Selection Criteria
The UIC Liautaud Graduate School of Business uses a competitive selection process to identify highly motivated professionals looking to take their career to the next level.
Prerequisites
Please refer to the links or list below for a listing of prerequisite courses for our programs.
- MBA Master of Business Administration: we expect incoming students to have a statistics course with regression analysis within their academic history. This course may be taken before entering the program or during the first semester of study.
- MSA Master of Science in Accounting
- MS-MIS Master of Science in Management Information Systems
- MRE Master of Arts in Real Estate: Accounting 500 or equivalent
Academic Record
A business-related undergraduate degree is not required to be admitted to our masters programs. Applicants must have a GPA of 3.0/4.0 for the last 60 hours of their undergraduate degree to be admitted with full standing. If your undergraduate GPA is below the 3.0 minimum, you will only be admitted on limited standing and will maintain limited standing for your first 2 semesters. If you are an international student, you are required to submit official transcripts and degree certificates so that we are able to verify the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree.
Work Experience
Work experience is an important criterion for being selected for the UIC Liautaud MBA program as we strive to create an environment where students learn from professors and through the professional experiences of one another. This creates a dynamic learning environment which enhances the student’s overall experience in the program. Specialized masters degree programs do not use work experience as part of their selection criteria.
Test Scores
GMAT: All programs require the GMAT. All sections of the GMAT are assessed and the Admissions Committee looks for applicants that have scored at or above the average of the incoming class. The score is important as it helps determine your ability to perform well in our courses.
GRE: The MS-MIS program also accepts GRE scores.
TOEFL: Applicants whose native language is not English must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) within two years prior to admission. The minimum TOEFL score accepted is 570 (paper-based test) or 230 (computer-based test). The minimum TOEFL scores accepted for admission for the new TOEFL iBT includes minima for the four subsections, as well as the total score. The required scores are: Reading 20, Speaking 20, Listening 20, Writing 21, and Total 80.
Letters of Recommendation
We require two letters of recommendation from a reference who knows you in a professional manner and can attest to your professional abilities. Specialized masters degree programs also accept letters from previous professors who can speak to your academic abilities.
Your Personal Statement
This section of the application provides you with the opportunity to discuss your career goals and why you think the UIC Liautaud program is a good fit.
Interview
MBA only: All completed applications are reviewed by the admissions committee and qualified candidates will be invited for an interview. The interview is meant to provide the admissions committee with more information on your qualifications, career goals, and potential contribution to the Liautaud community. The interview also provides you with the opportunity to meet with us and address all of your questions about our program.
