How to apply: Design Leadership (MA/MBA)

Applying for Summer 2023

Begin and manage your application by creating your username and password on the Johns Hopkins University-wide platform.

• Choose “Carey Business School” as your school of choice.
• You are able to begin your application, save it, and return to finish it at a later time by logging in at your convenience.
• Your application will not be evaluated until you submit it and all supporting materials are received.
• Use Google Chrome for the best user experience while completing your application.

All official documents for the Design Leadership (MA/MBA) that need to be mailed (transcripts, credential evaluations, and official test scores) should be sent to:

Office of Admissions
Johns Hopkins Carey Business School
100 International Drive
Baltimore, MD 21202

We understand the challenges some applicants are facing in completing their applications. As such, we will work with you individually to ensure your application is complete. Please reach out to an admissions officer for assistance. 

Summer 2024 Application Deadlines

The Design Leadership (MA/MBA) requires applicants to upload two unique essays through the Carey Business School online application:

• A. Why are you a strong candidate for the Design Leadership (MBA/MA) degree program? What makes this degree a good fit for you? How will you make a unique contribution to the Carey Business School and MICA communities? (500 words)
• Please answer either essay question B1 or B2. (500 words)
  • B1. Describe your most significant success or failure. Please include the situation, attributions related to it and what you learned from it.
  • B2. Describe a time your ethics were challenged. How did you address the situation and what did you learn?

Be sure your statements capture who you are, what you believe, and what you aspire to do. In addition:

• Use a 12-point font and double space your document
• Indicate which question you are answering at the beginning of each essay
• Do not mail paper copies of your essay to Admissions
• Upload all required essays
• Essays should be 300-500 words

You will also have the optional opportunity to provide any additional clarifying information that you wish to share with the Admissions committee regarding your academic record, personal history, or professional attributes.

Official transcripts from all U.S. schools must be sent electronically. All U.S. transcripts must be from an accredited institution recognized by the Department of Education. Please visit your school’s website to request an official transcript be sent electronically to carey.admissions.transcripts@jhu.edu.

We require transcripts from all institutions where you have attempted more than 15 credits. Final transcripts must show the degrees you have earned. Your admission decision may be delayed if you do not send transcripts from all colleges/universities attended.

If your school does not participate in an electronic transcript submission system, send official sealed transcripts to the address below:

Office of Admissions
Johns Hopkins Carey Business School
100 International Drive
Baltimore, MD 21202

We require a resume or a CV. Please be sure to have your resume or CV fully updated, and include both the months and years of your various work experiences as strong career experience is preferred.

Who should write your letter of recommendation? We suggest someone who knows you personally and who can speak directly about your strengths and experience. Do not focus on the person in your company at the highest level.

Be sure that you have been in their class, have reported to them directly, and/or you have shared your interest in graduate school with them.

• Please use your recommender’s work email address rather than a personal account like Gmail, which will be more closely monitored in our credential verification process.
• Recommendations from relatives and friends are strongly discouraged.
• One recommendation is required. We will read up to two.

Applicants to the Flexible MBA program are not required to take the GMAT or the GRE. However, if an applicant would like to submit a GMAT or GRE test score to enrich their application, an applicant is welcome to do so within the application. We accept scores from both the GMAT and the GRE that are up to five years old and do not have a preference for either test. Be sure to do your research on which exam is best for you. Have your scores sent directly to Carey Business School.

Johns Hopkins Carey Business School Codes:
- GMAT - KGB-B0-98
- GRE – 0834

For more information, use the links below.

• Information on registering and sending GMAT scores
• Information on registering and sending GRE scores

A $100 nonrefundable application fee is due when you submit your online application.

Since 1876 when Johns Hopkins was established as the first American research university, the university’s academic distinction has attracted students from across the globe. The university’s faculty is as diverse in nationality as are our students and includes hundreds of scholars from around the world.

Our students live, work, and lead in a global marketplace that transcends boundaries, cultures, and nationalities. The participation of students of diverse nationalities is therefore an essential element of our programs. The diverse perspectives of international students at Carey Business School create a shared understanding of the varied dimensions of our global economy.

We encourage you to be aware of the following before starting an application.

• In order to receive an I-20 Certificate of Eligibility for F-1 status from Johns Hopkins University, you must be fully admitted to a degree program well in advance of the start of the semester (read about our deadlines). We encourage you to apply in round one or two to allow plenty of time for visa processing.
• Full-time status/full course of study is defined at Carey Business School as enrolled in at least nine credits each fall semester and at least nine credits each spring semester.
• No federal financial aid is available for international students. International students are considered for merit scholarships with their admissions application. No separate application is needed. Please refer to the financial aid website for information about our endowed scholarships and scholarships available from private organizations.
• As an international student, you are charged the same tuition rates as a U.S. student. Costs for all academic programs can be found under tuition and fees.
• As an F-1 student, you will be required to show proof that you can afford all tuition and living expenses for one academic year to receive an I-20. See our Cost of Attendance page for the current estimated cost of living.
• For privacy and security reasons, do not send bank statements or other financial documentation with your application. You will be notified by the Office of International Services when this information is required.
• We do not provide on-campus housing for any of our students. Learn more about housing resources.

In addition to submitting the materials required for all applicants, international applicants must:

1. Submit a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or PTE score. We do not accept Duolingo or TOEFL Essentials. You may be exempt, if you meet one of the following criteria:

       a. You are a native of, or you completed an undergraduate or graduate degree at an accredited college or university in the U.S., or another country on this list

       b. You completed an undergraduate or graduate degree at an accredited college or university where English was the ONLY language of instruction as indicated on the university’s website, transcript, and/or mark sheets.

Please indicate in the “Supporting Materials” section of the application if you meet one of the above qualifications for exemption.

The preferred minimum TOEFL score is 100 on the Internet-based test. Carey uses TOEFL's "MyBest" score. The preferred minimum IELTS score is 7.0 and the preferred PTE score is 70. TOEFL and IELTS scores are valid for two years. The TOEFL code for Carey Business School is 0834. IELTS and PTE do not require a code.

Individual programs may require additional evidence to demonstrate English language proficiency.

Submit an official course-by-course evaluation for all degrees earned or expected from outside the U.S. The course-by-course evaluation must be provided by an authorized credential evaluation agency and must reflect that the applicant has the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree.

See the Credential Evaluation Agencies section below for a list of authorized agencies.

Special note for applicants with three-year undergraduate degrees from non-U.S. colleges and universities: In some situations, three-year degrees can be considered equivalent to a four-year U.S. bachelor's degree. In these cases, applicants can apply to Carey Business School. Before you begin your application and the credential evaluation process, please contact the Admissions Officer for your country for further guidance. Typically, World Education Services is the only credential evaluation agency that will consider three-year degrees as being equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree.

Applicants can preview how their degree might be evaluated by using a free tool at the World Education Services website.

• If coursework was earned outside of the U.S. but the degree was earned in the U.S., only transcripts from all schools are required and must be in English.

Credential evaluation agencies

International credential evaluation requirement

Applicants who hold, or who are currently pursuing, degrees from non-U.S. institutions must have their academic records evaluated by a NACES member agency before they can be considered for admission to a degree/certificate program. The credential evaluation must reflect the applicant has the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree.

Applicants who are currently pursuing a degree from a school outside of the U.S. and will not graduate by the application deadline are required to submit a course-by-course evaluation of completed course work. Students who enroll are required to submit an updated evaluation showing the degree has been conferred.

Why is credential evaluation important?

Credential evaluation is used to assess a student's coursework against the U.S. grading system and to evaluate courses for possible transfer credit. Applicants should make arrangements with a NACES member agency for an evaluation of the degree, an assessment of the overall grade point average, and a course-by-course evaluation. These evaluations must meet the equivalency of a U.S. degree.

Authorized agencies

Because fees and documents required for evaluations may vary by agency, applicants are encouraged to contact the agencies directly for additional information. We authorize evaluations from any NACES member agency. Our applicants most commonly choose one of the following four:

• Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc.: https://www.ece.org/
• International Education Research Foundation: https://ierf.org/
• SpanTran: Johns Hopkins Carey Business School
• World Education Services, Inc.: http://wes.org

*Applicants with degrees from Indian institutions should consult with their admissions officer before choosing an agency.

Start and manage your application by creating your username and password on the Johns Hopkins University-wide platform.

Once you are on the University-wide platform, you are able to:

1. Choose “Carey Business School” as your school of choice.
2. Begin your application, save it, and return to finish it at a later time by logging in at your convenience. Your admission officer will review your application once you submit all required documents and will contact you about any missing items or to schedule an interview.
3. Find essay questions.
4. Send an official invitation to your recommender.

Office of Admissions mailing address:
Most MBA application requirements can and should be sent electronically. However, any official documents that need to be mailed (transcripts, credential evaluations, and official test scores) should be sent to:

Johns Hopkins Carey Business School
Office of Admissions
100 International Drive
Baltimore, MD 21202