MBA-SEE frequently asked questions

*Please note, applications for the MBA-SEE program are not being considered at this time.

If you are a prospective MBA-SEE student, many questions concerning the program and the application process may be immediately answered by reviewing the list below. If you still have questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

About the MBA-SEE

Admissions

Application processes

International students

Tuition and fees

Financial support

Program structure and study options

About the MBA-SEE

Why a master of business administration in social enterprise and entrepreneurship (MBA-SEE) at Memorial?

In the last two decades free markets have swept the globe, yet traditional capitalism has been unable to solve problems like inequality and poverty. At the same time, consumers and investors have been demanding that businesses find ways to strengthen corporate social responsibility. Today’s consumers and investors are looking to support existing traditional businesses and new social and entrepreneurial ventures that protect the environment or strengthen the quality of life of individuals.

Our MBA-SEE is the only MBA in Canada that addresses the significant growth in the numbers of social enterprises and businesses, and the increasing interest of consumers, investors and business students in not just “doing well” but also “doing good” by embedding the concept of sustainability in every one of our courses.

How is the MBA-SEE different from the traditional MBA program at Memorial?

The MBA-SEE is different from our traditional MBA program in a number of ways:

  • The MBA-SEE is designed for those who aim to be leaders for positive and sustainable social change in the private, non-profit and public sectors.
  • The MBA-SEE is a 12-month program.
  • The MBA-SEE is only offered on a full-time basis.
  • All MBA-SEE students begin their studies in the fall and go through the program together as a cohort, which is a group of students who start the program at the same time and progress together through the various stages of the program, building relationships that will continue to develop long after they have completed their degrees.
  • The concept of sustainability is embedded in all of the MBA-SEE course content.
  • MBA-SEE students participate in a four-month internship and special events tailored to their program. They also benefit from the engagement of a local business leader as a mentor and social enterprise champion.
  • We accept volunteer experience in addition to, or sometimes in the place of, paid work experience as part of our admissions criteria.

What is a MBA-SEE cohort?

A MBA-SEE cohort is a group of students who begin the MBA-SEE program at the same time and move through it together as a group. Students in each cohort progress together through the various stages of the program, building relationships that continue to develop long after they have completed their degrees. This shared experience provides students with the opportunity to develop a professional network that will last a lifetime from day one.

Can I choose an area of specialization within the MBA-SEE program (i.e. accounting, finance, marketing, etc.)?

No. MBA-SEE students do not choose areas of specialization. However, because social enterprise and entrepreneurship content is embedded in every course, MBA-SEE students will be particularly well poised upon graduation to effectively and efficiently measure triple bottom lines (social, environmental and financial) for any organization.

What kind of job can I expect to get with a MBA-SEE?

Our MBA-SEE program is designed to create business leaders who are agents of change. Though graduates of the MBA-SEE program will be prepared to effectively and efficiently measure triple bottom lines (social, environmental, and financial) for any organization, they will be especially prepared to manage social enterprises, to lead corporate social responsibility initiatives and to create their own profitable and social business opportunities.

Where have previous students completed their internships?

Our students have completed internships with organizations such as MaRS, McConnell Foundation, Stella’s Circle, Toronto Social Enterprise Fund, Choices for Youth and Verafin.

Students may also complete their internships with Memorial's Social Ventures Incubator.

Admissions

What are the admission requirements?

Successful applicants to Memorial’s MBA-SEE program must have:

Education: The equivalent of a four-year Canadian undergraduate degree with a minimum B average, or second class standing, from a recognized university. For universities that use the four-point grade point average, this is a minimum requirement of 2.75.

Applicants with a three-year bachelor degree: Whether your degree meets admission requirements depends on the courses you have taken and your level of academic achievement. Your credentials will be formally assessed after you have submitted your application and supporting documents.

GMAT or GRE: An acceptable and balanced GMAT score (normally a minimum of 550, GMAT Focus Edition: 515) or an acceptable and balanced GRE General Test score (normally 302) is required for all applicants.

Employment/Volunteer Experience: Two years of full-time work experience, or equivalent work and volunteer experience, deemed acceptable to the Faculty of Business Administration.

References: Two letters of reference are required. At least one reference must have had close professional contact with the applicant within the last two years, and at least one must be capable of appraising the applicant's academic potential as a graduate student. A mix of professional and academic referees is preferred.

Program Application Questionnaire: All applicants must complete a short questionnaire to measure their knowledge of, interest in and projected career path in social enterprise and entrepreneurship.

English Language Proficiency: Applicants whose prior university instruction was not in English must demonstrate completion of either the Teaching of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) tests. Minimum TOEFL scores are: 580 for the paper-based test; 237 on the computer-based test; or 92 on the Internet-based test. TOEFL iBT Home Edition taken after May 2023 is not accepted. The minimum IELTS score is an overall band score of 7.0. Applicants who have completed an undergraduate program, or a graduate program at a recognized institution where the language of instruction is English are not required to take an English proficiency test. If the institution is located outside of Canada / United States, applicants are advised to provide a document (e.g., transcript or letter) from their university stating the language of instruction as English (as “Grad Proof of English Proficiency”). A list of recognized English speaking countries and English language universities can be found here.

Am I guaranteed admission if I meet the minimum requirements?

No. Admission to the MBA-SEE program is limited and competitive. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission into the program.

Can I apply if I am currently completing my undergraduate degree?

Yes. We will consider your application immediately after you complete your undergraduate degree as long as you meet the admission requirement of two years of full-time work/volunteer experience in addition to the meeting the minimum requirements for the GMAT and English language proficiency.

Does my undergraduate degree need to focus in a specific area such as commerce or economics?

No. In fact, the MBA-SEE program is designed for students who have no previous business courses completed. We accept students with a broad range of undergraduate degrees. Our program is designed to appeal to those who have undergraduate degrees in arts, business, engineering, science, education, medicine, nursing, music, social work and more.

What if I only have volunteer experience? Will my application still be considered?

Yes. As long as you have accumulated two years of full-time volunteer experience, your application will be considered. The two years of volunteer experience does not have to be with the same organization or charity. It is acceptable if you have volunteered for several different organizations/charities to accumulate your experience.

I don’t meet the minimum requirements. Can I still apply?

That would depend on which requirement(s) you do not meet. A shortcoming in one aspect of your application may be compensated for by another. For example, a lower GPA in your undergraduate degree may be offset by years of work and/or volunteer experience and/or a high GMAT score.

I don’t meet the minimum requirements. Do you offer a pre-MBA-SEE program?

No, we do not offer a pre-MBA-SEE program.

Do I need to write the GMAT or GRE?

Yes. An acceptable and balanced GMAT score (normally a minimum of 550, GMAT Focus Edition: 515) or an acceptable and balanced GRE General Test score (normally 302) is required for all applicants.

Is there a GMAT prep course available in St. John’s, NL?

No, there currently is no GMAT prep course available in St. John’s, NL. We suggest that students study and prepare for the GMAT by using the GMAT prep books that are available in bookstores.

Can I provide two professional references if I cannot obtain an academic reference as I have been out of school for many years?

Yes, we will accept two professional references if you are unable to obtain an academic reference. However, it is preferred that applicants submit one professional and one academic reference.

I want to re-write the GMAT or GRE. Do you offer conditional acceptances?

No, we do not offer conditional acceptances to the MBA-SEE program.

Financial support

Are there bursaries available for this program?

Yes! Thanks to the generous support of the Suncor Energy Foundation and other private donors deeply committed to developing leaders who will champion a new way of doing business, we are offering bursaries to eligible MBA-SEE students. Click here for more information. For more information, contact us at busigrad@mun.ca.

Am I eligible for a bursary?

Yes! Thanks to the generous support of the Suncor Energy Foundation and other private donors deeply committed to developing leaders who will champion a new way of doing business, we are offering bursaries to eligible MBA-SEE students. Click here for more information. For more information, contact us at busigrad@mun.ca.

Is financial support available?

We do not offer program-specific entrance scholarships. But, because we are committed to making business education accessible, we are pleased to offer bursaries to MBA-SEE students who are need of financial support. Click here for more information.

Additional competitive scholarship opportunities become to MBA-SEE students once they are admitted to the MBA-SEE program. These scholarships, which range from $1,000 to $5,000 CDN, are awarded based on the student’s superior academic performance in their program. Use keywords like “social enterprise” and “entrepreneurship” in the School of Graduate Studies’ searchable awards & scholarship database at https://www.mun.ca/sgs/current/scholarships/ to find social enterprise and entrepreneurship scholarship opportunities.

Application processes

What is the deadline to apply?

MBA-SEE students are accepted for fall intake only. Although late applications may be considered as time, resources and program space permit, prospective students are expected to submit their applications and all supporting materials to the School of Graduate Studies by Feb. 1.

How do I apply?

Click here or visit the School of Graduate Studies at www.mun.ca/sgs/

International Students

Are there language requirements for international students?

Yes. Applicants whose prior university instruction was not in English must demonstrate completion of either the Teaching of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) tests. Minimum TOEFL scores are: 580 for the paper-based test; 237 on the computer-based test; or 92 on the Internet-based test. TOEFL iBT Home Edition taken after May 2023 is not accepted. The minimum IELTS score is an overall band score of 7.0. Applicants who have completed an undergraduate program, or a graduate program at a recognized institution where the language of instruction is English are not required to take an English proficiency test. If the institution is located outside of Canada / United States, applicants are advised to provide a document (e.g., transcript or letter) from their university stating the language of instruction as English (as “Grad Proof of English Proficiency”). A list of recognized English speaking countries and English language universities can be found here.

Tuition and fees

What is the cost of Memorial’s MBA-SEE program?

Click here for information regarding the MBA-SEE tuition and applicable fees.

What is the purpose of the special fee for the MBA-SEE?

The purpose of the special fee is to cover MBA-SEE program costs. As with all new graduate programs introduced at Memorial, the new MBA-SEE program is developed to ensure full cost recovery for offering the program. The MBA-SEE is more expensive than some other master’s programs because it is offered as a specialized cohort taking customized courses, which costs more than a traditional delivery model. In addition to specialized courses, MBA-SEE students receive additional value through the practical experience of a four-month internship, special events tailored to their program and the engagement of a local business leader as a mentor and social enterprise champion.

We recognize that a more expensive program may be challenging for some students. As such, a limited number of bursaries are available for MBA-SEE students demonstrating financial need.

No, we do not offer conditional acceptances to the MBA-SEE program.

Financial support

We are committed to making business education accessible, we are pleased to offer bursaries to MBA-SEE students who are need of financial support. Click here for more information.

Additional competitive scholarship opportunities become to MBA-SEE students once they are admitted to the MBA-SEE program. These scholarships, which range from $1,000 to $5,000 CDN, are awarded based on the student’s superior academic performance in their program. Use keywords like “social enterprise” and “entrepreneurship” in the School of Graduate Studies’ searchable awards & scholarship database at https://www.mun.ca/sgs/current/scholarships/ to find social enterprise and entrepreneurship scholarship opportunities.

Program structure and study options

Can I take the MBA-SEE program by full-time or part-time studies?

The MBA-SEE is only offered as a full-time program of study. Part-time study is not an option.

Can I complete the MBA-SEE online?

No. The MBA-SEE program at Memorial is an on-campus program which must be completed in St. John’s, NL.

What is the length of the MBA-SEE program?

The MBA-SEE is a 12-month, full-time program.

Can I switch from full-time to part-time (or part-time to full-time) status?

No. Part-time study is not an option for MBA-SEE students.