E. Philip Saunders College of Business
Frequently Asked Questions
- Graduate Business Programs
- Is the RIT MBA a full or part-time program?
- Can you pick a concentration area?
- How large are your classes?
- Are the Graduate Programs in the E. Philip Saunders College of Business accredited?
- Are there online classes available for Graduate Programs?
- Does the MBA-Accounting program meet the educational requirements to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in New York State?
- Application and Admissions
- What constitutes a complete application?
- What is the minimum GPA required to enter MBA the program?
- Is the GMAT required for admission into the Graduate Business Programs?
- May I start the MBA program without taking the GMAT?
- What is the minimum GMAT score required to be considered for acceptance?
- What is the average GMAT score?
- Is a bachelor’s degree required?
- Do I need an undergraduate degree in business or management?
- Do I need work experience before entering the MBA program?
- Is the TOEFL exam required for international students?
- What is the application deadline for the traditional full-time or part-time MBA?
- When can I start the traditional MBA program?
- What is the application deadline for the Fast Track One Year MBA?
- When can I start the Fast Track One Year MBA?
- Financial Aid and Scholarships
- Miscellaneous
Graduate Business Programs
Is the RIT MBA a full or part-time program?
We have both a full-time and a part-time MBA program. Classes are offered on campus Monday through Thursday during the day and in the evenings. Many classes are also offered online.
Can you pick a concentration area?
Yes, concentration areas are available in a wide variety of different discipline areas. A typical concentration is four courses in a particular area of specialization. For example, students interested in pursuing a concentration in marketing would complete four advanced marketing electives. All MBA students are required to complete one concentration and may complete a second, optional concentration if they like.
How large are your classes?
Our average class size is 25 students to ensure ample opportunity for in-class discussion and to enhance the overall learning experience. Our MBA classes are capped at 35 students.
Are the Graduate Programs in the E. Philip Saunders College of Business accredited?
Yes. The programs are accredited by AACSB International - the premier accreditation organization for business schools.
Are there online classes available for Graduate Programs?
Yes, online classes are available.
Does the MBA-Accounting program meet the educational requirements to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in New York State?
Yes. The MBA-Accounting program fulfills New York State Certified Public Accountancy (CPA) education requirements while stressing the skills necessary for the design, operation, and control of accounting information systems.
Application and Admissions
What constitutes a complete application?
For more information on the application requirements, please visit http://www.rit.edu/emcs/ptgrad/grad_admission.html.
What is the minimum GPA required to enter MBA the program?
Applicants with an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 are considered for admission, however, the entire application, including GMAT score, TOEFL score (international applicants only), resume, and personal statement are evaluated for admittance into the Saunders College of Business Graduate Programs.
Is the GMAT required for admission into the Graduate Business Programs?
Yes, the Graduate Management Admission Test, or GMAT exam is required. The GRE test will also be taken into consideration for applicant's who have already taken this test, however, the GMAT remains the preferred admission test for the Saunders College of Business Graduate Programs.
Only applicants with an earned PhD, MD, or Law Degree are exempt from taking the GMAT. Learn more about the GMAT exam.
May I start the MBA program without taking the GMAT?
Yes, qualified students are permitted to take a maximum of two graduate courses on a non-matriculated basis. To continue in the MBA program, the student must have completed the GMAT and be accepted as a formally admitted, matriculated student.
What is the minimum GMAT score required to be considered for acceptance?
Applicants with a GMAT score of at least 520 are considered for admission, however, the entire application, including undergraduate performance, TOEFL score (international applicants only), resume, and personal statement are evaluated for admittance into the Saunders College of Business Graduate Programs.
What is the average GMAT score?
The average GMAT score for the full time MBA is 580.
Is a bachelor’s degree required?
Yes, the completion of a four-year bachelor's degree is required for admission into the MBA program. For international students, the equivalent of a US 4 years Bachelor degree is required.
Do I need an undergraduate degree in business or management?
No, an undergraduate degree in business or management is not required. The MBA degree is designed for individuals with a wide variety of backgrounds. Many of our MBA students have undergraduate degrees in liberal arts, science, and engineering.
Do I need work experience before entering the MBA program?
We do accept students directly from undergraduate programs, however, most of our part-time students have three to five years of work experience.
Is the TOEFL exam required for international students?
International applicants must submit the results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)as part of their application. The minimum scores required are:
Paper-based Test 580
Computer-based Test 237
Internet-based Test 92
What is the application deadline for the traditional full-time or part-time MBA?
All application materials must be received by RIT by the dates listed below. This includes completed application, transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, official GMAT score from ETS, official TOEFL score from ETS (International students only), resume, personal statement, and Declaration of Financial Support (international students only).
Quarter Domestic Student International Student
Fall August 1 July 15
Winter November 1 October 15
Spring February 1 January 15
Summer May 1 April 15
We encourage you to complete your application for admission as early as possible, since your application for financial aid and/or merit scholarships will not be processed until after you are accepted to the program.
When can I start the traditional MBA program?
Applications for the traditional full-time or part-time MBA are accepted and evaluated on a rolling basis. You may begin your MBA studies any quarter, including summer.
What is the application deadline for the Fast Track One Year MBA?
The application deadline for the Fast Track One Year MBA program is May 1. All application materials must be received by RIT by May 1. This includes completed application, transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, official GMAT score from ETS, official TOEFL score from ETS (International students only), resume, and personal statement.
When can I start the Fast Track One Year MBA?
The Fast Track One Year MBA starts in the summer quarter only.
When can I start the MBA- Accounting degree?
Full-time students in the MBA-Accounting program begin in the fall quarter. Part-time students can begin any quarter.
When can I start the MS Finance degree?
Full time students may begin their studies in the fall quarter only. Part time students may begin their studies in any quarter.
When can I start the MS in Management?
Full time students may begin their studies in the fall quarter only. Part time students may begin their studies in any quarter.Financial Aid and Scholarships
What types of financial aid is available to graduate students?
Financial aid is available to graduate students. For more information, please visit the Office of Financial Aid.
Are there scholarships and graduate assistantships available?
Scholarships and assistantships are awarded based on merit for the Saunders College of Business graduate programs. Awards are determined at the time of acceptance.
Is an internship or co-op available for MBA students?
Internships and cooperative education or "co-ops" are optional for MBA students. Co-ops give MBA students an opportunity to hold a paid position for three to six months. No academic credit is granted, but formal recording of the co-op experience is made on the student's transcript. For more information about internships and co-ops, please visit the Office of Co-op & Career Services homepage.
What is the tuition for the Graduate Programs in the E. Philip Saunders College of Business?
For current tuition rates, please visit the Student Financial Services website
Miscellaneous
What are the Housing options available?
Various on-campus and off-campus housing options are available and can be found at http://finweb.rit.edu/housing.
Do I need a car to reach the RIT campus?
Not surely as many public transport services like buses are available to reach RIT from the off-campus housings and a free RIT shuttle is available to reach different places within the university and from on-campus housings.
Where can I find more information out for international students?
RIT is extremely diverse with students enrolled from over 90 countries. More information pertaining to international students can be found at the International Student Services website.
How do I schedule a campus visit?
Prospective students are encouraged to contact the Office of Graduate Enrollment Services to arrange a visit to campus. Calling at least two weeks in advance of the visit is strongly encouraged so that meetings can be arranged with academic department representatives, financial aid, and other departments, as applicable. Call 585-475-2229 or email us.