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FAQs

When are the admission deadlines?

Fall semester
College and Assistantship Deadline: March 1st
University Deadline: May 1st for Internationals, July 1st for Domestic

Does anyone really read the resume, letters of recommendation, and personal statement of interest?

Yes! The Program Coordinator, the Associate Dean and the Admissions Committee read the materials that are submitted with every application in order to understand the nature of the students that are applying to the program and to insure that there is a clear fit between the Area program objectives and the applicant's objectives. More importantly, if there is any question about the suitability of the applicant for the program in terms of the quantitative admission criteria (GMAT/ GRE score and GPA) these materials provide important information to the Committee.

Do you accept Admission to the Program in the Spring?

Typically, no.  Under special circumstances, departments will accept for the Spring.  You should consult the program coordinator for the concentration of interest.

What exactly does it mean that your programs and the Fogelman College of Business and Economics are accredited by the AACSB?

The Fogelman College of Business and Economics is one of the premier schools of business in the Mid-South and the only business school in West Tennessee that is fully accredited by the AACSB-International, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.   AACSB International accreditation represents the highest standard of achievement for business schools worldwide. Institutions that earn accreditation confirm their commitment to quality and continuous improvement through a rigorous and comprehensive peer review.  Accreditation reviews are conducted every 10 years, and the accreditation of the Fogelman College was reaffirmed in 2002.   The AACSB accreditation is the most widely respected standard, both in the US and in the rest of the world, exclusively for colleges and schools of business.

In addition, The University of Memphis accredited by SACS (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools), which applies to the entire university. 

Can International Students apply for an assistantship?

Yes. International Students can apply for an assistantship.  Assistantships are competitive and require a minimum GMAT of 600 (GRE combined score of 1200).

What does an assistantship cover? What is the process?

An Assistantship requires a minimum 600 GMAT or 75th percentile. An assistantship offers a tuition waiver for the Fall and Spring semesters and a stipend of $12,000 for the academic year ($1,500 a month for eight months). A student is required to enroll in 9 credit hours of courses each semester and work 20 hours per week each semester as a research and/or teaching assistant.

To apply for an assistantship, fill out the Department Financial Assistance Application during the admissions process and submit it to the Ph.D. Programs Office with the Departmental Supporting Materials.

Do you accept part-time students in the Ph.D. program?

Yes, but it is a departmental decision. You should contact the PhD Concentration Coordinator before applying.

My TOEFL is more than two-years old? Do I have to re-take it if I have my Master’s degree from a US institution?

No. You can request a waiver of the TOEFL by submitting a written request with your application. 

Is TSE required?

No.  TSE is not required, but may be submitted if you are applying for a Teaching Assistantship. 

Why is the GMAT score so important?

As do almost all accredited schools of business, we use the Graduate Management Admission Test as a standardized assessment of the qualifications of applicants for advanced study in business and management.  It has been validated by studies of applicants and students all over the world as one predictor of academic performance in graduate management programs.  The GMAT has been shown to be an excellent predictor of success in graduate school, although it is not a perfect predictor nor should it be used as the only criteria for admission.

We must consider the GMAT in addition to the applicant’s academic performance and other application information.   The GPA cannot be used alone, however.   It is difficult to compare the rigor of academic study across schools and programs, meaning that sometimes a 3.5 GPA might have been easier to attain in some programs and schools than a 2.8 GPA in others, making it hard to accurately judge that the applicant with the 3.5 GPA is more qualified than the 2.8 GPA applicant.  In addition, some of our applicants have more education and professional experience.  The GMAT can give us a more recent assessment and basis of comparison across all applicants.

Does the program have distance learning courses?

No. We do not offer distance learning courses in the Ph.D. program.

My Master’s degree is not in Business.  Can I still apply to the Ph.D. program?

Yes.  If your background is not in business, you may be required to take some prerequisite courses to prepare you for the Ph.D. program curriculum.

My Master’s degree did not require a GMAT.  Do I still need a GMAT score to apply to the PhD?

Yes.  Our program requires GMAT or GRE.  

Is the GRE acceptable to apply for the PhD program?

Yes. The GRE is acceptable for all concentrations.

My master’s degree institution is accredited by another association. Will I still be able to apply to the program with my grad degree or does it have to be from an AACSB accredited business program? 

Yes, you can still apply. 

Can I apply to the PhD program in the Fall, even though I will not complete my master degree til December of that year?

Yes, you can. You must complete a Change of Status form. Indicate on the form that you want to apply to the PhD program and indicate the semester and year you will complete your Master’s degree, then submit the form to the Graduate Admissions Office.