How to Apply for On-Campus Specialized Master’s Programs


Admission is competitive. Our application process is easy.

Follow these instructions for our traditional on-campus specialized master's in accounting, business analytics, finance and supply chain management, and for our Global Master of Finance dual degrees with prestigious partner institutions around the world.

The Olin Admissions Committee carefully reviews each applicant on a number of factors, looking for individuals with strong academic ability, professional potential, leadership qualities, and communication and interpersonal skills. To ensure diversity in each entering class, we admit students with various backgrounds, experiences, talents and interests.

You must have completed an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution (comparable to Washington University’s four-year bachelor’s degree) at the time of enrollment. Most international three-year degrees meet this requirement.

Specialized Master’s Application Deadlines


Admissions decisions are made for applications submitted by 11:59 p.m. CT according to the deadlines for each round noted in the table below.

Application Due by Notification by
Round 1 October 5, 2023 November 9, 2023
Round 2 November 1, 2023 December 14, 2023
Round 3 January 5, 2024 February 29, 2024
Round 4 March 1, 2024 April 18, 2024
Round 5 April 15, 2024 May 16, 2024
Rolling Admissions* After April 15, 2024 Before program start

*Decisions will be made on an ongoing basis, typically within one to two weeks after a completed application is received.

Application Process and Requirements


Start by creating your online application account.
  • Application Process

    Our application process requires submitting a complete online application. Our online application walks you through the requirements. 

    Application Fee: Specialized master’s programs have a $100 application fee; you can pay with a credit card.

  • One-Page Resume

    We want to get to know your background and work history.

  • Required Essay

    We believe that people often carry their personal values into their professional lives. Please share with us a value that is important to you and describe how that value connects to your career aspirations. (500-word maximum)

  • Academic Transcripts (Unofficial)

    Once you are admitted, you will submit your official transcripts.

  • Application Interview Video

    Applicants to specialized master’s programs must submit a video interview through the KIRA platform as part of the application process. Once you submit your application to Olin, a unique URL link will be sent to your email address with instructions outlining the video submission process.

  • English Proficiency Exam Scores (International Applicants Only)

    Most international applicants (non-US citizens or non-US Permanent Residents) must submit a TOEFL or IELTS score report. In some instances, this requirement is waived (see description below for more information).

  • Standardized Test Scores (Not Required)*

    Standardized tests are recommended but not required. Candidates should review our test policy description below to determine the best course of action for their particular set of circumstances.

    *Global Master of Finance (GMF) programs still require the submission of a GMAT/GRE score.

  • Optional Essay

    Is there anything else you would like to share? If so, please provide additional information not previously addressed in the application that would help the admissions committee assess your candidacy. (250-word maximum)

SMP Prerequisites


  • MS in Analytics

    MSA (all tracks): Statistics, Calculus I, Calculus II

  • MS in Corporate Finance

    MSFC: Statistics, Calculus I, Microeconomics

  • MS in Wealth and Asset Managment

    MSFWAM: Statistics, Calculus I, Microeconomics

  • MS in Quantitative Finance

    MSFQ: Quantitative Coursework 

    No specific prerequisites, but successful applicants to this program will demonstrate outstanding aptitude for advanced quantitative finance materials. Students who have majored in mathematics, computer science, quantitative economics, engineering, physics and statistics are especially encouraged to apply. Some background in the applications of computing to quantitative problem-solving is especially valuable. For more information, please refer to our admissions page. (Some courses we may look for include Calculus II, Linear Algebra, Econometrics, etc.)

     

  • Master of Accounting

    MACC: Introduction to Financial Accounting

  • MS in Supply Chain Management

    MSSCM: No prerequisites

    We review each applicant on a number of factors, looking for individuals with strong academic, professional and extracurricular activities. We base our selections on past performance, quantitative skills and communication skills. To ensure diversity in each entering class, we admit students with various backgrounds, experiences, talents and interests.

Required Documents for On-Campus Specialized Master’s


Once you receive news of your acceptance—and make the decision to join us at Olin— official transcripts and valid, official test scores must be submitted two weeks before the start of orientation programming.
  • GMAT or GRE

    Standardized tests (GMAT or GRE) are one part of the application process used to evaluate academic ability. Submission of test scores is not required but is recommended for most candidates. It is up to each applicant to decide how best to submit their strongest case for admission. For those who choose not to submit a test score, the Admissions Committee will carefully consider how past academic and professional experiences have prepared them for the academic rigor of the program. In particular, the committee will consider:

    • A strong undergraduate GPA;
    • Demonstrated quantitative skills in prior academic and/or professional experience;
    • An advanced or terminal degree (e.g., JD, MD, PhD or quantitative MS degree);
    • A quantitatively oriented professional certificate (e.g., CPA, CFA);
    • An officer’s rank in the military; or
    • Performance on an expired GMAT or GRE

    Test scores must be released when you submit your application. We can accept the online versions of the GMAT and GRE. See your program requirements for more information.

  • TOEFL or IELTS

    All international applicants (non-US citizens or non-US permanent residents) whose native language is not English must take either the TOEFL or IELTS.

    TOEFL: TOEFL iBT, TOEFL Home Edition
    IELTS: IELTS Academic, IELTS Indicator

    Do I qualify for a waiver?

    If you are a citizen of one of the following countries, you do not need to submit an English proficiency score:

    • Australia
    • Cameroon
    • Commonwealth Caribbean Nations
    • Ghana
    • India
    • Ireland
    • Kenya
    • Liberia
    • New Zealand
    • Nigeria
    • Singapore
    • Uganda
    • United Kingdom
    • Zambia
    • Zimbabwe

    You may also qualify for a waiver of this requirement if you have taken a minimum of three consecutive years of coursework at a college or university located in one of the above countries, Canada, Hong Kong, South Africa or the United States, where the primary medium of instruction is English and you received or will receive your degree from the same institution by program start.

    Note: The Admissions Committee reserves the right to ask for an English proficiency test score if deemed necessary. If you believe you are eligible for a waiver, do not submit your TOEFL or IELTS score.

    Only scores from tests taken within two years of the program start will be accepted.

  • Transcripts and Academic Records

    Applicants must hold the equivalent of a US bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution at the time of enrollment to be eligible for the program. (Note: Most international three-year degrees meet this requirement.)

    Be sure your transcripts include all coursework taken and the grades received for each course, as well as any transcript instructions or descriptions provided by the institution.

    Transcripts for study abroad programs or transfer credits are not required if the course titles, grades and credit hours are included on the transcript of the degree-granting institution. International students must submit transcripts in the original language and English translation.

    Our Admissions Committee accepts unofficial copies of transcripts and test scores for the sole purpose of rendering an admissions decision.

    Credential evaluations of transcripts, such as WES or ECE, are not required.

    Enrolling students must submit official transcripts that include all coursework taken and the grades received for each course, as well as any transcript instructions or descriptions provided by the institution. 

    Students must show proof of degree. For most US institutions (and many non-US institutions) an official transcript sent directly from the university or college will include the degree awarded and date the degree was conferred.

    If you have not yet graduated, the official transcript from the degree-granting institution should be sent as it becomes available.

    For students who have graduated from non-US institutions where the academic transcript does not show degree awarded and date of degree conferral, it will be necessary for you to bring your diploma, diploma book or other equivalent document with you to St. Louis. When you arrive—and before the start of classes—you must bring your transcript to the Olin Graduate Programs Admission for visual verification. These documents will then be returned to you.  

    International students must submit both an original-language document and an English translation. 

    Official transcripts may be submitted as follows: 

    1. eSCRIP-SAFE® or any other authorized provider, emailed to OlinGradAdmissions@wustl.edu
    2. Mailed by your university in a sealed, official university envelope to:
      Washington University in St. Louis
      Olin Business School
      Graduate Program Admissions Office
      Knight Hall 310, CB 1156
      One Brookings Drive
      St. Louis, MO 63130-4899
    3. In person, delivered to Knight Hall, Room 310 in an official, sealed envelope from academic institution
    If you have not yet graduated, the official transcript from the degree-granting institution should be sent as it becomes available.

    If your transcript does not show the degree awarded and date of conferral, you need to bring your diploma or equivalent document to St. Louis and present them to the Graduate Programs office for verification before the start of classes.

    International students must submit both an original-language document and an English translation.

  • Course Transfers and Waivers

    Transfer credit and course waivers are not awarded until after you complete one semester at WashU Olin in satisfactory academic standing. Details vary by program; ask your academic advisor for more information.

Official Test Scores (GMAT, GRE, TOEFL, IELTS)


All applicants should request that the appropriate testing service forward official test score results to our office. Please note that it is not sufficient for the student to simply submit either the unofficial or official test taker copy. The appropriate Washington University/Olin institution codes for each test are as follows. NOTE: TOEFL or IELTS is not required for US citizens, US permanent residents or individuals waived from this requirement.

Program GMAT: GRE: TOEFL:*
Accounting (MACC) R4T-WG-62 4937 6929
Analytics (MSA) R4T-WG-73 3764 6929
Finance (MSF) R4T-WG-53 4938 6929
Supply Chain (MSSCM) R4T-WG-16 4929 6929
Global Finance (GMF) R4T-WG-53 4938 6929

Class Profiles for On-Campus Specialized Master’s Programs


Frequently Asked Questions


  • What if a student does not have those prerequisites fulfilled?

    If you have not met these prerequisites, they must be taken at an accredited college or university FOR credit. They can be done either online or in person. They must be taken by the program start date, not the application submission date, so you have plenty of time to take any missing courses—if you have not done so yet. Please inform us through the optional essay if you are planning on taking any courses in the future if they are not transcribed on your transcript. Alternatively, you can complete prerequisites through Outlier.

  • Can an online certificate program like Coursera, EdX or MOOC fulfill my requirement?

    No, all prerequisites must come from an accredited university or through Outlier. Outlier courses are offered through the University of Pittsburgh and students receive a transcript that shows the courses taken, grades earned and number of credits. Coursera and MOOC do not provide this and are therefore not accepted.

  • Will you accept my AP credits from high school?

    Yes, as long as those courses are reflected on your college transcript, we will accept your AP credit.

  • What if I have taken a course in undergrad that is similar to the prerequisite required?

    If you feel any courses you have already taken fulfill the prerequisites but go by a different name, you can upload your transcript and course descriptions to the application portal so that our admissions committee can make an informed decision on whether you meet the prerequisite(s) or not.