EIU Master of Business Administration

EIU is home to 766

international students

from 50 countries!

Admission steps in a glance:

Explore EIU MBA Options:

No matter where you come from or what is your goal, we have MBA options for you in EIU.

Explore EIU MBA Options and start your journey in EIU.

International students must enroll in at least 9 credits (3 courses) per semester to maintain full-time status, with a maximum of one online course (3 credits) permitted per semester.

Deadlines to Apply:

Admission Deadlines:

• Fall Semester (Begin courses in August): May 15th to apply for admission, May 30th to complete file

• Spring Semester (Begin courses in January): November 5

Please note:

Students currently attending another U.S. institution may apply after deadline by submitting the printable application form. Application files should be completed ten days before the beginning of the semester.

Deadlines to Apply for Scholarship:

• Fall Semester (Begin courses in August): February 15

• Spring Semester (Begin courses in January): October 1

Deadlines to Apply for Graduate Assistantship:

The Business School offers Graduate Assistantships to students who have successfully completed a minimum of one semester of graduate-level coursework, demonstrating academic excellence and a strong commitment to their studies. Upon meeting this requirement, eligible students may be considered for a Graduate Assistantship, which provides valuable opportunities for professional development, research, and academic support.

Requirements for Admission in EIU MBA

1. Grade Point Average (GPA): To be eligible, applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Alternatively, applicants with a GPA of 2.75 may be considered if they have at least two years of relevant work experience. Please note that exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis, subject to additional review and approval.
2. Official Entrance Examinations (GRE, GMAT, MAT): Optional but Highly Recommended. Submitting official scores can strengthen your application, especially if you're applying for a Graduate Assistantship. This will enhance your application and increase your competitiveness for this opportunity.
3. Test of English Language:
• Score Requirements
• Paper-Based TOEFL: 550 points
• Internet-Based TOEFL: 79 points
• IELTS: 6.5 on the Academic Module
• MELAB: 77
• STEP EIKEN: Grade 1
• iTEP Academic Plus: 5.0 overall assessment
• Duolingo English Test: 105 points

• English Proficiency Requirements can be waived under the following circumstances:
• You have successfully completed 24 semester hours of academic credit from a U.S. college or universty, or
• You have completed Level 112 courses with a Certificate of Proficiency from an ELS Language Center in the U.S., or
• You have successfully completed two consecutive years of courses in a country where English is the primary language and medium of instruction (within the past two years). For a list of these countries, click here.
• You have successfully completed Graduate Student English (Level 7) at the Center for English as a Second Language (CESL) at Southern Illinois University - Carbondale
• You have successfully completed the Proficiency Level, Certificate of Achievement from Kaplan International Colleges.
• You have successfully completed the Advanced Proficiency Level (APL) at one of The Language Company centers in the United States.
• You have successfully completed a 500 Level from the Intensive English Institute. 
• Conditional Admission:

Conditional admission may be offered to graduate international applicants for select programs who meet all of the requirements for admission to EIU except the English language mastery requirement.  Please see the Graduate Checklist for application materials at https://www.eiu.edu/international/gchecklist.php.  You may apply online at MyEIU (https://www.eiu.edu/apply.php). 

Conditional admission for international applicants is granted only by the Graduate School through a recommendation of the Office of International Students and Scholars. Students offered conditional admission must provide evidence of meeting English language mastery requirement to the Office of International Students and Scholars by one of the ways listed on the Graduate Academic Requirement page (https://www.eiu.edu/international/grequirements.php).

Conditional admission is offered only to the Graduate School.  Decisions on admission to degree programs will be provided after evidence of English language mastery is received and acceptance by the academic department. 

4. A completed International Student Financial Affidavit Formand a bank statement (submitted online via Terra Dotta account), documenting sufficient funding for the intended program of study. To see the total cost of one year of study, please see our Costspage.
5. Passport: a copy of the biographical page of your passport (and your dependents if applicable).
6. Transcript/Degree. Documents in languages other than English must be accompanied by a certified official translation.
7. SOP: Submit a Statement of Purpose (SOP) outlining your academic and professional goals, motivations, and relevant experiences.
8. Resume / CV: Upload a current resume or CV that highlights your education, work experience, skills, and achievements
9. Non-refundable application fee of $30.00 U.S.in the form of a check, certified check or money order made payable to Eastern Illinois University, application fee is valid for one year.

For any probable fee waiver, please visit the OISS page:

https://www.eiu.edu/international/graduateapplication.php

Please bring all original documents with you while attending the university. The Office of International Student Services (OISS) will verify and review these documents, and then return them to you.

Costs, Aids & Scholarships

All international students must prove a minimum amount of money to study at EIU for one academic year. These costs will appear on Form I-20 or DS-2019. The approximate costs for the 2024-2025 academic year of study (2 semesters - August to May) for international students are as follows:

Tuition: Graduate tuition and Scholarship amount is based on enrollment in 9 credit hours (3 courses) per semester. 9 credits are considered full-time status by USCIS.

Living Expenses: These are estimated for single students, with Out of State rate. For students with dependents, you should allow an additional $5,525.00 per year for your spouse and an additional $2,000.00 per year for each child. These amounts will cover their food, housing, medical care, and other miscellaneous expenses. This is the minimum amount you should prove for your I-20 or DS-2019. 

International Student Scholarship and Financial Aids: 

The International Student Scholarship was established by the Board of Trustees to assist students from other countries to attend EIU. Awards are competitive and designed to promote cultural exchange and diversity. Awards may be granted on the basis of one or both of the following factors: financial need and academic excellence. The scholarship pays partial tuition for minimum full-time enrollment in on-campus EIU courses. Fees, field trips, online courses, continuing education delivery charges, travel, living expenses, and other personal expenses are not covered. Scholarship awards are granted for two semesters at a time.  

Criteria to be eligible for the scholarship are as follows:

• A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00 (undergraduate), 3.25 (graduate), as converted to the EIU grading scale.
• Full academic admission to a degree program
• Proof of funding for living expenses and fees 

Instructions 

• Please read the Application Guide here for scholarship questions.
• Please submit an application in its entirety. Attempts to review the scholarship application without completion will result in your IP address being blocked from the application.  
• Do not create multiple applications.
• Please note that scholarships are competitive.
• Scholarship applications need to be submitted before 11:59PM to be considered eligible for review. 

New, Incoming students only (Applications, please click here)

International students are NOT eligible for financial aid.

Apply Online on MyEIU Portal & Get Your Decision

To apply at Eastern Illinois University (EIU) MBA Programs you will need:

1. To apply at https://www.eiu.edu/myeiu/. This will be your MyEIU portal to apply, access to your administration checklist, register for events, apply for housing and etc.
2. Complete the program application on your MyEIU portal.
3. Submit all required documents.
4. Get your decision.

International Course Transfer Process

Please note that the Business School has a strict policy of not accepting transfer credits or applications from institutions outside of the United States. No exceptions will be made to this policy.

FAQ

How do I defer my admission?

Currently, EIU no longer defer applications/admissions. Applicants who are unable to resume for the admitted term are required to submit new applications to the next available term.

How do I change my application? (Major, semester etc.)

You can change your application by completing this form:

https://www.eiu.edu/international/machform/view.php?id=67547

What is an E number?

An E# is a unique identifier assigned to you upon your application to Eastern Illinois University. You can find this on your MyEIU portal.