Graduate Admissions Checklist
College of Business Graduate Admissions Checklist
Graduate Admissions
Governors State University's College of Business welcomes applications to its graduate programs. The information below outlines the application and admission process for prospective students.
Eligibility
Applicants are generally expected to have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale in the final 60 credit hours of their bachelor's degree. Individual program requirements may vary.
Before Applying
The Graduate Admission Committee will not review applications until all required materials have been received. Review the application deadlines for the desired term of entry before beginning the application process. Submitting materials as early as possible is encouraged, as earlier applications receive earlier admission decisions.
Students interested in financial support from Governors State University should submit their application materials as early as possible. Financial support applications are reviewed on a first-come basis, and early submission improves eligibility consideration.
The Application Process
The application process consists of two steps:
- Complete the online application and submit the application fee.
- Submit all required documents through the online supplemental application.
Review the application checklist carefully to confirm all required materials have been included before submitting.
Application Steps
Any student wishing to apply for priority admission must have a complete application with all application materials submitted through the online application system.
| Domestic Students (U.S. Applicants) | Summer | Fall | Spring |
| Priority Deadline | March 15 | June 15 | October 15 |
| Standard Deadline | Rolling Admission | ||
| International Students | Summer | Fall | Spring |
| Priority Deadline | March 1 | June 1 | October 1 |
| Standard Deadline | April 1 | July 1 | December 1 |
| Classes Begin |
Complete the online application: http://applynow.govst.edu
The application fee for graduate admission is a non-refundable $50.00. We accept all credit cards except American Express. The amount of payment is in U.S. Dollars. Please note that your application fee must be paid PRIOR to submission of any documents to the graduate program. Students can also pay by phone by calling 708-534-4055
[Normal business hours- central time 8:30am-5:00pm]
Domestic Students
You must submit transcripts from all U.S schools attended whether a degree was earned or not - You may mail your transcripts directly to:
Governors State University
Admission Processing Office
1 University Parkway
University Park, IL 60484
OR
Submit electronically to apotranscripts@govst.edu
International Students and International Transcripts
Credential evaluation is required for transcripts from a university outside the United States. If you have completed course work outside the USA, a course by course credential evaluation, by a NACES member will be required. Visit https://www.naces.org/members to search for an evaluation service provider.
Please note that US citizens or permanent residents who have completed degrees outside the US must also submit international transcripts that have been evaluated by a NACES member credential evaluation service.
The College of Business will accept a four-year bachelor’s degree in any field; other three-year bachelor’s degrees must be accompanied by a two-year master’s degree. (Note: professional qualifications and postgraduate diplomas completed after a bachelor’s degree are not considered sufficient for admission.)
International Students from India - INDUS Foundation Applicants:
As a prospective student from India, the College of Business wants to ensure that you have all necessary information to ensure a seamless application process. If you are a prospective student from India and wish to attend GSU utilizing our partner organization, the INDUS Foundation, please click here to find more information about INDUS, our collaborator in your country.
International Students from a country other than India:
If you are a prospective student from a country other than India and wish to attend GSU utilizing our partner organization, CollegeStudyUS, please click here to find out more information about CollegeStudyUS: http://www.collegestudyus.com/student-placement/
Submit a current Professional Resume
A two page, double-spaced statement of intent which discusses personal short- and long-term career goals, reasons for pursuing a graduate business degree at this time and what about this particular program is going to help reach those goals. Please give specific personal examples of leadership and provide other pertinent information to help the committee select candidates who can benefit from and contribute to the program. The statement of intent offers applicants the opportunity to demonstrate writing and communication skills and supports candidacy for the graduate business degree.
Two letters of recommendation should be requested from individuals who can attest to your professional accomplishments and ability to be successful in a graduate program (current or former faculty members; current or former supervisors; or community leaders). Recommendation letters should not come from family members, friends or colleagues. A template for the letter is available.
***Given the closing of many testing centers, we recognize the disruptive impact the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic may be having on your preparation to take the GMAT exam. In response, we are waiving the GMAT requirement for all applications through 2022 including Spring 2022, Summer 2022 and Fall 2022 starts. ***
Admitted recipients, will be required to enroll and register in 2022. Any deferments to terms beyond 2022 may require a GMAT/GRE submission to complete your application packet unless you meet our regular GMAT/GRE waiver requirement based on GPA, graduate degree, or relevant work experience. We look forward to receiving your application material. Please contact Karen Blackman at kwilliams10@govst.edu if you need additional information.
Applicants must submit a Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) score --OR-- Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) score. The school code for GMAT/GRE is 1263.
*GMAT/GRE Waiver: The GMAT or GRE may be waived for applicants who meet one of the following:
1. an undergraduate G.P.A. of 3.5 or higher for the last 60 hours, from a regionally accredited college or university in the United States, or
2. a graduate degree from a regionally accredited college or university in the United States; or
3. five years of relevant full-time work experience (view more information at
http://www.govst.edu/COB/Graduate/GMATWaiver/)
4. meet the requirement for Guaranteed Admission program for GSU undergraduate students and recent alumni.
If you believe you may be eligible for a GMAT/GRE waiver, please visit http://www.govst.edu/COB/Graduate/GMATWaiver
GMAT/GRE Resources:
- The GMAT website is http://www.mba.com/the-gmat.aspx. Testing for the GMAT is done through Pearson Professional Centers. The phone number to contact Pearson is 1-800-717-4628.
- The GRE website is https://www.ets.org/gre.html. Check the website for fees and nearest location to take the test.
- If you feel you are economically disadvantaged, you may apply for a GMAT voucher which covers the cost of the GMAT. You must complete the FAFSA and your income level will be checked. For further information about the GMAT voucher, contact the GSU Financial Aid office at 708-534-4480.
- The School of Extended Learning offers an on campus GRE prep course. You may register online at http://www.govst.edu/oce. Contact the School of Extended Learning at 708-534-4099 for upcoming dates and times.
International Students must meet the university language requirement for admission to the university. Applicants must take either Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), or International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or Pearson Test of English (PTE).
For the IELTS, applicants must meet the minimum acceptable score of 6.0 academic version.
Acceptable scores for TOEFL for master’s level applicants are listed in the GSU Catalog.
| Type of TOEFL Exam | Paper | Computer Internet | Internet (IBT) |
| Total Score | 550 | 213 | 80 |
| Reading | 54 | 21 | 20 |
| Writing | 58 | 24 | 20 |
| Listening | 55 | 21 | 20 |
| Speaking | - | - | 20 |
Acceptable scores for the Pearson Test of English (PTE) are listed in the GSU Catalog .
| Type of PTE Exam | Total score: 53 |
| Listening | 53 |
| Speaking | 53 |
| Reading | 53 |
| Writing | 53 |
Students who do not meet the language proficiency score may be eligible to be conditionally admitted and required to complete GSU's Intensive ESL program during the first term of study.
International applicants must provide evidence of financial support to meet all financial needs for the duration of their studies at GSU. For students applying for the Spring 2017 semester and forward, GSU will accept evidence of financial support such as bank statements. Please email ois@govst.edu for any questions about this policy or to email bank statements.
If you are a domestic student and have applied to the College of Business program via the traditional route and have general admission questions, please submit inquiries to: gsunow@govst.edu
If you are an international student and have applied thru INDUS and wish to have a status update, please submit inquiries to: ois@govst.edu
If you are a domestic or international student and have applied via our PRIORITY ADMISSION, please wait three weeks after we have received your documents and submit inquiries to: rwilliams2@govst.edu
International Students: International students should review the GSU International Student Web Site: (www.govst.edu/ois) to learn about requirements for studying at GSU. The site contains admission information for international students, including obtaining an initial I-20; financial affidavit requirement; English language proficiency requirement; estimated expenses; and international partner universities and organizations. The GSU Catalog provides the most updated requirements for international students. For further information and to coordinate the details of your application and arrival at GSU, please contact the Office of International Services at ois@govst.edu.
Contact Information
- Karen Williams-Blackman
- College of Business
- G Building Room G277
- 708-235-7485
- kwilliams10@govst.edu