University of Tennessee, Knoxville

• Essay responsesRequired

  How To Apply lists 'essay responses' among the required documents. No essay question, number of essays or length is published on the public pages (see _unpublished).

• ResumeRequired

  How To Apply: 'simply gather your required documents, including your resume, essay responses and references, to begin.'

• Transcripts from each institutionRequired

  The program page links 'Submitting Transcripts'. A copy of your official transcript for each listed institution needs to be uploaded, even if you didn't receive a degree there; transcripts in a language other than English must be accompanied with English translations. Web-based grade reports, degree audits and credential-service evaluations (e.g. ECE, WES) are not acceptable for review. Official transcripts will eventually be needed if offered admission.

• Two letters of recommendation2 letters

  The admissions committee prefers to see one academic (faculty) in a quantitative field and one professional (current/previous supervisor) recommendation (program page).

  Landing page FAQ: 'Requirements include a competitive GPA (3.64 average), GRE/GMAT scores (waivers considered with Haslam's Canvas Exam as an alternative), two letters of recommendation, and a 30-minute interview.' Program page: enter the name and email address of your recommender in the application; they receive an email with the recommendation to complete.

• GMAT or GRERequired — waiver possible

  GMAT (required; waivers will be considered; or GRE): GRE/GMAT tests are required, but waivers will be considered. GMAT ID: 8GR-KN-71. All students are expected to demonstrate quantitative abilities either through undergraduate coursework or by completing a quantitative assessment test, such as the Canvas Exam or GRE/GMAT test.

  GRE (required; waivers will be considered; or GMAT): GRE/GMAT tests are required, but waivers will be considered. GRE ID: 2834. All students are expected to demonstrate quantitative abilities either through undergraduate coursework or by completing a quantitative assessment test, such as the Canvas Exam or GRE/GMAT test.

  Waiver / exemption: GRE/GMAT tests are required, but waivers will be considered. Haslam's MSBAi program has designed a custom Canvas Exam, which costs $9; students interested should contact admissions director Caitlin Moore. No waiver criteria are stated.

• Duolingo English Test, IELTS or TOEFL iBTIf your degree wasn't taught in EnglishRequired — waiver possible

  Duolingo English Test (overall 120, Graduate School): The Graduate School accepts the TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo: 'An overall score of 120 on the Duolingo English Test is required.' The program page names only TOEFL and IELTS; Haslam's transcripts page lists a Duolingo English Test recipient ('University of Tennessee – Knoxville – Haslam College of Business').

  IELTS (at least 6.5 overall): Applicants whose native language is not English must score at least 80 overall on the TOEFL IBT or 6.5 overall on the IELTS and submit official test scores. Graduate School minimum: an overall bandwidth of 6.5, with no single band (score) below 6.0. IELTS recipient: University of Tennessee Knoxville Haslam College MBA/MAcc/MS.

  TOEFL iBT (at least 80 overall): Applicants whose native language is not English must score at least 80 overall on the TOEFL IBT or 6.5 overall on the IELTS and submit official test scores. Test scores are valid for two years. Graduate School minimum: for exams taken prior to January 21, 2026, an overall score of 80 with at least 20 on speaking and writing; for exams taken on or after January 22, 2026, an overall score of 4.5 with at least a 4 on speaking and writing. TOEFL School ID: C877 (Haslam).

  Waiver / exemption: Graduate School (linked from the program page for details): an applicant may be exempted from the English Certification requirement if English is an official language in the applicant's country of citizenship, according to standards published by the Graduate School, or English is the primary language of instruction at the institution in which the applicant received an undergraduate, graduate, or professional degree (evidence must appear on the transcript). The program page itself ties the test to native language: 'Applicants whose native language is not English must score at least 80 overall on the TOEFL IBT or 6.5 overall on the IELTS and submit official test scores.'

• PTE Academic not listedIf your degree wasn't taught in EnglishNot accepted

  Not listed: the Graduate School says 'We accept TOEFL iBT (including Computer Based, Home Edition, My Best and Paper Edition), IELTS (including IELTS Online and One Skill Retake), and the Duolingo English test.' PTE is not on the list, and the program page names only TOEFL and IELTS.

• Interview (30 minutes, in person or virtual)Required

  The program requires a brief (30 minute) interview and can accommodate both in-person and virtual interviews.

Who can apply

• Bachelor's degree (equivalent 4-year degree for international applicants)Required

  All undergraduate degrees are accepted (program page). Graduate School: for admission to a graduate program, an international student must have an equivalent 4-year bachelor's degree. Due to the lock-step nature of the program, transfer credits are not accepted.

• Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher (typically)Optional

  Applicants with undergraduate GPAs below 3.0 are not typically considered. The average GPA varies with each incoming class, but is 3.64 on average. Graduate School minimums: U.S. degree holders 2.7 (or 3.0 in the senior year); non-U.S. degrees 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

• Calculus (recommended)Optional

  All undergraduate degrees are accepted, but the most successful students have a strong quantitative aptitude and have taken courses such as math, statistics, engineering, computer science and calculus.

• Computer science coursework (recommended)Optional

  All undergraduate degrees are accepted, but the most successful students have a strong quantitative aptitude and have taken courses such as math, statistics, engineering, computer science and calculus.

• Engineering coursework (recommended)Optional

  All undergraduate degrees are accepted, but the most successful students have a strong quantitative aptitude and have taken courses such as math, statistics, engineering, computer science and calculus.

• Math coursework (recommended)Optional

  All undergraduate degrees are accepted, but the most successful students have a strong quantitative aptitude and have taken courses such as math, statistics, engineering, computer science and calculus.

• Statistics coursework (recommended)Optional

  All undergraduate degrees are accepted, but the most successful students have a strong quantitative aptitude and have taken courses such as math, statistics, engineering, computer science and calculus.