Accelerate Your Career

Please see our application for the admission requirements for each specific program.

The Full-Time MBA and dual/joint degree and MS programs begin in August. The Part-Time MBA Program’s in-person cohort starts in August and the online cohort starts in January. If the delivery format of the cohort does not align with your intended start term, we recommend starting as a non-degree student. Non-degree study has three start dates: August, January, and May.

We recommend only submitting one application and if you later wish to change the program or start term, you can do so by emailing your request to admissions@katz.pitt.edu.

Katz’s application fee is $50.00 and is paid online when an application is submitted with your application. The application fee is non-refundable.

Official Transcripts/Academic Documents from U.S. Institutions: We require current official transcripts from each college or university attended. Please submit documents from all academic work, undergraduate and graduate. You are responsible for obtaining all transcripts, including those from the University of Pittsburgh. If given the option, we recommend that you have the transcripts sent electronically.

Official transcripts or credentials are those that bear the original signature of the registrar and the seal of the issuing institution. The envelopes containing your official transcripts must be sealed and signed across the envelope flap by the institution’s registrar and arrive in our office unopened.

Official Transcripts/Academic Documents from non-U.S. Institutions: We require current official transcripts/mark sheets from each university attended. Official documents are defined as original academic records issued by the institution attended that bear the actual-not photocopied-signature of the registrar or appropriate official and the seal/stamp of the issuing institution.

Please submit documents from all academic work – undergraduate (Bachelor’s level) and graduate (Master’s level and above). Please do not send secondary educational documents. These documents must be for EACH YEAR of university-level study, must list the course names, and must list the grades received. The official grading scale/system from each university attended must also be submitted.

You are also required to submit certified copies of your degree certificate(s)/diploma(s) that were issued to you at the convocation.

If your university issues the academic documents and diploma degree certificate in a language other than English, you must submit a certified copy of the original document in the original language PLUS a certified English translation. Do not submit a translation only. All translations must be complete and literal translations of the original records. We will not accept self-translated academic documents.

We recommend having official transcripts sent electronically to us at admissions@katz.pitt.edu, but official transcripts/academic documents can be mailed with all other application materials in one envelope. If necessary, transcripts may be sent directly from your school to the Admissions Office.

University of Pittsburgh
Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business
3950 Roberto Clemente Drive
301 Mervis Hall
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
Attention: Application Materials

For the evaluation of an application, we will accept an unofficial score report that is uploaded to the application, but would eventually need to receive the official score report directly from the test agency prior to the enrollment of an admitted applicant. We will accept official transcripts and recommendations that are mailed directly to us. Test score reports must be received directly from the testing services. Please contact the respective testing agencies and request your scores be sent to the following address:

Admissions Office
Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business

3950 Roberto Clemente Drive
301 Mervis Hall
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA 15260

In most cases, a credential evaluation is not required, but will be accepted as supplemental material if uploaded to the application. If a bachelor’s degree is from a 3-year program and there are no additional degrees, a credential evaluation, provided by a NACES-member organization, that indicates the degree is the equivalent to the U.S. bachelor’s degree is required for admission consideration. Please make sure you request an official, English translation along with the transcript in your native language. The transcript must be sent in a sealed envelope from your university.

Katz utilizes a test optional admissions process for all its programs. This means that all applicants have the option to submit GMAT or GRE scores in support of their application but are not required to do so.

Applicants who do not meet at least one of the following criteria are encouraged (but not required) to submit GMAT or GRE test scores:

• An undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.25 and a B (3.00) average or higher in a minimum of 6 credits of quantitative coursework (on a 4.0 grading scale) OR
• Have earned a graduate and/or professional degree

International applicants to full-time programs are also encouraged to submit GMAT or GRE test scores. 

International applicants are required to submit an English Language test (TOEFL/IELTS/DuoLingo).

The Admission Committee does not employ the use of a cut-off score. Please note that GMAT and GRE scores are valid for five years.

For the part-time MBA programs, we do accept the Executive Assessment. 

Yes, we accept online versions of the GMAT and GRE as well as the TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo English Test. 

The admission committee recommends a total score of 100 or better on the TOEFL, 7.0 or better for the IELTS exam, and 130 or better for the Duolingo English Test. The minimum total scores to be eligible for admission consideration are an 80 on the TOEFL, 6.5 on the IELTS, and a 110 on the Duolingo English Test. Please note that scores are valid for two years.

It is OK to submit your application prior to the receipt of the letters of recommendation.

Interviews are conducted on campus or via Zoom if it is not possible to meet in person. We regret that we cannot conduct telephone interviews.

Applicants to the Full-Time MBA & MS programs: Applicants may be asked to participate in our evaluative interview. Interviews are conducted in-person or via Zoom. Details are provided in the interview invitation.

Applicants to the Part-time programs: Interviews are arranged by invitation and take place after the admissions committee’s initial review of a candidate’s application.

Because we make admission decisions on the entirety of the application, we cannot provide a preliminary assessment of a candidate’s qualifications.

We assess a candidate by holistically reviewing his or her entire application. Undergraduate academic performance, GMAT/GRE scores, and years of full-time post-undergraduate work experience are the quantitative criteria that we consider. Also important are the qualitative components of the application, including career goals, letters of recommendation, personal essays, management potential, demonstrated examples of leadership, community service, and the evaluative interview.

Work experience can be an important differentiator for you during the admissions process. Although work experience is not an absolute requirement for admission to the full-time MBA and dual/joint degree programs, it helps us distinguish one applicant from another. The guideline for admission to MBA programs is 2 years of post-bachelor’s professional experience. For MS programs, while work experience is not expected, it is considered and can strengthen your application.

We will consider significant internship experience in addition to full-time and part-time work experience. However, we ask that you clearly identify your work experience as such on your résumé.

You need to go through the normal application process. Following your admission to the program, you may apply to have your credits transferred through the Graduate Programs Office at 412-648-1666 or graduateprograms@katz.pitt.edu. We will consider transfer credits from graduate business programs accredited by The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International. Any credits you wish to transfer will be subject to review by a Katz faculty member. We will accept transfer credits with grades of B or higher and the number of transfer credits depends on the graduate program. We do not generally accept transfer credits into a dual or joint-degree program. Note that if the credits have been applied to another degree, they cannot be transferred into Katz.

No. We only require applicants who have been admitted and accept our admission offer to submit financial documents.

Admission decisions are made within 10 weeks of the application deadline for the round in which they are submitted. The admissions office sends decision letters by email to applicants once a decision has been made. Note each application deadline and its coinciding notification deadline. If you submit your application after the application deadline, it will be considered in the following round. Please be sure to check your entire application before submitting it and carefully proofread each email that you send to the MS programs. We use all of your email correspondences in our review of your application.

The Admissions Office will send a decision notification via email.

Only for exception circumstances do we grant deferrals for the Full-Time MBA and MS programs. We will, however, keep your application on file for two years and if you reapply, your re-application will be assessed in the context of the current application pool.

For the part-time MBA and MS programs, upon formal approval by the Admissions Office, deferrals may be granted for a maximum of two start dates beyond the original term of acceptance. Requests for deferrals should be submitted by email to admissions@katz.pitt.edu. Applicants who wish to defer admission beyond two start dates will be required to re-apply. Program.

All MBA Programs: 45 credits
Dual Degree Programs: 60 credits
Joint Degree Programs: Varies by program
MS programs: 30 credits

MS and Business Analytics programs: varies by program

Most of our classes include group projects, case studies, and quizzes, as well as mid-term and final exams. Although the Katz School does have an overall grading policy, each faculty member determines his/her own weight for quizzes, exams, projects, and case studies as well as for attendance and class participation.

Students may apply as a “non-degree” student or for a non-degree program such as micro-credentials or graduate certificates. If you eventually decide to enroll in a graduate degree program, credits from non-degree programs can be stackable into degree programs.

We encourage you to visit us on campus so that you can meet our faculty and staff and interact with current students who have already gone through the admissions process. Below are several options:

On-Campus Information Sessions – Attend a group information session to receive advice on the application process and learn more about the curriculum.

Personal visits – Complete the Campus Visit Request Form or contact the Admissions office at 412-648-1700 or via e-mail at admissions@katz.pitt.edu to set up your own personal visit. Please provide at least two weeks’ notice if possible so that we can arrange meetings with students, staff, and faculty as well as classroom observation. Since graduate business courses are not held on Fridays, personal visits are conducted Monday through Thursday.

Student Ambassadors – The best people to talk to are the students who are earning their degrees right now. Engage in a dialogue with a current Katz student ambassador by visiting the Ambassadors page or sending an e-mail request to admissions@katz.pitt.edu.

Virtual Info-Session – Are you unable to visit campus? We have created Virtual information sessions for our out-of-town and international students to help them learn about the Katz MBA program.

Talk to our Faculty – Pitt Business faculty are researching the latest business concepts and theories to develop the best possible solutions for businesses. Whether they are generating new management theories, analyzing business cycles, researching the impact of governance, or testing distribution channels, our faculty members are recognized for their publications and contributions to business theory and business consulting. Regardless of your specific area of interest, we invite you to reach out to our faculty.

Representatives from the Katz School’s MBA programs will be in select locations during the current recruiting year to provide information and meet with prospective students. Please check the recruiting schedule on our website to see if we will be in your city.

While there is not traditional dormitory-style housing on campus for graduate students, finding housing in the Pittsburgh/Oakland area is relatively easy and inexpensive. Most students live within walking distance or a short bus ride from the campus (transportation by bus is free when you present a valid Pitt student identification card). The University of Pittsburgh’s Housing Resource Center can assist graduate students in identifying, renting, leasing, or purchasing suitable living accommodations.

There are a variety of student clubs and organizations at the Katz School including the Entrepreneurs’ Society, Finance Club, National Association of Women MBAs, Marketing Club, Business Technology Club, Operations Club, Consulting Club, and Toastmasters International. For more information on student clubs and organizations, including student government organizations, visit the Student Life section of our website.

Spouses of international students may contact Global Pittsburgh, an independent, nonprofit community organization. The organization’s mission is to promote cultural, educational, and commercial ties between Western Pennsylvanians and other people of the world. Depending on the nature of the activity, spouses are often invited to attend various Katz-sponsored events, as well.

Students can use their Pitt student ID for free public transportation. Students can obtain parking information and permit options by contacting the University’s Parking Services Office, located in 204 Brackenridge Hall.  

All full-time applications (both international and domestic) are reviewed for scholarship awards. Scholarships are primarily based on merit. Applications are automatically reviewed for scholarship; no additional application is required. For other types of financial aid, such as educational loans or private, third-party scholarships, Katz students should work with the University of Pittsburgh Office of Admission and Financial Aid (note this Office also services undergraduate students).

Various offices throughout the Katz School hire full-time students for part-time administrative and classroom assistantship positions. Students can also work on-campus in roles at Pitt that are outside the business school.  Click here for more information on student employment at Pitt.

One of the defining characteristics of business education at Pitt Business is the importance we place on integrated learning. Whereas many business schools only mention the importance of experiential learning, we attempt to integrate learning across our curriculum. To accomplish this, we use simulations and case competitions and encourage students to become involved in one of our many Consulting Field Projects or to take on a consulting position (providing market research, business plan review, and financial plan development services to entrepreneurs in a number of different industries). The culmination of the course is the McKinsey Cup Competition where student teams compete for the coveted McKinsey Cup Trophy.

The Katz School is committed to recruiting highly talented women, minorities, and military veterans. Women MBAs have opportunities to network through the National Association of Women MBAs chapter at Katz. Katz maintains contact with Pitt’s Veterans Services Office to ensure that military students are receiving all the benefits available to them. Scholarships exist for diverse students through Katz’s partnerships with the National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA).

The Career Management offers a personalized approach to your job search planning and career development. Career Management provides:

Career Advice: Career advising resources put students on the right path based on their strengths and realistic career goals

Experience-based Professional Development: Ensuring that students develop the appropriate interpersonal skills, sophistication, and business savvy that are critical to their success

Employer Engagement: Helping students secure positions that fit their professional objectives and the employers’ needs