How to Apply: Graduate Admissions Requirements

M.A. in English

• Applicants must submit three letters of recommendation from academic professionals who have taught or supervised you and can attest to your academic capability.
• Applicants must submit a formal essay of at least 2,500 words on some aspect of American or English literature.

M.A. in Teaching (MAT)

• Applicants must submit three letters of recommendation from academic professionals who have taught or supervised you and can attest to your academic capability.
• MTEL Exam required for all applicants

Master of Fine Arts in Interactive Media (MFA)

• Applicants must submit a portfolio that includes examples of traditional and/or digital works of visual art or interactive media. Portfolio pieces may represent classroom assignments as well as independent projects. The portfolio should be purposeful, demonstrate originality of concept, visual literacy, and an understanding of current industry standard software.
• No letters of recommendation are required for MFA admission.

M.S. in Accounting (MSA)

GMAT/GRE Scores: Required. May be waived (see policy statement)
Foundation Course Requirements: One U.S.-based accounting and/or one quantitative course – statistics, calculus, or operations.

Students may satisfy one or both foundation course requirements listed below through prior undergraduate or graduate coursework, or by passing a waiver exam. Prior coursework must have been completed within the last six years, taken for credit, and with a passing letter grade of C or better.

• Foundations of Financial Accounting (ACCT4101): To satisfy the financial accounting requirement, students must meet the above conditions for waiving the foundation course, as well as the following:
  • United States: Students are eligible for the course waiver if they have taken any one semester of financial accounting at a university within the United States.
  • International: Students are eligible for the waiver exam if they have taken any one semester of financial accounting at a higher education university outside of the United States.
  • EAS & Pathway students are not eligible for the accounting course waiver or the waiver exam.

• Quantitative (STAT 4006): Students may waive the quantitative requirement by taking one (1) Statistics course at a higher education institution. Students will be enrolled in STAT 4006 their first semester at Clark University if they do not meet the quantitative waiver requirements.

M.S. in Accounting Analytics (MSAA)

GMAT/GRE Scores: Required. May be waived (see policy statement)
Foundation Course Requirements: One U.S.-based accounting and/or one quantitative course – statistics, calculus, or operations.

Students may satisfy the foundation course requirements listed below through prior undergraduate or graduate coursework, or by passing a waiver exam. Prior coursework must have been completed within the last six years, taken for credit, and with a passing letter grade of C or better.

• Foundations of Financial Accounting (ACCT4101): To satisfy the financial accounting requirement, students must meet the above conditions for waiving the foundation course, as well as the following:
  • United States: Students are eligible for the course waiver if they have taken any one semester of financial accounting at a university within the United States.
  • International: Students are eligible for the waiver exam if they have taken any one semester of financial accounting at a higher education university outside of the United States.
  • EAS & Pathway students are not eligible for the accounting course waiver or the waiver exam.
• Quantitative (STAT 4006): Students may waive the quantitative requirement by taking one (1) Statistics course at a higher education institution. Students will be enrolled in STAT 4006 their first semester at Clark University if they do not meet the quantitative waiver requirements.

M.S. in Business Analytics (MSBA)

GMAT/GRE Scores: Required. May be waived (see policy statement)
Prerequisites: Requirements must be satisfied prior to beginning your first semester at Clark University. Prior coursework must have been taken for credit, and with a passing letter grade of C or better.

• Statistics (probability and its applications): The prerequisite is automatically satisfied if you took one statistics course through an accredited college or university. Courses must have been for credit, and you must have received a passing letter grade of C or better. Courses taken through an open online course platform (MOOC) will not satisfy the statistics prerequisites.
• Python programming: The common topics that the programming courses must cover are the syntax, algorithm, and programming skills of a popular programming language such as Java, C++, Python, or SQL.

This prerequisite can be satisfied by:

• Taking one programming course through an accredited college or university. The courses must have been for credit and you must have received a passing grade OR
• Successfully completing an online certificate program from LinkedIn Learning or Udemy (see below). If you take the online certificate, you must demonstrate the course completion and certificate received from the platform.

LinkedIn Learning: Click here for the “Python Essential Training” course. Click here for directions on how to download/print your certification

Udemy: Click here for the “Programming with Python: Hands on Introduction for Beginners” course.

Click here for directions on how to download/print your certification

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M.S. in Finance (MSF)

GMAT/GRE Scores: Required. May be waived (see policy statement)
Work Experience: preferred, but not required
Prerequisites: Requirements must be satisfied prior to beginning your first semester at Clark University. Courses must have been for credit and you must have earned a passing letter grade of C or better.

• Calculus: The common topics that the mathematical course must cover to satisfy the calculus prerequisite are functions, limits, continuity, differentiation of algebraic and trigonometric functions, mean-value theorem, and various applications.
• Statistical methods: Topics must include descriptive statistics, probability, discrete and continuous random variables, estimation, hypothesis testing, and linear regression.
• Economic theory: Any undergraduate economics course will fulfill the prerequisite.
• Programming: Required for Analytics concentration only

One of the above may be taken as a LinkedIn Learning or Udemy course (certificate of completion required prior to program start):

• Calculus: https://www.udemy.com/course/calculus1/
• Statistical Methods: https://www.udemy.com/course/statshelp/
• Economics:  https://www.udemy.com/course/the-market-forces-of-demand-supply-equilibrium/

Master’s in Business Administration (MBA)

GMAT/GRE Scores: Required for full-time program. Not required for Part-time or Online programs. May be waived (see policy statement)
Prerequisite: One Economics undergraduate or graduate course with a passing letter grade of C or better. Applicants must satisfy prerequisite course requirements prior to beginning their first semester at Clark University.

Applicants may take this course from Udemy: https://www.udemy.com/course/the-market-forces-of-demand-supply-equilibrium/ to meet the economics prerequisite (certificate of completion required).

M.S. in Marketing (MSMK)

GMAT/GRE Scores: Required. May be waived (see policy statement)
Prerequisites: None

M.S. in Marketing Analytics (MSMKA)

GMAT/GRE Scores: Required. May be waived (see policy statement)
Prerequisites: None

M.S. in Management (MSM)

GMAT/GRE Scores: Required. May be waived (see policy statement)
Prerequisite: One Economics undergraduate or graduate course with a passing letter grade of C or better. Applicants must satisfy prerequisite course requirements prior to beginning their first semester at Clark University. Applicants may take this course from Udemy: https://www.udemy.com/course/the-market-forces-of-demand-supply-equilibrium/ to meet the economics prerequisite (certificate of completion required).

Prerequisite Courses Offered by the School of Management

The School of Management offers calculus, economics, and statistics prerequisites online throughout the academic year. The courses last four to six weeks. You must achieve a passing grade in the prerequisite course to enroll in your respective program. If you are interested in registering for the prerequisites with the School of Management, please contact gradadmissions@clarku.edu.

International applicants must submit official test score results from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Duolingo, or the Pearson Test of English (PTE-Academic). Applicants should check with the testing agency to ensure that their scores are still valid and that the agency will be able to send an official score report.

All master’s programs have the following requirements:

• TOEFL (ETS code 5969): 85 overall, sub-score minimum of 20, or
• TOEFL: ITP Plus Scores, or
• IELTS: 6.5 overall, sub-score minimum of 6, or
• PTE: 61 overall with no band below 55, or
• Duolingo: 120, sub-score minimum of 100, or
• Completion of ELS 112, or 
• Completion of EC English B2+ Pre-Advanced Level

EXCEPTIONS Students who are citizens of the following countries, or who have graduated from an accredited degree program at a university in these countries are exempt from the English language requirements:

Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Canada (except Quebec), Cayman Islands, Dominica, Falkland Islands, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Gibraltar, Grenada, Guam, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Liberia, Lesotho, Malta, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Montserrat, Namibia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Rwanda, Scotland, Sierra Leone, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, St. Helen, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, Uganda, United Kingdom, The U.S. Virgin Islands, Zimbabwe, and Zambia.

If you are not from an above-listed exempt country or do not meet the minimum English language requirements, you may be offered admission into the English for Academic Success Program or the Graduate Pathway Program before starting your graduate degree program. These programs have specific language requirements, noted here:

English for Academic Success

Students will be placed into the English for Academic Success program if scores meet or fall under the below mentioned scores. This program offers up to five levels of learning, each level taking one semester to complete, with some programs offering GPP for their final semester instead of level 5. The scores required for entering Level 4 can be found below. However, the American Language and Culture Institute may use a student’s speaking and writing samples found in application materials to place them in the level most appropriate to their ability.

EAS Level 4:

• TOEFL 65
• IELTS 5.5
• Duolingo 80 – 95

Scores that fall below the above-mentioned will be evaluated and the student could be placed into EAS levels 1, 2, or 3.

If ALCI is unable to determine your placement after reviewing your application materials, you will be required to take a Duolingo placement test, at cost to you ($50). It should be noted that speaking and writing samples will be taken into consideration in addition to your Duolingo numerical score. Taking the placement test may be done before submitting your application. If the Duolingo test is not part of your application and is required, an email will be sent to you with details about how to take the Duolingo test, including deadlines for submission.

Graduate Pathway Programs

• Applicants must meet the academic admission requirements to their chosen master’s program.
• English requirements for Graduate Pathway Programs: TOEFL 75, IELTS 6.0, Duolingo 95 – 120, ELS 110, and EC English B2 Upper-Intermediate Level. (This will be reviewed holistically and will take into consideration writing and speaking skills before a final decision is made.)

A fee of $75 must accompany the application for admission to the University. This fee is not refundable.

On a case-by-case basis, the application fee may be waived. We grant waivers for the following populations:

• Applicants from organizations partnered with Clark (e.g., AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, City Year, Fulbright, Teach for America, McNair Scholars, National Association of Black Accountants, among others)
• Clark alumni
• Current Clark employees

The GMAT/GRE are NOT required for application to master’s programs in the School of Professional Studies, the department of International Development, Community, and Environment (IDCE), or the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (MAT and M.A. English). GMAT/GRE scores may be required for certain scholarships.

For School of Management test waivers, please review the following criteria:

MBA: 3.2+ (or equivalent) GPA in bachelor’s degree, prior earned master’s degree in a related field, or 3+ years work experience

MSBA, MSF, MSMK, MSMKA, MSA, MSAA (STEM-designated programs): 3.0+ (or equivalent) GPA in bachelor’s degree, prior earned master’s degree in a related field, or 3+ years work experience

MSM (non-STEM designated program): 3.0+ (or equivalent) GPA in bachelor’s degree, prior earned master’s degree in a related field, or 2+ years work experience

Waiver Requests

Applicants do not need to complete a waiver request prior to application. If your application meets the waiver criteria, the test will be waived, and your application will move to committee. If your application does not meet the criteria, you will be notified, and your application will be placed on hold until your test score is received. Please note that Graduate Admissions has the final determination of waiver eligibility.

Unofficial transcripts can be uploaded for application review. Official final transcripts, including confirmation of earned degree, are required prior to enrollment, and can be sent via official electronic delivery service to gradadmissions@clarku.edu OR mailed directly from the institution to:

Clark University
Graduate Admissions
950 Main Street
Worcester, MA 01610 USA

All transcripts submitted must include an English translation in addition to the original document. Submissions that do not include the original language and its English translation will not be considered.

Deposits are non-refundable unless the student receives a rejection to their visa application in the term of their original application. All refund requests must be submitted by the end of the semester’s add/drop period. After that date, refunds will not be issued, and applicants must re-apply and re-deposit if interested in attending Clark in a future term.

Deposit refunds are not granted if a student chooses to defer their admission. All deposit refunds are at the discretion of the Office of Graduate Admission.

Admitted students may defer admission for up to one full year from their term of admission (i.e. Fall 2023 admitted students can defer to Spring or Fall 2024). Only students that have accepted an offer of admission are eligible to defer. Clark University does not require students to submit an enrollment deposit when accepting their offer of admission.

All deferral requests must be submitted by the end of the semester’s add/drop period. After that date, applicants will need to re-apply to their program of interest if interested in attending Clark in a future term.

Students may begin their studies at Clark by taking one or two courses as a non-matriculated student.  If you’re interested in taking a course, please contact gradadmissions@clarku.edu.