Admission Requirements

Regular Admission

M.S. in BIS candidates must possess strong academic preparation and strong aptitude for graduate study in business. Consequently, the admission requirements embody evidence of both prior academic achievement (GPA) and probability of successful performance in the BIS program (GMAT or GRE score). Students seeking automatic admission to the M.S. in BIS program must meet one of the following criteria:

1. (200 x cumulative GPA) + GMAT score (or converted GRE score) ≥ 1020, OR
2. (200 x GPA from last 60 undergraduate hours) + GMAT score (or converted GRE score) ≥ 1080

Regardless of total points, the minimum acceptable GPA is 2.5, the minimum acceptable GMAT score is 420, and the minimum acceptable GRE score is equivalent to the minimum GMAT score when converted. GMAT or GRE scores used for admission must be taken within the past five years.

Waiver of GMAT or GRE Requirement:

The M.S. in BIS coordinator may waive the GMAT requirement for applicants who

1. Hold a graduate degree or who are currently enrolled in a graduate or professional degree program with equivalent admission standards, OR
2. Have at least a 3.25 GPA from an AACSB-accredited business school (including UALR), OR
3. Can substantiate through written documentation that the combination of their academic and professional accomplishment makes them highly prepared for success in a rigorous graduate program. This may include holding analytically oriented professional or technical certification (i.e., CCDA, CISM, CISSP, MSCA, MSCE, VCP, etc.), current job responsibilities that substantiate preparedness and analytical skills (e.g., data analytics, strategic analysis, etc.), 3.5 or higher GPA from a highly reputable non-business program, OR
4. Have at least a 2.5 GPA in a degree as described in 2 or 3 above combined with a minimum of 5 years of postbaccalaureate, professional work experience showing managerial duties and promotion to increasing levels of responsibility.

All GMAT waivers will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. To be considered for a GMAT waiver, candidates must first begin an application. A current resume will be required for GMAT waiver eligibility and unofficial transcripts may be requested. A brief, one page maximum, written request outlining why a GMAT waiver should be granted is required. The BIS graduate faculty reserve the right to interview GMAT waiver candidates at its discretion.

Conditional Admission

M.S. in BIS applicants who do not meet the criteria for full admission are encouraged to apply and may be admitted conditionally. Decisions concerning conditional admission will be made by the BIS graduate faculty (or a subcommittee thereof). Factors considered in requests for conditional admission will include the following: scores on other standardized exams, grades in the undergraduate major, or other pertinent data that indicate the applicant will perform satisfactorily in the MS in BIS program. Students conditionally admitted to the MS in BIS program must achieve a 3.25 GPA in the first 12 hours of study, or they will be dismissed.

Program Dismissal

A graduate business student receiving a grade of F in a graduate course will be permanently dismissed from the graduate program in which they are enrolled and will not be eligible for admission to other graduate business programs. If the F was received under extenuating circumstances, the student may appeal the dismissal to the college graduate committee within one year of receiving the failing grade.

Students receiving an F due to academic dishonesty will have no right of dismissal appeal once all levels of academic dishonesty and grade appeal processes have been exhausted.

Program Requirements

Competency in Object-Oriented programming (BINS 5312  or equivalent), which can be met with prior course work or experience.