Frequently Asked Questions

If you are looking for an AACSB-accredited, high-quality MBA program that’s offered in a hybrid, flexible format to meet your schedule needs – and you live within the Northern Virginia, Greater Washington, D.C., West Virginia region and beyond – this program is right for you. It can be completed in 12 to 18 months at a competitive cost compared to other MBA programs offered throughout the region.

All MBA elective courses are taught in 8-week sessions using a live synchronous format. The foundation courses are all taught asynchronously. The 4 academic modules are taught using a hybrid format. This means that some content is delivered asynchronously. There are live synchronous sessions every 2 weeks and a face-to-face weekend experience at the end of each module. The weekend experience will start on Friday afternoon/evening and end on Saturday afternoon.

Yes. The program is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International). It is also regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).

Full-time students who do not need prerequisite courses typically finish the core academic modules (24 credits) and electives (12 credits) in three semesters (fall, spring, and summer). However, applicants who have not taken the required prerequisite courses (12 credits), are required to do so before starting the MBA program. These are offered via the university’s online Business Essentials Certificate, which will extend the time to complete by another two semesters. Students may choose the number of courses to take each semester depending on work and/or travel schedules and how soon the student wishes to complete the MBA. For example, a student may choose to take courses in the fall and spring semesters only. It is also possible to mix evening and weekend courses to best accommodate personal schedules. Once admitted to the program, students will work with an MBA adviser to plan a course sequence and re-plan in the following semesters as necessary.

View the current Graduate Tuition & Fees.

Yes, MBA students can apply for financial aid. You can contact the Office of Financial Aid for detailed information (Phone: 540-665-4538 or 800-432-2266, Email: finaid@su.edu).

Yes, the School of Business offers both full and half-graduate assistantships. These are only available for the Fall and Spring semesters. A full assistantship requires 20 hours of work per week and covers full tuition (9 credit hours). These positions require an in-person commitment. Similarly, a half assistantship requires 10 hours of work per week and covers half of the tuition (4.5 credit hours). There is also a stipend paid to graduate assistants over the semester.  

Application for graduate assistantships

Yes, you can take up to 15 credits as a visiting student. Register as a visiting or non-degree seeking student.

Yes, you can apply online. For general application FAQs, please visit this page.

Yes, we admit students for fall, spring, and summer semesters.  Please note: The MBA Essentials Certificate, for MBA applicants without a business background is only offered online..

Yes. Please check the application page for the latest deadlines.

To be considered for admission, candidates must have completed a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution. In addition, the following are required:

• Shenandoah University graduate application and the $30 application fee.
• Transcript(s) from ALL post-secondary schools where applicants earned (or will earn) a degree or took courses that relate to the graduate area of study. Unofficial transcripts can be submitted for initial admission and official transcripts will be required upon enrollment.
• Course-by-course academic evaluation of any non-US transcripts.
• A letter of intent statement of no more than one page describing your aspirations, career goals and reasons for wanting to pursue an MBA.
• Resume
• Official English language proficiency test scores if necessary. See our full policy for more details.

No, the GMAT is not a requirement for admission to the School of Business.

Application documents should be uploaded to your online application. Graduate Admissions accepts official electronic or mailed transcripts: adprocessing@su.edu OR

Shenandoah University
Office of Graduate Admissions
1460 University Drive
Winchester, VA 22601

Proof of English Language Proficiency. See our full policy for details.

• Proof of English Language Proficiency. See our full policy for details.
• Course-by-course credential evaluation of transcripts.  Any of the services listed on the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services  (www.naces.org) or Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (https://aice-eval.org) website.
• International applicants may also require an interview with the program director.

Residency alone does not waive the English proficiency requirement. If you have successfully completed a degree with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher at a post-secondary educational institution in a country on our approved list, then you do not have to submit a test score.

Yes, we conditionally accept international applicants who do not meet the English proficiency requirement but are otherwise well qualified. They then can fulfill the language requirement by either successfully completing an approved ESL program or by retaking an approved test and obtaining a passing score before matriculating into the MBA program as a full-time student. Please note that you must submit a score in order to be considered for conditional admission.

No. All of the documents mentioned must be received in the Office of Admissions before your application can be reviewed for eligibility. Please note that submission of all documents does not guarantee an automatic “conditional admission.” The MBA Admission Committee will give full consideration to your entire application packet, but admission to the program is competitive.

Yes. When your complete application is received, the MBA program director evaluates it and determines your eligibility. In some cases, a virtual interview with the MBA Admissions Committee is requested.

Yes. We have students with various undergraduate degrees ranging from biology to electrical engineering in our program. However, applicants who have not taken the required prerequisite courses (15 credits), are required to do so before starting the MBA program. These are offered via the university’s Business Essentials Certificate, which will extend the time to complete by another two semesters.

Maybe. The MBA program at Shenandoah University School of Business is team-taught with specific skills-based modules rather than academic discipline courses. Transfer courses are determined only after admission to the MBA program through review of your official transcripts by program faculty and the Office of Advising (advising@su.edu).

MBA Essentials is a certificate program designed for working professionals with a non-business background and desire to advance in management but who do not have time to commit to the MBA program at this time. The certificate program gives you the foundation for MBA and introduces you to various business sub-disciplines via a case-study-based capstone course. The 12 credits you complete in the certificate program will count towards the MBA should you decide to continue. Application to the MBA program will be required upon completion of the certificate.

Typically 1-2 semesters. This can be shorter or longer depending on the individual.

Yes, the same materials that are required for application to the MBA program are required for application to the MBA Essentials Certificate program.

Fall classes begin in late August, Spring classes in early January, and Summer classes in early May. For exact dates, see the academic calendar.