Objectives of the Master of Science Programs

The Master of Science programs are designed for students seeking to specialize in a selected business area by acquiring an in-depth conceptual understanding as well as the skills to analyze problems and develop appropriate solutions.

Admission Criteria

Applicants for admission to the M. S. programs in finance, human resources management, information technology, marketing research and quantitative finance must hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution. Applicants for admission to the M.S. in accounting must hold a baccalaureate degree or the equivalent in business from an accredited institution. While preference is given to students with a baccalaureate degree in accounting, others will be considered. Applicants for admission to the M.S. program in taxation must hold a baccalaureate degree in accounting or the equivalent from an accredited institution. NOTE: Previous course work is evaluated by the Graduate Programs Office of the Zarb School of Business upon a student’s admission. Students who have not taken the necessary prerequisite courses will be required to do so.

Applicants for admission are required to take the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), which is administered by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC). Applicants are encouraged to take the GMAT well in advance of applying to a graduate program. To schedule an appointment to take the GMAT, applicants may call 1- 800-462-8669 or visit the GMAC Web site at mba.com. Scores obtained on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) are also acceptable in lieu of the GMAT. In addition, the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) examination is required of international applicants and typically cannot be waived.

Applicants for the M.S. in Taxation Program  may substitute the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) if they are currently enrolled in the Hofstra Law School or have graduated from an ABA accredited law school.

All applications for admission are considered on the basis of their own merits, with weight given to the strength of a student’s previous academic performance, scores obtained on the GMAT, professional experiences indicating increasing levels of responsibility, and any other pertinent information which the candidate for admission may provide to the Committee on Admissions.

Program Requirements - Semester Hours: 30-33

Thirty to thirty-three (30-33) semester hours of graduate course work are required for the M.S. degree.

NOTE: These requirements are not inclusive of course prerequisites. Please see actual course descriptions in the Graduate Studies Bulletin for prerequisites.

Residency Requirements

Residency workshops cover library information resources, calculus for business applications, information technology, and statistics for business applications respectively. Full-time students must complete them during the first semester in which they begin. Part-time students must complete them within the first two semesters. Documentation of completion must be submitted to the Graduate Programs Office in order for students to register for the subsequent semester. The calculus for business applications, information technology, and statistics for business applications workshops may be satisfied through previous equivalent undergraduate or graduate course work taken within a specific time frame with a B or better grade at an accredited college or university or through satisfactory performance on a proficiency examination administered by the appropriate department within the Zarb School of Business. Students will receive with their letter of admission information about which residency requirements, if any, have been met through prior course work.