International Students MBA programs

Requirements for Admission

To be admitted into the MBA Program for International Students, applicants should have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and should intend to be full-time students (a minimum of 6 credit hours per tri-mester) until the completion of their graduation requirements. Formal acceptance into the program is based on the following formula:

Last 60-hour undergraduate GPA* x 200 + GMAT score =1000 points minimum
OR
Overall undergraduate GPA* x 200 + GMAT score =950 points minimum

*GPA- undergraduate grade point average based on a 4.0 scale.

International Students seeking admission into the MBA Program should submit the following application materials:

1. MBA Application for Admission (to download please click here)
   
   
2. Processing Fee $100 - Non-refundable
   You are required to submit a non-refundable $100 international processing fee with your application. This fee can be drawn on a United States bank or it can take the form of a negotiable money order denominated in U.S. dollars. No personal checks or credit cards will be accepted.
   
   
3. Official Transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
   All transcripts must be submitted in English. Translation of grades to an American grade point average (GPA) may be required.
   
   
4. Information Form for International Students (or download please click here)  In addition to the Information form for International Students, the above MBA Application form must also be filled out and submitted.
   International students should fill out an Information Form for International Students.  That will provide the MBA Department with information necessary for issuing an I-20 form.  We will also need copy of student's passport, copy of F-1 Visa, and I-94 card.  Names must match on all documents.
   
   
5. TOEFL Score Report
   The TOEFL is required as proof of English proficiency unless the student is a native speaker of English or is from a country whose main language is English. The TOEFL requirement is sometimes waived for students who have studied at a University where all instruction was conducted in English. The minimum TOEFL score for admission is 550 for written TOEFL or 213 on computer-based test. Students who do not meet TOEFL requirements or need further study of English can directly enroll in Avila's Intensive Language and Culture Program (ILCP).
   
   
6. GMAT Score Report
   Official GMAT General Test scores are required for every international student. In order to be admitted into the MBA program, your GMAT score should satisfy the admission formula.  The minimujm GMAT score required is 420.
   
   
   Last 60-hour undergraduate GPA* x 200 + GMAT score =1000 points minimum
   OR
   Overall undergraduate GPA* x 200 + GMAT score =950 points minimum
   
   
7. Verification of Financial Support
   In order to meet U.S. Immigration requirements for entry into the United States, proof of sufficient financial resources to cover educational and living expenses for the duration of your program must be in place before visa documents can be issued. Proof of funding can consist of either certified bank statements or other documents guaranteeing the student's ability to meet the costs of study in the United States.  Documentation must be a minimum of $15,000 U.S. dollars.
   
   
8. MBA Questionnaire - optional (to download click here)
   Students who are interested in how many credit hours they need to complete their MBA program should also submit the MBA Questionnaire.

All application materials should be submitted to:

JoAnna Giffin, MSM
Director, MBA Admissions
Avila University
MBA Office
11901 Wornall Road
Kansas City, MO 64145
USA

Admission Deadlines

The MBA program has no actual application deadlines. However, international students should apply as early as possible in order to have enough time to obtain their I-20 Forms and F-1 Student Visas. Students seeking admission into the MBA program are strongly advised to submit their application materials by the following dates:

*Please refer to the MBA Course Schedule for exact dates.

Estimated Expenses

* International students are not required to take classes during Summer Session.

As an international student at Avila University , you are required to have health insurance. This requirement remains in force as long as you continue to be a student at Avila University . If you are not enrolled in your own insurance, you are required to enroll in an insurance plan offered through the University.

Living In Kansas City - A Great Place to Live

Kansas City, Missouri, is an all-American city with a thriving economy that draws people from across the U.S. and around the world. Standard American English is spoken in Kansas City. The city is known for its dazzling fountains, beautiful architectures, and spacious boulevards. In addition, Kansas City exemplifies its dedication to the arts at Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, and the State Ballet of Missouri. Music can be heard everywhere including jazz, opera, blues, and the city's excellent symphony. Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun are great theme parks in Kansas City featuring several outstanding roller coasters.  Learn more about Kansas City.


Off-Campus Housing
Students who prefer privacy and the advantages of independent living might consider off-campus housing. Kansas City is one of the most affordable places to live in the US; housing costs here are roughly 7% less than the national average. To obtain more information on housing accommodations in the Kansas City area, students can refer to the following web sites: KCAPT.com, KCstar Classified, KC Area Guide.

Major Employers in the Kansas City Area

Kansas City is a fast-growing city with population of 1.5 million. The area is experiencing growth in all major industrial sectors, with the service and retail sectors experiencing the most growth. Kansas City has a very low unemployment rate and the lowest cost of living of all major metropolitan areas. The largest area employers include:

• Sprint
  Sprint is a global communication company at the forefront of integrating long distance, local and wireless communications services and one of the world's largest carriers of Internet traffic.

• Black & Veatch
  Black & Veatch provides full engineering, procurement, and construction services to the power, infrastructure, and process markets. Black & Veatch employs approximately 9,000 professionals in more than 90 offices worldwide in countries form Argentina to Zimbabwe. Kansas City,  Missouri is the headquarters for this employee-owned company. 

• American Century Investments
  American Century Investments has evolved from two mutual funds to a multi-disciplined investment organization employing over 2,600 people. With more than $80 billion in assets under management, American Century offers the fifth largest direct marketed fund family in the country.

• St. Luke's Health
  St. Luke's Hospital and Health Network is an integrated regional health care network encompassing 868 beds in five hospitals, 1,200 physicians, more than 4000 employees and nearly 1,000 volunteers.

• Hallmark
  Kansas City-based Hallmark Cards, Inc. is known throughout the world for its greeting cards and related personal expression products. It publishes its products in 30 languages and distributes them in more than 100 countries.
  

Practical Training for International Students

Practical training is an opportunity for international students to obtain real-world work experience working for an U.S. employer. It is also a great opportunity to apply knowledge and skills students learned in school. Optional practical training (OPT) must be related to the student's major area of study and requires at least nine months being in F-1 status.  OPT is available in the following instance:

After Completion of the Degree

A maximum of 12 months of OPT can be authorized for the entire duration of a student's F-1 status, no matter how many degrees are completed. In other words, if a student engages in 12 months of practical training after getting a Master's degree, he/she will not be eligible for any after completion of a Ph.D. program.

Students should remember that once OPT is granted, it cannot be recaptured even if the student decided not to use it or is unable to find a training opportunity.

If you plan to travel outside the United States during your practical training, you will need a valid passport and visa to re-enter along with your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and your I-20 (which must be endorsed for re-entry by the Registrar).

On-Campus Employment

Students in F-1 Status may work up to twenty hours per week on-campus during the academic year (or during summer sessions if registered for a course). Students may work full-time on campus during the summer or vacation periods if they were full-time students the previous semester, intend to register as full-time students the following semester, and are not enrolled in courses. Full-time on-campus employment authorization for students may only be obtained by engaging in optional practical training (F-1).