Admissions

As a Christian institution, Biola seeks to admit applicants whose backgrounds clearly demonstrate scholarly aptitude, a commitment to the historic Christian faith, personal character and integrity, and a positive service-oriented motivation. Biola does not discriminate on the basis of the applicant's race, color, sex, socio-economic status, disability or national or ethnic origin.

Admissions Requirements

• Applicants should be a committed follower of the Lord Jesus Christ.

• Applicants must have completed all bachelor's degree requirements (business administration or other field) prior to the start of the program, and have a bachelor's degree conferred from a regionally accredited institution prior to the start of the second term.

• Non-native English speakers are required to submit proof of English proficiency.

Note: The program will be targeted to and preference will be given to those with at least three years of work experience after graduation when admitted to the program.

Application Steps

1. Complete and submit the online application

2. Submit a non-refundable $65 application fee

3. Submit required documents through your online application portal:

   Official Transcripts

   • An official transcript which shows a conferred bachelor's degree and all other transcripts containing a conferred degree are required. Official transcripts should be sent directly from the school or physically delivered in an untampered envelope sealed by the institution to Biola's Office of Graduate Admissions to be considered official. In addition, transcripts with prerequisites, leveling courses, advanced standing, and any other courses relevant to your desired program should be submitted. For certain degrees, additional or all transcripts may be requested or required. Review the admissions requirements of your individual program or contact Graduate Admissions for details.

   • Note for International Students: All international transcripts need U.S. grade equivalencies noted (e.g. GPA on a 4.0 scale). If your transcripts do not show U.S. grade equivalencies, you must have them evaluated by a credential evaluation agency like SpanTran (Biola Discount), World Education Services (WES) or Foundation for International Services (FIS).

     • Be sure to choose "course by course report" and have SpanTran/WES/FIS send them directly to Biola University via online portal or post (13800 Biola Ave, La Mirada, CA 90639) in order to be considered official.

   Resume

   • Submit a copy of your professional resume.

   Two Letters of Recommendation

   • Current Pastor/Church leader Recommendation

   • Academic/Character Recommendation

   Christian Testimony Essay

   • Prompt: Please submit a 1-2 page essay explaining in your own words: 1) the circumstances surrounding your decision to become a follower of Christ, 2) the scriptural basis for your salvation, 3) your contribution to a local church community, and 4) a description of how you display attributes of a mature Christian.

   Vocational Objective

   • Prompt: Provide a statement (no more than 2 pages) addressing your qualifications for acceptance to the Master of Arts in Leadership & Innovation program (leadership potential, creative abilities, motivational aptitude) and your career goals, include a description of how participation in the Master of Arts in Leadership & Innovation program will contribute to your growth and development toward those goals.

   Proof of English Proficiency (Required for Non-Native English Speakers)

   • Crowell School of Business requires all students whose first language is not English to provide proof of English proficiency. Ways to provide proof of English proficiency includes one of the following:

     • Meet minimum TOEFL, IELTS or duolingo test score (TOEFL iBT: 100, IELTS: 7.5, Duolingo: 125).
     • Provide official transcript showing an accredited degree (bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral) completed/taught fully in English.
     • Successfully complete Biola’s English Language Program with passing status on the ELP Exit Exam

   F-1 Student Visa Required Documents (Required for international students coming on Biola's campus to study)

   • The following are the required I-20 documents needed to create a Form I-20, which is needed to apply for your F-1 student visa. Please note that if you will be coming with dependents (spouse and/or children), you will need to provide additional documents and funding. NOTE: Please disregard the following if studying in the online format.

     • Submit a copy of your passport 
       • Submit a copy of a valid passport, which should be valid after 6 months of the program start date. 
       • Upload passport in your Online Application Portal.
     • Submit an Affidavit of Support
       • An Affidavit of Support is a document that shows your financial sponsor’s support for your study in the U.S. Before we issue you a Form I-20, you must demonstrate full financial support for at least the first year of study on-campus.
       • The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will not allow us to issue I-20 forms (used to obtain student visas) without documented proof that the student has sufficient funds to study in this country.
       • This Affidavit of Support form assures us that you will receive continued financial support from your sponsor(s) for your education at Biola University.
       • Download and upload the Affidavit of Support through your Online Application Portal.
     • Bank Statement
       • For each Affidavit of Support submitted, a bank statement must be sent in from each sponsor. Each bank statement must match the level of support pledged by the sponsor. Many students choose to send Certificates of Deposit as bank statements. 
       • Upload bank statement(s) through your Online Application Portal.
         
4. Interview with department chair or faculty member
   1. Upon completion of all additional supplemental items, you will be contacted to schedule an interview.

Apply Now

Application Deadline

• Make sure you complete the application by the following deadlines. 
  • Note for International Students: International students who will take the program fully online may apply for the fall or spring semester. International students who will take the program as a hybrid format will need to apply for the F-1 visa and may apply only for the fall semester.
  • General Note: If you are considering applying and the deadline has passed, please contact graduate admissions.
  
  
  • Fall Semester
    • International Students Deadline (hybrid format): June 1
    • Early Application Deadline: June 1
    • Application Deadline: July 1
      
  
  
  • Spring Semester
    • Application Deadline: December 1

Contact

• For questions regarding the application or admissions requirements, please contact graduate.admissions@biola.edu.
  • If you are an international student, please contact grad.international@biola.edu.

• For specific questions regarding the M.A. in Leadership and Innovation program, please contact allison.walton@biola.edu.