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In this page

• Undergraduate Degree
• Work Experience
• Language Proficiency
• Computer literacy and equipment
• Time to study
• Special offer for Continuing Studies certificate holders

Undergraduate Degree

• A four-year undergraduate degree with a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.5 (3.0 is preferred)
• A small number of applicants with extensive work experience may be considered without an undergraduate degree. Each applicant under this category will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
• Please note: If your transcripts are not in English and no translation is provided by the University, please download the International Transcript requirements.

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Work Experience

• Applicants should have a minimum of two years of full-time professional work experience, following completion of an undergraduate degree, although the average is eight years.
• We take a holistic approach in accepting students for our program. We take into consideration your work and life experiences in addition to your grades and test scores.

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Language Proficiency

• All courses in the GDBA program are taught in English, therefore all applicants must be fluent in English.
• If your primary language is not English or your previous education has been conducted in a country where English is not the primary language (see a full list of accepted countries), you must demonstrate sufficient command of the English language as evidenced by achieving a satisfactory score on a standardized English test acceptable to the University. Find more information about this requirement.
• The six tests we accept are:

• Internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
• Paper-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
• International English Language Testing Systems (IELTS)
• The Canadian Academic English Language Test (CAEL)
• Pearson English Language Test (PTE)
• Cambridge English Qualifications

The minimum University requirements for test scores are:

Please note: Candidates below the English Language requirements will be asked to retake the test.

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Computer Literacy and equipment

• Candidates are expected to be computer literate and familiar with the Internet.
• Students are expected to have access to a Mac or Windows computer with multi-media capability (including a headset with microphone), high-speed Internet access, Microsoft Office, and Internet Explorer/Firefox/Safari.
• Certain courses may require you to use additional software.

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Time to Study

• Expect to spend approximately 12 to 15 hours per week on each course.
• Lectures, exams, and assignments will be scheduled to accommodate individuals working between Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm PST. If you fall outside of this time zone or schedule, you may need to make occasional adjustments to your schedule.

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Special offer for Continuing Studies certificate holders

For professionals who have completed eligible SFU Continuing Studies certificates with 8+ years of work experience, taking the next step and earning a valuable business credential just got more accessible.

New funding made available by the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training means you may qualify for up to $6,000 towards the cost of a Graduate Diploma in Business Administration (GDBA) at SFU’s Beedie School of Business.

To learn more, read our terms of reference and review this self-assessment checklist to determine your eligibility.

If you are interested in learning more about this pathway and your eligibility, please reach out to Gio Scoppetta gio_scoppetta@sfu.ca

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