MSIST Admission

Qualifications

Admissions to the Master of Science in Information Systems Technology program is competitive. Applicants must present a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university and meet the entrance requirements of the School of Business.

The review process considers each of the following areas on its own merit and candidates should show significant achievement in each area to be considered a strong prospect for admission.

• The ability to excel academically in an environment that will demand strong technical, analytical, and communication skills.

• Evidence of maturity to integrate educational opportunities into personal and professional goals.

• Management and leadership potential and strong communication skills.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and are considered for fall and spring semester admissions. We strongly encourage you to submit your completed application as early as possible for the strongest consideration.

Online Application Requirements

To be considered complete, the below must be included in the online application:

• Completed Online Application: The fee will be waived for applicants who already possess an undergraduate or graduate degree from GW. The online application accepts electronic payment.
• Current Résumé: Uploaded through the online application system.
• Two Letters of Recommendation: From professional and/or academic references.
• Statement of Career Objective: In no more than 500 words, describe how the MSIST program fits into your professional life and your career objectives.

Additional Application Requirements

• Transcripts: All admitted students will be required to submit official, sealed academic transcripts with proof of their bachelor’s degree. There is no need to submit transcripts at the time when you first apply; you may do so after admission. Once admitted, please submit transcripts from all of the colleges and/or universities you have attended, whether or not a degree program was completed or the credits appear as transfer credits on another transcript.

  International applicants should upload the English-language version of their transcripts or a copy of a credentialed evaluation. For a list of acceptable foreign credential evaluation services, please visit naces.org.

International Applicants

• English language evaluation
  Applicants who have not completed a degree in a country in which English is the principal language must submit one of the following: an official TOEFL score of at least 80 (internet-based test) or 550 (paper-based test), an official IELTS score of 6.0 with no individual band score below 5.5, a PTE Academic Score of at least 53, or a Duolingo English Test (DTE) Score of at least 110. Test date must be within the past two years. TOEFL code: 5246. TOEFL exemptions can be found here.
• Transcript evaluation
  All students who attended an institution outside of the United States must provide a detailed, course-by-course transcript evaluation. This evaluation is not just an English translation, but a document provided by an accredited evaluating agency that shows all grades, course titles, credit hours, United States degree equivalency, grade-point average (GPA), and date of degree conferral. A list of acceptable foreign credential evaluation services is available through the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). Credentials evaluations are also accepted from the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO).
• Financial Certification Form along with supporting documentation indicating that you have adequate funding for tuition and living expenses for the duration of the MSIST program. The form is required from students requesting a visa and only after receiving an admission offer.
• Copies of all current or recently issued visa or I-20 documentation. (To expedite processing, you should submit an application that is otherwise complete and forward the copies of visa or I-20 documentation when they become available).

Admitted Student Profile

While we do not have minimum requirements for test scores, GPA or work experience, our program does attract top academic and professional talent. Statistics from the most recent admission period are as follows:

• Average GMAT Score: 590*
• Average GPA: 3.2
• Percentage Military or Veteran: 5.7%
• Percentage Female: 43%
• Percentage International: 72%
• Average Age: 27

*Please note, the MSIST program is test optional. If you choose to submit a test score, you may submit either a GMAT or GRE score. However, neither test score is required for admission.