University of Washington

• Personal Background and Growth Statement (optional)Optional

  Optional Personal Statement, maximum 300 words (see essay prompts).

• Professional resumeRequired

  Your resume must be uploaded to your online application: a complete summary of your education and professional work history in reverse chronological format. For each position: company name and division/group/department, position title, dates, a 2 to 4 sentence responsibility summary, and 2 to 4 accomplishment bullets. Post-undergraduate professional experience is not required.

• Statement of Purpose (required)Required

  One required Statement of Purpose, maximum 300 words (see essay prompts).

• TranscriptsRequired

  Transcripts are required for all undergraduate and graduate-level institutions attended. Scan copies of your original transcripts in PDF format and upload them to the online application (do not send official transcripts by mail); include transcript keys describing the grading scale. International transcripts must include official English translations; both marks sheets and degree statements are required, if applicable. Self-generated grade reports are not accepted.

• Letters of recommendation2 letters

  Preferably, recommendations should be provided by professional contacts versus academic or personal contacts.

  Two recommendation letters are required. Designate your recommenders in your online application profile; recommenders receive an email directing them to the online recommendation form.

• GMAT or GREOptional

  GMAT (optional; or GRE): Test Scores: GRE/GMAT (optional). The program strongly encourages applicants to submit official GRE or GMAT test scores; there is no preference for GMAT or GRE. Scores are valid for five years; take the exam at least two weeks before the deadline; the highest total score is used. GMAT school code: 459-75-19. Include your score breakdown in the Self-Reported Test Score section.

  GRE (optional; or GMAT): Test Scores: GRE/GMAT (optional). The program strongly encourages applicants to submit official GRE or GMAT test scores; there is no preference for GMAT or GRE. Scores are valid for five years; take the exam at least two weeks before the deadline; the highest total score is used. GRE school code 4854 (dept code if required: 99). Include your score breakdown in the Self-Reported Test Score section.

  Waiver / exemption: For experienced and qualifying candidates, applications can be submitted as 'test optional'. To be considered competitive without a score, show quantitative aptitude through two or more years of professional experience demonstrating analytical aptitude, or an undergraduate or graduate STEM degree with at least a 3.3 GPA. Test-optional applicants must answer an additional prompt (see essay prompts).

• Duolingo English TestIf your degree wasn't taught in English

  The school’s official pages say this differently. Here is what each one says — check with the school before you rely on it.

  Duolingo English Test (International Applicants section)

  Minimum score requirement is 120, though we recommend a score of at least 125. Send official scores from Duolingo to 'University of Washington Graduate Admissions (Bothell, Seattle, Tacoma).'

  MSBA Admissions ↗

  Duolingo English Test (Application Requirements section)

  Our required minimum score is 125. Send official scores from Duolingo to 'University of Washington Graduate Admissions (Bothell, Seattle, Tacoma).'

  MSBA Admissions ↗
• Duolingo English Test, IELTS or TOEFL iBTIf your degree wasn't taught in EnglishRequired

  Duolingo English Test (International Applicants section): Minimum score requirement is 120, though we recommend a score of at least 125. Send official scores from Duolingo to 'University of Washington Graduate Admissions (Bothell, Seattle, Tacoma).'

  Duolingo English Test (Application Requirements section): Our required minimum score is 125. Send official scores from Duolingo to 'University of Washington Graduate Admissions (Bothell, Seattle, Tacoma).'

  IELTS: Minimum score requirement is 7.0; the International Applicants section adds 'though we recommend a score of at least 7.5'. Send official scores via the 'E-Delivery service' option; printed hard copy Test Report Forms will not be accepted. Processing can take up to 21 days.

  TOEFL iBT: TOEFL iBT or TOEFL iBT Home Edition. Minimum score requirement is 4.5 iBT (new scoring) or 92 iBT (before Jan 21, 2026). Send official scores from ETS (school code 4854). The program cannot admit applicants with scores below the minimum.

  Waiver / exemption: Required only if your native language is not English. Other ways to show proficiency instead of a test: a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree from a regionally accredited institution in the United States or from an institution in Australia, the Bahamas, Canada, Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago, or the United Kingdom (South Africa is missing from the International Applicants section's list); or official documentation from the undergraduate degree-granting institution verifying that all instruction is in English (minimum of three years of enrollment; degree equivalent to a US bachelor's degree).

• PTE Academic (not listed)If your degree wasn't taught in EnglishNot accepted

  Not listed: the page lists English proficiency 'in one of the following ways' — a qualifying degree, English-instruction documentation, TOEFL iBT, IELTS or the Duolingo English Test. PTE is not on the list.

• Video interviewRequired · after you submit

  You are required to complete a short video interview while your application is under review. Interview invitations and instructions will be sent via email.

Who can apply

• Bachelor's degree (U.S. equivalent)Required

  You must have completed the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university to be considered for admission.

• Minimum GPA 3.0Required

  The minimum GPA is 3.0 for the last 90-quarter or 60-semester credits. Studies outside the U.S. must be converted to a four-point scale; the application has an 'I do not have a GPA' box for universities that don't grade courses or provide a GPA.

• Math and statistics (recommended)Optional

  Our ideal applicant is comfortable with math and statistics. Not stated as a requirement.

• R, Python, Excel and SQL exposure (recommended)Optional

  Our ideal applicant has exposure to R, Python, Excel, and SQL. Not stated as a requirement.

• Essay 1 · Optional · 300 wordsThe Personal Statement is an optional opportunity to help the admissions committee better understand your background, lived experiences, and personal growth (maximum 300 words). You may wish to discuss: unique aspects of your background or identity; challenges you have overcome or lessons learned; perspectives you will bring to the MSBA community; experiences that have shaped your goals or values. This statement should complement—not duplicate—your Statement of Purpose.

  The Personal Statement is an optional opportunity to help the admissions committee better understand your background, lived experiences, and personal growth (maximum 300 words). You may wish to discuss: unique aspects of your background or identity; challenges you have overcome or lessons learned; perspectives you will bring to the MSBA community; experiences that have shaped your goals or values. This statement should complement—not duplicate—your Statement of Purpose.

• Essay 2 · Required · 300 wordsIn your Statement of Purpose, please describe your motivation for pursuing the MSBA degree and how it aligns with your academic and professional goals (maximum 300 words). You may wish to address: your reasons for pursuing the MSBA degree; your learning goals and areas of interest; your career goals over the next 5–10 years; how the MSBA program will help you achieve these goals. Please provide clear examples where relevant.

  In your Statement of Purpose, please describe your motivation for pursuing the MSBA degree and how it aligns with your academic and professional goals (maximum 300 words). You may wish to address: your reasons for pursuing the MSBA degree; your learning goals and areas of interest; your career goals over the next 5–10 years; how the MSBA program will help you achieve these goals. Please provide clear examples where relevant.

• Essay 3 · Applicants who choose to apply “Test Optional”Please detail the specific evidence in your academic and/or professional experience that supports your analytical and quantitative preparedness for success in the program.

  Please detail the specific evidence in your academic and/or professional experience that supports your analytical and quantitative preparedness for success in the program.