Admission Requirements

Admission to Bloch School graduate programs is based on evaluation of qualifications. Applicants to the MBA, M.S. in finance (M.S.F.), Master of Entrepreneurial Real Estate (M.E.R.E.) and M.S. in accounting (M.S.A.) programs are considered for admission based on their scores on the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), undergraduate cumulative grade point averages and other criteria established by the faculty. M.E.R.E. will consider certain professional designations in lieu of the GMAT. 

Applicants to the Executive MBA (EMBA), Executive M.P.A. (E.M.P.A.), and Executive M.E.R.E. (E.M.E.R.E.) programs are considered for admission based on educational record and career history, quality and length of professional and managerial experience, strength of personal interview and one written essay, two references and support of employer. A GMAT or GRE score are not required for applications to the executive programs, but may be requested by faculty. Applicants to the M.P.A. program are considered for admission on the basis of undergraduate cumulative grade point average and Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores (verbal and quantitative sections).

Most classes are offered on weekday evenings. Selected courses may be offered in an intensive weekend format. EMBA and EMPA courses are offered on weekends (Friday/Saturday).

 

Retention and Graduation Requirements for Graduate Students

All students enrolled in any of the Bloch School graduate programs (MBA, EMBA, M.S.F., M.E.R.E., E.M.E.R.E., M.S.A., M.P.A. and E.M.P.A.) must maintain a minimum 3.0 grade point average (GPA) in all courses for which graduate credit is given. Students with GPAs that fall below the minimum 3.0 are placed on probation and are allowed two successive semesters (including the summer semester, if enrolled) to restore their GPAs to the required 3.0 level. While on probation, graduates must achieve a 3.0 term GPA in order to enroll for the ensuing term.  If a student's term GPA is below a 3.0 or, if after two successive semesters, the cumulative GPA is below a 3.0, the student will be dismissed from the Bloch School.  Good standing is achieved only if the GPA is 3.0 or above.  No course with a grade below B- (2.7), in any 300- or 400-level course, or below C (2.0) in any 5000-level course or above, will count toward any advanced degree program; however, the grade will be included in the calculation of the student's GPA. Eighty percent of the credits for the degree must be passed with a grade of B (3.0) or better.

An official program of study must be filed with the Bloch School Student Services Office once an emphasis area has been declared. For the M.P.A. program, this must occur once a student has reached 18 hours. This form constitutes a contract and must be signed by the student, faculty adviser and department chair. Any changes to the program must be approved on a new form by the same three individuals. Students are responsible for ensuring their program of study falls within the program guidelines.

All students must file an application for graduation and program of study by the announced campus deadline during the student's last semester (students are encouraged to submit these forms earlier if possible). This application and the program of study must be filed by the announced deadline in order to obtain the degree. Both documents can be found on the Bloch School Web site at http://www.bloch.umkc.edu/current-students/student-services/forms/index.aspx.

 

 

Transfer Credit

Students may transfer up to 20 percent of the graduate credit hours required for their program (for the M.S. in accounting, this applies only to courses in Stage Two and is limited to six hours). Coursework must be from an accredited institution, with a grade of B or better, and appropriate to the student's program. Also, the coursework must have been taken within seven years of completion of all requirements for the degree. Credit must not be more than 7 years old at the time of graduation.  Evaluation of transfer credit is done by faculty and requires documentation provided by the student.

 

Course Repeat Policy

Whenever students repeat a graduate-credit course, they must submit a course repeat form to the Bloch School Student Services Office no later than the fourth week of the term. Students seeking graduate degrees are limited to repeating no more than 20 percent of the credits applicable toward a graduate degree. If approved by the school or department or Interdisciplinary Ph.D. supervisory committee, students may repeat a course once to improve their GPA or satisfy the program requirements. The second grade received will be used to calculate the GPA that will be used in satisfying degree requirements.

Independent Study

Students are limited to no more than six hours of independent study/internship and no more than three hours of any one practicum, including the small business practicum. For the M.P.A. program, students are limited to a total of six hours, of which three credit hours can be an internship. Interested students should consult with an adviser in the Bloch School Student Services Office.