FAQs
Listed below are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions from prospective students. If you do not find the information you need below, please contact us with your question.
Why should I get my MBA from the Wisconsin School of Business at the University of Wisconsin-Madison? What makes this program special?
- A graduate business program ranked among the top programs in the nation
- A combination of practical, hands-on training and theory
- An exciting international trip
- Access to the resources of a world-class university and one of the best business school buildings in the country
- Highly regarded, accessible faculty
- An outstanding student library with database connections all over the world
- Career services through the school's MBA Career Services
- Evening MBA Student Services
How long does it take to earn the MBA through the evening program?
A: The program is 32 months in length. Students attend classes two evenings per week, Mondays and Thursdays. In addition they attend two weekends (Friday and Saturday) during the winter break in the first and second years, and take part in an international trip during the winter break of the second year of the program. In the first and second years the students finish up in mid July. In the third year the students finish the program in mid May.
Can I choose a major in the program?
A: All Evening MBA students take a predetermined, lockstep program that leads to a Master of Business Administration degree with a major in general management.
What does it cost to earn a degree in the Wisconsin Evening MBA program?
A: The degree is awarded in 32 months. A yearly program fee is set in the summer prior to the start of the fall semester each of the three years. Tuition and fees for the 2008-2009 academic year are $17,814. The 2009-2010 tuition will be set in the summer of 2009 at the rate approved by the state legislature. An estimated cost to earn the degree if you begin in Fall 2009 is $58,000 for the entire program.
Q: Is financial aid available?
A: Merit scholarships that cover 20% of the tuition over the 32 months of the program are available from the Wisconsin Evening MBA program. Applicants need only submit a complete application to be considered for a merit scholarship. Student loans are available through the Office of Student Financial Services. Merit fellowships and assistantships are not available to Evening MBA students.
Q: Are course waivers or transfer credits accepted in the program?
A: No courses leading to the degree may be waived nor is transfer work accepted. Students are required to complete all courses in residence.
Q. What are the prerequisites for the program?
A. Computer literacy may be demonstrated through coursework or job-related computer experience. The Wisconsin School of Business requires all masters students to possess knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet analysis and software presentation skills.
The business school also requires all masters students to possess or have access to their own personal computer. Recommended hardware and software specifications will be communicated at the time of acceptance to the program.
Q: Is it possible to take a lighter credit load or stop out of and restart the program?
A: If special circumstances arise, a student may be granted approval to deviate from the curriculum.
Q: May I transfer between the full-time/day and Evening programs?
A: Transfers between the Evening and full-time program are not permissible.
Q: Do admissions criteria differ for the various programs offered by the Wisconsin School of Business?
A: Yes, depending on the program you apply to, the admissions criteria will change accordingly.
Q: Is campus parking available when students attend classes?
A: Parking permits are provided to evening students for week nights after 4:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday all day at no extra charge.
Q: Do Evening MBA students commute from the Milwaukee area?
A: Yes, the Wisconsin Evening MBA program provides luxury coach service to and from Grainger Hall on class nights to our Milwaukee area students.
Q: What types of backgrounds and industries are represented among Evening MBA students?
A: Evening MBA students represent just about every major company in the Madison regional area, as well as many smaller firms. In addition, students work for government and not-for-profit agencies. Academic backgrounds include engineering, science and technology, education, the arts and humanities, as well as business and economics.
Q: Are all Evening MBA students from the Madison Area?
A: No, students come from near and far to join the Wisconsin Evening MBA program. Although many students are based within an hour’s drive of Madison, others come from Chicago, the Fox Valley, Iowa, and beyond.
Q: What is the work experience requirement?
A: Two years of full-time professional work experience after the bachelor's degree is the target. The caliber and length of employment are important criteria in the admissions decision. The average length of work experience is currently 5.5 years.
Q: What are the minimum GMAT scores and GPAs?
A: Admissions decisions are made using a number of criteria and no minimum scores are required. However, comparisons are made with the current pool of applicants, so each applicant is encouraged to present the best possible credentials. Target scores for admits to the Evening program are: GMAT: 600 and GPA: 3.0.
Q: When should I apply to the Evening MBA program?
A: Admission cycles run on the 13the of each month. Applications that are complete on the 13th will be reviewed for admission and a decision will be posted within a month of the cycle's end. Applications will be accepted until the class is full.
Q: Are admission interviews required?
A: No, admission interviews are not required. Admission interviews are by invitation only.
Q: How can I prepare for the GMAT?
A: You may contact the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) at 1-800-717-GMAT (4628) (toll-free within the U.S. and Canada only), 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Central Time
Telephone: 1-952-681-3680, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Central Time
or www.mba.com for information on test preparation materials. Test review courses are also available.
Q: Can international students apply to the Evening MBA program?
A: Applications from non-U.S. citizens are accepted as long as they are in possession of permanent work authorization and are fully employed. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required. You may request a TOEFL waiver if you attended 4 years of, and graduated from, a U.S. institution in a field other than engineering, technology or science.
Q: What should I do if my job requires that I travel frequently?
A: Classes are scheduled on Monday and Thursday evenings so that students may use Tuesday through Thursday for business-related travel. If you travel frequently over Mondays and Thursdays, you may want to consider another, more flexible program.
Q: Who teaches in the Evening MBA program?
A: Tenured, tenure-track, teaching and adjunct professors teach in the Wisconsin Evening MBA program.
Q: What kinds of support services are offered to Wisconsin Evening MBA students?
A: The School of Business provides a range of student support services and facilities available after regular business hours. The evening program staff is available on Monday and Thursday evenings until 8:00 p.m., or by appointment. There is a special work area that is designated for the exclusive use of Evening and Executive MBA students. Other facilities that are open extended hours include the Wisconsin School of Business Library and break out rooms for team meetings. Deli service is available prior to class meeting times. MBA Career Services staff are available by appointment after hours. Parking is provided in Grainger Hall after 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and all day Saturday and Sunday. We offer a complimentary buffet during class breaks.
What makes this program special?
How long does it take to earn the MBA through the Evening program?
Can I choose a major in the Evening MBA program?
What does it cost to earn a degree in the Evening MBA program?
Are course waivers or transfer credits accepted in the Evening MBA program?
What are the prerequisites for the program?
Is it possible to take a lighter credit load or stop out of and restart the program?
May I transfer between the full-time/day and Evening programs?
Do admissions standards differ for the various programs offered by the Wisconsin School of Business?
Is campus parking available when students attend classes?
Do Evening MBA students commute from the Milwaukee area?
What types of backgrounds and industries are represented among Evening MBA students?
Are all Evening MBA students from the Madison area?
What is the work experience requirement?
What are the minimum GMAT scores and GPAs?
When should I apply to the Evening MBA program?
Are admission interviews required?
How can I prepare for the GMAT?
Can international students apply to the Evening MBA program?
What should I do if my job requires that I travel frequently?
Who teaches in the Evening MBA program?
What kinds of support services are offered to Evening MBA students?