International Applicant FAQs

Is the TOEFL or IELTS required?

Yes, if English is not your native language the Graduate School requires that applicants submit current scores from either the TOEFL or IELTS academic exam. Scores older than two years will not be accepted. Taking both tests is not required.

UNC Charlotte’s school code is 5105, a department code is not necessary.

Register for the TOEFL at www.toefl.org. Register for the IELTS at www.ielts.org

Who is required to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores?

The TOEFL or IELTS exam is required for every applicant to the PSM or the Graduate Certificate whose native language is not English. This is a Graduate School requirement and cannot be waived. More information can be found on the Graduate School’s website.

What is the minimum required TOEFL/IELTS score?

A minimum TOEFL score of 220 (computer-based), 557 (paper-based), or 83 (Internet-based) is required. The minimum IELTS band score of 6.5 is required. This is a Graduate School requirement and cannot be waived.

Are there special requirements for applicants with “Three-Year Degrees”?

Yes. International applicants who have earned three-year bachelor’s degrees are required to submit a “foreign credential evaluation” along with their supplemental application requirement. Such evaluation must be performed by a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES), for example, the World Education Services (WES) (www.wes.org). Either a document-to-document or a course-by-course foreign credential evaluation meets this requirement. UNC Charlotte will consider such agency’s assessment as to whether the academic credential earned is, or is not, equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree as well as its recalculation of grades. A listing of other NACES members is available at www.naces.org/members.htm.

International applicants who have earned a (three-year) bachelor’s degree (such as a BBA or BCA from India) as well as at least one year of a master’s degree and/or a post-graduate diploma, or those who have earned a standard (four-year) bachelor’s degree (such as BEng) are not required to submit a credential evaluation performed by a foreign credential evaluation service as part of their application for admission.

My GPA is a percentage and isn’t out of 4.0. What GPA do I put on the application?

There are several conversion tools available online. We recommend the free WES evaluation tool.

Does this program qualify for Optional Practical Training (OPT)?

Yes. OPT is temporary employment for students on F-1 visas. Employment must be related to the student’s major area of study. This program is STEM certified (CIP Code 52.1399, Management Science and Quantitative Methods) and can qualify for the 24-month extension. More information about STEM designations and OPT can be found on the US Citizenship and Immigration Services website.

What is the estimated annual cost of the program for international students?

Upon enrollment in the program, you must be prepared to pay for your tuition, fees, books, healthcare, travel, and any other costs.

The cost for graduate programs depends on a number of factors including tuition/fees/tuition increments, room and board, and health insurance, costs of books and supplies, miscellaneous and personal expenses. The total estimated cost is an estimate and can vary depending on the current university tuition and fees schedule; how many credit hours a student is taking in a given semester, whether they have any coursework completed already (e.g., previous UNC Charlotte courses or transfer credit).

The current estimated costs for a non-resident, international student enrolled full time in the DSBA program for 2018-2019 academic year is $50,400. Visit the ISSO’s website for a breakdown of estimated costs.

For additional information on the OPT or visa process please visit the International Student and Scholar Office’s website.