MBA Application Requirements
There are separate applications and requirements for The Portland MBA for Career Accelerators (evening classes) and The Portland MBA for Career Explorers (daytime classes).
- Meet PSU minimum admission requirement
- Professional resume
- Unofficial transcripts/mark sheets from every college or university attended. Once admitted, applicants will be required to provide official transcripts from degree granting institution(s) and all colleges and/or universities attended where any graduate credits were completed. Visit the PSU Admissions website for detailed transcript requirements.
- Interview by the admissions committee. After an initial application review, selected candidates will be invited to an on-campus or virtual interview. This is a positive indicator of our interest in your application but does not guarantee admission.
- $67 application fee - Attend an Information Session to waive this.
- Two letters of recommendation. At least one must be a professional recommendation.
- Essay questions (2 written and 1 video): Essays are your opportunity to tell us who you are beyond your GPAs, test scores and resume. Use this opportunity to provide us with a better understanding of your personal journey, unique background and goals associated with the program.
- Video essay (1): Applicants are required to record a one-minute video of themselves answering the following question - "Tell us your story. What led you to apply to this program?" The application system provides detailed guidance on how to complete this process. Applicants who experience technical difficulties and are not able to submit a video essay with the application may be required to attend a remote interview with the Academic Director.
- Written essays (2):
- 250 words maximum per essay question
- Answers to all three questions are required
- See questions below
- GMAT and GRE Optional: We recognize that standardized exams are not always a fair reflection of a candidate's abilities as a result of the inequity of those exams. Therefore we have suspended the GMAT and GRE requirement. This means the GMAT or GRE are no longer required for admission to the MBA program at PSU. We recommend that applicants with undergraduate or graduate GPAs lower than 3.0 consider taking the GMAT or GRE to improve the competitiveness of their application. However, we may require the completion of primers from students admitted to the MBA program who need additional preparation.
Essay Questions
The Portland MBA for Career Explorers (Daytime/Full Time):
- Tell us your story. What led you to submit this application to the MBA program at Portland State? What in your academic life or career has prepared you for the MBA? (video, 1 minute maximum)
- Our program values a cohort model where students complete all of their courses with the same group they were admitted with in order to increase engagement in the classroom and deepen professional relationships through the program. If admitted to our program, what unique skills and experiences will you be able to bring to your MBA cohort and our larger graduate business community? How will you share those experiences and skills? (written, 250 word maximum)
- Describe how you envision your career path unfolding during the five years following your graduation from the MBA program. (written, 250 word maximum)
The Portland MBA for Career Accelerators (Evening/Part Time):
- Tell us your story. What led you to submit this application to the MBA program at Portland State? Why do you believe this is the right time in your career to pursue graduate business education? (video, 1 minute maximum)
- How has your view of leadership evolved over the past 2-5 years of your career? (written, 250 word maximum)
- The Part-Time MBA program is designed for students who have reached one or more of their post-undergraduate employment goals, and whose professional experience will help provide valuable context to their cohort members. If admitted to the part-time program, how will your professional experience add to the learning of your cohort? (written, 250 word maximum)
Additional International Student Requirements
Learn More about The Portland MBA