Fisher International MBA

Admissions Requirements Overview

• Standardized Test Scores (Required)
• Language Proficiency (Required)
• Advanced Entry
• Joint MBA / MA in International Environmental Policy degree

Standardized Test Scores

All applicants must submit Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) scores. We recommend that applicants score in the 500s or higher for consideration.  We receive average GMAT scores which range from the upper 500s to low 600s.

Language Proficiency

Native English Speakers

MBA students are required to complete 8-12 credits of advanced foreign language study as part of their degree program. The 8-12 credits must be dedicated to a single language of study (e.g. Arabic, Chinese, French, Japanese, Spanish, or Russian). Students must complete at least 8 credits of advanced language and may choose to select an additional 1-4 credits of language coursework or up to 4 credits of Intercultural Competency coursework.

For successful admission students must be ready to begin their language studies at the following level by the time they begin the degree program:

Spanish or Arabic – ready to start at the 200-level, equivalent to second-year college level. Successful applicants will have had at least one recent academic year of beginning language;
-or-
one summer of intensive language the summer prior to enrolling in the degree program.

Chinese, French, Japanese or Russian – ready to start at the 300-level, equivalent to third-year college level. Successful applicants will have had at least two recent academic years of beginning language;
-or-
one recent academic year plus one summer of intensive language at the intermediate level the summer prior to enrolling in the degree program.

Test Your Language Proficiency

Non-native English Speakers

We recognize that many of our international students come to the Monterey Institute with sophisticated language backgrounds. Terms like "native-speaker," "fluent," or "bilingual" often do not accurately reflect the rich backgrounds of our students. In order to maintain the quality and integrity of the Monterey Institute experience, candidates will be asked to demonstrate English proficiency as part of the admission process.

Non-native English speaking candidates must provide evidence of English proficiency from either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) examinations. Institutional TOEFL reports are not accepted.  However, students who have completed all four years of their undergraduate degree at a U.S. University may be eligible for a TOEFL or IELTS waiver. If you feel that you are eligible for a TOEFL or IELTS waiver, please contact Admissions for an application to waive this requirement.

Scholarships for Summer Intensive Language Study

The Betty and David Jones Scholarships offer the opportunity to attend either the Monterey Institute or Middlebury Language Schools to enhance their foreign language proficiency prior to enrolling in a degree program at the Monterey Institute. Languages include Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Japanese, Russian, and Spanish.

The Kathryn Davis Fellowships offer scholarships to study at Middlebury Language Schools prior to enrolling in a degree program at the Monterey Institute. Languages include Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, and Russian.

Advanced Entry

Applicants who have advanced language skills, significant professional experience, and previous business administration coursework may qualify for our one-year Advanced Entry MBA program.

Prerequisite Coursework

Advanced Entry students must have previous business study that satisfies the following prerequisite subjects and 30 semester hours of credit with grades of B or above:

• Organizational Theory (3 credits)
• Financial Accounting (3 credits)
• Managerial Accounting (3 credits)
• Finance (3 credits)
• Quantitative Methods (6 credits)
• Economics - Micro and Macro preferred (6 credits)
• Marketing (3 credits)
• Operations Management (3 credits)

Language Proficiency

Native English Speakers

Advanced Entry students are required to complete 8 credits of advanced foreign language at the 300 or 400 level, depending on the language of study. Students pursuing French, Russian, Mandarin, Japanese, and English should enter at the 400 level, and students pursuing Arabic and Spanish should enter at the 300 level.

Students language proficiency will be evaluated during New Student Orientation. If students test below these levels, they will be required to complete 12 credits at the 300 level or higher for French, Russian, Mandarin, Japanese and English, or 12 credits at the 200 level or higher for Arabic and Spanish. In this case, 4 credits will be added to students' overall degree requirements.

Non-native English Speakers

Non-native English speakers must provide scores from either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) examinations.  If you feel that you are eligible for a TOEFL or IELTS waiver, please contact Admissions for an application to waive this requirement.

Joint MBA / MA in International Environmental Policy

Students can broaden their career options by earning both the MBA in International Management and the MA in International Environmental Policy in 5 semesters. Applicants may qualify for a joint degree program if they meet specific requirements. The requirements are the same as above (including language), with the addition of microeconomics and macroeconomics.

Learn more about the Joint MBA / MA in International Environmental Policy degree