FAQS for Graduate Applicants

• MS in Accounting (with the exception of Tax concentration) 
• MS in Business Analytics 
• MS in Finance - Analytics Track 
• MS in Human Factors in Information Design (UX) 
• STEM MBA 

Certain F-1 international students are eligible for a 24-month extension of their standard, Post-Completion OPT work authorization. This STEM OPT Extension is based on having an eligible STEM major and a corresponding STEM CIP code listed on your I-20. 

General guidelines are listed below, and we encourage you to contact us to discuss your program plan.

International students on F1 or J1 visas must maintain full-time enrollment of at least 9 credits (3 courses) per term during fall and spring. Other students can adjust their enrollment but should take at least 6 credits to meet federal funding requirements. All students are encouraged to consult with an academic advisor before registration to discuss course sequencing and prerequisites. 

The MBA is offered in an entirely online, asynchronous format with minimal scheduled programming. The Part-Time MBA and all Master of Science programs can be completed online through our hybrid course format with scheduled course times. More information can be found here.  

You can enhance your competitive advantage in the marketplace by earning both an MBA and Master of Science (MS) dual degree. Share up to four courses between programs to further expand your skill set and obtain two graduate business degrees in less time. 

A GBE provides students with the opportunity to earn 3 credits by traveling to an international destination with their class. These trips combine academic preparation, corporate immersion experiences, cultural exposure, and post-trip final projects. These are generally 7 to 10 days long and scheduled during the winter and summer breaks, which allows students who are working to use vacation time to participate. The trip cost is additional to your course tuition. 

Yes, Bentley requires a NACES-member evaluation for degrees awarded outside the U.S. Evaluations must display course-by-course grades and degree equivalencies. With this evaluation, we are able to consider your prior coursework for foundation course waivers. This evaluation can be requested from within the BusinessCAS application, or you may select your own provider from the list of NACES member evaluation services.

If approved by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS), international students are allowed 12 months of “Optional Practical Training” or OPT after they receive their degree. This enables students to stay in the US and work. Students who graduate from a STEM-designated program are allowed 36 months of OPT. 

There are many on-campus employment opportunities afforded to students. For current policies surrounding student employment for international students, visit The Center for International Students and Scholars (CISS). CISS serves as a resource for our international community through immigration advising, cross-cultural programming, and resource referral.  

You may be able to waive the ELT requirement if you are a citizen of a pre-approved English-speaking nation or completed a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or higher degree in which all instruction was provided in English (documentation of English instruction is required). 

Yes, original materials that are issued in a foreign language must be accompanied by a certified English translation.   

We will consider the results of your international transcript evaluation, along with any supplemental coursework, to determine whether your education is equivalent to a U.S. Bachelor’s degree.

Some locations are still experiencing long delays. Check appointment times in other cities that may be accessible to you and keep checking multiple times per day, as appointment availability changes frequently. Please keep us informed on your visa status. 

For all our Master’s programs, tuition is charged at the per-course rate for the duration of your program. If you receive a merit scholarship, it will reduce the per-course rate for the duration of your program. Rates for the current academic year, along with average merit scholarships and other estimated expenses, can be found on our Graduate Tuition and Aid page. 

Merit scholarships are based primarily on academic, professional, and personal achievement, without regard to financial need, and vary based on the program and competitiveness of the applicant pool. Scholarships are distributed in the form of tuition remission for the duration of your program, and recipients must maintain a 3.0 GPA to retain award eligibility. Visit our Tuition and Aid page to learn more or contact us to learn more. 

Other funding options available to international students include private loans and external scholarships, particularly those offered through their home country. Bentley partners with Prodigy Finance, a reputable lender servicing international students without a co-signer. Other potential financing opportunities include MPower and Paras. Visit our Tuition & Aid page to learn more.

Full-time fall applicants can express interest in a graduate assistantship within their application. If accepted, they are considered for available positions in a separate review process starting in early March. Approximately 30 assistantships are offered each year to top MBA and MS students. These positions provide valuable work experience, typically offering a stipend in exchange for a 15-hour per week commitment during the first academic year (fall-spring). Assistantships are non-renewable. Contact your admissions officer for details on current opportunities and benefits.

Many graduate students pursue student employment in Bentley offices and departments to gain experience and income. These positions are posted at the start of each semester in the Workday student system and typically require an application and interview process. Student employees can expect to work between 5 and 20 hours per week, depending on the needs of the position, and earn at least the current minimum wage set by Massachusetts. 

We have many online classes available. These are mostly “hybrid” classes, which means they are conducted live via Zoom at scheduled meeting times for in-person or online participation. Some courses are offered fully online as “asynchronous” classes, which means there are no scheduled meeting times. Some executive format classes do take place on weekends.  

No. However, there are many local apartment complexes within walking distance from the Bentley campus. There are also apartments available in Belmont and Cambridge with a local shuttle for students to get to campus. We also have an off-campus housing service that can help you find listings for apartments, roommates, and local real estate agents through our website. 

All MBA and MS students have lifetime access to the services and resources provided by our highly ranked Pulsifer Career Development Center. We start working with you as soon as your studies begin, then provide new ways to develop your skills, make new connections and reach your goals throughout your entire career. Non-degree students are not eligible for Career Development services.  

General degree applicants must utilize the centralized BusinessCAS application service to apply. To start, create a BusinessCAS account, search for Bentley University, and select your program of interest. 

Alumni, staff, faculty, and University Partners such as BILH are invited to apply through our custom, streamlined Bentley Graduate application. Visit our application page for more information and to begin your application. 

Many of our programs require foundation courses that can be completed prior to enrollment or during your studies at Bentley. Some or all foundation course requirements may be waived based on prior equivalent coursework that meets all the following criteria:  

• Completed within the past 5 years  

• Earned a grade equivalent of B or better (3.0 on a 4.0 scale)  

• Taken at an undergraduate institution with AACSB, EQUIS, AMBA, or U.S. regional accreditation  

International coursework accompanied by a NACES member transcript evaluation will be considered if deemed equivalent to U.S. regional accreditation.  

While the Graduate Admission Committee believes standardized test scores are an important aspect of an application, submitting a test score is optional. If you choose to apply without a test score, be sure that other components of your application (transcripts, resume) sufficiently demonstrate your aptitude. If in doubt, schedule a consultation to talk with us about your background and qualifications. 

Recommended scores are as follows: 

We do not accept transfer credit for courses in the core of any graduate program. We will grant waivers for foundation-level courses and may substitute core courses if you have completed prior equivalent coursework. In some cases, we can waive foundation-level courses based on extensive professional experience in the discipline. Course waivers are evaluated based on your application materials and communicated with your admission decision. Prior coursework may qualify for waiver or substitution if it meets all the following criteria:

• Completed within the past 5 years 
• Earned a grade equivalent of B or better (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) 
• Taken at an undergraduate institution with U.S. regional, AACSB, EQUIS, or AMBA accreditation 

If you choose to apply with an optional test score, Bentley’s school code for GRE and TOEFL scores is 3096. Graduate degree applicants can utilize the BusinessCAS application to enter test dates and scores. 

School codes for GMAT by the program are:

• Full-Time MBA: 84V-P6-36
• Part-Time & Online MBA: 84V-P6-08
• MS Accounting: 84V-P6-48
• MS Business Analytics: 84V-P6-04
• MS Finance: 84V-P6-40
• MS Human Factors: 84V-P6-27

Electronic transcripts for general degree applicants should be ordered through the BusinessCAS application or sent by your institution to: applygrad@bentley.edu

Hard copy documents should be mailed to:
Bentley University Graduate Admission
175 Forest St., LAC 295
Waltham, MA 02452
USA

Submitting a test score is optional as of Fall 2024. If you choose to apply without a test score, be sure that other components of your application (transcripts, resume) sufficiently demonstrate your aptitude. If in doubt, schedule a consultation to talk with us about your background and qualifications. 

Candidates who submit an application without a standardized test must demonstrate analytical proficiency in some academic programs and may be required to complete an admission interview to better understand their experience in preparation for graduate school. 

Here are some examples in which the Graduate Admission Committee may determine your preparation for an advanced degree in business: 

• Proof of prior academic experience or professional experience in the field of study that demonstrates aptitude in (e.g., Computer Science, Calculus, Statistics, Mathematics, User Experience Design, Engineering, Psychology, etc.). 

• Relevant professional certifications such as CFA, CPA, CFP, IRS Enrolled Agent. 

• Non-degree coursework or training programs in a related field of study. 

• Candidates applying to Human Factors Information Design and choosing to apply without a standardized test should demonstrate relevant professional experience in a Tech or User Experience Design industry, exceptional academic credentials and are required to complete an admission interview with the Program Director. 

Delete question and answer - Some of my courses were graded Pass/Fail due to impact of the virus. Will these courses still be considered for foundation waivers? 

Applicants are able to apply beginning one year after their denial decision was rendered unless they have received alternative guidance from a member of our admission team. In some cases, students may apply for a different degree level within the same academic year. 

The Advanced Standing programs in Accounting (ASAC), Business (ASB), Finance (ASF), and Business Analytics (ASBA) are open to high-achieving Bentley undergraduates interested in continuing into our MBA, MSF, or MSBA programs, respectively. These programs provide a unique opportunity for undergraduate students to earn their graduate degrees faster. Students admitted into the Advanced Standing offering will continue into graduate studies without having to submit a graduate application. Students completing the Advanced Standing program that wish to enroll in a second graduate degree must apply through Graduate Admission. Visit our Advanced Standing programs webpage to learn more.

Blended-term students may receive permission through Graduate Advising to take up to two graduate-level courses during the last semester of their Bentley undergraduate program and apply these courses toward a Master's degree within 5 years; no application is necessary for blended-term enrollment. Participation in blended terms does not automatically enroll students in graduate school. If interested in pursuing a graduate degree, students must apply through Graduate Admission.  

If you are enrolled in an Advanced Standing program or completing an MBA/MS dual degree, you can share four courses or twelve credits. Undergraduate students enrolled in Advanced Standing graduate courses cannot apply these credits to more than one graduate degree. Blended-term credits are not used to fulfill undergraduate requirements and may be used for a dual graduate degree.  

The Graduate School of Business enrolls new students for spring and fall semesters. A completed Bachelor’s degree is required for all incoming graduate students prior to matriculation. Current undergraduate students are encouraged to work with academic advising to determine the best time to apply. While we typically encourage that you apply early in the application cycle, you must have completed at least 3 years of credit (about 90 hours) at the time that you submit your application.   

Bentley alumni who apply to the Graduate School through the custom Alumni/Employee application will be waived from completing one of two required essays, are not required to submit letters of recommendation, and will not be charged an application fee. Students applying to the Professional MBA program do need to use the standard BCAS application, however.  

Any undergraduate scholarship awarded does not continue for your graduate studies. The Graduate School offers limited merit-based scholarships to a select number of qualified applicants. Recipients are selected based on criteria that include their previous academic and professional achievements, test scores (optional), and skills or attributes that suggest a unique contribution to their incoming class.   

All Bentley alumni (with exception of Advanced Standing students) who have completed a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or doctoral degree at Bentley are eligible to receive a 10% alumni discount on graduate courses (numbered 500-799). Since the Advanced Standing programs are generously discounted with the opportunity to earn a graduate degree at an accelerated rate, students enrolled in these programs are not eligible for the 10% discount on the Master’s degree portion of their program; however, these students are eligible for the 10% alumni discount on additional graduate study. Discounts do not apply to Global Business Experiences (GBE courses). The Professional MBA program is discounted at 25% for alumni entering class 2025.