Applying to the M.S. in Hospitality Business Management

All associated, required application documents should be received and ready for review at the time of application.

Fall Semester Application Dates:

• Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis
• To be considered favorably for financial aid, apply by December 15.
• International Students – The last date to submit a fall application is June 1
• Domestic Students – Applications are accepted up to one week prior to the start of the semester

Spring Semester

We prefer that students enroll in the fall semester. However, depending on the background of the student, we may occasionally admit in spring. Please note that decisions on financial aid are made in the fall semester only.

1. Application Fee

A $75 application fee is due when you submit your online application.

2. Bachelor’s Degree

A four-year bachelor’s degree in any academic field from an accredited college or university with a GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is required. If you have a three-year non-U.S. degree, you may request a review for determination as to equivalency.

3. Transcripts

Unofficial transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate coursework are required with your application. Do not mail official transcripts during the applicant stage. An English translation must accompany transcripts issued in a language other than English.

4. Resume

A resume or curriculum vitae that documents your prior work experience, publications, honors and awards received and a summary of your educational credentials.

5. Prerequisites

Well-qualified applicants will have:

1. A good academic record (GPA of 3.0/4 or equivalent)
2. Strong written and oral communication skills
3. Strong and relevant work experience
4. Strong analytical and problem solving skills
5. Demonstrated intellectual interest to study, collaborate and participate knowledge building

6. GMAT/GRE Optional

GMAT/GRE Test scores are not required for either the 1 year non-thesis or 2 year thesis options.

For the 1 year non-theses option, our typical applicant has the equivalent of a 4-year US Bachelor’s degree, a 3.0/4.0 GPA with strong analytical and quantitative coursework and at least 2 years of relevant professional work experience in the hospitality and tourism sectors.

For the 2 year thesis option, our typical applicant has the equivalent of a 4-year US Bachelor’s degree, a 3.5/4.0 GPA with strong analytical and quantitative coursework followed by at least 5 years of relevant professional work experience in the hospitality and tourism sectors.

If you wish to strengthen your application you may take, at your option, the GMAT/GRE, but submission of scores is not required. If you are not submitting a GMAT/GRE score, please select that you request a waiver on the Test Score Waivers page of the application.

7. Personal Statement

A personal statement or essay addressing your professional and academic achievements that will help you succeed in international business.

Your personal statement should answer the questions:

• Why do you wish to pursue your graduate studies at the University of Delaware?
• How will an M.S. in Hospitality Business help you achieve your goals?

8. Three Letters of Recommendation

Recommendation forms are emailed directly from the online application to the three recommenders whose names and email addresses you provide. Instruction for returning the completed forms is included in the emails.

9. Interview

You may also be required to pass a formal interview. Interviews may be conducted in-person or on Skype if necessary.

Tuition

The tuition rate for 2024-2025 is $1,069/credit.

Fees

All graduate students are responsible for mandatory fees in the Fall and Spring semesters. These fees vary based on whether a student is taking the program on a full-time or part-time basis. There are no registration fees for the online program. Please visit the Graduate Fees and Financial Aid page in the Graduate Catalog for full details.

Full- and Half-Assistantship Awards

Full or half assistantships are available to qualified candidates based on skill sets and competitive standing. The full assistantship award includes a stipend of $22,660 and full tuition payment for the fall, winter, spring and summer semesters. In addition, the student will be eligible for reduced costs for medical and accidental insurance. The stipend carries with it the responsibility of working with faculty on research and technical assistance projects for 20 hours per week during the academic year. Half assistantships include a stipend of $11,330 over the same term, and a half tuition payment. Work requirements for half assistantships are 10 hours per week during the academic year.

The University of Delaware is an ideal place for a great education in a global atmosphere. As an international student, you’ll join fellow students from over 100 countries. Nearly 30% of all the University’s graduate students and approximately 44% of the Lerner College graduate students are internationals.

International Application Requirements

As an international applicant, you must:

• Fulfill all the admissions requirements for domestic students.
• Provide translation and other supporting documents for transcripts.
• Demonstrate English proficiency by doing one of the following:
  • • Submit a TOEFL score of 100 or higher,
    • Submit an IELTS score of 7.5 or higher,
    • Provide proof of having earned a college degree in a country where English is the primary language, or
    • Apply through the Conditional Admission Program (CAP)
  The Graduate & Professional Education office provides more detailed TOEFL information on its test scores page.
• Please note World Education Services (WES) evaluations are no longer accepted.

Conditional Admission Program (CAP)

The MBA Conditional Admissions Program (MBA-CAP) provides international students acceptance into the program without the need to take the TOEFL exam. After completing CAP at the University of Delaware’s English Language Institute (ELI) you begin your MBA coursework. The length of time you will need to study in the ELI depends on your English skills when you enter the program. Please see the Graduate CAP Business Track page on the ELI website for more information.

Graduate Pathways

Graduate Pathways is a one-semester preparation program for international students whose language proficiency approaches the admission requirement (85-99 on the TOEFL iBT or 7.0 on the IELTS). You will take classes in English for graduate studies plus one MBA course with language support from the English Language Institute (ELI). Please see the Graduate Pathways page on the ELI website for more details.

Services for International Students

UD and the Lerner College offer many services to help you, both in class and out.

• The Conditional Admission Program (CAP)
• Graduate student organizations
• International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS)