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Applying to the University of Denver’s Daniels College of Business

Our mission is to prepare you for a lifetime of personal and professional success. We’ve assembled extraordinary resources to deliver on that mission—challenge-driven education, world-class facilities and business-savvy faculty.

At Daniels, we offer a wide range of highly regarded business degrees and programs for graduate students, tailored to different experience levels, specialties and career aspirations. If you have questions, please contact our Admissions office at 303.871.3416.

Program Start Dates

March Start:

Part-time Professional MBA
Executive MBA
Master of Accountancy
Master of Science in Applied Quantitative Finance
Master of Science in Business Analytics
Master of Science in Real Estate and the Built Environment

September Start:

The Denver MBA (full-time)
Part-time Professional MBA
Executive MBA
Master of Accountancy
Master of Science in Applied Quantitative Finance
Master of Science in Business Analytics
Master of Science in Management
Master of Science in Marketing
Master of Science in Real Estate and the Built Environment

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Application Deadlines for Master’s Programs

We encourage applicants to submit a strong, completed application as early as possible to secure a place in our programs. Once we’ve received your online application, required materials and application fee, we may extend an offer to complete a required admissions interview. Our goal is a smooth and responsive admissions process, and candidates should expect an admissions decision within 2–3 weeks of completing their interviews.

Deadlines for Spring Quarter 2021

Spring Quarter 2021 is currently open for eligible programs.

Round 1—October 1, 2020
Round 2—December 5, 2020
Round 3—January 15, 2021

Applicants will be considered on the basis of available seats through March 15, 2021.

Deadlines for Fall Quarter 2021

Fall Quarter 2021 is open for applications.

Round 1—October 15, 2020
Round 2—December 5, 2020
Round 3—January 15, 2021
Round 4—March 1, 2021
Round 5—April 15, 2021

MBA@Denver (Online): The MBA@Denver online program offers four starts per year: January, March, June and September.

Scholarship consideration

Candidates that indicate interest in merit-based awards in the application are automatically considered for scholarships and graduate assistantships at the time of admission. There is no separate application.

Graduate Certificates and PhD

Daniels Graduate Certificates and the Executive PhD program have separate application processes and different deadlines than the master’s programs.

Learn more about applying to a certificate program.
Learn more about applying to the Executive PhD program.

Application Process

MBA Degrees

Requirements	Denver MBA (full-time)	Professional MBA (part-time)	Executive MBA (part-time)	MBA@Denver (online)
Transcripts	Required	Required	Required	Required
GMAT or GRE (GRE Code for All Programs: 4842)	Optional through Fall 2021. GMAT code: MZR-GT-43	Optional through Fall 2021. GMAT code: MZR-GT-07	Not Required. GMAT code: MZR-GT-62	Optional through Fall 2021. GMAT code: MZR-GT-91
Essays	Required	Required	Required	Required
Work Experience	Required 2 years of professional work experience (3 years is preferred)	Required 2 years of professional work experience (3 years is preferred)	Required Minimum of 10 years of professional work experience	Required 2 years of professional work experience (3 years is preferred)
Professional Résumé	Required (limit 2 pages, 1 page is preferred)	Required (limit 2 pages, 1 page is preferred)	Required (no page limit)	Required (limit 2 pages, 1 page is preferred)
Recommendations	Not Required	Not Required	Required (2 professional references)	Required (2 professional references)
Admissions Interview	By invitation only (on-campus or online)	By invitation only (on-campus or online)	By invitation only (on-campus or online)	By invitation only (on-campus or online)
Application Fee	Yes $100 (non-refundable)	Yes $100 (non-refundable)	Yes $100 (non-refundable)	Yes $100 (non-refundable)

Specialized Master’s Degrees

Requirements	Master of Accountancy	MS Applied Quantitative Finance	MS Business Analytics	MS Management	MS Marketing	MS Real Estate
Transcripts	Required	Required	Required	Required	Required
GMAT or GRE (GRE Code for All Programs: 4842)	Optional (Learn more) GMAT code: MZR-GT-82	Optional (Learn more) GMAT code: MZR-GT-04	Optional through Fall 2021. GMAT code: MZR-GT-47	Optional (Learn more) GMAT code: MZR-GT-31	Optional (Learn more) GMAT code: MZR-GT-65	Optional (Learn more) GMAT code: MZR-GT-58
Essays	Required	Required	Required	Required	Required	Required
Work Experience	Not Required	Not Required	Not Required	Not Required	Not Required	Not Required
Professional Résumé	Required (limit 2 pages, 1 page is preferred)	Required (limit 2 pages, 1 page is preferred)	Required (limit 2 pages, 1 page is preferred)	Required (limit 2 pages, 1 page is preferred)	Required (limit 2 pages, 1 page is preferred)	Required (limit 2 pages, 1 page is preferred)
Recommendations	Not Required	Not Required	Not Required	Not Required	Not Required	No Required
Admissions Interview	By invitation only (on-campus or online)	By invitation only (on-campus or online)	By invitation only (on-campus or online)	By invitation only (on-campus or online)	By invitation only (on-campus or online)	By invitation only (on-campus or online)
Application Fee	Yes $100 (non-refundable)	Yes $100 (non-refundable)	Yes $100 (non-refundable)	Yes $100 (non-refundable)	Yes $100 (non-refundable)	Yes $100 (non-refundable)

Additional Application Information and Resources

We require either a scanned copy or a downloaded version of your unofficial transcripts in PDF format from every college or university where you have attempted or received college credit. Transcripts must include:

Student name
Institution name
Dates of attendance
Course names, numbers, credits, grades received for courses taken
Degree title and conferral date, if a degree has been earned

Applicants with foreign credentials must also submit official proof of the degree earned (e.g., diploma or certificate). If a transcript is not issued by an institution in English, it must be accompanied by a certified English translation. For candidates educated in India, we require individual mark sheets.

Due to COVID-19’s impact on GMAT and GRE test access worldwide, we have moved to a test-optional system for applicants through Fall 2021. This means that scores from these tests are not currently required for applications to Daniels. Both exams are currently available through proctored, at-home assessments in many parts of the world, so please consider whether taking one of these exams and submitting your scores will help us better evaluate your candidacy.

We understand taking the GMAT or GRE can be intimidating. However, we strongly encourage you to select your program of interest based on your goals and what you would like to get from the program. It is important to note that MBA programs provide a breadth of knowledge across disciplines while specialized master’s degrees are focused in a single discipline. Further, full-time MBA programs are best suited for candidates that want to advance or make a change in their career while part-time MBA programs are typically suited for candidates that intend to stay within their current field.

That being said, the GMAT/GRE requirement can be waived in some circumstances based on the policies below. If you meet one of these requirements, please outline this in your optional essay within the application. Note: Test scores cannot be discarded once submitted, even if you may qualify for a waiver.

The Denver MBA (full time)
For Denver MBA candidates, the GMAT/GRE may be waived for:

Individuals pursuing a formal dual degree at the University of Denver who have successfully petitioned for waiver approval with the director of Graduate Admissions at the Daniels College of Business.
Individuals who have earned an accredited graduate degree and have successfully petitioned for waiver approval with the director of Graduate Admissions at the Daniels College of Business.
Individuals who have at least 10 years of professional work experience, with at least 8 years in a progressively responsible management role.

Candidates must petition for waiver approval with the director of Graduate Admissions at the Daniels College of Business.

Part-Time Professional MBA and MBA@Denver (online)
For Part-Time Professional MBA and MBA@Denver candidates, the GMAT/GRE requirement can be waived for:

Individuals who have earned a graduate degree from an accredited college or university
Individuals who have at least 10 years of professional work experience, with at least 8 years in a progressively responsible management role.
Individuals with more than 3 years of professional work experience, with at least a 3.2 GPA in their undergraduate major area of study.
Individuals with more than 5 years of professional work experience who provide written documentation (resume or essay are acceptable) that the combination of academic, professional, military experience or employer-development support makes them prepared for success in the MBA program.
Individuals who have completed graduate-level courses at Daniels with at least a 3.0 average in two quantitative courses (i.e., accounting, business information & analytics, finance)

Master of Science in Business Analytics
For MSBA candidates, the GMAT/GRE may be waived for:

Accelerated Admissions: New graduates or individuals in their senior year of a U.S. undergraduate degree program with at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA (must enroll within one year of completing a bachelor’s degree)
Individuals who have earned an accredited graduate degree in a related field
Individuals with more than 5 years of professional work experience, who provide written documentation (resume or essay are acceptable) that their combination of academic, professional, military experience or employer development support has prepared them for success in the program.
Individuals who have completed at least two graduate-level non-degree courses within the Master of Science in Business Analytics, earning a minimum average 3.00 GPA

Test-Optional Programs

Many specialized master’s degrees at Daniels are test-optional, including:

Master of Accountancy
Master of Science in Applied Quantitative Finance
Master of Science in Management
Master of Science in Marketing
Master of Science in Real Estate and the Built Environment

Applicants should recognize that “test-optional” does not mean that a GMAT or GRE test score may not be an important aspect of an applicant’s profile, but rather that an applicant may choose whether or not to submit a GMAT or GRE test score as a strategic component of their application. Applicants should evaluate the strength of their individual academic histories and professional profiles to determine if a strong test score is necessary to support their candidacy.

Essays are assessed for clarity, organization, conciseness and grammar. Through the essays, you can communicate what you hope to achieve at Daniels and how you will contribute to the Daniels community. Take advantage of the third optional open-topic essay to let us know what sets you apart from other applicants.

Essay 1 (required): Briefly discuss your career objectives post-graduate school. How will your professional experience, combined with our degree program, help you to achieve these goals? What are your alternative career paths? (350 words)

Essay 2 (required): Respond to one of the following prompts (250 words): My favorite memory is… I’m most afraid of… My greatest challenge has been… I’m most proud of…

Essay 3 (optional): Is there anything else that we should know as we evaluate your application? If you feel your credentials and essays represent you fairly, please don’t feel obligated to submit another essay. (250 words).

We do not require work experience for specialized master’s degrees. However, MBA degrees require at least two years of full-time professional work experience; three years is preferred. The Executive MBA degree requires ten years of work experience, with at least eight in a progressively responsible management role. In reviewing your work experience, we consider your achievements, managerial or leadership potential, contributions to the community, personal ethics and values and motivation for a graduate business degree.

Please refer to this link for examples of a professional résumé.

Candidates are required to submit a $100 application fee.

As a way of honoring our valued community members and those who serve our country, past and present, we offer application fee waivers to the following individuals:

University of Denver alumni and current students
Current University of Denver employees
Current and former members of the U.S. military
Current and former members of Peace Corps
Current and former members of AmeriCorps
Current and former members of Teach for America
Current and former members of the McNair Scholars program

The Daniels College of Business offers admissions incentives for current undergraduate students who hold and maintain a cumulative 3.0+ GPA at a regionally-accredited institution. Eligible students can apply to one of six specialized master’s degrees with no GMAT requirement. Click here to learn more about the Master’s Accelerated Admissions Process (MAAP).

If you are accepted into a Daniels program (other than the MBA@Denver), a $1,500 enrollment deposit is due to reserve your seat. This deposit is non-refundable and is credited toward your first tuition payment.

If you are accepted into the MBA@Denver online program, a $500 enrollment deposit is due to reserve your seat. This deposit is non-refundable and is credited toward your first tuition payment.

Class Profiles