What is the average GMAT for entry to the MSA program?

Our minimum GMAT score ranges between 500 and 530.

If you take the GMAT multiple times, Suffolk uses your highest grade in our evaluation. Many other schools take the average grade from all attempts.

The average score for students admitted in Fall 2011 was 609. 

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What is the minimum GPA for entry to the MSA program?

Suffolk’s minimum GPA is a 3.0. We use the higher of your overall four year GPA or your GPA for the last two years of undergraduate study.

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Can I apply to the MSA without the GMAT or GRE?

Yes. Individuals who have passed the CPA, who have qualified for the waiver under the "4+1" Program, who have completed a minimum of 5 courses with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher in the GDPA Program , or who have graduated from ABA - approved law schools (must submit documentation of LSAT) may qualify for MSA GMAT or GRE Waiver.

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Will you accept the GRE instead of the GMAT?

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Do I need an accounting or business degree to apply to the MSA or GDPA programs?

No. Suffolk regularly admits qualified students without accounting or business degrees.

Students without an accounting or business background are required to take additional accounting and management preparation classes (finance, economics, marketing, etc.) before beginning the MSA program. All these classes can be taken at Suffolk after admission to the MSA program.

If you have completed comparable coursework at another institution, some of these preparation courses may be waived. Please note that the grades that were received in these courses are considered when determining waivers.

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Can I apply to the GDPA Program if I received my undergraduate degree in accounting from a US Institution?

No. The GDPA Program is designed for individuals who earned a degree in a discipline other than accounting or for students who earned their undergraduate degree in accounting from an international institution.

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What are the requirements to have a class waived?

We may waive a class based on comparable coursework completed at another institution prior to beginning classes at Suffolk.

If the waiver is for a management or accounting preparation course, you do not need to take another class in its place. However, if it is a required course, you may substitute a graduate-level elective of your choice.

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Can I take a few classes at Suffolk before applying to the GDPA or MSA?

No. You must be enrolled in a program to take graduate level accounting courses at Suffolk.

Since the GMAT or GRE is not required for the GDPA, you can and take a couple of courses to see if you like the program. You are not obligated to finish.

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Can I complete the GDPA, obtain the certificate, and then apply to the MSA?

Yes. However, none of the credits will transfer with you. Credits for classes applied to obtain the GDPA cannot also be applied to the MSA program. You will need to complete at least 10 new classes to obtain the MSA.

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Can I use the GDPA to apply to the MBA without the GMAT?

No. Please email questions regarding the GMAT and the MBA to the MBA Programs Office at mba@suffolk.edu.

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What are the requirements to transfer classes from other schools?

A maximum of 9 credits may be transferred. Suffolk can only transfer credits for a class taken at another institution if the following criteria are met:

• It is a graduate-level course.
• It was completed at an accredited (AACSB) institution. For a list of accredited schools, visit the AACSB website.
• It was not applied to any other degree you received from that institution.
• Your grade for the course was at least a 3.0.

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Can students enrolled in an MSA program at another institution take a class at Suffolk?

Yes. We have an arrangement called a “Dean-to-Dean” transfer that allows students in programs at other institutions to take some classes at Suffolk.

For more information, contact Loren Doucette in the Dean’s office at ldoucett@suffolk.edu.

Review the application (pdf) and see item #3 under "policies" on page 2 of the document.

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