such as BYU-Idaho Online).

Applicants holding a three year degree from an accredited institution are required to submit a qualifying GMAT or GRE score (program average is 690), and demonstrate excellence in their post-graduation work experience (typically a minimum of two years with evidence of job promotions, increased responsibility, and leadership potential).

Applicants holding a three-year degree from an accredited institution are required to submit a qualifying TOEFL score of 100 or greater if they are non-native English speaker.

Non-native English speaking applicants who have worked in the US for two years immediately after graduation MAY qualify for a TOEFL waiver. Online degrees do not qualify for this exemption and must have a qualifying TOEFL.

The GMAT is the preferred entrance exam for the program, but the GRE is also accepted. The GMAT is one of the major evaluation tools used by the admissions committee to determine an applicant’s readiness for the academic rigor of the program.

GMAT test scores are an important component in the awarding of scholarships for the BYU Marriott MBA program.

While the GMAT is preferred, we do accept the GRE. All other admission requirements are the same. Students taking the GRE should aim for the 85th percentile on both the quantitative and verbal sections of the test.

The average GMAT score for BYU Marriott MBA students for the past four years is 680. This equates to a score of about 625 on the new GMAT Focus or about the 82 percentile.

Eighty percent of our students score between 640 and 710 (65th to 93rd percentiles). A high score does not guarantee acceptance, nor does a low score preclude it. The admissions committee is particularly interested in a quantitative score at or above the 50th percentile.

There is no penalty for taking the GMAT multiple times. The BYU Marriott MBA program uses only the highest score received when evaluating an application; GMAT scores are not averaged.

If your GMAT score is below 600 (or the 50th percentile), we suggest retaking the GMAT to achieve a score more competitive for admission. There is a 16-day waiting period to retake the test. Please notify the BYU Marriott MBA admissions office if you plan to retake the GMAT after submitting your application. The committee will hold your application until your new scores are received. 

If applicants are denied admission to the MBA program due to a low GMAT score, they have the option to retake the GMAT and have their application reappraised with the new score during the same admission year. Applicants who want to use this option should send their new unofficial GMAT score reports to the MBA office with a request to have their application reconsidered with the new GMAT score. Applications will be reconsidered based on space available in the class.

It is recommended that applicants take the GMAT during the senior year of their undergraduate studies or shortly thereafter rather than wait until after gaining some work experience. Students who take the GMAT while they are still in school tend to perform better on the exam. GMAT scores are valid for five years. 

We recommend you allow adequate time to take the GMAT before the application deadline. It takes two to four weeks for official GMAT scores to reach BYU. Applications will not be reviewed without a GMAT score.

Because the GMAT is a computer-adaptive test, test takers receive an unofficial copy of their scores immediately after completing the exam and prior to leaving the testing center. Applicants may email a PDF or photo of the unofficial GMAT score to mba@byu.edu; the admissions committee can review an application with the unofficial GMAT score sheet. The official score can follow at a later time.

The GMAT has four sections: verbal, quantitative, integrated reasoning, and an analytical writing assessment. While applicants are required to take the full exam, BYU looks only at the verbal and quantitative sections when considering applicants for admission. See the official GMAT website for more general information on the structure of the exam.

There are many courses and materials applicants can use to prepare for the GMAT. Some general tips include: 

• Plan on six to eight weeks of regular study. Often, international students take four to six months to prepare if English is not their first language.
• Study at least one to two hours a day, three to five days a week.
• Take practice tests weekly. These tests can help you evaluate your readiness to sit for the exam. Start by going to the official GMAT website to download free test prep software and to take a free full-length practice test. Consistently scoring in the high 600s or above on many practice tests is a good indicator of readiness to sit for the exam.
• Enroll in a GMAT preparation course. It will give you insights about how to take the GMAT. When selecting a GMAT course, determine whether you are better at learning in a classroom environment or in an online setting. Many GMAT preparation companies will allow you to preview their courses.

You may submit your application at any time, but we will not review your application until we’ve received all of the required materials, including test scores. International students’ applications and test scores must both be submitted before the final deadline to be considered.

International applicants who graduated from a university or college outside of the United States must submit all marksheets, transcripts, and diplomas to IERF for a credential evaluation. Request a Detail Report, which will provide a GPA calculation. Be sure to start the credential evaluation eight to ten weeks before the application deadline.

MBA candidates are required to have a credential evaluation in order to have their application reviewed.

While both the GMAT score and GPA are important parts of your application, the GMAT is the more relevant indicator of academic readiness for the MBA program.  

A strong GMAT score can resolve concerns about a low undergraduate GPA. The statement of intent also provides an opportunity to explain a low undergraduate GPA.

The average undergraduate GPA for students admitted to the MBA program during the past four years is 3.54. Extra consideration is given to the academic rigor of the undergraduate program and strong performance in any relevant quantitative and business courses.

Yes, but there must be other evidence of academic strength, such as a strong GMAT score, to resolve concerns about an applicant’s potential for academic success. If admitted with a GPA below 3.0, an applicant will be given provisional admission, requiring the applicant to maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA during their tenure in the MBA program.

The BYU Marriott MBA program accepts all undergraduate majors. While not required, non-business majors may find it helpful to get a business minor. Basic courses in accounting, economics, and statistics can also be helpful. Applicants should develop skills in writing, quantitative abilities, and problem-solving analysis as preparation for the program.

Yes. Brigham Young University welcomes students from all faiths, cultures, and backgrounds who are willing to abide by the BYU Honor Code.

Yes, all applicants need an ecclesiastical endorsement. Applicants can begin the process at endorse.byu.edu. Non-LDS applicants will need an interview with both a local religious leader and BYU chaplain.

The admissions committee would like to learn more about you from people who know you in a professional setting. Applicants should select two people who can speak directly to your aptitude for, or accomplishments in, leadership and management. Please don’t select people who aren’t truly qualified to write about you in a professional setting. A recommendation letter includes 1) a letter presenting specific examples of your leadership and team-building skills and 2) a standardized form required by the university.

Applicants who work in family business, entrepreneurial positions, or other nontraditional backgrounds will need to be creative when choosing recommenders. You may consider coworkers, clients, vendors, or others you have worked with in a business environment. The job levels or titles of the recommenders are not factors in the admissions process.

No. Once you have been through the admissions process and are aware of what to expect, the process should be easier in following years. The admissions committee will also explain in a letter why you were not admitted to the MBA program; your chances for admission in following years could be increased by following the suggestions given by the committee.

Rolling admissions means once an application is submitted, it is immediately sent to the admissions committee for review. Applications completed before early round deadlines are given priority review. We recommend all international students apply before the Round 2 deadline on January 15. The final application deadline for domestic students is May 1. The admissions committee reviews and admits applicants on a rolling basis as applications are received, beginning October 1.

Yes, you must submit two applications. Test scores, letters of recommendation, and transcripts may be submitted once and used toward both applications. Submit them with one application, and then contact the MBA office and request they be copied to the other.

A minimum two years of full-time, professional work experience is strongly recommended. Significant work experience, an established record of accomplishment, and a good plan of where you are headed are important to making the most of your time in the MBA program.

Companies who recruit MBA graduates are looking for people who know what they are good at and know how to make a difference. An applicant is most credible when their pre-MBA work experience is consistent with their MBA degree and post-MBA goals.

Students are admitted from a broad range of industries. What makes you stand out the most is your career progression and how you have demonstrated leadership, performance, and increased responsibility within an organization.

When interviewing MBA graduates for employment, recruiters focus on the work experience gained between the undergraduate and graduate degrees. Recruiters want to know how that work experience, combined with an MBA education, will add value to their organization.

No. The MBA program’s two years of work experience is waived for joint degree applicants. Therefore, applicants to the JD/MBA program must be superior in both leadership and academic preparation (ie a high undergraduate GPA and a high LSAT/GMAT score).

More than 90 percent of BYU Marriott MBA graduates are employed within three months of graduation. The average salary depends on the graduate’s track and industry. 

Many of our graduates are placed with major corporations throughout the United States and the world. 

Some graduates seek employment with smaller companies or choose to start their own businesses.

Those who have hired our students in the past are satisfied and continue to recruit here. We work hard to increase awareness of the program among other companies. We have a career management team who are dedicated to helping MBA students and who assist with showcasing the strength of our program and our students to major corporations.

One of the most attractive aspects of a management career is the breadth of opportunity it offers. The career you choose depends almost entirely on your interests and strengths. BYU Marriott emphasizes a global perspective combined with teamwork and technology.

Students can select one of five tracks within the MBA program:

• Entrepreneurship
• Finance
• Global supply chain management
• Marketing
• Strategic human resources

Many of our students supplement their track studies with emphasis course sequences. Click here for more information about tracks and emphases. We also offer the opportunity to pursue a joint juris doctorate and MBA (JD/MBA) in conjunction with the BYU J. Reuben Clark Law School or a joint MBA/MS in conjunction with manufacturing or mechanical engineering. Click here for more information about joint degrees.

The MBA core is a series of required courses designed to help students develop competency in a broad range of business skills. Every student is required to take the MBA core as part of the curriculum.

No. Students are strongly encouraged to get an internship during the summer between the first and second year. Students can work with the career management office during the first year of the MBA program to find summer internships.

The BYU Marriott MBA program uses a variety of teaching styles, including interactive lecture and discussion, case studies, simulations, and experiential learning. Group work is part of all four teaching methods so that students learn to build and lead teams, collaborate on assignments, and develop accountability. Students in the experiential learning classes gain knowledge and skills by doing. 

For example, students can manage a real stock and bond portfolio in the Silver Fund class, invest in real venture capital and private equity deals in the Cougar Capital class, and perform consulting for paying customers in the Cougar Strategy Group class.

Case studies describe real-world business situations and problems, without the solution, thus inviting student discussion, analysis, and recommendations. The professor facilitates the discussions with a focus on enhancing critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making skills. Case discussions are not just a chance to apply or practice principles from the book or lecture; rather, they are a tool to tap into the collective wisdom of the students who develop the principles together.