Frequently asked questions

Ready to take the next step and start your MBA journey? Visit the School of Graduate Studies McMaster University Application site.

We consider the last two years of undergraduate study.

If you have completed a Master’s program, we will calculate your GPA using a combination of the grades from your graduate degree and the grades from your final year of undergraduate study.

We consider your GPA in your final two years to be competitive if you’ve attained a B average, or approximately 75%. This equates to a 3.0 on a 4.0 GPA scale and an 8.0 on a 12.0 GPA scale.

We consider all applicants holistically, meaning we take all aspects of your application into consideration. This includes your work experience, interview(s), reference forms and application responses. You may also offset your GPA with a competitive GMAT score.

We consider a competitive GMAT score to be 555 + or GRE to be 308 (Q:157, V:151). However, these are not minimum requirements.

We do not need your official transcripts at the time of application. We complete assessments of your grades based off of your unofficial (scanned) transcripts.

No, you do not need to have WES evaluate your transcripts.

We do not offer any transfer credits to students. Students are expected to complete our MBA program in its entirety.

No. You decide what specialization you’d like to pursue in your second year of studies, or you can choose to continue studying business broadly.

All applicants, international and domestic, are considered for entrance scholarships and admission awards at the time of application. We determine award amounts based on a holistic assessment of a student’s profile. Awards range from $1,000-$30,000 CAD. Students also have the opportunity to apply for additional scholarships in September. More information is available here.

$1.5 million in entrance scholarship funding was available in 2024.

If your internship or co-op was part of your school curriculum and reflected on your undergraduate transcript, it will be evaluated as a part of your application. However,  post graduate full-time work will only be considered to meet work experience requirements.

Choose the reference that is most applicable to your current situation. If you are currently working full-time, we would prefer professional references. If you are currently enrolled as a student, academic references are acceptable. Choose your references strategically. These two people should have a good understanding of your skills and can best speak to your suitability as an MBA candidate.

English language proficiency requirements are waived if you have studied for a minimum of three years in a university where the medium of instruction was English. We will need official documentation from your university to confirm.

We do not have individual band score requirements for IELTS or TOEFL. We currently only consider the overall score.

MBA specializations are focused areas of study that allow you to tailor your second-year education to your specific career goals after building a solid business foundation in your first year. You’ll declare your specialization in your second year, giving you time to explore different business areas before making your decision.

The General MBA provides a comprehensive foundation across all key management areas with maximum flexibility through a wide range of electives. This allows you to design a broad course of study that matches your unique background and diverse interests without focusing on one specific area.

You’ll master descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive analytics through hands-on experience with industry-standard software, preparing you for the rapidly growing data analytics field. This specialization opens diverse career paths in finance, marketing, and operations, plus preparation for professional certifications like INFORMS CAP and SAP Business Integration.

You’ll learn modern financial decision-making including pricing derivatives, portfolio management, and quantitative analysis through cases, simulations, and market analysis. The program prepares you for CFA and CFP designation exams and is recognized by the CFA Institute for incorporating over 70% of their required knowledge.

This specialization combines essential management skills with real-world health sector experience through work terms, preparing you to excel rapidly in healthcare leadership roles. Through our alliance with the Canadian College of Health Leaders, you’ll receive advanced standing toward the Certified Health Executive (CHE) designation, Canada’s only professional credential for health leaders.

You’ll master both quantitative and qualitative aspects of customer behavior through comprehensive coursework and integrated experiential learning opportunities. Graduates are prepared for diverse marketing careers including brand management, marketing research, sales, and both consumer and business marketing roles.

This specialization uses a unique interdisciplinary approach blending finance, economics, and accounting principles to teach business valuation best practices. You’ll master investigative techniques, engage in case analysis, and participate in panel discussions with industry experts to become part of the next generation of valuation professionals.

Exclusive to our Full-Time program, this 8 month long consulting project allows you to dive into an authentic business challenge. Working with industry leaders from local organizations to develop tangible solutions, you’ll sharpen your critical thinking skills and prepare for effective teamwork in diverse settings.

While you are not required to pursue an internship, students have the option to apply for work positions during the summer break.

Students in the MBA program have full access to the services and resources offered by the Career and Professional Development (CPD) team. These services include, but are not limited to, one-on-one counselling, resume/cover letter reviews, interview prep, professional development activities/workshops, employer networking events, alumni connections, and job boards.

Students who opt to take MBA courses during the summer break, selecting from a limited number of courses, may be able to complete the program within 16 months’ time. Please note you will not be able to specialize if you choose to complete the program in 16 months.

Students in our Full-Time MBA program currently average five years of work experience.

We encourage all applicants to consider a program based off their career goals and desired learning outcomes. If you’d like to have our recruitment team recommend a program opportunity best suited to your profile, please complete a pre-assessment.

A co-op, or work term, gives you the chance to integrate your academic studies with real-world work experience. These paid opportunities to enhance your MBA will help you discover what drives you and understand the impact you will have on the business world.

We do not guarantee positions, or a placement in a specific organization. Working with our Career and Professional Development (CPD) team, a Co-op student will compete and apply for positions on their own. Every MBA with Co-op student works with CPD throughout the entire application process, which leads to a secure rate ranging between 94% and 100%. We work closely with our employer partners to ensure a large amount of Co-op positions are available from which you can apply to.

The schedule for the MBA with Co-op program looks like the following:

• Fall (September – December) – In Class
• Winter (January – April) – Co-op Work Term 1
• Summer (May – August) – In Class
• Fall (September – December – Co-op Work Term 2
• Winter (January – April) – In Class
• Summer (May – August) – Co-op Work Term 3
• Fall (September – December) – In Class

Our co-op model offers a flexible schedule, maximizing academic and co-op success in the first year of the program. Students are required to complete 12 months of Co-op work terms.

Students in our MBA with Co-op program currently average between one and three years of work experience. The classroom experience and co-op opportunities we share with students are best suited to future students with this range of work experience.

We encourage all applicants to consider a program based off their career goals and desired learning outcomes. If you’d like to have our recruitment team recommend a program opportunity best suited to your profile, please complete a pre-assessment.

Students who have graduated with a business degree (example: a Bachelor of Commerce or Bachelor of Business Administration) from an American university within the last 10 years are eligible to apply. We unfortunately do not accept degrees from countries outside of Canada or the United States.

Outside of the BCom or BBA, we are currently approved to accept these other degrees:

• McMaster University, Bachelor of Engineering Management (EngMgmt)
• McMaster University, Bachelor of Technology (BTech), who started the program in 2019 and later, from one of the following streams
  • Automation Systems Engineering Technology (Co-op)
  • Automotive and Vehicle Engineering Technology (Co-op)
  • Biotechnology (Co-op)
    • Regardless of stream, the following courses will need to be completed with a minimum grade of B.
      • COMMERCE 2AB3 – Managerial Accounting
      • COMMERCE 2FB3 – Managerial Finance
• McMaster University, Integrated Business and Humanities (IBH)
• Western University, Bachelor of Management and Organizational Studies (BMOS)

If you complete the Accelerated MBA program on a part-time basis it will take approximately two- three years. Classes are delivered in-person on our campus in Burlington, Ontario. Your course schedule for the week will ultimately depend on what classes you select.

If you are pursuing the Accelerated MBA full-time, you may be eligible for scholarships and bursaries in September. The requirements for scholarships and bursaries vary, so please read the application instructions carefully prior to applying.

Learn more about graduate scholarships.

Students who pursue the Accelerated MBA program on a part-time basis are only available to apply to the Indigenous Learners Award if eligible.

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The GMAT is currently not required for admission to the Accelerated MBA program, provided you have a competitive GPA. You can view our GPA requirements here.

If you have not met these GPA requirements, you may want to consider taking the GMAT examination to enhance your profile during the admissions process.

The Accelerated MBA program consists of two mandatory courses and eight electives.

You can choose from some courses delivered to students in other graduate-level courses at DeGroote. Plus, there are elective courses being developed specifically for BLPT students.

Elective courses are posted prior to the semesters in which they will be offered.

No, you are not required to take any preparatory courses before starting the program.

There may be specific skills or prior knowledge required for particular courses. If that’s the case, your instructors will provide a list of online resources before your first residency to help you prepare.

It depends on the courses you’re taking, and will vary from week to week.

Our best estimate is that you’ll spend an average of eight to fifteen hours a week on course work.

Due to the structure of the program, it’s mandatory that all students attend every residency for the duration of the program.

We recommend scheduling vacations in December, April, or August. There are no weekend residencies or deliverables due during those months.

Yes. They include personalized career coaching and workshops focused on skill development for career acceleration.

Yes. You’ll have opportunities to network with other students and faculty members during class, virtually, and at scheduled events.

In addition to these program-specific opportunities, you can also participate in school-wide networking events. DeGroote hosts alumni receptions, seminars, and expert guest speakers.