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    Program Detail

    Business Administration - PhD

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    Basic Information

    Degree Information

    Degree Offered: PRE-DOCTOR (DOCTORAL)
    CIP Code: 52.1301
    Campus: Seattle

    Admission Requirements and Contact Information




    Contact Information

    PhD Program Office
    Program Website
    +1 206-543-4111
    busphd@uw.edu

    Requirements and Prerequisites

    Review the list of Application Requirements on our website.

    The Foster PhD Program requires either the GMAT or GRE to be considered for admission. We accept the GMAT, GMAT Focus Edition, or GRE. Self-reported test scores can be submitted at the deadline, but applicants are required to also submit official test scores.

    Program codes for official submission of test scores: GMAT report code: 459-75-53, GRE report code: 4854.


    GRE Requirements
    GRE Requirement: Other. either GMAT/GRE required
    More Information:  We do require GRE or the GMAT. If an applicant submits the GMAT, then we do not require they also submit the GRE..
    Additional Instructions
    Departmental funding available for the first five years, conditional upon satisfactory progress.

    Non-Native English Speaker Information
    Graduate School requirement: English language proficiency (ELP) is required for graduate study at the University of Washington. Therefore, every applicant whose native language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency as outlined in Graduate School Policy 3.2.

    Program requirement:

    Applicants to the Michael G. Foster School of Business, whose native language is not English, must demonstrate English language proficiency through one of the following ways to be eligible for funding:

    Education in English-Speaking Country:
    Hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution in the United States or from an institution in Australia, the Bahamas, Canada, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago, or the United Kingdom, where English is the medium of instruction. The student must have been in residence on campus while enrolled at the degree-granting school. (Note: A master’s degree does not satisfy this requirement).

    US-Based Doctoral or Juris Doctor Degree:
    Hold a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or Juris Doctor (JD) from a regionally accredited institution located in the United States where English is the medium of instruction.

    Official English Language Test Score:

    The following scores are the minimums required for admission to the Foster School of Business PhD Program:
    TOEFL iBT: Total score of 92, with a minimum of 23 in the speaking section
    TOEFL myBest: Total score of 92, with a minimum of 23 in the speaking section
    IELTS: Total score of 7.0, with a minimum of 6.0 in the speaking section
    Duolingo: 125 on the speaking or conversation section of the Duolingo DET

    If admitted with the speaking score minimums mentioned above, students must satisfy UW policy 5.2 within their first quarter of enrollment to remain eligible for funding. The target language scores to satisfy UW policy 5.2 are as follows:

    TOEFL iBT: Total score of 92, with a minimum of 26 in the speaking section
    TOEFL myBest: Total score of 92, with a minimum of 26 in the speaking section
    IELTS: Total score of 7.0, with a minimum of 7.0 in the speaking section

    The UW Business School requires the TOEFL iBT/IELTS because teaching assistantships are an integral part of the School's financial package.

    International Student Information
    Applicants who will need a visa should reference the International Applicant Information page. If admitted to the program, international students requesting an F-1 or J-1 visa will be required to provide financial ability documentation to the UW Graduate School.

    Program Deadlines


    Autumn 2026 - Domestic:
    Open Date: 07/01/2025
    Deadline Date: 12/15/2025

    Autumn 2026 - International:
    Open Date: 07/01/2025
    Deadline Date: 12/15/2025

    Application Materials


    3 Recommendation(s)
    Resume
    Statement of Purpose
    Required Official Test Score: Executive Assessment
    GMAT
    GRE