Applying to Duquesne's One-Year MBA Program

The Admissions Committee at the Palumbo-Donahue School of Business takes a holistic approach in reviewing applicants for admission into the program. This means that all components of your application are carefully evaluated when granting admission. The program starts in late May (summer term).

Application Deadlines

Round I 

  • Completed application received by November 1
  • Admissions and merit based award notification made by November 1

Round II

  • Completed application received by February 1 
  • Admissions and merit based award notification made by February 15

Rolling Admissions 

  • Completed application received after February 15 

All admitted applicants, including international students, are considered for merit scholarships and fellowships, and early applicants (Rounds I and II) will maximize their opportunities for aid.

What we look for in an applicant

Prior Academic Performance

Applicants to the program need to be able to handle the demands of a one-year MBA program. For admissions consideration, it is preferred that applicants graduate with a 3.0/4.0 (from U.S. institutions) or better undergraduate GPA.

Work experience

While work experience is not a requirement for admissions, past work experience adds to the classroom dynamic and will enhance your job marketability post-MBA. Our students come from a variety of backgrounds including traditional business functions, nonprofit, the military, and Peace Corps.

Post-MBA Employability and a Passion for bringing about change for the good

Sustainability is more than just about caring for the environment. It is encompasses all aspects of an organization and can have a positive impact on the bottom line, while bettering society. Our graduates go into a wide variety of successful careers upon graduation, prepared to make a difference in organizations. You should be able to effectively manage the demands of a one-year MBA program and be highly marketable to employers based upon your academic and career background.

Admissions Requirements

Duquesne students and alumni: The registrar will send official transcripts for current students or alumni who have graduated within the past 5 years. For students who have graduated beyond 5 years, you can request your transcript through Duquesne's Registrar.

Other US-based university/college students and alumni: Contact your school's registrar office to have your official transcript sent via email (grad-bus@duq.edu) or via post to:

Graduate Admissions
Palumbo-Donahue School of Business
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600 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15282

* You will need to request official transcripts from all colleges and/or universities you have attended. This includes transfer coursework earned at any institution, even if you did not earn a degree.

Students who completed their degree(s) outside the U.S.:
Students are required to use a transcript credential evaluation service to obtain a course-by-course report. The official reports must be sent directly to Duquesne University from the service used. Once received, it will satisfy both your transcript and evaluation requirements.

Three-year bachelor's degrees may be acceptable if the credential evaluation service determines that it is equivalent to a four-year bachelor's degree. Please review our Transcript Credential Evaluation page to find out more information.

Two professional recommendations are required as part of the application process. Recommendations should be from former professors or supervisors who can evaluate your potential for graduate study. After your Online Application has been received, you will be directed to a Supplemental Document Portal where you can enter the contact information for both recommenders. The recommendation form will then be sent electronically to each recommender from your application portal. 
After you submit the Online Application, you will receive an email directing you to our Supplemental Document Portal for uploading your resume or CV. Your resume/CV should outline your academic background and career progression. Leadership and involvement in professional organizations should also be highlighted. For applicants with no post-bachelors work experience, please be sure to list any internships and extracurricular activities that you have been involved with.

Please submit a separate essay for each of the questions presented below. Limit your responses to 250 words or less for each essay. Save and upload your responses as one document. Applicants who do not submit their essays in the proper format, or who do not address the question prompts, may be asked to re-write and resubmit their essays.

  1. Why are you interested in pursuing an MBA emphasizing sustainability?
  2. How has your background prepared you for the challenges of graduate business study and next-generation leadership?
  3. Tell us about a time when you overcame a significant challenge. Describe the situation, the process for resolving it, any action you took and the outcome.

Interviews are by invitation only and can be conducted in-person, over the phone or via Skype.

Scholarships, Fellowships, and Graduate Assistantship Opportunities
All admitted applicants are considered for merit-based aid which can be comprised of scholarships, fellowships, and/or a graduate assistantship. No additional forms are required for these opportunities, with the exception of the Eugene E. Beard Sustainability Fellowship, which requires an essay to be submitted once you have completed your initial application.

You may choose to submit a GMAT or GRE score if you do not think your work experience or academic performance accurately reflects your potential for success in graduate study.

Although the GMAT/GRE are not required for admission, they may be required for consideration for merit-based funding opportunities.

International Students: English Proficiency Requirements

TOEFL

TOEFL scores must be sent directly from the . Duquesne's institution code for the TOEFL is 2196, and the department code is 02. We require a TOEFL score earned within 12 months (one year) from the time of application.  The minimum score for TOEFL is 90.

IELTS

IELTS scores must be sent directly from the . We require an IELTS score earned within 12 months (one year) from the time of application. The minimum score for IELTS is 7.

DET

DET scores must be sent directly from the . We require a DET score earned within 12 months (one year) from the time of application. The minimum score for DET is 125. 

International students are required to submit an official TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test (DET) score.