Frequently Asked Questions

Application Process

What is the difference between an MS and MBA?

A Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) degree provides a broad base of business knowledge, whereas a Master’s of Science (MS) degree provides more concentrated coursework within a student’s chosen field of study.

What if I don’t want my supervisor to know I’m planning to leave my job to return to school?

If you do not wish your supervisor to know you are applying to graduate school, you will need to provide other professional recommendations. You might contact past employers, colleagues within your firm, or even customers.

Can general letters of recommendations be used or do recommendations need to be on the UNT form?

General letters will be accepted provided that the recommendation is signed, dated, and on company or university letterhead. In submitting recommendations, you may use our approved form or a letter, but please send one or the other, not both.

Do I need to send all the materials together as one package?

No. While the application will not be reviewed for admission consideration until all of the materials are received, you can begin sending application materials as they are completed.

Is a business major or certain business classes required for admission into the program?

Prior business study is not required for the MBA or MS programs. You will need to have your transcripts evaluated and may be assessed with up to 18 hours of background coursework (up to 39 hours total for Accounting) in addition to the hours required for your intended degree.

Why is a resume requested?

The resume allows you the opportunity to communicate the nature of your professional experiences as well as major work-related accomplishments. The G. Brint Ryan College of Business utilizes a holistic review process, in which work experience comprises one of many factors considered.

Does the G. Brint Ryan College of Business require a minimum number of years of work experience?

No. While there is no specified minimum and a portion of our admitted students transition directly from their undergraduate programs into a master’s degree, most students fall into the 2-10 year range. The average for the MBA program is typically about 5 years.

I am about to graduate from college now. What are my chances for admission?

About 10% of the students in the MBA Program are admitted directly from college. These students have usually demonstrated exceptional academic ability through test scores and past grades, and have meaningful internship and part-time work experiences.

How does the G. Brint Ryan College of Business evaluate applications?

The admissions committee reviews all applications utilizing a holistic review process. Factors taken into consideration include: GPA, GMAT scores, work history, personal essay, letters of recommendation, transcript review for applicable coursework, and ability to handle challenging, graduate-level academic work.

GMAT/GRE Information
  • GMAT or GRE scores no more than five (5) years old are required for admission purposes. We recommend a 520-550 on the GMAT and a 153 on the Quantitative and Verbal sections of the GRE.
  • Work experience will not be considered in lieu of exam scores.
  • Appropriate test scores are one of many factors utilized in rendering admission decisions.
  • The Graduate Programs Office recommends that students sit for the GMAT or GRE exam no later than one month prior to the application deadline to ensure timely reporting of scores.
  • For the GMAT visit www.mba.com for scheduling details. The UNT school code for the GMAT is: 6DP-8M-55.
  • For the GRE visit http://www.ets.org/ for scheduling details. The UNT school code for the GRE is: 6481.
GMAT/GRE Possible Waivers (Dependent on the program you are applying for):
  • MASTERS OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

    • A waiver of the GMAT/GRE will be considered for applicants who have an earned doctoral or professional doctoral degree from a regionally accredited institution, or its equivalent.
    • A waiver of the GMAT/GRE will be considered for applicants who have an earned master's degree from a regionally accredited institution, or its equivalent, with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher on the master's degree. Certain programs may have departmental admission requirements mandating submission of additional materials including standardized test scores.
    • A waiver of the GMAT/GRE will be granted for the MBA for students with a bachelor’s degree from UNT with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher.
    • A waiver of the GMAT/GRE will be considered for UNT Honors College graduates with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher.
    • Students with an undergraduate degree with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher from an AACSB accredited institution will also be eligible for a GMAT/GRE waiver for the MBA; subject to the approval of the Graduate Programs Office.

    MASTERS OF SCIENCE IN ACCOUNTING OR MASTER OF SCIENCE IN TAXATION

    • A waiver of the GMAT/GRE will be considered for applicants who have an earned doctoral or professional doctoral degree from a regionally accredited institution, or its equivalent.
    • A waiver of the GMAT/GRE will be considered for applicants who have an earned master's degree from a regionally accredited institution, or its equivalent, with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher on the master's degree. Certain programs may have departmental admission requirements mandating submission of additional materials including standardized test scores.
    • A waiver of the GMAT/GRE will be considered for UNT Honors College graduates with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher.
    • A waiver of the GMAT/GRE will be granted for the Master of Science in Accounting and Master of Science in Taxation programs for students with a bachelor’s degree (BS/MS or BBA) from UNT with a cumulative GPA of 3.6 or higher.
    • For the Master of Science degree in Accounting and Master of Science degree in Taxation, students with undergraduate business degrees with a cumulative GPA of 3.6 or higher from AACSB accredited institutions will also be eligible for a GMAT waiver; subject to the approval of the department.

    MASTERS OF SCIENCE IN BUSINESS ANALYTICS

    • A waiver of the GMAT/GRE will be considered for applicants who have an earned doctoral or professional doctoral degree from a regionally accredited institution, or its equivalent.
    • A waiver of the GMAT/GRE will be considered for applicants who have an earned master's degree from a regionally accredited institution, or its equivalent, with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher on the master's degree. Certain programs may have departmental admission requirements mandating submission of additional materials including standardized test scores.
    • A waiver of the GMAT/GRE will be considered for UNT Honors College graduates with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher.
    • For the Master of Science degree in Business Analytics, students with undergraduate business degrees with a cumulative GPA of 3.6 or higher from AACSB accredited institutions will also be eligible for a GMAT/GRE waiver; subject to the approval of the department.

    MASTERS OF SCIENCE IN FINANCE

    • A waiver of the GMAT/GRE will be considered for applicants who have an earned doctoral or professional doctoral degree from a regionally accredited institution, or its equivalent.
    • A waiver of the GMAT/GRE will be considered for applicants who have an earned master's degree from a regionally accredited institution, or its equivalent, with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher on the master's degree. Certain programs may have departmental admission requirements mandating submission of additional materials including standardized test scores.
    • A waiver of the GMAT/GRE will be considered for UNT Honors College graduates with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher.

Degree Plan

When should I file a degree plan?

Degree Plans should be filed within your first semester of enrollment. To file a degree plan, contact your departmental advisor to set an appointment. You should receive an official copy of your degree plan in the mail approximately five weeks after meeting with your departmental advisor. Students who fail to file a degree plan within their first semester may be blocked from future registrations.

How do I file my degree plan?

You will need to schedule an appointment with your departmental advisor. The advisor will help you select the courses for your concentration/major and fill out a degree plan worksheet. Your advisor will then forward the worksheet to the Graduate Programs Office (BLB 201) for completion. A finalized copy will be mailed to your home address.

Program Selection/Coursework Offered

Does the G. Brint Ryan College of Business offer any online MBA or MS programs?

Yes. The G. Brint Ryan College of Business offers several 100% online MBA programs. Through these programs, students complete their background, MBA core, and concentration courses in an online format. Visit cob.unt.edu/masters/onlinecourses for more information.

If I am not in a 100% online MBA program, can I still register for online courses?

Yes. However, during the first two weeks of early registration, online students are given priority to online courses. After this two week time period, all students are able to register for online courses. Note: Only students paying out-of-state tuition may register for out-of-state course sections. No exceptions to this policy are made.

Does the G. Brint Ryan College of Business offer any Graduate Certificates?

No. The G. Brint Ryan College of Business discontinued all Graduate Academic Certificate programs in Fall 2015.

Do you offer any classes at the UNT Dallas Campus?

UNT Dallas is now a separate campus from UNT Denton. Any coursework taken at UNT Dallas requires students to apply for admission to UNT Dallas and classes will be considered transfer coursework for any UNT Denton MBA or MS program. Transfer coursework is subject to approval by your departmental advisor.

Registration Problems

Have you cleared your Student Financial Obligation hold?

Prior to the start of each registration period, all students have a Student Financial Obligation hold placed on their account that must be cleared in order to register. To clear the hold, log into your MyUNT account, click on the Student Center/Register tab, and click on the holds link on the right side of the screen. Read the Finance agreement. Choose agree/confirm.

Have you filed your degree plan?

Students failing to complete their degree plan in a timely manner may be blocked from registration. To file your degree plan, contact your departmental advisor.

Are you on probation or suspension?

You may be allowed to register during regular registration upon clearance from the Graduate Programs Office. Please contact our office at (940) 369-8977.

Are you a Graduate Non-Degree Seeking (GNDE) student?

Contact the Graduate Programs Office (940) 369-8977 to be cleared for registration. Graduate Non-Degree Seeking students must be cleared for registration each semester. Please have your UNT student ID number ready when calling.