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Historical image of women students dressed in gowns celebrating the Ivy Chain ceremony. Close up of graduate student looking determined to build her new at Columbia College.

Graduate Admissions

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Admission Requirements By Program

To gain admission to any of our graduate programs, you will need proof of a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Students who do not meet the 3.0 GPA requirements may be considered for conditional admission at the discretion of the respective academic department.

Prerequisites

Applicants who have recently completed undergraduate studies are encouraged to enter the workforce prior to seeking admission to the MBA program. Exceptions will be made only under compelling circumstances. 

The following five MBA prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of B or higher (exception: one grade of C in any one of the five undergraduate prerequisite courses is acceptable) in order to be considered for full admission:

  • ACCT 280 Accounting (Financial)
  • ACCT 281 Accounting II (Managerial)
  • FINC 350 Business Finance
  • MKTG 210 Principles of Marketing
  • MGMT 230 Principles of Management

ACCT 280, ACCT 281, and FINC 350 must be taken sequentially.

Prerequisites

In addition to a cumulative undergraduate 3.0 GPA and the five general MBA prerequisites, admission to the Accounting emphasis of the MBA program requires the following undergraduate prerequisites with grades of B or higher (exception: one grade of C is any of the eleven undergraduate prerequisite courses is acceptable) in order to be considered for full admission:

  • ACCT 381 Federal Income Tax-Individuals
  • ACCT 382 Intermediate Accounting I
  • ACCT 383 Intermediate Accounting II
  • ACCT 385 Accounting Information Systems
  • ACCT 386 Cost and Managerial Accounting
  • ACCT 489 Auditing I

Prerequisites

In addition to a cumulative undergraduate 3.0 GPA and the five general MBA prerequisites, admission to the MS in Accountancy program requires the following undergraduate prerequisites with grades of B or higher (exception: one grade of C is any of the eleven undergraduate prerequisite courses is acceptable) in order to be considered for full admission:

  • ACCT 381 Federal Income Tax-Individuals
  • ACCT 382 Intermediate Accounting I
  • ACCT 383 Intermediate Accounting II
  • ACCT 385 Accounting Information Systems
  • ACCT 386 Cost and Managerial Accounting
  • ACCT 489 Auditing I

Prerequisites

Applicants may have a baccalaureate degree in any field. Applicants not meeting admission requirements may be approved for conditional admission at the discretion of the Dean of the School of Public Service.

Prerequisites

Applicants should provide a copy of teaching certificate. Applicants may seek admission to the M.Ed. program during their second year of teaching or after, beginning coursework the second semester of the second year, at the earliest. Students not meeting admission requirements may be approved for conditional admission at the discretion of the Dean of the School of Public Service.

Prerequisites

In addition to a cumulative undergraduate 3.0 GPA, applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • A baccalaureate degree in criminal justice

OR 

  • completed the following MSCJ prerequisite courses with an earned grade of B or higher in each course:
    • CJAD 101: Introduction to Criminal Justice
    • CJAD 415 Criminal Procedures

This program does not have additional program-specific admissions requirements.

This program does not have additional program-specific admissions requirements.

Traditional applicant: A bachelor’s degree and a 3.0 overall GPA

Advanced Standing applicant: A bachelor’s degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program and a 3.0 overall GPA

Additional application materials to submit:

  • Official transcripts
  • Current resume
  • Three letters of recommendation
    • Advanced Standing applicants: One letter must be from your BSW practicum liaison and one letter from your BSW practicum instructor
  • Personal statement (respond to the following prompts)
    • Personal Motivation: Please share a personal experience that motivated your decision to pursue social work. How did this experience shape your values, perspective, and commitment to serving others?
    • Ethical challenges: Please describe a time when you faced an ethical challenge that tested your integrity, professional competence, or ethical practice. How did you resolve the situation while upholding ethical principles?
    • Cultural Competence: Social work requires cultural humility and a deep understanding of diverse communities. Please describe a time when you confronted your own biases or assumptions to better understand and support someone from a different cultural background.
    • Time Commitment: Graduate school requires balancing coursework, practicums, and personal commitments. Please detail your plan of how you will adjust your schedule to manage these demands and be successful in the MSW program.
    • Technology skills: You have chosen to apply to a completely online MSW program. Please discuss your level of proficiency with technology and highlight your strengths and areas for improvement.

Ed.S. admission criteria:

  • Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from an accredited college/university with a minimum 3.0 GPA
  • Minimum of two years of teaching experience and preferred building level leadership experience for those seeking superintendent certification
  • Official transcripts
  • Copy of teacher certifications
  • Professional resume
  • Professional goal statement

Conditional Admission

Students who have not completed all required prerequisite courses at the time of applying to a graduate program but fulfill all other admissions standards may be considered for post-baccalaureate admission or conditional admission. If admitted under this status, all prerequisite courses must be successfully completed with a grade of B or higher prior to enrollment in graduate coursework.

The MAT post-baccalaureate program is for students who have a bachelor's degree and wish to fulfill Missouri teacher certification requirements established by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Other Options

Non-Degree Seeking

Students may enroll in graduate-level courses without pursing a master's degree. Application requirements vary among programs.

Post-baccalaureate

Applicants who have not completed required prerequisite courses when applying to a graduate program may be considered for post-baccalaureate admission.

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