Online MBA no GMAT programs teach you best practices in leadership expertise through an analysis of case studies, theories, and current research without the hassle of an entrance exam. In addition, many of these schools have long histories of preparing students for leadership positions in all types of industries.
2 Types of Online MBA Programs No GMAT Options
There are usually two types of these programs:
- No GMAT Required Programs
- GMAT Waiver Schools
Each could provide a flexible alternative to traditional online MBA programs and help you get your application in the mail quicker, without having to worry about studying for and taking the GMAT.
Below are descriptions of each of your options and a list of schools that are available with the different requirements.
You Need to Know About These 9 Online MBA Programs That Don’t Require GMAT!
While some MBA programs offer GMAT waiver options, others simply don’t require you to take the test at all.
In most cases, these schools will still consider your test scores if you choose to send them. How much weight they assign those optional scores may vary on a case by case basis.
If you’re thinking about applying to an online MBA no GMAT program, it may be helpful to get in touch with the school for more information. In particular, you may wish to ask about how opting out of sending your scores may impact your application, though in most cases there’s no impact at all.
Simmons College
The online MBA programs at Simmons College prepare professionals to be successful in various leadership and management roles across all areas of business. The Simmons School of Business MBA also places a unique emphasis on women’s leadership and diversity in the workplace.
The curriculum combines strategic, functional, and behavioral aspects of management, empowering you to lead in a variety of dynamic global environments.
The online MBA uses a collaborative learning platform that allows students to attend live, face-to-face classes, complete assignments, interact with group members and classmates, and view prerecorded lectures.
This platform is designed to create an easy work environment for both students and faculty and to build relationships similar to on-campus programs.
Two of the MBAs at Simmons are:
- Master of Business Administration (MBA)
- HealthCare MBA
Online MBA Admissions Requirements at Simmons
The admissions requirements include:
- Essay
- Two letters of recommendation
- Official transcripts
- Current resume
American University
The Kogod School of Business at American University is dedicated to delivering a world-class business education to the next generation of business leaders. As a result, the school is looking for those who display a passion for finding innovative solutions to modern business challenges.
That’s why the online MBA at American University has no GMAT or GRE requirement for applicants. After all, business leadership is not about test scores. Instead, it’s about having the insight to recognize critical opportunities and the technical and interpersonal skills to capitalize on those opportunities.
MBA Admissions Requirements at American
The online MBA has four start dates throughout the year, each with their own priority application deadline and final application deadlines. However, applications are always considered on a rolling basis.
Admissions requirements include:
- Personal statement
- Resume
- Letters of recommendation
- Official transcripts
In addition, there are 6 concentrations available for the online MBA:
- Marketing
- Finance
- Cybersecurity
- International business
- Business Analytics
- Consulting
Jefferson University Innovation MBA
Together with Philadelphia University, Jefferson University offers a unique part-time on-campus or online Innovation MBA program to current and aspiring leaders seeking industry-relevant business education.
The Jefferson iMBA program is designed to help you lead teams into the future through:
- Flexible format
- Dynamic curriculum
- Faculty of industry experts with real world experience
In keeping with their flexible, innovative approach to business education, Jefferson offers a suite of concentration options. This enables students to select a track more tailored to their professional goals, current role, or the needs of their organization.
Seven concentration options include:
- CPA Preparation (Taxation or Accounting)
- CFA Preparation (Finance)
- Strategy and Design Thinking
- Management
- Marketing
- General Business
- Business Analytics
GMAT Policy at Jefferson
The Innovation MBA program at Jefferson does not require the GMAT for admission. Rather, they look at prior academic and professional experience. Plus, if you have prior business education, it’s possible you might be able to apply some of that toward your MBA program requirements.
Utica College
The online MBA Program at Utica College takes a real-world approach to your business education. By relying on scenarios drawn from the current business environment, real-life case studies, and a flexible format, Utica offers students a degree program relevant to their needs and ambition.
Online MBA Curriculum at Utica
The curriculum for MBA programs at Utica College emphasizes real-world skills, and the practical experience to apply them in a customizable format to help tailor your degree to meet your goals and expectations.
For example, the online MBA offers 7 core topics of emphasis for all MBAs:
- Ethical leadership
- Management philosophies
- Cost analysis, budgeting, and forecasting
- Data-driven decision making
- Supply and demand
- Market forces
- Strategic analysis
Available MBA Concentrations at Utica
Students may even choose an area of concentration to further customize their programs.
Areas of concentration include:
- Finance and Accounting
- Insurance and Risk Management
- Cybersecurity
- Cyber Policy
- Data Analytics
- Entrepreneurship
- Health Care Management
MBA Admissions Requirements at Utica
Because Utica is focused on practical, real-world experience, they don’t require students to submit their GRE or GMAT scores.
Instead, their admissions requirements include:
- Bachelor’s degree
- Minimum 2.7 GPA in bachelor’s
- 2 years of work experience
However, those with a GPA less than 2.7 with tenured work experience in management, accounting, or finance may be admitted at the discretion of the department.
List of GMAT Waiver Schools
GMAT waiver schools allow students who meet certain criteria to avoid having to send GMAT scores with their application.
While every school has a unique set of application requirements in order to waive the GMAT requirements, the most common include:
- Certain number of years professional experience
- Certain number of years in leadership positions
- Strong academic record
Most online MBA GMAT waiver schools have a separate application for the wavier.
Usually, this application includes:
- Resume
- Academic record
- Recommendations
However, just because your waiver application is accepted, doesn’t guarantee you acceptance to the program. Also, those who have their waiver application denied, still have to send their GMAT scores with their MBA application.
Syracuse University: Online Master of Business Administration
Syracuse University’s Online MBA Program is offered through their Martin J. Whitman School of Management.
The Online MBA Program at Syracuse University offers a range of unique specializations tailored to more specific fields and professional roles.
These specializations include:
- Accounting
- Business Analytics
- Finance
- Entrepreneurship
- Marketing
- Supply Chain Management
The online MBA program was also ranked #47 among Best Online MBA Programs by US News & World Report 2018.
Syracuse also ranked in categories like Best National Universities, Best Colleges for Veterans, and Best Values schools, among others. Their online MBA with no GMAT has also been recognized by other publications including The Princeton Review.
The three online MBAs at Syracuse are:
GMAT Wavier Policy at Syracuse
MBA Program applicants interested in a GMAT waiver need to demonstrate at least five years of relevant professional experience to be considered.
In addition, they look for five key elements that are:
- Leadership Skills
- Professional Experience (including military)
- Accomplishments (including personal and academic) showing problem solving skills and quantitative reasoning
- Critical thinking
- People Skills
University of Dayton
A top-tier Catholic research university, the University of Dayton offers an online MBA program that allows you to join a community of passionate, service-oriented professionals.
Curriculum is focused on building your leadership skills, teaching you how to contribute to society, and applying your skills.
In addition, depending on your educational background and professional experience, you may be able to complete your degree in as little as 12-15 months.
The online MBA combines:
- Live online courses held in real-time via webcam
- Video lectures
- Case studies
- Interactive group projects
- In-person immersions on campus
Dayton MBA Admissions Requirements
The admissions requirements for the Dayton MBA include:
- Official transcripts
- Professional work history
- Essay and optional statement
- Letters of recommendation
- Test scores
GMAT Waiver Policy at Dayton
The MBA programs at Dayton offer a GMAT waiver if you have three or more years of professional full-time work experience. However, even if you qualify for the waiver, you still have the option of submitting your test scores as part of your application.
Keep in mind that Dayton reviews the relevancy and duration of your professional experience and reserves the right to ask for additional clarification on any aspect.
University of Denver
The online MBA@Denver was reinvented to position you for today’s marketplace. Instead of focusing on business courses, it’s focused on core business challenges by immersing you in the real world, working with real businesses.
Through a curriculum that that offers a new challenge each quarter, you may build a powerful network and receive customized leadership development needed to jumpstart your career.
The four quarterly challenges are:
- Enterprise
- Social Good
- Corporate
- Global Challenge
These challenges are completed by small student teams alongside a faculty advisor, business professional, and personal coach and run concurrently with classes so you can apply the lessons and have a clearer idea of what you do and don’t understand.
Admissions Requirements: Online MBA at the University of Denver
The admissions requirements for the online MBA at the University of Denver include:
- Official transcripts
- Resume
- Essays
- Letters of recommendation
- Interview
- Test scores
GMAT Waiver Policy
When applying to the online MBA at the University of Denver, the GMAT requirement may be waived if you meet one of the following requirements.
5 GMAT Waiver Requirements
- If you have a graduate degree
- 10 years professional experience, with 8 years in a management role
- Three years of professional experience with a 3.2 GPA or better in undergraduate major
- Five years of professional experience and written documentation that combines academic, professional, military experience, or employer-development support that has prepared you for an MBA
- If you’ve earned a Daniels Graduate Business Certificate with a 3.0 average in two quantitative courses
Before applying, check with the school to see if you meet any of these or other requirements to waive your GMAT.
University of North Carolina
The online MBA at UNC combines interactive online experiences, self-paced coursework, in-person learning, and real connections with a world-class faculty.
Plus, the accomplished alumni consists of more than 34,000 professionals in 100 different countries, all of who have lifelong access to all of their coursework and recorded lectures. After graduation, you also have the ability to take new MBA at UNC electives for a minimal fee.
UNC Online MBA Admissions Requirements
Some of the admissions requirements for the online MBA at the University of North Carolina include:
- Academic performance
- Employment experience
- Essays
- Letters of recommendation
- Personal interview
UNC GMAT Waiver Policy
The GMAT waiver policy considers the following elements:
- Academic coursework and grades (both undergraduate and graduate)
- Previous work experience
- Current job responsibilities
- Professional certifications
However, no GMAT waiver is automatic and an approved waiver request does not guarantee admission to the program.
University of Hartford
The University of Hartford’s MBA program, offered through The Barney School of Business, is available online, or on campus, or as a blend of the two, either full or part time. This may enable you to choose the option that best fits into your life and work schedule.
The Hartford MBA program was designed to accommodate students at the beginnings of their careers in pursuit of management roles, as well as mid-career students with some experience in that area.
With the level of flexibility and customization they offer, Hartford aims to offer students what they need to succeed, when and how they need it.
Hartford has been recognized for the quality of the experience they offer students. For example, US News & World Report 2018 ranked Hartford University in several categories, including National Universities, Business Programs, and part-time MBA.
The University of Hartford MBA Program allows students to select one of several concentrations.
7 Areas of Concentration
- Business Analytics
- Finance
- International Business
- Management
- Marketing
- Project Management
- Supply Chain Management
GMAT Waiver Policy at Hartford
You may qualify for the GMAT waiver at Hartford if you:
- Earned an AACSB-accredited business degree within the past 10 years
- Have five or more years of professional experience
- Earned a prior master’s degree in another field
- Have exceptional academic achievement
What Is the GMAT?
GMAT stands for Graduate Management Admissions Test and is a standardized test that many graduate business programs use to evaluate or place applicants to their programs.
Unlike the GRE, the GMAT is specific to business and management-oriented programs, and as such, aims to measure skills and knowledge relevant to that discipline.
The GMAT is typically administered as a Computer Adaptive Test or CAT, which means you take the test in a designated testing center and the specific type and number of questions you get may vary depending on the correctness of your previous answers.
The GMAT exam has four sections:
- Analytical Writing Assessment
- Integrated Reasoning
- Quantitative
- Verbal
Alternative Requirements to the GMAT
With all that said, plenty of schools have elected not to require applicants to sit for the GMAT. In most cases, schools that do not require these scores will nevertheless consider them if you do choose to share your results.
Both GMAT waiver schools and online MBA no GMAT required programs may, however, impose additional requirements in place of the GMAT. This way, they might still evaluate each applicant’s suitability for their program outside of GPA and transcript information.
Generally, the types of things a school might ask for in place of GMAT results would vary depending on the specific skills, knowledge, and experience valued by that program.
Here are 6 types of materials you might need to submit:
- Alternate test scores (like the GRE, LSAT, MCAT, etc.)
- Evidence of current professional certification relevant to the program in question (such as CPA, CFA, PMP, FINRA, Six Sigma, etc.)
- Prior academic success (e.g. a minimum GPA to be exempt from the GMAT requirement)
- Demonstration of communication skills (a graduate school interview, writing samples, essays, research papers, etc.)
- Resume reflecting relevant professional experience
- Professional and academic references
Remember, each school (whether they require the GMAT or not) may have unique application requirements. As such, the prerequisites and documentation you need to submit may vary from the examples listed above.
Why Waive the GMAT?
During recent years, many MBA programs have decided to eliminate their GMAT requirement or to offer GMAT waivers because recent studies suggest GMAT scores may not be the determining factor on MBA graduation GPAs or graduation rates that academic’s once thought it did.
For instance, one study in the American Journal of Business Education from four faculty members at the University of Hartford, found that there was no significant difference on graduation GPA for MBA students who had the GMAT requirement waived.
In fact, the most important factor for dictating MBA graduation GPA was a student’s undergraduate GPA according to the study.
More recently, the University of North Carolina found no significant difference in the performance of students who had the GMAT waived during the admissions process. Instead, they’ve found that reliable indicators of success in their MBA program to be:
- Career trajectory & success
- Previous academic performance
- Quantitative experience
As a result, UNC, the University of Hartford, and many other schools have decided to offer no GMAT requirements or GMAT waiver policies.
Potential Earnings Increase
According to a BLS report, in 2013 financial managers with a master’s degree earned 41% more than those with only a bachelor’s (median annual salaries of $110,000 with a master’s and $78,000 with a bachelor’s).ii
Your Online MBA Options
In addition to programs that offer no GMAT admissions requirements, many schools and universities offer a variety of MBA options:
Some of the most common are:
Plus, if you can’t decide, you can always learn about the difference between an MBA and an MS in Business Administration.
In the table below are a few ideas from partner universities to get you started.
List of Online MBA Programs That Don't Require GMAT
| Graduate School | GMAT Required? | Other Admission Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Simmons College | No GMAT Required | Essay, Letters of Recommendation, Resume, Transcripts |
| 2. American University | No GMAT Required | Personal Statement, Resume, Transcripts, Recommendation Letters |
| 3. Jefferson University Innovation MBA | No GMAT Required | Academic and Professional Experience |
| 4. Utica College | No GMAT Required | 2.7 Bachelor's GPA, 2 Years Work Experience |
| 5. Syracuse University | GMAT Waiver | GMAT Waiver based on Leadership Skills, Professional Experience, Critical Thinking, more |
| 6. University of Dayton | GMAT Waiver (if 3+ years professional experience) | Transcripts, Work History, Letters of Recommendation |
| 7. University of Denver | GMAT Waiver - Multiple Requirements | Transcripts, Resume, Essays, Interview, more |
| 8. University of North Carolina | GMAT Waiver (based on academic coursework, work experience, more | Academic Performance, Employment experience, Essays, Interview, Recommendation Letters |
| 9. University of Hartford | GMAT Waiver - Multiple Requirements | Multiple Admissions Components |
Finding an Online MBA with No GMAT Requirement
Whether you’re interested in earning an online MBA with no GMAT, or prefer to earn your MBA on campus, there are plenty of programs are out there for you. The programs above are a must-read for your search for an Online MBA Program with no GMAT requirement.
Did You Know?
According to O*NET, an online career database, a higher percentage of chief executives have a master’s degree (26%) than only a bachelor’s degree (22%).i
Or, use the form on this page to get matched to the perfect program for you! Plus, check out our MBA Scholarship for those who are already enrolled in a program, or will be enrolled soon.
[i] onetonline.org/link/summary/11-1011.00 [ii] bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/should-i-get-a-masters-degree.htm