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Stillman School of Business
Graduate business students

Stillman School Graduate Admissions FAQs

Application Process & Requirements

Degree Programs & Course Information

International Applicants

Military Veterans

Tuition and Financial Aid

Application Process & Requirements

What are the requirements for applying to a graduate degree program at the Stillman School of Business?
To be considered for admission, candidates must have a bachelor's degree or equivalent degree from an accredited college or university. All applicants must submit the following components to be reviewed by the Admissions Committee:

  • Online Application
  • All Official Transcripts
  • Standardized Test Score (i.e., GMAT, GRE, LSAT) – this requirement may be waived
  • Resume
  • Personal Statement
  • Letter(s) of Recommendation
  • Application Fee

What are the requirements for applying to a graduate certificate program at the Stillman School of Business?
To be considered for admission, candidates must have a bachelor's degree or equivalent degree from an accredited college or university. All applicants must submit the following components to be reviewed by the Admissions Committee:

  • Online Application
  • All Official Transcripts 
  • Resume
  • Personal Statement 
  • Application Fee

Can I submit a GRE in lieu of a GMAT?
Yes, candidates are welcome to submit a GRE score. The Admissions Committee believes both tests are valid in helping to predict academic success.

Does the Stillman School of Business allow applicants to be waived from the requirement to take the GMAT or GRE exam?
Yes, the Admissions Committee offers standardized test waiver opportunities for non-dual degree applicants who meet at least one of the following criteria:

  • An overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.
  • A graduate-level degree from an accredited institution.
  • 5 years of significant, professional or entrepreneurial experience. Please review the Alternate Route Admissions process. 
  • Successful completion of a U.S.-recognized certifying exam (CPA, CFA).
  • Completion of a Stillman School of Business graduate certificate program within the last 5 years with a cumulative GPA of 3.3.

What is the mailing address for official college transcripts and other supplemental material?
Seton Hall University
Office of Graduate Affairs
Schwartz Hall, 2nd Floor
400 South Orange Avenue
South Orange, NJ 07079

What is the deadline for applications?
Prospective students may apply any time of the year as applications are processed on a rolling basis. Students may beadmitted for the fall, spring and summer semesters, and each term includes priority deadlines. Prospective students are encouraged to apply by the priority deadlines if they wish to be considered for one of our highly competitive merit scholarships or Graduate Assistantship positions. The priority deadlines are as follows:

  • Fall semester: May 31
  • Spring semester: October 31 
  • Summer semester: March 31

Are Interviews Required?
Interviews are required in some instances, at the request of the Admissions Committee. Applicants will be contacted directly should the Admissions Committee wish to interview them.

How many recommendation letters are required?
All applicants are required to submit at least one recommendation letter. Note, certificate and non-matriculated applicants do not submit recommendation letters.

Who can serve as my recommender?
Recommendation letters should be written by individuals who have supervised you in an academic or professional setting and who can comment on your intellectual ability and leadership potential. Recommendations should not be written by friends or family members.

When will I receive an admission decision?
Applicants will receive a final admission decision within two weeks of submitting all necessary materials to the Admissions Committee.

Where can I register for a Stillman School of Business information session to learn more about graduate degree programs and application requirements?
Prospective students are encouraged to attend one of our scheduled information sessions, which occur both on campus and online. Upcoming dates and our registration pages can be found here ».

Can I schedule a one-on-one appointment with the Graduate Admissions Office?
Yes, the Graduate Admissions Office encourages applicants and prospective students to schedule an appointment to discuss the application process. You can schedule a 30-minute appointment by calling (973) 761-9262 or emailing busgrad@shu.edu.

Degree Programs & Course Information

Which graduate degree programs are offered at the Stillman School of Business?
The Stillman School of Business offers five distinct graduate degree programs. They include

  • Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.)
  • Master of Science in Accounting (M.S.A.C.)
  • Master of Science in Professional Accounting (M.S.P.A.)
  • Master of Science in Business Analytics (M.S.B.A.)
  • Master of Science in Financial Technology and Analytics (M.F.T.A.)

Which certificate programs are offered at the Stillman School of Business?
The Stillman School of Business offers eight distinct graduate certificate programs. A complete listing of the programs can be found here »

Does the Stillman School of Business offer online programs?
Our M.B.A. Program currently offers three majors online. These are Accounting, Finance and Marketing. Students may also pursue a general M.B.A. option (no major) via online study.  Our M.S. in Accounting, M.S. in Business Analytics, and M.S. in Financial Technology and Analytics programs also offered online options.

What is the time and frequency of on-campus class meetings?
Classes are usually offered in the evenings with 6:30pm start times and typically meet once or twice a week for 2.5-3.5 hours.

What is the Pre-Qualification (PQ) sequence, and which programs require the PQ sequence?
The Pre-Qualification (PQ) courses may be required for students in any graduate business degree or certificate program. The courses serve as foundation courses to ensure students are prepared to succeed in the core curriculum. The PQ courses online, self-paced, non-credit-bearing courses. Students can be waived from these courses based on prior coursework if specific conditions are met. Challenge exams are also available; successful completion of a challenge examination waives the requirement to take the related PQ course. 

Which Graduate Accounting Program is most appropriate for students who obtained an undergraduate accounting degree?
The Master of Science in Professional Accounting (M.S.P.A.) is the most appropriate M.S. Program. This program is designed for accounting majors looking to satisfy the 150-credit educational requirement to sit for the CPA exam in New Jersey, New York and most other states. The program, offered on campus, is also well-suited for accountants who are looking to update their skills and increase their knowledge of the profession. The M.S.P.A. degree offers students the option to pursue a track in analytics (i.e., the Master of Science in Professional Accounting and Analytics or M.S.P.A.A.).

Which Graduate Accounting Program is the most appropriate for students who have an undergraduate degree in an area outside of accounting?
The Master of Science Accounting (M.S.A.C) is the most appropriate M.S. program for this group. Geared toward graduates without a bachelor's degree in accounting, Seton Hall's program prepares you for a successful career and satisfies the educational credits required to sit for the CPA exam in New Jersey, New York and most other states. Full-time students can complete their coursework, on campus or online. Full-time students can complete the program in just 12 months; part-time students typically finish our program in two years.

Does the Stillman School of Business accept graduate transfer credits?
Graduate credits earned recently in another accredited college or university, and not applied toward a prior degree, may be accepted in partial fulfillment of graduate degree credit requirements at Seton Hall. The courses taken should be similar to required or elective courses approved for the candidate’s degree. The grades earned must not be lower than a "B." A total of 6 credits may be approved for specialized M.S. degree programs, and a total of 9 credits may be approved for the M.B.A. program. The Stillman School accepts transfer credits only from AACSB-accredited schools. Once enrolled, students may not register for graduate course work at another institution without prior written permission of the department chair or program director.

International Applicants

Do you offer a waiver for standardized English language exams (TOEFL or IELTs)?
International students will be waived from the requirement to take a standardized English language exam if they completed their undergraduate studies in an accredited university with English as the language of instruction.

Who do I contact regarding my I-20 processing?
The I-20 will be issued by Seton Hall’s Office of International Programs (OIP). Additional details can be found online here »

Does Seton Hall University offer a shuttle to and from campus?
Seton Hall Shuttle is the shuttle service provided by the University's Parking Services. With stops throughout campus and the town of South Orange, it is a convenient way for Seton Hall students, staff and accompanied guests to get where they need to go. Seton Hall Shuttle runs until 3 a.m. seven days a week, from the beginning of the Fall semester, starting on Freshman Move-In Day, with service continuing until the day after graduation in May. Seton Hall Shuttle is not available during the summer. Further details can be found online.

Which English Language exams are accepted?
If English is not the applicant's first language, the applicant must submit an English Language exam. Applicants are given the option to submit official test scores from the TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo exams.  The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is given by the Education Testing Service. The admissions committee is seeking a minimum score of 607 (paper-based), 254 (computer-based) and 80 (internet-based).  Applicants must score a minimum of a 6 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) in lieu of a TOEFL. Competitive applicants must score a minimum of a 6 on the IELTS to be considered for admissions.  Finally, the Duolingo English Test is also available, and applicants must score a minimum of a 110 to be considered for admission. 

Do I need an evaluation of my international transcripts?
Academic transcripts from institutions outside of the United States or Canada must undergo a course-by-course evaluation conducted by an independent credentials evaluation agency that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).

The Evaluation Company (TEC) (formerly SpanTran) is our recommended international transcript evaluation service. A custom application has been created exclusively for Seton Hall University allowing our applicants to request their evaluation at a discounted rate. You can access the application here: The Evaluation Company (TEC) Application - Seton Hall University.

Failure to submit a required credential evaluation from a NACES member will result in your application for admission being incomplete and, thus, not ready for review.

Which standardized exams must international students take?
In addition to the submission of a TOEFL or IELTS (if English is not the applicant's first language), the admissions committee requires a GMAT or GRE score to be submitted. Either test is acceptable, as the Admissions Committee believes both tests are valid in helping to predict academic success. For an applicant with a GPA of 3.0 and above, a competitive score for the GMAT/GRE should be in at least the 30th percentile. For an applicant with a GPA below 3.0, a competitive score for the GMAT/GRE should be in at least the 50th percentile.

Does the Stillman School of Business allow international applicants to be waived of a GMAT or GRE?
Yes, the Admissions Committee offers standardized test waiver opportunities for applicants who meet at least one of the following criteria:

  • An overall undergraduate GPA of 3.4 or higher.
  • A graduate-level degree from an accredited institution.
  • 5 years of significant, professional or entrepreneurial experience. Please review the Alternate Route Admissions process.
  • Successful completion of a U.S.-recognized certifying exam (CPA, CFA).
  • Completion of a Stillman School of Business graduate certificate program within the last 5 years with a cumulative GPA of 3.3.

What is the mailing address for official college transcripts and other supplemental material?
Seton Hall University
Office of Graduate Affairs
Schwartz Hall, 2nd Floor
400 South Orange Avenue
South Orange, NJ 07079

What is the deadline for international applications?
Prospective students may apply any time of the year as applications are processed on a rolling basis. Students may be admitted for both the fall and spring semesters, and each term includes priority deadlines. Prospective students are encouraged to apply by the priority deadlines if they wish to be considered for one of our highly competitive merit scholarships or Graduate Assistantship positions.
The priority deadlines are as follows:

  • Fall semester: April 30
  • Spring semester: September 30

Military Veterans

I currently am in, or am a veteran of, the United States Military. Can I use veteran education benefits at Seton Hall University?
Yes.  More information about education benefits offered by the VA is available at the Veterans Affairs website.

Does Seton Hall University participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program?
Seton Hall University is a proud participant in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' Yellow Ribbon Program. The Yellow Ribbon Program supports veterans who are eligible for 100% of the Post 9/11 GI Bill.

Who do I contact if I have questions about my veteran education benefits at Seton Hall University?
All questions regarding veterans education benefits can be directed to shuveterans@shu.edu.

Tuition and Financial Aid

What is the cost of tuition for graduate programs?
The cost of tuition and fees for graduate business programs can be found here »

Are scholarships available for graduate students?
Once admitted to a graduate program, you may be considered for a merit award (Graduate Merit Award), which can range from several thousand dollars to as much as 50 percent of your program tuition. Consideration is based on your prior GPA and degrees completed, as well as your program of study. We strongly encourage prospective students to apply by the priority deadlines if you are interested in being considered for a merit award. In addition, current graduate students may also be considered for one-time scholarship awards. These awards, which are offered through the Blackbaud Award Management platform (BAM), are open for submissions two times each year and typically range from $1,000-$2,500.

What is a Graduate Assistantship?
A graduate assistantship is an on-campus, part-time job for which the compensation is tuition remission and a small stipend. The Stillman School of Business offers a limited number of assistantships for full-time graduate students each year. A full-time graduate assistantship awards the student 12 credits of tuition remission per semester and a $450.00 monthly stipend in exchange for 20 hours of work per week in a specific area of the business school.

When can I apply for a Graduate Assistantship?
You must be admitted to a Stillman degree program as a full-time student before you can apply for a graduate assistantship.

What is the process for applying to a Graduate Assistantship position?
Additional details regarding the application process and interview can be found on our website.

What is Seton Hall’s institution code for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)?
The FAFSA code is: 002632.