Admission to the M.S. in Human Resource Management (MS HRMA) program is based upon the completion of the general admission requirements of the Graduate School. For MS HRMA program admission a score on the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) and record of undergraduate academic performance are required. Applicants whose native language in not English must demonstrate a sufficient level of skill with the English language to assure success in graduate studies. Applicants must submit a score of at least 550 on the paper-based TOEFL, a score of at least 213 on the computer-based TOEFL , a minimum score of 40 on the TSE, a minimum score of 6.5 on the IELTS, or a minimum TOEFL iBT total score of 79 with sectional scores that meet or exceed 22 for the writing section, 21 for the speaking section, 20 for the reading section, and 16 for the listening section to meet this requirement.  International applicants that score below minimum acceptable levels on the verbal portion of entrance examinations may be admitted with acceptable demonstration of English proficiency. Applicants are encouraged to submit with their application a resume that highlights professional and personal accomplishments, linguistic abilities, computer expertise and leadership experience. Applicants with two to five years of experience are preferred. A single standardized test score (GMAT) will not be used as the sole criterion for denying an applicant’s admission to the MS HRMA program. Similarly, scores in English and quantitative skills that fall below acceptable levels on a single standardized test (e.g. TOEFL) will be viewed in conjunction with other demonstrated skills in these areas.

Specifically, multiple criteria are used to make admission decisions. Quantitative measures include an applicant’s GMAT score, GMAT Verbal percentile, GMAT Quantitative percentile, and grade point average as calculated by the Graduate School. These measures are integrated into a formula, or index, that multiplies the grade point average by 200 and adds the total GMAT score. Index factors are weighed equally at the outset of applicant evaluation. A graduate grade point average is used in the index when it is 3.0 or above and is based on at least 24 semester hours.

Along with grade point average and GMAT total score, admission criteria include the following:

1. GMAT sub scores (verbal and quantitative)

2. GMAT writing sample

3. Grades in specified undergraduate business and non-business courses (math, accounting, economics, statistics, for example)

4. Educational objectives and quality of written expression of the application essay

5. Letters of recommendation from three persons familiar with the applicant’s academic background and/or work experience

6. Undergraduate major

7. General and specific program accreditation status of degree granting institution

8. Professional work experience

9. Professional certification or licensure

Unconditional Admission

For unconditional admission, the applicant’s composite total from the index must be 1080 or higher and items 1 through 5 above should strongly indicate potential for successful academic performance as a graduate information systems student. If an applicant falls below the GMAT Verbal percentile of 30% and/or the GMAT Quantitative percentile of 30%, corroborating evidence of proficiency in that skill will be reviewed.

Students who are unconditionally admitted have a minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.00 as calculated by the Graduate School (or 3.00 at the graduate level), and enroll for a minimum of six semester credit hours will be eligible for available fellowship and/or scholarship support. A standardized test score (GMAT) will not be used as the sole criterion for determining fellowship and/or scholarship eligibility.

Probationary Admission

For an applicant with an index score below 1080, probationary admission may be available when at least three items of 1 through 5 above strongly indicate potential for successful academic performance as a graduate information systems student. Items 6 through 9 will also be used to identify positive indicators for admission. Students who are admitted on probation will have one or more conditions specified, such as no grade less than ‘B’ for the first 12 hours of graduate study.

Provisional, Deferred and Denied Admission

A provisional decision to admit may be granted when the applicant meets criteria for unconditional or probationary status but one or more applicant credentials are incomplete. A deferred decision may be made when an applicant’s file is not sufficiently complete to make an admit or deny decision.

For an applicant with an index score less than 1080 and other evidence indicates lack of potential for academic success as a graduate human resource management student, admission will likely be denied. However, all applicant data will be carefully reviewed before an admission denial is made.