Admissions

Admission into the MBA program is based on the following application and admissions requirements. Please note the general requirements needed as a part of your application.

Application Deadline

Make sure you submit your MBA application by the following deadlines. If you are considering applying and the deadline has passed, please contact graduate admissions.*

Fall Semester Start

• International Student & Early Application Deadline: June 1
• Application Deadline: July 1*

Spring Semester Start

• Application Deadline: December 1*

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General Requirements

Admission into the program competitive and based upon a committee review of each applicant’s fulfillment of the following requirements. Applicants must:

• Be a committed follower of the Lord Jesus Christ.
• Have an undergraduate degree (business administration or other field) from a regionally accredited institution.
  
• Preferably have at least three years of professional experience when admitted to the program. If you are a recent graduate and this requirement is not met, then you are strongly encouraged to participate in a part-time internship or job that you have personally arranged, in order to gain valuable real-world experience while earning the MBA degree.
  
• A GMAT or GRE score is not required for admission but will be considered if submitted.

Application Instructions

1. Apply online
   
   
2. Submit a $65 application fee
   • An application fee of $65 (non-refundable) is required. Pay online through the online application or submit a check payable to Biola University. If you attend an information session, we will waive your application fee.
     
     
3. Request official transcripts

   • An official transcript which shows a conferred bachelor's degree and all other transcripts containing a conferred degree are required. Official transcripts should be sent directly from the school or physically delivered in an untampered envelope sealed by the institution to Biola's Office of Graduate Admissions to be considered official. In addition, transcripts with prerequisites, leveling courses, advanced standing, and any other courses relevant to your desired program should be submitted. For certain degrees, additional or all transcripts may be requested or required. Review the admissions requirements of your individual program or contact Graduate Admissions for details.

     Transcripts will be considered official only when a) sent directly from the institution to Biola, b) sent electronically through the National Student Clearinghouse, or c) physically delivered in an untampered envelope sealed by the institution. Final approval for admission is contingent on receiving an official transcript.*

     • Send transcripts to:
       Biola University Office of Graduate Admissions
       13800 Biola Avenue, La Mirada, CA 90639
       
       
4. Three references (please submit references as indicated in your online application):
   • Pastor or church leader reference
   • Academic or character reference
   • Employer reference
     
     
5. Provide a professional resume
   
   
6. Submit your Christian Testimony essay
   • The circumstances surrounding your decision to become a follower of Christ
   • The scriptural basis for your salvation
   • Your contribution to a local church community
   • A description of how you display attributes of a mature Christian faith
     
     
7. MBA Vocational Objectives essay
   • Provide a statement (no more than 2 pages) addressing your qualifications for acceptance to the MBA program (leadership potential, creative abilities, motivational aptitude) and your career goals, including a description of how participation in the MBA program will contribute to your growth and development toward those goals. This is included in the online application but must be submitted separately if you are completing the PDF application.
     
8. Interview with the Crowell School of Business MBA & Master of Management Department Chair
   • We will contact you to schedule your interview once we have received all the above application items

Transfer Credits

Students transferring from a regionally accredited graduate program may transfer a maximum of six (6) credits. The courses transferred must be equivalent, have direct applicability to your program, and be approved by the program director. Only courses with a grade of “B” (3.0) or higher will be considered for transfer toward the MBA degree. Credits considered for transfer must have been taken within five years prior to the date of admission.

* Note: Official documents presented for admission or evaluation become part of the student’s academic file and normally cannot be returned or copied for distribution

International students applying for a graduate program at the Crowell School of Business must meet the admissions requirements for their program of choice, in addition to the international student admissions requirements found below. These requirements detail varying application deadlines, required documents and more.

Our International Student Admissions office is here to help you navigate the application process. Contact us with your questions! 

Graduate International Admissions
Schedule a Phone Appointment
Email: grad.international@biola.edu

International Students Application Deadlines and Requirements

International student MBA applications must be submitted by the following deadlines. If you are considering applying and the deadline has passed, please contact graduate admissions.

• Fall Semester Start: June 1
• Spring Semester Start: October 1

Please note the following requirements:

• You must have the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited, recognized institution.
  
• All admissions items (references, transcripts, etc.) must be received no later than June 1, prior to the fall semester for which you are applying, or October 1, prior to the spring semester for which you are applying. We strongly recommend that you complete you applications even sooner.
  

Admissions Requirements

International students must follow the requirements listed below. All documents must be received before your application will be considered:

1. Submit an application
   Follow the steps to apply provided on the Crowell School of Business graduate admissions page. Application deadlines vary based on program of choice and semester of entry.
   
2. Provide proof of English proficiency
   Crowell requires all students whose first language is not English to provide proof of English proficiency. Ways to provide proof of English proficiency includes one of the following:
   • Meet minimum TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo test score (TOEFL iBT: 100, IELTS: 7.5, Duolingo: 125).
   • Provide official transcript showing accredited degree (bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral) completed/taught fully in English
   • Successfully complete Biola’s English Language Scholars with passing status on the ELS Exit Exam
     
3. Submit official transcripts
   • All International transcripts need U.S. grade equivalencies noted (e.g. GPA on a 4.0 scale). If your transcripts do not show U.S. grade equivalencies, you must have them evaluated by the a credential evaluation agency like SpanTran (Biola Discount), International Education Evaluation (Biola Discount), World Education Services (WES) or Foundation for International Services (FIS).
   • Be sure to choose "Course by Course Report" and have the evaluation agency send them directly to Biola University via online portal or post (13800 Biola Ave, La Mirada, CA 90639) in order to be considered official.
     
   • Official transcripts can also be physically delivered in an untampered envelope sealed by the institution.
4. F-1 Student Visa Required Documents
   The following are the required I-20 documents needed to create a Form I-20, which is needed to apply for your F-1 student visa. Please note that if you will be coming with dependents (spouse and/or children), you will need to provide additional documents and funding. NOTE: Please disregard the following if studying in the online format.
   1. Submit a copy of your passport
      Submit a copy of valid passport, which should be valid after 6 months of the program start date. Upload passport(s) in the Online Application Portal.
      
   2. Submit an Affidavit of Support(s)
      
      • An Affidavit of Support is a document that shows your financial sponsor’s support for your study in the U.S. Before we issue you a Form I-20, you must demonstrate full financial support for at least the first year of study on campus.
      • The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will not allow us to issue I-20 forms (used to obtain student visas) without documented proof that the student has sufficient funds to study in this country.
      • This Affidavit of Support form assures us that you will receive continued financial support from your sponsor(s) for your education at Biola University.
      • Download and upload the Affidavit of Support in the Online Application Portal.
        
   3. Bank Statement
      For each Affidavit of Support submitted, a bank statement must be sent in from each sponsor. Each bank statement must match the level of support pledged by the sponsor. Many students choose to send Certificates of Deposit as bank statements. Upload bank statement(s) in the Online Application Portal.
      
   4. Apply for the F-1 Student Visa (hybrid/on-campus students only)
      
      • Once the required I-20 documents are verified by the International Admissions Office, the Form I-20 will be mailed to you.
      • Pay the required SEVIS Fee to schedule an F-1 visa appointment at your nearest U.S. Embassy/Consulate. For an easy transition into the U.S., make your appointment at least two months prior to first day of class. See Embassy/Consulate Interview Tips for more information.
      • Arrive to U.S. within 30 days of the first day of class. Upon arrival, meet with Biola University’s Immigration Services.

Financial Aid

It is important to understand the cost of attending a private university in the United States before beginning the application process. This section attempts to answer questions about financial aid available to international students.

Although there is financial aid available to international students, funds are limited and normally do not exceed 10% of a student’s yearly tuition costs. Therefore, applicants must be able to meet the majority of the cost of their education.

The source of the remaining 90% or more of yearly tuition must be from the applicant’s funds and/or a sponsor(s). Biola University cannot assist applicants in finding sponsors.

• Before requests for financial aid can be considered, the applicant must submit a completed application file with all items listed above, and be accepted for admittance by June 1.
• It is essential that the University clearly understands the applicant's qualifications and sponsor's financial resources before evaluating eligibility for scholarship assistance. Incomplete or un-notarized affidavits will be returned to the applicant.
• Applicants who wish to be considered for financial assistance should specify this request with their completed application forms.

Please see this page regarding the available departmental scholarships.