Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is required to apply to the Master’s Program in Business Analytics?
2. How should I send my application materials in?
3. Can I send photocopies of application materials such as test scores instead of official scores?
4. How is my application handled?
5. Do you accept IELTS scores instead of TOEFL scores?
6. Do you accept GRE or GMAT scores? Which is better?
7. Is there a minimum score for the GRE/GMAT , or TOEFL?
8. Does the department send a confirmation for application materials received?
9. When does the admissions committee review the applicant files?
10. How many applicants are there each year?
11. How many people are accepted into the program each year?
12. Will I receive financial assistance while in the program?
13. How can I get the answer to a question not listed here?

1. What is required to apply to the Master’s Program in Business Analytics?

Applicants to our program must:

• Have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 out of a possible 4.0
• Submit results of either the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT.)
• Have departmental application and three letters of recommendation sent to the address listed below

Or e-mailed to: MSAnalytics@utk.edu

2. How should I send my application materials in?

• Transcripts, Test scores (GRE/GMAT, TOEFL), and Graduate School application must be mailed to:

Graduate and International Admissions
201 Student Services Building
Knoxville, TN 37996-0221

*Do not send these materials to the department; they will not be forwarded to the Office of Graduate and International Admissions

• Departmental application and three recommendation letters must be mailed to:

Chair, Masters in Business Analytics
916 Volunteer Boulevard

255 Stokely Management Center
Knoxville, TN 37996-0532

Or e-mailed to: MSAnalytics@utk.edu


3. Can I send photocopies of application materials such as test scores instead of official scores?

The Office of Graduate and International Admissions requires official documents in order to process your file to the department. The department will examine photocopies of test scores for the purposes of evaluating an applicant’s probability of being admitted, however, the official acceptance cannot be made until the official documents are received by the Admissions Office .

4. How is my application handled?

• Departmental application and three recommendation letters are placed in a file created for you
• The Office of Graduate and International Admissions scans transcripts, test scores, and their application into NOLIJ system
• Admissions Office sends email to department when their application is complete
• Department prints materials from NOLIJ and files
• When file is complete, notification is sent to all admissions committee members for file review *Files are reviewed as completed, but no decisions are made until late spring

5. Do you accept IELTS scores instead of TOEFL scores?

The department bases its evaluation of your ability to communicate effectively by the TOEFL ibt score. This is the only score of its kind that we will accept.

6. Do you accept GRE or GMAT scores? Which is better?

We accept either the GRE or GMAT scores. GRE scores are reported directly to the Admissions Office, whereas GMAT scores must be obtained from the GMAT system. Therefore, we prefer GRE .

7. Is there a minimum score for the GRE/GMAT, or TOEFL?

The department has set a minimum score for the Quantitative portion of the GRE/GMAT tests of 600. We have also placed a minimum score of 100 for the TOEFL ibt, and more specifically a minimum of 20 on the speak portion of the TOEFL.

8. Does the department send a confirmation for application materials received?

The department does not currently have an automatic confirmation system. The most important document for you to submit is the departmental application . Once this is received, we will have your contact information.

9. When does the admissions committee review applicant files?

Files are reviewed as they are completed; however, no admissions decisions are made until February prior to fall admission. 

10. How many applicants are there each year?

The Masters Program in Business Analytics receives 80-100 applications in one year.

11. How many people are accepted into the program each year?

Currently, the department supports 20 new students each fall. However, we intend to increase that number in following years. 

12. Will I receive financial assistance while I am in the program?

If you have applied for financial assistance and the admissions committee has approved your acceptance into the program, we will provide a tuition waiver for three semesters, and provide you a stipend of $704.16 per month for the duration of your 10 hour per week position of grader, research assistant, or teacher. The department also pays for student health insurance.

14. How can I get the answer to a question not listed here?

If your question is not listed here, please email it to MSAnalytics@utk.edu .

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