MBA Programs — General Admission Requirements
Each application is reviewed on a case-by-case basis. In general we seek the following minimum requirements:
For the following MBA applicants:
Full-Time MBA • Part-Time MBA • Japan-Focused MBA • China International MBA • US International MBA • Joint JD/MBA • Joint MSN MBA • Neighbor Island MBA
- 3.0 GPA
- GMAT taken within the last 5 years
- Two years of full time, post baccalaureate work experience. (Exception: the Executive MBA program requires at least five years of post baccalaureate work experience)
- Interview
- International Students English Language Testing: TOEFL minimum of 600 (paper-based test), 250 (computer-based test), 100 (internet-based test) or IELTS minimum of 7. (Exception: US International MBA students may have a TOEFL minimum of 550 or IELTS minimum of 5)
- Joint JD/MBA applicants must have begun the first year at UH Law School.
- Joint MBA applicants must meet admission criteria established by both programs.
MBA Programs — Application Process
You may apply to more than one MBA program, but a separate statement of objectives should be submitted for each program. If you apply to multiple programs please pay the application fee of $60 once (not $60 per program). Please notify us if you plan to apply for more than one MBA program.
You may apply for admission for the Fall semester by following these steps:
- Download and submit application checklist cover sheet
- Submit graduate programs application
- Submit transcripts
- Submit scores for GMAT (required), and TOEFL or IELTS (if necessary)
- Submit statement of objectives and resume
- Submit two letters of recommendation (must be hard copies via mail or drop-off)
Download and Submit Application Checklist Cover Sheet
Graduate application checklist cover sheet - Your application packet must include this form and all required information requested on this form. Otherwise your application may be delayed due to missing documents. Please mail, email app-shidler@hawaii.edu, or deliver in person to the following address:
Shidler College of Business
University of Hawaii at Manoa
2404 Maile Way, G-202
Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
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Submit Graduate Programs Application
Apply online 
or download the graduate programs application. For further questions contact the Graduate Admissions Office at 808-956-8544 or email admissions@grad.hawaii.edu.
The UHM Graduate Division accepts online and paper applications. Both types of applications receive equal consideration. However, prospective students are encouraged to apply online .
Supplemental Application Materials
Additional information required by the Graduate Division may be downloaded here:
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Submit Transcripts
All applicants are required to submit one current official transcript from each institution of higher education attended, including any study abroad or exchange programs, summer programs, and non-degree work and extension programs. Transcripts must be sent directly from the institution to the Graduate Admissions Office , or received in a sealed institutional envelope if submitted with the application materials.
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Graduate Admissions Office
2540 Maile Way, Spalding 354
Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
UH Transcripts
Applicants who attended college in the UH system do not need to submit official transcripts for course work completed at UH.
MBA Course Transfer Credit Policy (credit for courses taken elsewhere)
Part-time MBA students may transfer up to nine credit hours of graduate-level coursework (600-800 level) from an AACSB-accredited program with the approval of the Master Programs Coordinator. Credits used to fulfill the degree requirements of other Masters programs may not be transferred in for credit. Transfer credit will only be awarded for classes in which the student received a grade of “B” or better.
Due to the nature of the full-time MBA program, students in all full-time MBA programs may not transfer in any courses.
All requests for the transfer of credits must be completed by the first semester of a students program. Requests made after the completion of the first semester of coursework will not be approved.
International Transcripts
If you earned your undergraduate degree from an institution outside of the United States, please download the following information regarding your transcripts:
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GMAT, TOEFL, and IELTS Standardized Test Scores
GMAT
All applicants are required to take the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT). Your application is not complete until we have received a copy of your test scores. To have your application reviewed during a specific admissions deadline, your GMAT score must arrive to us by the posted deadline.
The GMAT is administered worldwide throughout the year at approved Pearson VUE test centers. Official GMAT score reports must be sent directly to us electronically from Pearson VUE.
The Shidler College of Business will consider only your highest test score rather than an average of all of your GMAT scores. Therefore, please notify us if you plan on retaking the GMAT to ensure we review your application using your highest score.
Following the guidelines set forth by Pearson VUE, GMAT scores more than five years old are not valid (e.g., for applicants entering in Fall 2010, the last acceptable test date is October 2004). For further information and testing arrangements, please visit the GMAT website .
The GMAT code for the Shidler College of Business is PBQ-59-09.
TOEFL/IELTS
Most applicants whose native language is not English are required to take either the TOEFL or the IELTS. Applicants may submit unofficial scores while applying for admission. However, admitted students are required to submit official scores in order to enroll at UHM.
Official scores should be sent directly to the Graduate Admissions Office. The Educational Testing Service (ETS) code for UHM is 4867. Test scores cannot be more than two years old.
An applicant is exempt from the test if he or she has earned a bachelor's or advanced degree, within the last five years, at a regionally accredited or recognized institution in the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Singapore or United Kingdom.
The Shidler College of Business is unable to waive these TOEFL/IELTS requirements which are established by the University of Hawaii Graduate Division for all graduate applicants.
If you think you may need to take the TOEFL or IELTS, please visit the following UH Graduate Division webpage: www.hawaii.edu/graduatestudies/international/html/international.htm#english
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Resume and Statement of Objectives
Resume
Your resume should indicate work experience, internships and related activities. Resume length should be from 1 to 3 pages.
Statement of Objectives
The Statement of Objectives should address the following questions:
- Describe your short-term and long-term career goals. What is your motivation for pursuing an MBA now and how will the Shidler College of Business help you to achieve your goals?
- At the Shidler College of Business we focus on international excellence. Please share with us a cross-cultural experience that affected you and what you have learned from it.
- As a student in the Shidler College of Business, how would you contribute to our campus, local and global community?
Submit your resume and statement of objectives by email to app-shidler@hawaii.edu
OR
by mail to:
Shidler College of Business
University of Hawaii at Manoa
2404 Maile Way, G-202
Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
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Submit Letters of Recommendation (2)
You must submit two letters of recommendation by using the letter of recommendation form. The letters may be written by anyone familiar with your professional or educational background. Recommendations from family, friends, classmates, or co-workers are not acceptable. The letters should be written on company/university letterhead and sent in sealed envelopes. Please send all letters to:
Shidler College of Business
University of Hawaii at Manoa
2404 Maile Way, G-202
Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
Only printed hard copies will be accepted by mail or drop-off. Letters of recommendation may NOT be submitted electronically or via email.
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