Frequently Asked Questions

As a Muhlenberg graduate student, you’ll be part of an academically strong learning community with a reputation for fostering close relationships with faculty and students. Our instructors bring both strong academic credentials and deep industry experience and are committed to preparing you for success.

You will also build your professional network through interactions with other students who bring varied backgrounds and interests to the classroom, making for a rich and dynamic experience. 

As a graduate student, you can elect to enter either a master’s degree or graduate-level certificate program. Our master’s degree programs are designed to give experienced professionals and recent college graduates the skills and expertise to succeed in their fields.

Currently, you can earn a master’s degree in one of the following areas:

• Applied Analytics for Organizations
• Organizational Leadership.

Graduate-level certificate programs will give you in-depth knowledge in a particular field to expand your skills, give you an edge in hiring and promotion and help you transition to a new career. In addition, if you complete a graduate certificate, your credits will fully transfer into the corresponding master’s degree program.

For example, you can earn a certificate in Applied Analytics for Organizations or Organizational Leadership.

Muhlenberg’s graduate programs and certificates are accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Typically, terms are eight weeks long with a blend of on-campus and online learning activities.

The number of courses required to complete the master’s degree and the graduate certificate may vary depending upon the particular program.

Muhlenberg uses a system of course units. Therefore, each class is of equal value and should be considered the equivalent of four credits for conversion purposes. In general, the master’s will consist of 10-12 course units and the certificate 3-6 units.

Review the program pages in the student catalog for the most up-to-date information.

Our programs are designed to be flexible so that you can make them fit into your schedule.

The fastest path to finishing the degree or the graduate certificate is to take two consecutive eight-week courses a semester.

Courses are taught in a blended (also called hybrid) model, combining online learning with face-to-face meetings, service learning and self-directed study. This blended method is excellent for adding a graduate program to your busy life.

The syllabus for each course will include specific requirements including, but not limited to, required meeting times for classes, oral and written examinations, written papers and presentations and research.

Fulfill all your course requirements with a minimum GPA of 3.0, complete the Application for Degree form to order the diploma, cap, and gown and provide the College with legacy, activities, and local newspaper information. 

All graduate students must register their vehicle(s) with the Department of Campus Safety and Police and display a parking decal. Permit fees are included in your tuition. Registering your vehicle may be done online.

Handicapped spaces are available for those who qualify for a state-issued license plate/placard, which should be visibly displayed on the vehicle.

Students should have access to a laptop with a reliable connection to the internet. Laptops are small and light enough to carry to classes for notes, the library for research, elsewhere on campus, or home and office to work on assignments. 

WIFI is available on campus, and the Office of Information Technology provides on-campus services for student computers. 

Once admitted, you will be assigned a Workday account to access your schedules, grades, billing records, and login credentials for our learning management system, Canvas, a space where you can connect with and interact with course content. This can include posting/submitting assignments, participating in discussions, taking online quizzes/tests, etc.

For more information about Canvas, please review the Canvas Student User Guide.

Our Graduate Studies admissions team welcomes the opportunity to talk with you.

You should have:

• An undergraduate degree from an accredited school in the U.S. or equivalent foreign degree
• Prior positive academic performance, career accomplishments, community engagement through volunteerism, and other leadership activities that demonstrate your potential for graduate study and how you plan to contribute to your profession and the community

If you are applying for the Master of Organizational Leadership (MOL), you should have a basic foundation in accounting and finance, such as financial accounting or principles-level economics and two years of work experience. If you are a senior or recent graduate, you may meet this requirement through appropriate professional work experiences through internships, summer work, externships, and projects that may be sufficient.

If you are applying for the Master of Applied Analytics for Organizations (MAA), you should have completed coursework in statistics or possess relevant professional experience. For those who do not meet this requirement, we offer preparatory coursework covering mathematical concepts integral to a student’s success in the master’s program.

If you are a college junior or senior interested in the MAA or MOL, you may be able to enroll in conjunction with your bachelor’s degree, with specific graduate courses fulfilling both undergraduate and graduate requirements. However, you will need approval from your current academic advisor and the Dean of Graduate Studies before you apply and enroll.

Financial hardship should not be a barrier to enrollment. Please get in touch with an advisor to discuss options.

GRE/GMAT test scores are optional.

While entrance exams are not required, the following is a breakdown should you wish to submit them for consideration:

• MAA: The GRE is accepted for the MAA program.
• MOL: The GRE and GMAT are accepted for the MOL program.

For information on the GRE and GMAT:

• Education Testing Service GRE – https://www.ets.org/gre
• Graduate Management Admission Council GMAT – https://www.mba.com/exams

You may transfer up to three completed graduate courses from an accredited institution taken within the past five years.

Said course(s) must be part of a degree program equivalent to what is offered at Muhlenberg, and the Dean of graduate studies must approve the transfer.

Course descriptions and syllabi will be requested for final approval of transfer credit.

There are no options to waive coursework based on competency examinations or prior work experience.

An interview is not required before applying. However, you will be contacted to arrange a personal interview after you submit your application. This meeting may be in-person or, for convenience, scheduled using web video conferencing.

Graduate admissions will evaluate an applicant’s portfolio (transcripts, grades, writing sample in the form of a personal statement, standardized test scores if submitted (not required) and resume).

Overall, we are looking for students who are 

• academically prepared for graduate-level coursework
• possess effective writing skills
• demonstrate a spirit of inquiry in their field of study
• goal-oriented
• great fit with shared values and attitudes.

Visit our apply page for details on the application process and next steps.

Once all application materials are received, a decision letter from the Dean of Graduate Studies will be emailed within two business days.

Upon acceptance, a deposit of $100 is required to confirm your admission to the program.

Your graduate advisor will work with you to enroll you in your classes.

All applicants must have completed a four-year baccalaureate degree, international equivalent, or an appropriate US/Canadian alternative degree from a regionally accredited or recognized international college or university.

• Applicants for the Organizational Leadership (MOL) Master's Degree typically have two or more years of work experience. We also recommend that entering students have some college or working experience in leadership, such as human resources, planning, management, public administration and organizational psychology. College seniors or recent graduates may meet this requirement through appropriate professional experiences, such as internships, summer work, externships, athletics, creative activities and projects.

• Applicants for the Applied Analytics (MAA) Master's Degree will have completed statistics and calculus courses within the last five years. However, for those who do not meet this requirement or desire to refresh their knowledge and skills, Muhlenberg College offers a half-unit pre-course covering mathematical concepts integral to a student's success in the master's program.

Typically, a master’s degree will be completed within two years of the initial enrollment and will not exceed five years with the approval of the Dean of Graduate Studies. A graduate certificate will be completed in one year or less and will not exceed three years from the initial enrollment.

Both the graduate certificate and the master's degree assist the mid-career professional seeking to advance their education beyond the baccalaureate level for personal or professional reasons with academic credentials validating their specialized studies.

For the traditional student, graduate studies enhance their undergraduate academic training by adding substantial depth to a focused area of study. Choosing a graduate certificate or master's degree depends on the individual's specific career objectives.  

Master's

Individuals typically seek a graduate degree to build skills in their industry, gain skills to transition to a new field, or to promote into a higher-level position within their area of expertise. A master's degree is a complete program in a field of study from a recognized accredited institution. The graduate degree shows you have obtained mastery in a field of study rather than a single subject. 

Graduate Certificate

For those who have been away from academic studies for several years and may have time and budget constraints, returning by completing a graduate certificate is a shorter duration commitment while providing a future pathway to achieving the complete master's degree later. A graduate certificate does not take the place of a master's degree. However, it does provide students an option to gain knowledge and skills to become employable or eligible for a specific job more quickly.

We encourage you to meet with one of our graduate advisors to consider a better solution for your career or personal goals. When considering a graduate certificate or master's degree, it is good to have your end goal in mind. Then, do your research by examining regional labor statistics, market demand, employer expectations, and trends.

Our programs are built on a cohort model to optimize the relationships you will make with your faculty and fellow graduate students.

The programs run on a full-year schedule (3 semesters: Fall, Spring, and Summer).

Graduate applications are accepted on a rolling admissions basis.

Once accepted, you will work with your graduate advisor to schedule into the next available cohort. However, if you desire to start on a specific date, your application is required two weeks before the start of the first course.

The Master’s of Organizational Leadership and the Master’s of Applied Analytics are full-time and can be finished in two calendar years. The graduate certificate programs in Organizational Leadership and Applied Analytics are also full-time and can be completed in one calendar year.

There are several situations where your graduate studies may be interrupted, including medical, military and other personal reasons.

A leave of absence enables you to suspend your enrollment at Muhlenberg. A student requesting a leave of absence should consult with their graduate advisor and/or the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies. A student may withdraw from a course, and any refund will be according to the College’s refund policy.

Please refer to the Tuition and Financial Aid pages for the most up-to-date information.

Please refer to the Billing and Payment Due Dates page for the most up-to-date information.

Please refer to our Tuition and Financial Aid page for the most up-to-date information.

If your employer offers a tuition reimbursement benefit, you can fill out a Tuition Deferment Application.

Details are available from the student accounts administrator. Call 484-664-3302 or stop by the Business Office. 

Please refer to our Tuition and Financial Aid page for the most up-to-date information.