MBA Program
MBA Admissions MBA ResourcesImportant Information for International Students
Thank you for your interest in the Penn State Behrend MBA program. Our MBA program is truly unique; it offers students the opportunity to earn an internationally-recognized Penn State graduate degree within a small university setting. We offer both full-time and part-time enrollment.Admission as an International Student MBA Programs at other Penn State Campuses The MBA Degree The Campus Graduate Students at Penn State Behrend Student Housing Financial Aid The Erie, Pennsylvania Area
Admission as an International Student
International students, who require an I-20 visa, should have a complete application submitted four to six months prior to the semester in which they wish to begin their studies.
A requirement for those applying for an I-20 is a statement of Financial Guarantee which indicates the availability of personal funds for expenses and Health Insurance. The current estimate for expenses exceeds $41,000 U.S. Without these documents and proof of financial support, a student visa cannot be issued. Please research these requirements in further detail from the International Programs web site prior to applying for admission.
Penn State University will not evaluate applications without an admissible TOEFL score.
TOEFL scores must meet or exceed the minimum requirements:
- 213 on computer-based exam,
- 550 on the paper-based exam, or
- 80 on the IBT exam with a 20 or greater on the speaking section
- There are no exceptions to the minimum requirements; Penn State Behrend does not offer provisional admission or intensive English courses to those who do not meet the minimum standards.
GMAT scores must meet or exceed the minimum requirements, as well:
- The GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment score must be a 4.0 or better.
- The GMAT Total Score requirement is based on the undergraduate record. Although grading systems vary, grades will be converted to a 4.0 system to determine the GMAT requirement. Total scores lower than 450 will not be considered for admission.
Penn State Behrend does not offer provisional admission to those who do not meet the minimum standards on both the Writing Score and the Total Score.
MBA Programs at other Penn State Campuses
Penn State Behrend, located in Erie, PA, is one of 25 campuses in the
Pennsylvania State University system.
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In addition to the MBA program at Penn State Behrend, Penn State University offers an MBA at its University Park, Harrisburg, and Great Valley campuses. Students can also complete Penn State's web-based iMBA offered through the World Campus. For a complete listing of all graduate programs offered at all Penn State University locations, visit the Penn State Graduate School.
The University Park campus is located in State College, Pennsylvania. There are approximately 34,500 undergraduate and 6,200 graduate students at this location. The Smeal College of Business Administration houses the MBA program at University Park. This program requires full-time study, several years of work experience, and students are admitted only for the fall semester.
Penn State Harrisburg is located in the state's capital, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The students served by this evening MBA program are primarily working professionals who wish to complete their MBA on a part-time basis.
Penn State Great Valley is located
in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The campus does not offer a full time
MBA program, daytime classes or residence facilities.
The MBA degree
Penn State Behrend's MBA program
does not offer formal concentrations; students utilize the 12 credits of
electives to enhance their skills in particular areas.
At Penn State Behrend, 4,000 students benefit from the opportunities,
resources, and prestige of a major research university set in the atmosphere
of a
small university. Most students are full-time undergraduates. Students and faculty enjoy the beauty of the college's
725-acre campus located only minutes away from the heart of Pennsylvania's
fourth-largest city. Approximately 150 students are enrolled in our
MBA program; almost 30% are enrolled
full time. A large majority
of students enrolled in the MBA program attend classes on a part-time
basis. Many of them have more than three years of work experience.
Students attending full-time may complete the MBA program
in one to two years depending on degree requirements. At this time,
we are offering daytime courses for full time students who then
enroll in electives held during the evening. MBA classes will
continue to be held in the daytime if there is a sufficient amount
of full
time students to support them.
There is limited on-campus housing reserved for
graduate students at Penn State Behrend: it will be offered to those
students whose admission is approved on first come first served
basis. Graduate students interested in living
on campus should indicate their interest by emailing the
Penn State
Behrend Housing Office. Accommodations include a two-bedroom apartment
that is completely furnished and
equipped with a full kitchen and bath. Four students live in each
apartment. Off-campus housing is available in the area immediately
surrounding the campus and in downtown Erie. A
listing of off-campus
accommodations is available. Penn State Behrend does not offer fellowships
for MBA students. International students must provide proof of financial
support with an official bank letter.
A requirement for those applying for an I-20 is a statement of
Financial Guarantee for expenses and
Health Insurance. The current estimate for expenses
exceeds $41,000 U.S. Please research these requirements in
further detail from the
International Programs web site prior to applying for admission. Click
here for directions, ground transportation, and additional
information on traveling to Penn State Behrend.
Erie, a metropolitan area of 280,000, is located on Lake Erie's
beautiful Presque Isle Bay and offers a wide variety of cultural,
sports, and recreational resources.
The region boasts a thriving arts community, including a philharmonic,
several theatre companies, dance companies, and historical art museums.
A 7,000-seat civic arena draws big-name performers to match every
musical taste. Erie is home to the baseball SeaWolves, a Class Double
A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers in the Eastern League, and you can
also watch the Otters of the Ontario Hockey League. Penn State Behrend
is a fifteen-minute drive from downtown Erie.
Public transportation is
available from the campus to the city and the surrounding area.