The Master of Business Administration includes several programs: the professional M.B.A. (including a new online M.B.A. option), executive M.B.A., M.B.A. in Hong Kong, and the M.B.A. in Italy (CIMBA M.B.A.). Students in the professional M.B.A. program have the opportunity to enroll in combined degree programs in business analytics, medicine, and social work, or to earn the Certificate in Healthcare Management. See "Combined Programs" under the M.B.A. Professional Program in this section of the Catalog.
The M.B.A. Executive Program (EMBA program) requires 46 s.h. of coursework. It is conducted at the Pomerantz Center on the University's Iowa City campus and at the Pappajohn Education Center in Des Moines, Iowa. See program locations on the Tippie College of Business website.
Coursework for the M.B.A. Executive Program spans 16 months (three semesters and one summer). The program begins in mid-August with a five-day residency. It continues with classes on Friday and Saturday every other week. A second five-day residency is held at the beginning of the second year. Students have a four-week winter break, and summer classes are online.
Each entering class progresses through the program as a group, and students work in study groups of 4-6 members throughout the program. The curriculum includes an 11-day international business seminar, and students have access to executive coaching as part of their participation in the program.
The M.B.A. Executive Program requires the following coursework.
Core Courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MBA:8110 | Marketing Management | 3 |
| MBA:8120 | Management in Organizations | 3 |
| MBA:8140 | Corporate Financial Reporting | 3 |
| MBA:8150 | Business Analytics | 3 |
| MBA:8170 | International Economic Environment of the Firm | 3 |
| MBA:8180 | Managerial Finance | 3 |
| MBA:8240 | Operations and Supply Chain | 3 |
| MBA:8300 | Foundations in Strategy | 3 |
| MBA:8310 | Business Integration | 2 |
| MBA:8330 | Seminar in Strategic Management I | 1 |
| MBA:8500 | Seminar in International Business | 2 |
| MGMT:7900 | Contemporary Topics in Management and Organizations | 2 |
| Total Hours | 31 | |
Required EMBA Courses
Students complete the remainder of their coursework with the following; courses are subject to change, so students should consult their advisor.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| All of these: | ||
| ACCT:9020 | Strategic Cost Analysis | 3 |
| FIN:9300 | Corporate Investment and Financing Decisions | 3 |
| MGMT:9110 | Dynamics of Negotiations | 3 |
| MGMT:9210 | Law and Ethics | 3 |
| MGMT:9270 | Human Resource Management | 3 |
Admission
Admission is limited to experienced managers and executives who want to broaden their management skills without interrupting their professional careers. Applicants typically have seven or more years of postgraduate managerial experience. Previous academic work in business is not required.
The Professional M.B.A. Program (PMBA program) is tailored for working professionals building on the synergies of concurrent work and learning. The programs prepares graduates to be effective managers and leaders in the global marketplace. The curriculum is designed for students with varied backgrounds, undergraduate majors, and professional experience. Previous coursework in business is not required.
Courses are offered each semester during evening hours or weekends at three locations in Iowa: Cedar Rapids at the Tippie College of Business Cedar Rapids Center, Des Moines at the John and Mary Pappajohn Education Center (JMPEC), and the Quad Cities at the Birchwood Fields Learning Center; see program locations on the Tippie College of Business website.
Online M.B.A.
A new online M.B.A. option, launched fall 2019, allows students to complete the entire degree online. Classes typically include recorded lectures paired with synchronous live web sessions. Similar to the in-person option, teamwork is an integral part of the online M.B.A.
Requirements
Program requirements include 45 s.h. of credit including a business core of nine courses plus six electives. The core develops competency in general management skills and key functional business areas. The electives contribute to the development of an area of expertise and foster a deeper understanding of management and business practices. Electives are offered in analytics, entrepreneurship, finance, leadership and management, marketing, and operations/supply chain. Students may take part in several global learning opportunities in international locations to increase their understanding of the global business environment and its implications for business conduct and decision making.
Students may earn a professional Certificate in Finance, Leadership, or Marketing while they fulfill requirements for the M.B.A. without taking courses beyond the 45 s.h. required for the degree. Through a separate application, PMBA students also may earn the Certificate in Business Analytics while they fulfill requirements for the M.B.A. The Certificate in Business Analytics is not available online; however, students pursuing the online M.B.A. option may be considered for admission to the Certificate in Business Analytics program if they are willing to complete the certificate at one of the three program locations.
Students can complete the degree requirements in as few as two-and-one-half years or extend their study to as long as 10 years. Most students earn the M.B.A. in about three years, taking two courses each fall and each spring semester and one course during the summer.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MBA:8110 | Marketing Management | 3 |
| MBA:8120 | Management in Organizations | 3 |
| MBA:8140 | Corporate Financial Reporting | 3 |
| MBA:8150 | Business Analytics | 3 |
| MBA:8160 | Managerial Economics | 3 |
| MBA:8180 | Managerial Finance | 3 |
| MBA:8240 | Operations and Supply Chain | 3 |
| MBA:8300 | Foundations in Strategy | 3 |
| MBA:8310 | Business Integration | 3 |
| Six business elective courses | 18 | |
| Total Hours | 45 | |
Business Electives
The list below includes all approved business electives. Not all courses are offered on a regular basis. Students should consult MyUI for course availability or discuss course offerings with the site director.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate Management Programs (M.B.A. Program) | ||
| MBA:8130 | Business Communication | 3 |
| MBA:8500 | Seminar in International Business | 3 |
| Business Analytics | ||
| BAIS:6040 | Data Programming in Python | 3 |
| BAIS:6050 | Data Management and Visual Analytics | 3 |
| BAIS:6060 | Data Programming in R | 3 |
| BAIS:6070 | Data Science | 3 |
| BAIS:6100 | Text Analytics | 3 |
| BAIS:6105 | Social Analytics | 3 |
| BAIS:6110 | Big Data Management and Analytics | 3 |
| BAIS:6130 | Applied Optimization | 3 |
| BAIS:6140 | Information Visualization | 3 |
| BAIS:6150 | Financial Analytics | 3 |
| BAIS:6160 | Big Data Analytics | 3 |
| BAIS:6180 | Healthcare Analytics | 3 |
| BAIS:6190 | Forecasting | 3 |
| BAIS:6210 | Data Leadership and Management | 3 |
| BAIS:7900 | Special Topics in Business Analytics | 3 |
| BAIS:9010 | Contemporary Topics in Analytics | 3 |
| BAIS:9110 | Advanced Analytics | 3 |
| BAIS:9120 | Managing the Supply Chain | 3 |
| BAIS:9130 | Lean Process Improvement | 3 |
| BAIS:9140 | Agile Project Management | 3 |
| BAIS:9160 | Supply Chain Analytics | 3 |
| BAIS:9220 | Introduction to Information Systems | 3 |
| Entrepreneurial Management | ||
| ENTR:9000 | Developing Professional Service Business | 3 |
| ENTR:9100 | Entrepreneurship and Innovation | 3 |
| ENTR:9400 | Evaluating Innovation Opportunities | 3 |
| ENTR:9450 | Strategic Management of Technology and Innovation | 3 |
| ENTR:9500 | Managing the Growth Business | 3 |
| ENTR:9700 | Entrepreneurship: Business Consulting | 3 |
| Finance | ||
| FIN:9010 | Contemporary Topics in Finance | 3 |
| FIN:9140 | Enterprise Risk Management | 3 |
| FIN:9150 | Financial Modeling and Firm Valuation | 3 |
| FIN:9200 | Portfolio Management | 3 |
| FIN:9210 | Derivatives | 3 |
| FIN:9220 | Fixed Income Securities | 3 |
| FIN:9230 | Real Estate Finance and Investments | 3 |
| FIN:9240 | International Finance | 3 |
| FIN:9270 | Security Analysis | 3 |
| FIN:9290 | Alternative Investments and Portfolio Strategies | 3 |
| FIN:9300 | Corporate Investment and Financing Decisions | 3 |
| FIN:9310 | Corporate Financial Strategy | 3 |
| FIN:9330 | Investment Banking | 3 |
| FIN:9350 | Wealth Management | 3 |
| Management and Entrepreneurship | ||
| MGMT:7900 | Contemporary Topics in Management and Organizations | 3 |
| MGMT:9090 | Influence and Constructive Persuasion | 3 |
| MGMT:9091 | Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability | 3 |
| MGMT:9092 | Effective Managerial Communication | 3 |
| MGMT:9110 | Dynamics of Negotiations | 3 |
| MGMT:9120 | Leadership and Personal Development | 3 |
| MGMT:9130 | Strategic Management of Change | 3 |
| MGMT:9150 | Nonprofit Organizational Effectiveness I | 3 |
| MGMT:9160 | Nonprofit Organizational Effectiveness II | 3 |
| MGMT:9185 | Project Management | 3 |
| MGMT:9210 | Law and Ethics | 3 |
| MGMT:9220 | Maximizing Team Performance | 3 |
| MGMT:9230 | Managing and Preventing Conflict | 3 |
| MGMT:9250 | Managing Employee Performance | 3 |
| MGMT:9260 | Strategic Employee Development | 3 |
| MGMT:9270 | Human Resource Management | 3 |
| MGMT:9290 | Global Business Management | 3 |
| Marketing | ||
| MKTG:9010 | Contemporary Topics in Marketing | 3 |
| MKTG:9015 | Social Media Marketing for Business | 3 |
| MKTG:9120 | Customer Relationship Management | 3 |
| MKTG:9150 | Brand Management | 3 |
| MKTG:9155 | Digital Marketing Insights, Strategies, and Applications | 3 |
| MKTG:9165 | Digital Marketing Analytics | 3 |
| MKTG:9170 | Business to Business Marketing | 3 |
| MKTG:9190 | International Marketing | 3 |
| MKTG:9300 | Applied Marketing Research | 3 |
| MKTG:9310 | Marketing Analytics | 3 |
| MKTG:9320 | Strategic Brand Positioning | 3 |
| MKTG:9330 | Product and Pricing Management | 3 |
| MKTG:9340 | Customer Analysis | 3 |
| MKTG:9350 | Marketing Communication and Promotions | 3 |
| MKTG:9360 | Category Management | 3 |
Admission
The PMBA program admits students for entry in summer, fall, or spring; applications are accepted throughout the year. Admission decisions are based on completed application materials, including quality of work experience, undergraduate grade-point average, scores on the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test, and recommendations. Applicants should have at least one and one-half years of postbaccalaureate professional work experience before admission and must be fully employed in a professional position to be considered for admission.
Applicants whose first language is not English must score at least 100 (internet-based) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or must have a successful admission interview. In place of TOEFL, the program accepts International English Testing System (IELTS) scores. For information about registering for TOEFL or IELTS and reporting scores to the University, visit English Requirements for M.B.A. Admission on the Office of 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. The University must receive completed application materials by the following application deadlines.
Summer session (May): May 1
Fall semester (August): August 1
Spring semester (January): January 1
GMAT/GRE Waiver
Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test waivers may be granted. The following requirements must met in order to be considered.
The applicant has earned a master’s or terminal degree, including a Ph.D., M.D., J.D., or Pharm.D. from an accredited U.S. postsecondary institution posted on the U.S. Department of Education website. The applicant who has earned an advanced degree from a non-U.S. postsecondary institution will be considered for a waiver by exception.
The applicant must have earned a cumulative g.p.a. of 3.00 or higher on a 4.00 scale (or equivalent) in all graduate work used to fulfill the degree requirements.
Waivers may be granted when an applicant has significant professional experience and strong academic performance at the undergraduate level or while a pre-M.B.A. student. The following requirements need to be met to be considered.
The applicant has six or more years of postbaccalaureate professional work experience and has demonstrated career progression.
The applicant has earned a cumulative undergraduate g.p.a. of 3.25 or higher on a 4.00 scale with grades of B or higher in two or more quantitative courses, such as algebra or a more advanced course; or a cumulative g.p.a. of 3.00 or higher in a minimum of three University of Iowa M.B.A. courses while in pre-M.B.A. status, including grades of B or higher in two of the following courses—business analytics, managerial economics, corporate financial reporting, or managerial finance.
Enrollment in Courses Before Formal Admission
Individuals who have not yet been formally admitted to the program may request pre-M.B.A. status by submitting their résumé and transcript to the PMBA program for approval. They should have at least one-and one-half years of postbaccalaureate professional work experience. Those granted pre-M.B.A. status may enroll in a maximum of five PMBA courses with a maximum of two courses during each 10- or 12-week session and one course during shorter sessions. Pre-M.B.A. status is not available for students pursuing the online M.B.A. program option.
Students must take one of the following courses sometime during pre-M.B.A. status.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MBA:8140 | Corporate Financial Reporting | 3 |
| MBA:8150 | Business Analytics | 3 |
| MBA:8160 | Managerial Economics | 3 |
| MBA:8180 | Managerial Finance | 3 |
Credit earned during pre-M.B.A. status is applied to the requirements for the degree once the applicant is admitted to the program. The University of Iowa must receive completed application materials for pre-M.B.A. status by the following application deadlines.
Summer session (May): May 8
Fall semester (August): August 1
Spring semester (January): January 1
Combined Programs
Combined degree programs allow students to pursue two degrees simultaneously, earning both more quickly than they would if they pursued each degree separately.
Separate application to each degree program is required. Applicants must be admitted to both programs before they may be admitted to the combined degree program.
M.B.A./M.D.
The M.B.A. Program collaborates with the Carver College of Medicine to offer the combined Master of Business Administration (Professional M.B.A.)/Doctor of Medicine program. For more information about the medicine degree, see the Doctor of Medicine, M.D. (Carver College of Medicine) section of the Catalog.
M.B.A./M.S. in Business Analytics (Professional Subprogram)
The M.B.A. Program along with the Department of Business Analytics offers a combined Master of Business Administration (Professional M.B.A.)/Master of Science in business analytics (professional subprogram) degree option. Students complete 33 s.h. of M.B.A. credit paired with 27 s.h. of business analytics credit. For more information, see the M.S. in business analytics (professional) in the Tippie College of Business section of the Catalog or contact the Professional M.B.A. Program.
M.B.A./M.S.W.
The M.B.A. Program collaborates with the School of Social Work to offer the combined Master of Business Administration (Professional M.B.A.)/Master of Social Work program. For more information, see the Master of Social Work, M.S.W. (College of Liberal Arts and Sciences) section of the Catalog or contact the Professional M.B.A. Program.
M.B.A./Certificate in Healthcare Management
The M.B.A. Program collaborates with the College of Public Health to offer a combined Master of Business Administration (Professional M.B.A.)/Certificate in Healthcare Management. M.B.A. students complete four specified healthcare management courses (12 s.h.) in place of four M.B.A. electives to earn the certificate. For more information, see the Certificate in Healthcare Management (College of Public Health) section of the Catalog or contact the Professional M.B.A. Program.
The M.B.A. program in Hong Kong (Hong Kong M.B.A.) requires 45 s.h. of graduate credit. The curriculum is designed for students with various backgrounds, experience, and academic majors who are living in or near Hong Kong or Taiwan. The program does not require previous coursework in business.
Students complete the required courses in sequence; most complete the program in 16-20 months. Each course begins with two weeks of online coursework followed by two consecutive weekends of classes in Hong Kong and an additional two weeks of online coursework. Faculty from the University of Iowa travel to Hong Kong to teach the weekend classes. Some courses offer a video conference option for students living in Taiwan. Students also have the opportunity to study on campus in Iowa City for up to one semester.
The M.B.A. in Hong Kong requires the following coursework.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MBA:8110 | Marketing Management | 3 |
| MBA:8120 | Management in Organizations | 3 |
| MBA:8140 | Corporate Financial Reporting | 3 |
| MBA:8150 | Business Analytics | 3 |
| MBA:8160 | Managerial Economics | 3 |
| MBA:8170 | International Economic Environment of the Firm | 3 |
| MBA:8180 | Managerial Finance | 3 |
| MBA:8240 | Operations and Supply Chain | 3 |
| MBA:8300 | Foundations in Strategy | 3 |
| Hong Kong M.B.A. business electives (consult advisor) | 18 | |
| Total Hours | 45 | |
Admission
Students are admitted to the program year-round. Admission decisions are based on a completed application, which includes a résumé, academic qualifications, an essay, letters of recommendation, and an interview. Applicants must have at least three years of professional-level work experience.
The M.B.A. program in Italy (CIMBA M.B.A.) requires 52-55 s.h. of graduate credit. The 11-month full-time program is held primarily at the CIMBA campus in Paderno del Grappa, Italy, but the final course is completed on the University of Iowa campus in Iowa City. A two-year part-time program also is available for working professionals living in Italy.
The program focuses on personal leadership development and emphasizes strategic management, consulting, and international business. Students apply what they learn through a consulting project with local and international companies. In addition to the M.B.A. degree, students earn certificates through Kepner-Tregoe in problem solving and decision making, and in project management. The program draws its faculty from the University of Iowa and from institutions across the United States and Europe.
The full-time program admits students only for fall semester entry. Part-time applicants typically start in the fall but may be permitted to begin the program at other times.
The M.B.A. CIMBA program requires the following coursework.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MBA:8110 | Marketing Management | 3 |
| MBA:8120 | Management in Organizations | 3 |
| MBA:8140 | Corporate Financial Reporting | 3 |
| MBA:8150 | Business Analytics | 3 |
| MBA:8160 | Managerial Economics | 3 |
| MBA:8170 | International Economic Environment of the Firm | 2 |
| MBA:8180 | Managerial Finance | 3 |
| MBA:8240 | Operations and Supply Chain | 3 |
| MBA:8300 | Foundations in Strategy | 3 |
| ACCT:9020 | Strategic Cost Analysis | 3 |
| BAIS:9110 | Advanced Analytics | 2-3 |
| BAIS:9120 | Managing the Supply Chain | 2-3 |
| BAIS:9220 | Introduction to Information Systems | 3 |
| ENTR:9100 | Entrepreneurship and Innovation | 3 |
| FIN:9300 | Corporate Investment and Financing Decisions | 3 |
| MGMT:9210 | Law and Ethics | 2 |
| MGMT:9120 | Leadership and Personal Development | 3 |
| Students complete Italy M.B.A. elective courses to complete degree requirements (consult advisor) | ||
Admission
Admission decisions are based on an applicant’s completed application, which includes a résumé, academic qualifications, essays, an interview, and scores on the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Exam (GRE) General Test. Applicants must have at least two years of professional work experience.