International Students Applying to the EIU MBA

Eastern Illinois University welcomes international students to the MBA program for the fall and spring semesters. International applicants should apply early, especially if they need immigration documents, housing, scholarship consideration or time to complete visa-related steps.All MBA application materials should be submitted through your MyEIU account. Your application will not be reviewed until all required materials have been received.

Apply Through MyEIU

View International Admission Steps

Apply Early

International MBA applicants should apply several months before the semester begins to allow time for admission review, immigration documents and visa-related steps.

International Admission Steps

Plan Your Course Format

International students must usually maintain full-time enrollment and should work with the MBA program and OISS when planning online, hybrid or in-person courses.

Office of International Students & Scholars

Prepare Your Documents

Application materials are submitted through MyEIU. International applicants may need transcripts, English proficiency documentation, financial documents, a passport copy, Statement of Purpose and resume or CV.

Graduate Academic Requirements

Review Costs & Scholarships

International students must show proof of funding before immigration documents can be issued. Scholarship information is managed by OISS.

International Costs & Scholarships

How to Apply to the EIU MBA as an International Student

Step 1

Create or log in to your MyEIU account.

Step 2

Complete the Graduate School application.

Step 3

Select the MBA program as your intended graduate degree.

Step 4

Upload required application materials.

Step 5

Submit international student documents through the appropriate OISS process.

Step 6

Watch your MyEIU checklist for updates and your admission decision.

Apply Through MyEIU

View International Admission Steps

International MBA Admission Details

Application Timeline

EIU admits MBA students for the fall and spring semesters on a rolling basis. International students should apply 4 to 6 months before the semester begins, especially if they want to be considered for scholarships or graduate assistantship opportunities.

Recommended application timing:

Fall semester: Apply as early as possible, preferably several months before August
Spring semester: Apply as early as possible, preferably several months before January

For official international admission deadlines and file completion dates, students should review the Office of International Students & Scholars admission steps.

International Admission Steps

Full-Time Enrollment Requirements

International students must maintain full-time enrollment to meet immigration requirements. For MBA students, full-time enrollment is typically 9 credit hours, or 3 courses, per semester. International students may count a maximum of one online course, or 3 credit hours, per semester toward full-time status.

Because of this requirement, international students should work closely with the MBA program and the Office of International Students & Scholars when planning their course schedule.

Office of International Students & Scholars

MBA Application Materials

International applicants to the EIU MBA should be prepared to submit materials through MyEIU.

MBA applicants should be ready to provide:

Completed EIU Graduate School application
Official transcripts or degree documents
English proficiency documentation, if required
Statement of Purpose
Resume or CV
Passport biographical page
Financial documentation required for immigration processing
Any additional materials requested through MyEIU

International applicants should upload required materials through MyEIU. You do not need to send application documents separately to the MBA program unless you have trouble uploading materials or want to provide additional information for MBA admission or graduate assistantship consideration.

If needed, students may email copies of materials to both:

https://www.eiu.edu/myeiu

GPA, Test Scores & English Proficiency

The MBA program reviews completed application files using the program’s admission criteria. International applicants should review current requirements for GPA, English proficiency and any optional entrance exams before applying.

MBA admission review may include:

Undergraduate GPA
Relevant work experience
English proficiency scores, if required
Statement of Purpose
Resume or CV
Optional GRE, GMAT or MAT scores

Entrance exams such as the GRE, GMAT or MAT may be optional, but can strengthen an application, especially for students interested in graduate assistantship consideration.

Graduate Academic Requirements English Proficiency Requirements

Costs, Scholarships & Financial Documentation

International students must show proof of funding for one academic year before EIU can issue immigration documents such as the Form I-20 or DS-2019. Costs may include tuition, fees, health insurance, living expenses and additional expenses for dependents, if applicable.

Students should review current cost information through the Office of Scholarships & Financial Aid and the Office of International Students & Scholars.

Cost of Attendance

International students may be eligible to apply for competitive international student scholarships. Scholarship eligibility, deadlines and application instructions are managed by the Office of International Students & Scholars.

International Student Scholarships

Graduate Assistantships

Students interested in a graduate assistantship must complete the graduate assistantship application through MyEIU.

The School of Business may consider eligible students for graduate assistantships based on academic performance, program needs and available positions. Some School of Business graduate assistantship opportunities may require students to complete at least one semester of graduate coursework before consideration. Students should contact the MBA program for current availability and eligibility.

Graduate Assistantship Information