Admissions
How are admissions determined?
The Executive MBA admissions applications forms indicate the standards used by the Shidler College to determine admission to the program. Note that admission is not based solely on quantitative criteria such as prior grade-point average (GPA) or IELTS/TOEFL scores. Rather, the admissions committee looks at the whole person, especially prior work experience and the results of the admissions interview.
When are admissions decisions made?
The practice of the Shidler College and the University of Hawaiʻi Graduate Division is to make admissions decisions as soon as the complete application has been received by the admissions committee in Hawaiʻi. For the Vietnam Executive MBA program (VEMBA), this takes a little longer than other programs because of the time required to validate the transcripts of prior academic work and to have the results of the interview and essay transmitted and reviewed.
What admissions decisions are made?
Upon receipt of the applicant’s completed admissions dossier (including all supporting documents as required), the admissions committee may decide as follows:
- Immediate acceptance to the program.
- Rejection of acceptance to the program.
- Deferred acceptance to the program conditional on further review by the admissions committee.
Acceptable English Tests for VEMBA
| Required Minimum Scores | Required Minimum Scores for ELI courses exemption |
| IELTS Academic | 5.5 | 7 |
| Duolingo English Test | 95 | 135 |
| TOEFL iBT | 61 | 100 |
| TOEFL Essentials | 7 | 10.5 |
| Cambridge English Scale (CES) | CEFR level B2 (160) | CEFR level C1 (185) |
In rare cases, aTOEFL between 55 and 60 (IELTS 5.0) or equivalent test score could be considered if the candidate is very strong on all other criteria: prior grades, work experience, personal interview and essay test.
Financial Aid
Am I eligible for scholarships even though I am not a U.S. citizen?
The current tuition fee offered for VEMBA has been subsidized, $35,904 compared to $55,920. If you are accepted to join the program, it also means you have a more than 36% scholarship.
English Courses by UH English Language Institute (ELI)
Who will be required to enroll in the English Courses?
Any admitted student whose English test score does not meet minimum requirements will be required to take the two English courses offered by the University of Hawaii English Language Institute (ELI).
Do I have to retake the English test once I have been admitted to the program?
No. Once you have been admitted to the program you do not need to take the English test again but you are required to pass the 2 English courses.
When are the two English courses (ELI) offered?
ELI 1 (online) and ELI 2 (online) will be offered in the first Fall semester of the program.
What is the tuition of the ELI courses?
The ELI tuition is $1,413 x 2 courses.
Will these courses be graded?
Students who need to take ELI courses must earn a CR (credit) in each ELI course.
What if a student does not pass the ELI courses with a CR?
If this occurs, University of Hawaiʻi regulations do not permit that student to graduate until the student has successfully completed the ELI courses
Teaching Methodologies and Grading
What are the typical teaching styles at the VEMBA program?
UH Shidler faculty members are diverse in their training and skills. The teaching styles reflect this variety. Some classes will predominantly have lectures and discussions; some will be very case-focused. Some will involve experiential learning. Some will have all of these. Regardless of the teaching style, the faculty are experienced and committed to your learning. The faculty brings real-world experience to the classroom through their own knowledge but also from the students.
How are grades determined?
The University of Hawaiʻi, and thus the Shidler College of Business, uses a standard United States 4.0 grading system (A, B, C, D, or F), including plus and minus grades. In graduate work, a student must maintain a B or better grade-point average in order to continue with the program and to graduate. A grade lower than a C- must be retaken at the student’s expense.
Academic Issues
What if I have to miss some class time?
Students may not miss more than 9 hours classroom time in any VEMBA course and receive a grade higher than a “C” for that course regardless of their work on course assignments.
What if I miss an entire course?
Students may miss only one core course and continue in the program, taking all other core courses and electives. However, the missed core course must be made up by taking the course in the next VEMBA cohort.
Where can I find more details on academic procedures such as grade disputes?
The detailed Student Handbook has information on topics such as academic procedures and grade disputes. Students are given the handbook at the beginning of the VEMBA program.