Frequently Asked Questions

The Providence College School of Business is pleased that you are interested in learning more about PC’s Graduate Business Programs! We encourage you to attend an information session or reach out via email to set up an advising consultation if you have any further questions after reviewing this information.

Admission

Do I need to be an undergraduate business major or have a bachelor’s degree in business to apply to the PC MBA or M.S. in Business Analytics (MSBA)?

Applicants who have a bachelor’s degree in any discipline are encouraged to apply to either the PC MBA or MSBA Program.  However, there are other prerequisites you will need to complete as part of the MBA or MSBA degree. Please see the prerequisites tab on the MBA curriculum page or on the MSBA curriculum page for details.

Do the PC Business Graduate Programs offer full-time spring admission?

Applicants to the MBA Part-Time and Full-Time programs can apply for a fall, spring, or summer semester start. Please see the Admissions page for more details.

How long does it take for the PCSB Graduate Business Programs to make admission decisions?

The admission review process generally takes four to six weeks from the date the application is complete. 4 + 1, Accounting Cohort and international students have formal administrative dates, which can be found on the Admissions page. 

How long does it take to complete a PC graduate business program ?

Completion times depend on which program you choose, how many classes you take each semester, if you take accelerated classes, and how many prerequisites your previous education satisfies. We recommend you attend an information session or speak to an advisor about your specific circumstances.

Generally, the 4+1 MBA Program and the Accounting Cohort program take 12-15 months to complete; the Full-Time MBA program takes one to two years to complete; the Part-Time MBA Program will take 2+ years to finish.

The Full-Time M.S. in Business Analytics (MSBA) program is completed in one year and the Part-Time MSBA program is completed in two years.

The MBA curriculum page and the MSBA curriculum page have additional information, including sample program plans. 

How do I apply for graduate assistantships?

You may apply for graduate assistantships through Handshake. We recommend checking Handshake frequently and starting the assistantship process as soon as possible.

I applied for admission in a previous year and was denied. How would I reapply?

The PCSB Graduate Programs Office keeps application materials for only one year. Students interested in reapplying should contact the PCSB Graduate Programs Office to discuss their application and determine what admission materials are still on file and what they need or want to add.

Are admission interviews required?

In some cases, the PCSB Graduate Business Program Offices will contact the applicant and request an interview.

Am I required to take the GMAT or GRE?

The GMAT or GRE are required application to the PC MBA programs. Waiver criteria are listed here. If the student believes they qualify for a waiver, a GMAT/GRE Waiver Request Form should be submitted to the Graduate Business Programs Office.

MSBA part-time and full-time program applicants are not required to take the GMAT or GRE exam. 

How do I prepare for the GMAT or GRE?

There are many resources to help with GMAT preparation. For the GMAT, applicants should start by visiting mba.com. For the GRE, students should visit ETS. The PC Office of Academic Studies (OAS) also offers GRE prep courses for PC students. Please check the OAS website for updated information. In addition, many college campuses and private companies offer GMAT and GRE prep courses.

Where do I register for the GMAT or GRE?

You can register for the GMAT at mba.com. You can register for the GRE at the ETS website.

What is the minimum GMAT or GRE score?

There is no minimum GMAT or GRE score. Applications are reviewed holistically, which means we will consider all portions including the scores, the GPA, recommendations, and the personal statement. The GMAT/GRE is only required when applying to the MBA program.

I’ve taken the GMAT or GRE more than once — what score will the committee use?

For MBA Programs that require the GMAT/GRE, graduate admissions officers will review all of your GMAT or GRE scores available on the report, as well as all sub-scores.

I need to have my score report sent to PC. What is your school code?

The Providence College school code is 3406.

Graduate Business Programs

MBA students attend an on-campus lecture following their global excursion to Paris, France.
How do I determine if I am a 4 + 1, accounting cohort, full-time, or part-time MBA student?

To determine your specific program, read the programs page or contact the MBA Office.

4 + 1 Students: The 4 + 1 MBA Program is specifically designed for Providence College undergraduate business majors and business studies minors to obtain their MBA in approximately one year after graduation.

Accounting Cohort: Designed for students who hold an accounting degree and are looking to sit for the CPA. Accounting Cohort MBA core courses are accounting-focused.

Full-Time Students: The PC Full-Time MBA Program is designed for graduates from any college and any major to pursue their MBA as full-time students.

Part-Time Students: The PC Part-Time MBA Program is designed for working professionals and graduates from any college and any major who need flexibility in pursuing their MBA.

Are there any additional fees after being accepted into a PC graduate business program?

There is a non-refundable $250.00 enrollment fee that must be paid to complete official acceptance into a PC graduate business program. This deposit saves your spot in the program. At the time of graduation, students will pay an additional, separate graduation fee.

What happens after being accepted into the program?

Please refer to the Accepted Graduate Students site.

When do I register for classes?

Students should complete an individualized program of study after being admitted, and work with an advisor. The advisor can assist the student with registering once classes are selected.

When do classes start?

Please refer to the Graduate Academic Calendar for semester and term dates.

How do I find the class schedule and register for classes?

Courses are listed in CyberFriar, which is the PC registration system for students. Login information is mailed to students one to two weeks after the Letter of Intent and deposit are received. Course schedules are also emailed to students one term in advance of registration.

How many classes do I take a term?

Part-time students take 1-2 courses per semester. Full-time students take 3-4 courses per semester. 4+1 and Accounting Cohort students take 4 courses per semester. Students may take 1-2 courses in winter session.

M.S. in Business Analytics students can view their course sequence on the MSBA curriculum page.

How many courses do I need to take?

All MBA students must complete twelve MBA-level courses and MSBA students must complete ten. Pre-requisite courses may be required in addition, depending on the student’s academic background. Please refer to the MBA Curriculum page and MSBA Curriculum page for more information.

When are classes offered? Are there evening classes?

In fall and spring, courses typically meet one evening a week, 7:00-9:30 p.m. or 4:00-6:30 p.m. for fifteen weeks. There are two summer sessions, Summer I and II, during which courses are typically two days a week for five weeks from 6:30 pm to 10:00 pm. Winter courses and other accelerated courses may run all day, weekends, and sometimes evenings, such as three weekends, 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Students can view class meeting dates and times on CyberFriar.

How do I transfer credit for a prerequisite?

The MBA Office will determine which prerequisites have or have not been fulfilled after reviewing the student’s transcript(s) and application. A student may request that their prerequisites be reviewed again, but the office may request syllabi for the courses for a second review. Students who need to fulfill a prerequisite course should gain approval for the course before taking it to be certain it will transfer. The student should send a description and syllabus for the Business Graduate Programs Office to review.

Students may complete pre-requisites while they are enrolled in the PC MBA Program.

M.S. in Business Analytics students must have statistics from their undergraduate years or take this course prior to beginning the MSBA program.

Do the PC Graduate Business Programs require work experience?

The MBA Program requires work experience. However, applicants with limited work experience are encouraged to apply as there are multiple ways to meet this requirement. Additional information regarding this requirement can be found here. The M.S. in Business Analytics Program does not require work experience.

If I am enrolled in another MBA or MSBA program, can I transfer to PC?

Students must apply to the MBA or M.S. in Business Analytics (MSBA) program for admission. If admitted, a review of your previous MBA or MSBA courses will be completed. Up to two graduate courses (6-credits) from another AACSB-accredited institution can be transferred in with our approval. After admission to the program, the student would be required to submit syllabi to the Program Office for review.

International Students

Ruby Pham, MBA '15, speaks with peers at the MBA Program orientation.
Do you accept IELTS instead of the TOEFL?

The International English Language Test System (IELTS) may be taken as an alternative to the TOEFL. Minimum score: 7.0. Tests must have been taken within the past two years. Please refer to the Office of Admissions site for more information.

My native language is not English, but most of my college courses were taught in English. Do I still need to take the TOEFL?

If you completed your undergraduate degree in the United States, you may ask the PC Graduate Business Programs Office to determine if you are eligible to have the TOEFL waiver.

What is the minimum score for the TOEFL?

The minimum TOEFL score for admission is 90 (Internet-based test). Minimum score of 577 (PBT) or 90 (IBT with a minimum of 20 in each sub-score) is needed for consideration. Refer to the Office of Admissions site  for more information.

As an international applicant, do I need to submit evidence of financial support with my application?

Yes, the student must submit a notarized statement of support from the student’s sponsor and evidence of the student’s or sponsor’s financial resources no more than 90 days prior to submission. This should include the three most recent consecutive bank statements documenting the availability of the required funds from each sponsoring individual (e.g. student, family member, organization, etc.).

Is the PC M.S. in Business Analytics Program STEM-designated?

The PC M.S. in Business Analytics Program is not currently STEM-designated as defined by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.