FAQs

What are the program prerequisites?

Applicants must have completed the equivalent of a United States' bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in order to be eligible for graduate study at the University of Maryland. The Smith Flex MBA assumes no prior knowledge of or background in business. However, due to the quantitative rigors of our program, the admissions committee requires admitted applicants to demonstrate quantitative ability prior to matriculation. Few accepted applicants have a grade point average below 3.00/4.00. Those who do have exceptional characteristics in other areas. The average GMAT score range for our Flex MBA students is 550–650 and the average GRE score is 315. The Smith School does not use a cut-off system for GMAT scores. However, applicants with lower GMAT scores must have exceptional qualifications in other areas to be considered for admission.

My GMAT/GPA/work experience is lower than I'd like. Should I still apply?

Yes. Every application is considered in its entirety. If you have weak points in your application, the admissions committee will search for stronger points to counterbalance them.

Is work experience a requirement for the Flex MBA program?

While a few years of post-undergraduate full-time work experience is preferred, applicants with substantive internships, strong academic backgrounds and/or who have recently started their careers may be admissible to the program and are considered on an individual basis.

When do classes begin?

The Flex MBA program begins in August with a required orientation and residency program.

How long does it take to complete the degree requirements?

The requirement for a Master of Business Administration is 54 credit hours. Our Flex MBA program can be completed in 24 months. The degree requirements for dual degrees range from 66 to 88 credit hours. These programs take on average three to four years to complete.

How many credits do program participants take per semester?

Flex MBA students typically enroll in 8 credit hours per semester.

Are transfer credits accepted?

Transfer credits can possibly be accepted for the Flex MBA program in rare situations. For example, a student is unable to complete an AACSB-accredited MBA program in California due to a job transfer to the D.C. Metro area. All transfer credit requests are at the discretion of the Master's Programs Office, but requests will only be considered if all criteria below are met. Transfer credit requests from schools in the D.C. Metro/Baltimore/Northern Virginia area cannot be considered.

In order to be eligible to transfer any credits towards your Flex MBA, you must meet all of the following criteria. (A maximum of 9 credit semester hours may be transferred into the program):

• Students must have been enrolled as an MBA degree-seeking student at the time the credit(s) were earned.
• Currently enrolled as a degree-seeking student in an MBA program.
• Courses must be from an MBA program that is accredited by AACSB.
• Credits may not have been used to meet the requirements for any degree previously earned.
• The Master's Programs Office deems the courses appropriate for a University of Maryland degree.
• Earned a "B" or better in the courses offered for transfer and a "B" or better average in all graduate work taken at the institution from which the credits are being transferred.
• Credit will not be given for any course work taken more than five years before the anticipated date for completion of the MBA degree.

Is there spring admission?

Yes. The Smith School of Business admits new students for both the fall and spring semesters.

What are the application deadlines?

Ideally, you should submit your completed application as early in the admission cycle as possible. Since admission and financial aid decisions are made on a rolling basis, early applicants are at an advantage. 

• November 1 (Priority deadline for scholarship consideration)
• February 1 (Priority deadline for scholarship consideration)
• April 15
• June 1

What is required to apply?

See the complete listing of all application requirements for international and domestic applicants.

If something is missing from my application, will it still be reviewed?

Applications are not reviewed until the application package is complete. The admissions committee will not consider any incomplete applications. The only items missing from the application packet should be the official test scores (GMAT, GRE, TOEFL), which are to be sent directly from the testing services. In order to be considered for a particular deadline, you must have taken your test(s) by that deadline.

If I applied last year and was not accepted, how do I reapply?

If you choose to reapply, you must submit a new application package which includes: application, application fee, transcripts, résumé, and essays. Recommendation letters previously submitted electronically with the online application do not need to be resubmitted. If you previously submitted paper recommendation letters, you will need to send new recommendation letters with your reapplication. If you previously submitted your official test scores (GMAT, TOEFL, etc.) to the University of Maryland, you do not need to resubmit these items with your reapplication.

Is every applicant to the MBA program required to take the GMAT or GRE?

No, the GMAT or GRE is optional for the application to the Flex MBA program. The Flex MBA program takes a holistic approach when reviewing candidate applications. The GMAT/GRE is one data point you may wish to include in your application. Please contact Flex MBA Admissions with any questions.

What is the cost of the Smith Flex MBA program?

See a detailed breakdown of tuition, fees, and other costs. All Flex MBA students attending class at a Flex campus (Baltimore, Rockville and/or DC) will qualify for in-state tuition.

Are scholarships awarded by Smith for the Flex MBA program?

Yes. In fall 2018, over 88% of our Flex MBA students received merit-based awards! In order for students to be automatically considered for merit scholarships, they must apply by a priority deadline. No separate application is needed. See information about our scholarships.

How do I apply for financial aid?

All applicants to the Flex MBA program whose applications are complete by a priority deadline are automatically considered for scholarships. Award notifications are extended simultaneously with the offers of admission.

U.S. citizens and permanent residents are encouraged to apply for additional financial aid in the form of loans. Learn more information on financial assistance.

What exactly defines an "international applicant"?

The University of Maryland at College Park defines an international applicant as any applicant who is not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.

I have a three-year bachelor's degree from outside the United States. Am I eligible to apply?

Yes. Candidates with a three-year bachelor's degree from outside the United States may apply. 

I'm an international student. I have been living in the U.S. for several years. Do I still need to take the TOEFL?

If you have earned a degree at a U.S. institution or at an institution in a country whose native language is English (e.g., Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, English-speaking Canada, etc.), you will be waived from the TOEFL exam. Otherwise, all students are required to take the TOEFL and submit their scores. TOEFL scores are valid for two years.