PROF:MBA - Professional Master of Business Administration

Admissions Requirements for the Professional Master of Business Administration (MBA)

The Professional Master of Business Administration (PMBA) program considers students’ work experience, industry knowledge, management skills and undergraduate education as strengths in candidate’s qualifying portfolio. Candidate’s professional maturity, and managerial experience are highly considered in the admission selection process because the PMBA program at FIU fosters students’ ability to contribute real-world experiences to add value to the overall student learning in this competitive degree program.

To be eligible for admission to the PMBA program in the Chapman Graduate School of Business, applicants must:

(1) Hold a bachelor degree or equivalent from either a U.S. accredited college or university or the equivalent degree from institutions outside the U.S.; Students coming from programs where the primary degree is at the master level or higher will meet this requirement;

(2) Show high promise of success in graduate studies as determined by the faculty based upon academic performance, work experience or a combination of academic and work experience.

(3) Evidence a minimum score of 500 on the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or similar Graduate Record Exam (GRE) score. A GMAT waiver at the discretion of the academic director is available for:

(a) Applicants with two years of demonstrative work experience and success in completing other academic programs;

(b) Applicants who have an undergraduate business or related degree (economics, hospitality management, etc.) with an upper division grade point average (GPA) of 3.25;

(c) Applicants without a business or related degree having an upper division GPA of 3.35;

(d) If the applicant has already completed a graduate degree from an accredited university with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0, or is entering a business master's program under a special agreement for admissions with specific foreign and domestic universities;

(4) Should, in general, have a minimum upper division grade point average (GPA) of 3.0. An applicant with substantial work experience and industry/work related recommendations will be evaluated based on academic qualifications, work experience, and performance;

(5) Provide a resume describing current and past responsibilities, leadership and management experience highlights and, if any, demonstrated accomplishments in the application of quantitative and analytical skills;

(6) Provide a statement of purpose (short essay) describing how the program fits within your personal and career goals. The essay will be evaluated for applicants’ effective and succinct writing skills;

(7) When the applicant's studies were completed in non-English speaking countries, demonstrate proficiency of the English language by presenting a minimum score of 80 on the iBT TOEFL (equivalent to 550 on the paper based version or 213 on the computer based version of the test of English as a Foreign Language) or 6.5 overall on the International English Language Testing System (IETLS) or by other university level English proficiency standards as they are approved.

Applicants are encouraged to provide any additional documentation to strengthen their application portfolio. Examples of documentation include: master degree in any discipline other than an MBA, law degree, professional certifications (i.e. CPA, CFA, SHRM, etc.), GMAT or GRE scores, specialized leadership experience or training documentation that the applicant is part of a “fast track” or “high potential” management group at their organization, or any other similar evidence including letters of reference and recommendations.

 Admissions at the graduate level are competitive and meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.  For additional information about this value-added program, please contact the PMBA office at (305) 779-7897 or email pmba@fiu.edu  

Admissions Requirements for the Professional MBA in Healthcare Policy and Management

To be eligible for admission to the Professional MBA/HPM Program in the Chapman Graduate School, students must:

(1) Hold a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university;

(2) Have a minimum upper division grade point average (GPA) of 3.0;

(3) Demonstrate at least two years of professional work experience;

(4) Graduate student applicants whose studies were completed outside of the US must demonstrate proficiency of the English language by presenting a minimum score of 80 on the iBT TOEFL (equivalent to 550 on the paper-based version) or 6.5 overall on the International English Language Testing System (IETLS);

(5) Provide two letters of recommendation from professional contacts;

(6) Provide a personal statement on the motivation to attend the program, including personal and career goals;

(7) Be in good standing with all previously-attended colleges and universities.

Admissions at the graduate level are competitive and meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. For more information about this program, please contact the Healthcare MBA office at (305) 779-7900 or visit http://healthcaremba.fiu.edu.

Other Curricular Offering: Professional MBA and JD Joint Degree Pathway

Under the joint degree pathway, a student can obtain both degrees in significantly less time than it would take to obtain both degrees if pursued consecutively. Essential criteria relating to the joint degree pathway are as follows: 

(1) For law students, enrollment in the MBA program is required no later than the completion of 63 credit hours in the JD program. For MBA students, enrollment in the JD program is required no later than the third semester after beginning the MBA program.  For purposes of this paragraph, a summer session is counted as half a semester.

(2) A student must satisfy the curriculum requirements for each degree before either degree is awarded. The College of Business will allow 12 credit hours of upper level business and commercial law courses to be credited toward both the MBA and JD degrees. These 12 credit hours of law classes will be in lieu of the Legal Environment of Business course (3 credit hours) and three of the elective courses (totaling 9 credit hours) required for the MBA degree. A student may obtain a concentration in the MBA program in accordance with the College of Business curriculum requirements for concentrations. Reciprocally, law students may receive 9 hours of credit toward the satisfaction of the JD degree for courses taken in the MBA curriculum upon completion of the MBA degree with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.

(3) A student enrolled in the joint degree pathway may begin the student’s studies in either college, but full-time law students must take the first two semesters of law study consecutively and part-time law students must take the first three semesters of law study consecutively. Students admitted to one college but electing to begin study in the other college under the joint degree pathway may enter the second college thereafter without once again qualifying for admission so long as they have notified the second college before the end of the first week of the first semester in the second college and are in good academic standing when studies commence in the second college.

(4) A student enrolled in the joint degree pathway will not receive either degree until the student has satisfied all of the requirements for both degrees, or until the student has satisfied the requirements of one of the degrees as if the student had not been a joint degree pathway candidate.

(5) Students in the joint degree pathway will be eligible for the graduate teaching assistantships and research assistantships in the College of Business on the same basis as other MBA students, subject to the guidelines and restrictions set by the College of Business.

For additional information, contact the Chapman Graduate School of Business at (305) 348-0148 or the Law School Admissions Office at (305) 348-8006.

Admissions Requirements for the Professional MBA and Juris Doctor (JD) Joint Degree Pathway

(1) Candidates for the pathway must meet the entrance requirements for and be accepted by both colleges. The College of Business may accept LSAT scores in lieu of GMAT or GRE scores for candidates from the College of Law as part of the admission requirement in the MBA. Both colleges must be informed by the student at the time of application to the second program that the student intends to pursue the joint degree.

(2) The joint degree pathway is not open to students who have already earned one degree.

Other Curricular Offering: Professional MBA and MA in Latin American and Caribbean Studies Joint Degree Pathway

An agreement approved by the University Graduate School, between the FIU Alvah H. Chapman, Jr. Graduate School of Business and the Steven J. Green School of International and Public Affairs allows students to pursue simultaneously the Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) and MALACS. In doing so the student will finish both programs much sooner than if they pursue each degree separately. Students must meet the entrance requirements for both the MBA and MALACS programs. Twelve credits from the MBA curriculum will be allowed toward the MALACS program and will constitute a MALACS concentration in International Business. Nine credits from the MALACS program will also count toward the MBA curriculum requirements. All other requirements to receive either the MBA or MALACS degree must be met. Additional information on the joint degree pathway is available on the Chapman Graduate School of Business and MALACS web sites.

Essential criteria relating to the joint degree pathway are as follows:

(1) Candidates must satisfy all requirements for each degree. Twelve (12) credit hours from the MBA curriculum pre-core and core requirements may count toward the MALACS degree to satisfy MALACS concentration requirements. Nine (9) credit hours from the MALACS course offerings may be applied to satisfy MBA elective requirements. All courses transferred between degrees must be completed with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher. MALACS courses transferred to meet MBA elective credit must be 6000 or 7000 level courses approved by the University Curriculum Committee and be from the approved MALACS course list in the social science disciplines of anthropology, economics, environmental studies, history, international relations, Latin American and Caribbean Studies (interdisciplinary), political science, or sociology. The Dean of the Chapman Graduate School of Business (or his/her delegate) has final authority on the approval of which courses may be transferred to meet MBA elective requirements.

(2) Based on existing MBA and MALACS curriculums, specifics on the transfer of credits include the following. Participants in the joint degree pathway will obtain a MALACS concentration in International Business. Four MBA pre-core or core courses (12 credits) may be transferred to meet the student’s MALACS concentration requirements. Students who have not taken MAN 6910 Research Methods in Management as an MBA elective course will be required to take a MALACS-approved social science research methods course as one of their first MALACS courses. With the 12 credit transfer from the MBA program, to obtain the MALACS degree, the student will be required to take the MALACS gateway interdisciplinary course LAS 6003 Survey of Latin America and the Caribbean (3 credits), the MALACS required data analysis course LAS 6930 Latin American and Caribbean Data Analysis (3 credits), one additional course in the MALACS concentration of International Business (the social science research methods course may meet this requirement) (3 credits), three additional courses in at least two MALACS concentrations other than International Business (9 credits), and a MALACS graduation exit option (6 credits) for a total of 24 MALACS credits. Candidates for the MALACS degree must also meet MALACS language proficiency requirements. With the 9 credit transfer from the MALACS program, to obtain the MBA degree, the student will be required to take all MBA pre-core, core, and professional development seminar courses, plus one MBA elective, for a total of 46 MBA credits. Directors of the MBA and MALACS degree programs may adjust the exact course numbers and titles required for degree completion as a result of future changes to the MBA or MALACS curriculums.

(3) If the joint degree candidate chooses the thesis exit option for the MALACS degree, the thesis must address a Latin American or Caribbean business or management issue. The thesis committee must be chaired by a School of International and Public Affairs faculty member. Furthermore, the thesis committee must have at least one member from both the College of Business and School of International and Public Affairs. Thesis committee co-chairs with faculty members from both academic units are recommended. Candidates selecting a MALACS exit option other than the thesis must follow the procedures established by the MALACS program. MALACS will establish the necessary thesis, internship, independent study, or directed research course numbers to allow Graduate School of Business faculty to participate in MALACS exit options for joint degree students.

(4) Candidates accepted to the joint degree pathway may begin their studies in either program first. All candidates must register for classes during the regular registration period for the respective program. Additionally, joint degree pathway students must register for a course or courses in their second degree no later than the semester commencing the second half of their first degree program.

(5) Joint degree candidates will not receive either degree until all requirements for both programs have been satisfied. Students deciding against completing a second degree must satisfy all first degree program requirements as if the student had never been a joint degree candidate. Subject to prior approval, graduate students are normally allowed six (6) credit hours from graduate level courses offered by other units of the University as counting toward single degrees.

(6) Candidates in the joint degree pathway will be eligible for the graduate teaching assistantships, graduate research assistantships, and scholarships in the Chapman Graduate School of Business and LACC on the same basis as other graduate students, subject to the guidelines and restrictions set by either program.

(7) Future changes to the MBA/MALACS joint degree pathway must be endorsed by the College of Business Faculty Curriculum Committee and Associate Dean of the Chapman Graduate School of Business; the School of International and Public Affairs Faculty Curriculum Committee and Dean of the School of International and Public Affairs; and approved by the University Curriculum Committee, Graduate Council, the Faculty Senate, Dean of the University Graduate School, and the Provost.

For additional information, contact the Evening MBA office at (305) 348-0148 or the Latin American and Caribbean Center (LACC) at (305) 348-2894.

Admissions Requirements for the Professional MBA and Master of Arts (MA) in Latin American and Caribbean Studies Joint Degree Pathway

(1) Candidates to the joint degree pathway must meet the entrance requirements established by each individual program.

(2) Applications for a joint degree will not be accepted from candidates who have already completed either degree. Business Administration students must apply and be admitted by no later than the semester in which they are expected to complete 18 pre-core and core credit hours in the MBA program. MALACS students must apply and be admitted by no later than the semester in which they are expected to complete 18 credit hours in that program.

Admissions Requirements for the Professional MBA and Master of International Business (MIB) Joint Degree Pathway

(1) Candidates to the joint degree pathway must meet the entrance requirements established by each individual program. Candidates must indicate on the application their intention to pursue the joint degree option. Candidates deciding to pursue the joint degree pathway after having been admitted to one program will indicate this intention only on their second application.

(2) Applications for a joint degree pathway will not be accepted from candidates who have already completed either degree. MBA or MIB students must apply and be admitted no later than the second to last semester in which they are expected to complete their original degree requirements.

Admissions Requirements for the Professional MBA and Master of Science (MS) in Human Resource Management Joint Degree Pathway

(1) Candidates to the joint degree pathway must meet the entrance requirements established by each individual program. Candidates must submit applications to both programs and notify each Program Manager of desire to pursue the joint degree. Candidates deciding to pursue the joint degree option after having been admitted to one program, must submit a second application to the other program and notify each Program Manager of desire to pursue the joint degree pathway option

(2) Applications to the joint degree pathway will not be accepted from candidates who have already completed either degree. MBA or MSHRM students must apply and be admitted no later than the second to last semester in which they are expected to complete their original degree requirements.

Admissions Requirements for the Professional MBA and MS in Information Systems Joint Degree Pathway

(1) Candidates to the joint degree pathway must meet the entrance requirements established by each individual program. Candidates must indicate on the application their intention to pursue the joint degree pathway. Candidates deciding to pursue the joint degree pathway after having been admitted to one program will indicate this intention only on their second application.

(2) Applications for the joint degree pathway will not be accepted from candidates who have already completed either degree. MBA or MSIS students must apply and be admitted no later than the second to last semester in which they are expected to complete their original degree requirements.

Admissions Requirements for the Professional MBA in Healthcare Policy and Management and Doctor of Medicine (MD) Joint Degree Pathway

HWCOM Medical students in their third year of medical study may apply to the MBA program. Each college (College of Medicine and College of Business) will independently review and admit applicants to their programs. Only students admitted to both programs will enroll in classes in the joint program.

Students will apply for the combined MD/MBA pathway in the following manner: Medical students in the summer or fall of their third year (prior to November first) must be in good academic standing and must get approval from the Medical Student Evaluation and Promotions Committee (MSEPC), the Office of Student Affairs (OSA), and the Office of Academic Affairs (OAA), in order to apply for admission to the MBA program. Applications will be reviewed by the MBA program admission committee. Applicants to the joint MD/MBA pathway will not be required to submit standardized test scores; they must have a minimum GPA of 3.0. However, they are required to have completed two years of experience, which includes volunteering, any internships or clerkships, and any full or part-time employment. All medical students interested in this program should already have at least two years of experience to satisfy this requirement.

Admissions Requirements for the Professional MBA in Healthcare Policy and Management and MS in Health Informatics and Analytics Joint Degree Pathway

(1) Candidates to the joint degree pathway must meet the entrance requirements established by each individual program. Candidates must indicate on the application their intention to pursue the joint degree pathway.

(2) Applications for a joint degree pathway will not be accepted from candidates who have already completed either degree. MBA in Healthcare Management or MSHIA students must apply and be admitted no later than the second to last semester in which they are expected to complete their original degree requirements.

Transfer Credits

A student may receive permission to transfer up to a maximum of nine semester hours of graduate credit towards a Master of Science degree program or twelve semester hours of credit for a Master of Business Administration degree program, if:

(1) The courses were taken at the graduate level at an accredited college or university;

(2) The courses were not introductory or survey in nature;

(3) The student earned grades of “B” or higher in the courses;

(4) The courses are judged by the Department Chair, College Dean, Graduate School Dean, and program manager to be relevant to the student’s graduate program;

(5) The credits were completed within six years immediately preceding the College’s awarding of the degree. Credits are not transferable until the student has earned 15 semester hours in a Chapman School graduate degree program.

College Policies

To be eligible for a Master’s degree, a student must:

(1) Satisfy all University requirements for a Master’s degree;

(2) Satisfy required prerequisites;

(3) Complete the required courses in the specific graduate program in which he/she is enrolled.

(4) Earn a minimum average of “B” (3.0) in all approved courses in the student’s approved course of graduate study.

No courses in which a graduate student earns a grade below “C” may be counted towards any Master’s degree program in the Chapman School. However, all approved undergraduate and graduate course work a graduate student takes will be counted in computing his or her grade point average, including courses in which he or she has earned a “D” or “F” grade.

Faculty have the discretion to administratively drop students who do not attend the first class of a course.

There are no majors associated with this program.