Part-time MBA programs that don’t require GMAT or GRE scores

For MBA aspirants planning to apply to part-time MBA programs, the application process has become a lot easier now that several business schools are offering GMAT/GRE waiver.

Indeed, getting a good GMAT score can be the Achilles’ heel for a lot of deserving candidates who may otherwise have stellar academic credentials and an impressive career graph.

Part-time MBA programs continue to attract working professionals as it offers flexibility and the option to continue working rather than take a 1-2 years sabbatical thus reducing the opportunity cost.

These programs have a less stringent admissions process with higher acceptance rates than full-time programs.

Part-time MBA programs offering GMAT / GRE waiver

1.  Indiana University – Kelley School of Business

The Evening MBA is a flexible part-time MBA program spanning 24 months, involving a combination of online and on-campus format. The school offers GMAT/GRE waivers to candidates with certain advanced degrees or extensive work experience or an undergraduate degree from the Kelley School of Business or those completing certain graduate-level Kelley certificates.

2.  Emory University – Goizueta Business School

The Evening MBA offers the flexibility of taking courses online or on-campus with option of a mix and match format. The program can take 24-32 months to complete.

Applicants have the choice of whether or not they wish to submit test scores (GMAT/GRE/EA). The small program size allows the thorough assessment of each applicant through transcripts and other application components.

3.  USC Marshall School of Business

The Marshall MBA for Professionals and Managers (MBA.PM) is a part-time MBA program with a duration of 33 months. Applicants can submit a GMAT/GRE waiver request.

The test waiver request essay should be used in the best possible way to make a request to consider your case based on your excellent academic record as well as demonstrated mathematical preparedness. It could also include your professional experience.

4.  University of Florida – Warrington College of Business

The weekend on-campus professional MBA program has different options to choose from – the 16 months accelerated program is for those with an undergraduate degree in business within the last 7 years while the 24 month option is open to applicants from all majors, who are 7 years or more out of undergraduate degree.

A GMAT or GRE score is not required for applying. Applications are evaluated holistically taking into consideration professional progress, leadership experience and academic performance.

5.  UT Dallas Naveen Jindal School of Management

Applicants can choose the part-time MBA program that best suits their schedule. The Professional Evening Cohort MBA program begins each fall and can be completed in 2-3 years. The core classes are held every Monday and Wednesday evenings after 5 pm.

The other part-time MBA option is the Professional Flex MBA that can be can be started in the fall, spring, or summer semesters and can be completed in 21 months or can go on for as long as six years. This program allows you to take classes based on your preferred timings, daytime or evening with the option of on-campus or virtual courses.

High achieving applicants may request for a GMAT/GRE waiver if they have an AACSB-accredited business school undergraduate or graduate degree with a CGPA 3.6 or above or a UTD undergraduate degree with CGPA 3.5 or above or a PhD or a U.S.-based MD, JD or PharmD.

6.  ASU W. P. Carey School of Business

The Evening MBA is a part-time STEM-designated MBA that can be completed in 2 or 3 or 4 years. The program can be customised with the option of taking classes in-person or online. The classes are held two nights a week.

Students may opt for the fully face-to-face option on the Tempe campus and complete the degree in as little as 21 months. The GMAT or GRE scores would not be required to apply.

7.  University of South Carolina – Darla Moore School of Business

The professional MBA is a 28 months long program for working professionals with a minimum of two years of work experience. The program delivery options include real-time classrooms, Saturday classes or video conferencing.

Applicant with 5 or more years of professional or US military experience who can demonstrate strong quantitative skills through their academic or professional history can avail GMAT/GRE test waivers.

Applicants with 3-5 years of experience may also be eligible for test waivers, though they have a lesser chance, unless they’ve a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better and are able to demonstrate strong quantitative skills both academically and professionally.

Read more: Is a part-time MBA worth it?

8.  University of Washington – Foster School of Business

The Evening MBA can be completed in a period of 3 years. After completion of the core courses, students can complete the electives as their schedule permits.

Applicants can opt to apply without GMAT/GRE score. To do so, they’d need to choose ‘Test optional’ and complete the ‘Test Optional Summary of Qualifications’ which includes answering two short-answer questions.

9.  The Ohio State University – Fisher College of Business

The Working Professional MBA (WPMBA) allows students the flexibility to complete the program according to their convenience and work schedule. The program can be completed in a span of 2 years. There are weekday evening or weekend classes that can be attended on campus or online or you can choose a mix of both.

To be eligible for a GMAT/GRE waiver, applicants would need to have at least 3.2 CGPA or 3.00 GPA with 6+ years of work experience. They would also need to display their quantitative ability through quantitative coursework in stats, calculus, accounting, algebra, geometry, finance or an advanced degree/STEM degree/certifications or have relevant work or military experience.

10.  Georgia Tech – Scheller College of Business

The Evening MBA program can be completed at your own pace. The flexible schedule allows students to complete it in 24 to 36 months or take as much as 6 years to complete.

This program offers a test-optional admissions policy. Applicants can apply without a test score if they can demonstrate strong quantitative skills both academically and through their professional work experience.

Also read:  How I got into the best part-time MBA programs in California

11.  Rice – Jones Graduate School of Business

The Professional MBA is for working professionals with 4 to 11 years of work experience. This 2 year program can be completed by taking classes on campus every other Friday or Saturday or 2 evenings a week.

The Hybrid MBA is another option to consider. The prerequisite includes 8 years of work experience. As the name suggests, this 2 year program has a combination of online and on-campus classes. Students need to attend classes 3 days a month on campus, the rest is covered online.

Those who wish to be considered for a GMAT/GRE waiver should submit a ‘standardized test waiver request’ via the test score section of your application and should meet one of the qualifying criteria for test waiver – a graduate degree in STEM/quantitative area or a professional certification in quantitative field like CPA or CFA or 5 or more years of work experience or other test scores like MCAT or degrees holders of JD, MD, PhD.

12.  Purdue University – Krannert

The Weekend MBA is a 21 months program with a blended learning format, requiring candidates to attend classes every alternate Saturday.

The GMAT/GRE scores are not required to apply. Instead, candidates are expected to have a minimum of 3 years of credible work experience and applications are assessed based on their academic performance and professional history.

13.  The University of Pittsburgh – Katz Graduate School of Business

The part-time MBA can be completed on campus or online in 2-3 years. The part-time MBA comes in various formats: 100% online part-time MBA, online hybrid part-time MBA, on-campus part-time MBA.

The admissions process is test-optional which means that applicants may or may not submit a GMAT/GRE score. Those who have an undergraduate CGPA of 3.25 and a B average or higher in a minimum of 6 credits of quantitative coursework or those who with a graduate/professional degree are not required to submit test scores. Those who do not meet the above criteria are encouraged to submit test scores though it is not compulsory.

14.  UC Irvine Paul Merage School of Business

The Flex MBA program is designed for mid-career professionals and managers and can be taken on-campus, online or a combination of both. The GMAT/GRE score requirement is waived for all applicants of the Flex MBA program.

An overall GPA of 3.0 would be desirable. If it is lower, your undergraduate institution attended would be considered as well as any licenses/certificates/additional degrees would be taken into account during application evaluation process.

15.  University of Minnesota – Carlson School of Management

The part-time MBA has a flexible timeline ranging from 2.5 to 7 years. Usually it takes around 3.5 years to complete. The delivery formats include on-campus, online, hybrid. Classes are held in the evenings on weekdays and on Saturdays.

Candidates can get GMAT/GRE waivers if they’re able to meet the required criteria. The first requirement would be a bachelor’s degree (domestic or international) with 3.2+ CGPA demonstrating quantitative ability or a bachelor’s degree in STEM with 3.0+ CGPA.

The second requirement would be 5+ years of work experience or 4+ years of military experience or a graduate degree (master’s/doctoral), or professional credential of CPA/CFA.

If you’d like to get into any of the top MBA programs in the world, MBA Crystal Ball admission consultants can helo. Drop us a note: info@mbacrystalball.com

Also read:
– Part-time MBA vs Executive MBA (EMBA) vs Full-time MBA