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Admissions

The admissions process for the Master of Professional Accountancy (MPAcc) program includes a variety of admissions requirements such as an essay, transcripts and more. There are also supplemental application requirements and specific items needed for Biola University graduates, so make sure to see the information below for additional details.

Application Deadlines

Application deadlines for the MPAcc program vary depending on which semester you would like to start the program, and what type of educational background you have. If you are considering applying and the deadline has passed, please contact graduate admissions.*

Fall Semester Start

  • Early application deadline for students with an accounting degree: November 15 (application fee waived)
  • Regular application deadline for students with or without an accounting degree: July 1*
  • Regular application deadline for international students: June 1

Spring Semester Start

  • Early application deadline for students with an accounting degree: April 15 (application fee waived)
  • Regular application deadline for students with an accounting degree: November 1
  • Regular application deadline for international students: October 1
  • Students without an accounting degree are not eligible to start in the spring semester.

Summer Semester Start

  • Application deadline for students without an accounting degree: March 15
  • Students with an accounting degree are not eligible to start the program full-time in the summer semester, but may do a summer internship for MPAcc credit.

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Application Requirements

If you are interested in applying to the MPAcc program, please make note of the following application requirements:

General Requirements

  1. Apply online
  2. Submit a $65 application fee
    • An application fee of $65 (non-refundable) is required. Pay online through the online application or submit a check payable to Biola University. If you attend an Info Session, we will waive your application fee.
  3. Request 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.

      Transcripts will be considered official only when a) sent directly from the institution to Biola, b) sent electronically through the National Student Clearinghouse, or c) physically delivered in an untampered envelope sealed by the institution. Final approval for admission is contingent on receiving an official transcript.*

      • Send transcripts to:
        Biola University Office of Graduate Admissions
        13800 Biola Avenue, La Mirada, CA 90639
  4. Submit supplemental items (please see the list of required items below based on your undergraduate degree):

      Current Biola Students

      Current Biola University students pursuing degrees in accounting, business administration or another undergraduate degree should refer to the following application requirements:
      Supplemental Item Accounting Business Administration Other
      Christian Testimony Essay
      • The circumstances surrounding your decision to become a follower of Christ
      • The scriptural basis for your salvation
      • Your contribution to a local church community
      • A description of how you display attributes of a mature Christian faith
      Required Required
      GMAT Scores
      Required
      MPAcc Vocational Objectives Essay
      • Provide a statement (no more than 2 pages) addressing your qualifications for acceptance to the MPAcc program (leadership potential, creative abilities, motivational aptitude) and your career goals, including a description of how participation in the MPAcc program will contribute to your growth and development toward those goals. This is included in the online application but must be submitted separately if you are completing the PDF application.
      Required
      Pastor/Church Leader Reference
      • From the current church you attend
      Required Required
      Academic/Character Reference
      * From a Crowell School of Business faculty member
      ** From a Biola faculty member
      Required* Required**

      All Other Applicants

      1. Christian Testimony Essay
        • The circumstances surrounding your decision to become a follower of Christ
        • The scriptural basis for your salvation
        • Your contribution to a local church community
        • A description of how you display attributes of a mature Christian faith
      2. Resume
      3. GMAT Scores
      4. MPAcc Vocational Objectives Essay
        • Provide a statement (no more than 2 pages) addressing your qualifications for acceptance to the MPAcc program (leadership potential, creative abilities, motivational aptitude) and your career goals, including a description of how participation in the MPAcc program will contribute to your growth and development toward those goals. This is included in the online application but must be submitted separately if you are completing the PDF application.
      5. Pastor/Church Leader Reference
        • From the current church you attend
      6. Academic Reference
      7. Employer or Character Reference
  5. Complete an interview
    • Interview with the Crowell School of Business MPAcc Director Phil Woodward (we will contact you to schedule your interview once we have received all the above application items).

Requirements for Biola University Graduates

Those who completed their undergraduate education at Biola University should refer to the following application requirements:

  • Application fee of $65 (waived if you attend an information session)
  • Official transcripts
  • Interview with the director of the MPAcc program

Transfer Credits

Students transferring from a regionally accredited graduate program may transfer a maximum of six (6) credits. The courses transferred must be equivalent, have direct applicability to the student’s program, and be approved by the program director. Only courses with a grade of “B” (3.0) or higher will be considered for transfer toward the MPAcc degree. Credits considered for transfer must have been taken within five years prior to the date of admission.

Note: Official documents presented for admission or evaluation become part of the student’s academic file and normally cannot be returned or copied for distribution

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International Students

International students applying for a graduate program at the Crowell School of Business must meet the admissions requirements for their program of choice, in addition to the international student admissions requirements found below. These requirements detail varying application deadlines, required documents and more.

Our International Student Admissions office is here to help you navigate the application process. Contact us with your questions!

Whitney Spradley
Director of International Admissions
grad.international@biola.edu


Admissions Requirements

International students must follow the requirements listed below. All documents must be received before your application will be considered:

  1. Submit an application
    Follow the steps to apply provided on the Crowell School of Business graduate admissions page. Application deadlines vary based on program of choice and semester of entry.
  2. Provide proof of English proficiency
    Crowell 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 accredited degree (bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral) completed/taught fully in English
    • Successfully complete Biola’s English Language Scholars with passing status on the ELS Exit Exam.
  3. Submit official transcripts
    • 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 the 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.
    • Official transcripts can also be physically delivered in an untampered envelope sealed by the institution.
  4. F-1 Student Visa Required Documents
    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.
    1. Submit a copy of your passport.
      Submit a copy of valid passport, which should be valid after 6 months of the program start date. Upload passport(s) in the Online Application Portal.
    2. Submit an Affidavit of Support(s)
      • 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 in the Online Application Portal.
    3. 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) in the Online Application Portal.
    4. Apply for the F-1 Student Visa (hybrid/on-campus students only)
      • Once the required I-20 documents are verified by the International Admissions Office, the Form I-20 will be mailed to you.
      • Pay the required SEVIS Fee to schedule an F-1 visa appointment at your nearest U.S. Embassy/Consulate. For an easy transition into the U.S., make your appointment at least two months prior to first day of class. See Embassy/Consulate Interview Tips for more information.
      • Arrive to U.S. within 30 days of the first day of class. Upon arrival, meet with Biola University’s Immigration Services.
  5. Once accepted, international students must subscribe either to the Biola University student health insurance policy or obtain a policy that maintains coverage throughout their time in the United States.


Financial Aid

It is important to understand the cost of attending a private university in the United States before beginning the application process. This section attempts to answer questions about financial aid available to international students.

Although there is financial aid available to international students, funds are limited and normally do not exceed 10% of a student’s yearly tuition costs. Therefore, applicants must be able to meet the majority of the cost of their education.

The source of the remaining 90% or more of yearly tuition must be from the applicant’s funds and/or a sponsor(s). Biola University cannot assist applicants in finding sponsors.

  • Before requests for financial aid can be considered, the applicant must submit a completed application file with all items listed above, and be accepted for admittance by June 1.
  • It is essential that the University clearly understands the applicant's qualifications and sponsor's financial resources before evaluating eligibility for scholarship assistance. Incomplete or un-notarized affidavits will be returned to the applicant.
  • Applicants who wish to be considered for financial assistance should specify this request with their completed application forms.

Student Scholarships

The MPAcc scholarship is available to students on an F-1 visa. Please review the scholarships link for the scholarship application, requirements and details. Please see the MPAcc financial aid for more information.

Please see this page regarding other departmental scholarships.

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