Admission
Is it possible to start the PMBA program in the Summer semester (May) or only in the Fall / Spring?
PMBA students start their program in the fall semester (late August/early September) or the spring semester (mid-January). We do not have a summer entry.
What is the average undergraduate GPA and GMAT score of those accepted into your PMBA program?
In a recent entering class, the middle 80% of students had a GPA range of 2.8 to 3.7 and a GMAT range of 530 to 700. Please remember that many factors enter into our admission decision, not just your GPA or GMAT score.
If I have questions about the admissions process or about the curriculum for the Professional MBA Program (PMBA), who can I contact?
Please contact Kevin Kiley, the Associate Director of MBA Admissions, by telephone at 314-935-7158 or via email at kiley@wustl.edu with any admissions related questions. If you have a curriculum question, please contact Jan Snow, the Director of PMBA Student Services, by telephone at 314-935-6155 or via email at snow@wustl.edu.
What are the admission requirements?
The admissions requirements are as follows: a completed application, official GMAT test results, official transcripts for all undergraduate classes, and two to three years of substantive post-graduate full-time work experience. Exceptions can be made on a case-by-case basis for unique work-experience backgrounds.
How many credit hours is the PMBA Program?
You must complete 54 credit hours to receive the degree.
How often will I be in class?
Typically, you will be in class two evenings per week (year round). Most classes are held from 6:15 - 9:15 p.m
Do you require an interview for the PMBA Program?
Interviews are not required but are conducted at the discretion of the Admissions Committee, and on an invitation-only basis. If, after you have filed an application and it has been reviewed by the Admissions Committee, an interview is deemed necessary, you will be contacted by the MBA Programs office.
I would like to find out if the Olin School of Business has a "Preview night." I recently attended a preview night only to find out it was for University College. Since I am interested in the PMBA Program, I was referred to Olin. I would like to sit down with a counselor or someone who can give me help and direction. I am just more comfortable with face-to-face answers vs just reading the brochures or looking at the web. Please advise if I can set up a meeting with someone at Olin regards the PMBA Program.
We hold Information Sessions once a month. Please check our web site for the next available date. We also encourage you to visit and talk with one of our admissions counselors. You might like to visit a class as well. This can all be arranged by contacting our office and choosing a convenient time.
Who should write my letter of recommendations?
Your current supervisor is the best person to write one of your letters of recommendation. The other can be from a person of your choosing, preferably from within your work environment.
What is the deadline for submitting my application?
Please check our deadlines. After the final round, applications for the PMBA class are accepted on a rolling admissions basis.
Can I only take one class per semester?
After the completion of the core, you may opt to take only one course (three credits) per semester. You have seven years to complete your degree.
Can I complete the program in less than three years?
The PMBA program is designed for students to take classes two nights a week for three years. However, many students choose to accelerate their studies by taking classes more than twice per week, thus finishing in less than three years.
Where can I take the GMAT?
Visit www.mba.com, or if you are local to St. Louis, testing can be arranged through Prometric Testing at 636-394-7742. Starting January 1, 2006, the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) introduced new program-specific institution codes for prospective applicants to use.
- R4T-WG-91 for the part-time Professional MBA program (PMBA)
- R4T-WG-61 for the full-time MBA program
Do you require specific undergraduate classes?
No specific undergraduate courses are required. We just require a four-year undergraduate degree.
Is your PMBA program AACSB accredited?
All of our business degree programs at the Olin School are accredited by the AACSB.
How many credits can transfer from another university?
Up to nine credits can be transferred with the approval of appropriate faculty members. The credits have to be earned from an AACSB accredited university masters program. If you are interested in transfer credit, please make an appointment with your advisor after you are admitted to the program.
What is the average amount of work experience your students have?
Our PMBA students average 5-6 years of work experience.
I was denied admission last year. Can I re-apply and do I need to fill out another application?
Yes, you may re-apply. Any student who has applied to the MBA Program within the last two years/admissions cycles is considered a reapplicant. All reapplicants must submit a new online application but are subject to the stipulations outlined in our reapplication procedures.
Can I begin part-time and then transfer to full-time?
Although such a switch is rare, it is possible under certain circumstances. If during the course of study, you are in a situation to transfer to the full-time program, please see your advisor to discuss special arrangements. You will need to complete your core curriculum before such a switch can occur.
I know with the EMBA Program the GMAT is waived; does this ever happen for the PMBA Program?
The GMAT score is a requirement for admission by all PMBA applicants.
Tuition
What is the cost per credit hour?
For the 2007-2008 school year (summer through spring) the cost is $1150 per credit hour.
Why does Olin not accept tuition payments from credit cards? Since many employers don't reimburse students until after the semester, this is a GREAT hurdle to climb for a student.
We do not accept credit card payments due to the cost of the fees charged by the credit card companies. Although we could pass along those fees to the student, we have chosen not to do that--instead, we help students with their financing needs by offering loans or payment plans at much more favorable interest rates.
Does the cost go up each year and by how much?
On average the tuition rate is increased by six to seven percent each year. The cost increases annually each summer.
Financial Aid
What type of financial aid is available for PMBA students?
You may apply for loans to pay for education related expenses including tuition, books, course materials, and computer-based hardware and software. For personal financial aid counseling, contact Kyle Cronan at 314-935-6610 or cronan@olin.wustl.edu.
Program Structure and Resources
What times are classes held?
Classes are held Monday - Thursday in the evenings from 6:15 - 9:15 p.m. Most students are in class two evenings per week.
What is the grading structure like? Is it pass/fail or A-F?
We operate on a modified pass/fail system (HP, P, LP, NP) in both the full-time MBA and the PMBA programs.
How many students are in a study group?
Typical group sizes range from 4-5 students per group.
I am extremely interested in your PMBA program, but I wanted to ask about the curriculum. I am very interested in Wash U's entrepreneurship programs, and I was wondering if it was possible for a PMBA to participate in the SEP program, the Olin Cup, and to enroll in the entreprenuerial concentration track that you provide?
PMBA students are allowed to participate in the Skandalaris Entrepreneurship Program and the Olin Cup competition. Following the entrepreneurial concentration is also possible, but a bit difficult since many of the classes are held during the day. If your company allows flexible work hours, it would be more of a possibility.
How many classes can be missed during a semester? The question arises due the the occasional business trips that I am required to take.
Typically, missing one class shouldn't create a problem. However, it is always important to discuss this with the professor in advance of the business trip.
After completion of the Professional MBA, will I have the same MBA as the full time MBA program?
Yes. The degree is an Olin MBA degree, regardless of whether it's taken part-time or full-time.
Do you offer classes via the Internet?
No.
Do you offer joint degree programs with your other Professional degrees (ex, MBA/MIM)?
Although we do not have official joint degree programs for students in the professional MBA program, several students choose to complete two degrees while at Washington University. The MIM or MEM are very popular choices.
I have noticed that the MHA (Masters of Health Administration) degree has been discontinued. Is the MBA a good alternative and does WUStL offer an emphasis in Healthcare Administration?
An MBA is certainly valuable in most management positions. We offer several health related courses currently and are anticipating adding more in the future.
I have recently relocated to St. Louis. I was a part-time graduate student at another university, before my transfer. I have less than 50% of my coursework remaining. Is there any possibility of 100% of my coursework to transfer to your program?
Only nine hours of course work are eligible to be transferred from another AACSB accredited MBA program.
It seems from the info on this site that students typically take 2 courses (6 credits) per semester. The core course listing lists every course as 1.5 credit hours. How can a student take 2 1.5-credit courses and still take 6 hours per semester?
Our MBA program is on a mini-semester system. PMBA students typically take two 1.5 credit hour courses each mini-semester, or four 1.5 credit hour courses each semester.
Do you offer an MBA in Finance or Accounting?
Our MBA is a general MBA. You can take electives in specific subject areas, but you will receive a general Master of Business Administration degree. We do have, however, a program leading to a Master of Science in Finance and one leading to a Masters of Accounting.
How much time is required out of class for the PMBA program?
On average, you will spend 6 - 9 hours per week.
How does Olin's PMBA program differ from the EMBA (Executive MBA) program?
EMBA requires seven years of managerial or professional work experience. Your company must also sponsor you in the EMBA Program. The two programs are also presented in a different format. For more information on the EMBA Program, please visit the EMBA web site.
I am currently a master's student at another university. I would like to take some MBA classes at WU.
Classes can be taken on a space available basis as long as you meet all of the prerequisites and are currently enrolled at another AACSB accredited MBA program.
Is a laptop computer required for the PMBA program?
No.
I currently have an undergraduate business degree and my MBA-with a focus in finance. I am looking into getting a better educational background in accounting to compliment my skills. Do you have a program that would allow for this? In other words, would it be possible for me to just take the accounting curriculum and no other classes seeing as I have taken the elective courses in my MBA program?
We have the option for individuals who already have an MBA to apply as an SNCD (Student Not Candidate for Degree) student. An SNCD student must either (1) hold an MBA from another program accredited by the AACSB and wish to take a specific course or courses to strengthen their skills in their current professional position, or (2) be currently near completion of an MBA at another AACSB accredited school and have transferred to St. Louis. Please contact our office for further details about this program.
I am interested in seeing what courses you have available each semester and when they are taught. Is there a web site for this?
Each semester we update our course schedule at http://www.olin.wustl.edu/courses/. Be sure to check both PMBA Required Courses and PMBA Elective Courses for a complete listing.
