Pre-program Competencies (Zarb School of Business) – No Credits

Pre-program competencies evaluate the readiness of admitted students to start the M.S. program with the appropriate level of essential business skills. Full-time students must complete these requirements during the first semester in which they begin their program. Part-time students must complete these requirements within the first two semesters of enrolling in the program. Documentation of completion must be submitted to the Graduate Programs Office in order for students to register for the subsequent semester. Specific skills are evaluated for MS Programs in the following areas –

• Statistics (for students in all MS Programs) – Students are expected to have an understanding of the basic statistical concepts. Demonstration of this proficiency can be satisfied either through previous coursework in statistics or by completing an online, self-paced module covering basic concepts in statistics.
• Spreadsheet Skills (for students in all MS Programs) – students are expected to register for an online module and complete an assessment exam.
• Calculus (for students in the MS Business Analytics, Finance, and Information Systems programs only) – Students are expected to demonstrate proficiency through an online, proficiency exam as part of a self-paced module. Those students who do not complete the calculus proficiency exam with a satisfactory score and others who feel a need to refresh their knowledge of calculus are encouraged to take an appropriate course to help them gain the needed knowledge.
• Economics (for students in the MS Finance program only) – Students are expected to have an understanding of basic concepts in microeconomics and macroeconomics. Demonstration of this proficiency can be satisfied by completing an online, self-paced module. The module will be available as a knowledge base to all students in the MS Finance program.
   

No costs are associated with any of the above modules. The competencies in Statistics and Calculus can be satisfied by previous equivalent undergraduate or graduate course work taken within the preceding period of five years, with a B or better grade at an accredited college or university. Students will receive, with their letter of admission, information about which skill sets have been met through prior course work.

*English Proficiency Requirement is for international students

In addition, newly admitted international students are required to take an English placement exam during fall and spring orientation. The exam consists of a short writing task on a topic of general interest and a standardized test including listening comprehension, grammar and reading comprehension. Results are reviewed by the Hofstra English Language Program (ELP) faculty, who make the decision if students must take ELP 235  (2.0 s.h.). All international students who are placed in ELP 235  (2.0 s.h.) must complete the course during the first semester in which they begin an MBA/MS program and must receive a grade of P (Pass). ELP 235  (2.0 s.h.) will carry no degree credit. A fee equivalent to 2.0 s.h. is charged for this course. A grade of P (pass) is required or the course has to be repeated the following semester. The same fee equivalent will be charged for the repeated course.