The professional Certificate in Business Fundamentals requires 15 s.h. of credit. Students must earn a cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.75 in certificate coursework.

The certificate is open to individuals with a desire to build core business knowledge and skills. Students who have completed this certificate may use its courses to fulfill degree requirements if admitted to the Iowa MBA Program as long as the courses are less than ten years old at the time of MBA conferral.

This certificate is designed to introduce students to the core principles of business. Coursework covers select disciplines within business—accounting, analytics, finance, managing organizations, marketing, and strategy. Students gain knowledge and develop skills that will immediately strengthen their performance as employees and managers. The certificate is comprised of Iowa MBA Program courses, allowing students to benefit from the same coursework and faculty members as MBA students.

Certificate courses are offered online and select courses may occasionally be offered in Des Moines at the John and Mary Pappajohn Education Center (JMPEC).

The Certificate in Business Fundamentals requires the following coursework.

If any required courses are waived, they must be replaced with another approved course from the preceding list.

If two required courses are waived, the student should take all of the remaining courses from the preceding list and choose between MBA:8160 Managerial Economics or MBA:8240 Operations and Supply Chain.

Certificate/Graduate Degrees

Students can pursue this professional certificate concurrently with their graduate degree. A separate application to each degree program is required for students not already admitted to a Tippie College of Business graduate or professional program.

For students in graduate programs outside of the Tippie College of Business:

• With graduate program approval, students may count up to 9 s.h. from the professional certificate toward their graduate degree.
• With approval from the professional certificate program, students may count up to 3 s.h. from any graduate degree program toward their certificate.

Students should contact their degree program and the certificate program to work out combined program details.

Admission decisions are based upon completed application materials, including academic performance and quality and quantity of work experience. For specific guidelines, view Certificate-Only Admissions on the Tippie College of Business website.

English language requirements are mandatory for applicants whose first language is not English. Information on these requirements and test options can be found on the Iowa MBA International Admissions website.

Admission decisions are made before registration begins for completed applications received by the priority application deadline. Admitted applicants who have met the priority application deadline may request registration for classes on the first registration date. See the Certificate-Only Admissions website for priority and final application deadlines.

Applications are accepted throughout the year; admission is for summer, fall, or spring entry.