Deferred Admission

Graduate School Admission

History and Background of the Graduate Programs

Bryant University, renowned as one of America’s oldest, private business schools, has prepared generations of women and men for success in life and in their chosen professions. Bryant’s Graduate School provides the theoretical framework and the practical experience that enables students to lead people and effectively manage resources in a complex global marketplace. Business leaders throughout New England and around the world have benefited from Bryant’s rigorous academic programs, world-class facilities and technology, and outstanding faculty.

Bryant University has a long history of preparing students to excel in the world of commerce. Our graduate programs enable working professionals to fulfill rewarding careers whether, they work in corporations, service organizations, not for profit organizations or government. Bryant is committed to providing students with excellent faculty, facilities, and the resources they need for academic and personal success.

Bryant University initiated the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program in the fall of 1969. Today, students from diverse academic and industry backgrounds join a cohort class of professionals and complete an MBA degree program that is built on best-practices, know-what and know-how curriculum. Students may choose program study tracks that complete the MBA program in one or two years.

A part-time, two-year MBA is available for experienced professionals seeking career advancement.

A full-time, one-year MBA is appropriate for students from all academic majors who have recently completed their undergraduate degree.

In 1978, a Master of Science in Taxation (MST) program was started so that tax practitioners could add to their technical and theoretical knowledge. Most MST students are experienced accountants, finance professionals, or attorneys who are seeking an in-depth knowledge of taxation in order to more effectively advise individual and corporate clients.

In the summer of 2007 Bryant University introduced the Master of Professional Accountancy (MPAc) degree. This program is designed to satisfy the “150-hour requirement” necessary for accounting professionals to become certified public accountants. Students can complete the MPAc program in two semesters of full-time attendance.

Graduate programs are administered by the Graduate School. MBA and MST courses offered during the evening providing an opportunity for qualified men and women to obtain their advanced professional degrees while continuing to be employed. One-year MBA and MPAc courses are offered during the day.

Admission Requirements

Domestic Applicants

Bryant University is committed to enrolling a class of students with strong credentials that show a high promise of professional success. To be admitted to any Bryant graduate program, applicants must be (or about to become) a graduate of an accredited, four-year college or university.

Applicants must submit:

• Bryant University Graduate School application. Applicants may obtain an application on-line.
• Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
• One professional letter of recommendation. Recommenders may use the form in the application package or submit a written recommendation on letterhead.
• Official score on the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)*
• Statement of objectives and professional interests (no more than one page)
• A current resume
• $80 non-refundable application fee
• Interview. An interview (either in person or by phone) is strongly recommended

* The only waivers granted for the GMAT are:

• MST applicants who have successfully passed the four parts of the CPA exam or who are enrolled agents
• Applicants who hold a doctorate (PhD, MD, JD)

Full-time students are required to forward completed health forms to Health Services and to show proof of health insurance.

International Applicants

Students from across the globe who enroll in the Bryant University Graduate School bring valuable perspectives to the classroom. International students must secure the proper visa and enroll in the appropriate number of credits.

International Student Admission Requirements:

In addition to the items listed above for domestic applicants, international applicants are required to submit the following:

• Applicant must be a graduate of a four year college or university or have earned the equivalent of 120 credits
• Official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended, translated into English and converted to a 4.0 scale
• TOEFL exam for applicants whose native language is not English or whose undergraduate instruction was not conducted in English.
• International Graduate Student Certification of Finance from international applicants seeking an I-20.

Deferred Admission

If an accepted student cannot begin classes in the semester for which he/she applied, the student may defer his/her admission until the next term. Requests for a deferral must be made in writing to the Graduate School and may be approved for up to one year. All deferral requests that are approved are subject to a $250 non-refundable commitment fee; if admission is accepted with a one-year period, the commitment fee is applicable toward tuition fees.

Readmit Policy

If a student withdraws from Bryant and later wishes to resume graduate work, he or she will be required to reapply to the Graduate School and will be responsible for the degree requirements that are in place at the time of re-admission. If the student’s file is available, the student will be required to submit a new application, statement of objectives, resume and an $80.00 application fee. If the folder is not available, a complete application package must be submitted by the applicant.

Permission to re-enroll will be granted only after a review of the student's academic record by the Admission Committee.

• If the student’s course(s) were completed within the last three years, all courses, credits and grades previously taken will be applied to the student’s transcript.
• If the courses are between three and five years old, the courses will be reviewed by the appropriate department chairpersons. Those courses that are deemed to still be current by the department will be applied to the student’s transcript. Those that are not approved will be listed on the student’s transcript but not computed in the grade point average calculation.
• Courses that are older than five years old are not generally accepted toward the degree program but will appear on the student’s transcript. Neither the credits nor the grades previously earned will be calculated in the student’s grade point average.

Non-matriculating Students

A non-matriculating student is defined as a student who is enrolled in a degree program at an institution other than Bryant University and who wishes to take one or more courses at Bryant to transfer to his/her home institution. A non-matriculating student must complete the first page of the Bryant application and submit an application fee of $80.00 and a letter from his/her dean or advisor indicating that he/she has been pre-approved to take a course(s) at Bryant. A non-matriculating student can register for a course(s) two weeks before classes begin and as long as there is space available.