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Full-time MBA

Full-time MBA

Climb the corporate ladder with an Ivy MBA

  • Top 10%

    2024 U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate Schools

Whether you’re angling for a promotion or preparing to climb the corporate ladder, an Ivy MBA is a proven path to success. Our full-time MBA program jumped six places in the 2024 U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate Schools rankings. The Ivy MBA moved up to #50, which places the program in the top 10 percent of all MBA programs in the country and #25 among public universities.

An Ivy MBA will enhance your leadership and management skills, engage your problem-solving abilities, and open doors.

Degree requirements
Sample program
Course offerings
FAQ

MBA

MBA program features

  • State-of-the-art facilities.
  • Internship support.
  • Fall start, cohort-model, in which you take your MBA core classes as a member of a three to four person team.
  • Excellent career coaching.
  • International study abroad options.
  • Specializations and double-degree options.
  • Real-world consulting projects and case competitions.
  • Scholarship and assistantship opportunities.
  • STEM designated specializations in business analytics, finance, and information systems. See the full listing of MBA specializations.
Liming Pals

The Ivy MBA not only helped me to evaluate my career interests, but also equipped me with an advanced data-driven skillset so that I can confidently tackle any management position across various industries.

Liming Pals, owner, BridgeGap Translations, LLC

MBA program details

Admission and fees

Apply to the full-time MBA program

The Ivy full-time MBA program admits students annually in the fall semester.

Online application

Application requirements

  • Resume.
  • College transcripts.
  • Two letters of recommendation.
  • MBA personal essay.
  • GMAT/GRE score.
  • TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English score for non-native English speakers.

You may be contacted for an interview as part of the admissions process.

Please note: If your native language is not English and you do not have a degree from Iowa State University, you must take the English Placement Test at the beginning for your first semester of enrollment. The test is administered by the Department of English. It must be taken in addition to the Test of English as a Foreign Language), which is taken as a part of the admissions process. If you do not pass this examination, you are required to take specific courses in the English 99/101 series. This coursework must be completed no later than the semester BEFORE you graduate.

Application deadlines
Admission materials submitted by:
Fall semester: June 15

GMAT/GRE
Required

Format
In-person

Length
48 credits, two years

Location
Ames, Iowa

Program tuition and fees*

Iowa residents: $818/credit hour + fees
Non-residents: $1,825/credit hour + fees
International students: $1,931/credit hour + fees

*Tuition and fee rates are subject to change
Cost of attendance – click here to review a general estimate. This is a university page.

Curriculum

As an Ivy MBA student, you’ll work on class projects with your team while developing collaboration, leadership, and communication skills. Professional development courses include workshops and guest speakers that will enhance your networking and soft skills. In addition, you’ll apply your knowledge by serving as consultants for local non-profit organizations.

You’ll learn from faculty engaged in cutting-edge research and committed to excellence. Our internationally known faculty push you to find creative solutions based on data and other analytical metrics.

You will take your MBA core classes as a member of a team. Core classes meet on-campus in Ames Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.-10:50 a.m., with elective offerings meeting in the afternoon, evening, and online.

Foundational core subjects include:

  • Organizational behavior.
  • Strategic management.
  • Quantitative analysis.
  • Managerial economics.
  • Finance.
  • Accounting.
  • Marketing.
  • Supply management.
  • Information systems.
  • Ethics and social responsibility.

Electives are offered in Ames, Des Moines, and online. 

For more information about the Ivy MBA curriculum, contact an advisor at busgrad@iastate.edu.

University Course Catalog

Specializations

You may pursue an optional area of specialization in the MBA program. Each specialization requires nine hours of focused, approved MBA elective coursework. You may also pursue a double specialization; however, no more than one approved elective (three credits) may be applied to both specializations. Check out the specialization course options.

Specializations are available in the following areas:

Accounting
The accounting specialization provides accounting professionals with the necessary knowledge and skills to work effectively within today’s technology-driven, global economy.

Accounting Analytics
Accounting analytics is a growing area within the accounting discipline, with industry experts frequently seeking specialized talent in analytics applied to accounting. The program is STEM-designated*.

Business Analytics
The business analytics specialization is STEM-designated* and gives you an understanding of the skills, technologies, and best business practices for data-driven decision-making.

Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship aids in the adventure of starting and managing new business ventures. The entrepreneurship specialization will give you the ability to explore innovative, flexible, and hands-on opportunities with direct access to experts, resources, and networks to advance your level of engagement.

Finance
The finance specialization is STEM-designated* and equips you with an understanding of the theoretical and practical elements of corporate financial management and investment strategies.

Healthcare Analytics and Operations
Healthcare analytics and operations is a growing area of interest within business, with demand from both students and, employers and policy makers. Understanding operations, supply chains, and data to develop plans of action is necessary in today’s healthcare industry.

Information Systems
The information systems specialization is STEM-designated* and will help you gain advanced knowledge and skills in business process management, business-oriented programming, data management systems, and communications technology.

Leadership
Leadership and manager roles call for developed critical thinking skills, ethical decision-making abilities, and cultural competency. Are you interested in developing your leadership skills? Consider this specialization.

Marketing
The marketing specialization coursework provides you with an understanding of marketing concepts, models, and tools used to examine how consumers behave and how markets function.

Real Estate
Provides you with an understanding of real estate. This specialization is perfect for anyone looking to pursue a career in real estate, including city planners, architects, finance specialists, real estate agents, commercial realtors, building professionals, and industry investors.

Supply Chain Management
Increased globalization and rapidly advancing information technology tools are prime factors affecting the movement of parts, management of inventory flow, fulfillment of customer orders, and whether dealer requirements and deadlines are met in a timely manner. The supply chain management specialization provides an overview of global information and processes across all business functions including supply management, operations, information technology, and logistics.

Contact an advisor at busgrad@iastate.edu for more information.

*STEM designation is awarded to a program that has a qualified curriculum that meets the criteria. This designation allows you to increase your Optional Practical Training (OPT) from the standard 12 months to 36 months of work authorization in the United States for pre-approved programs. 

Concurrent MBA options

If you’re an undergrad pursuing a technical degree, you may be eligible to begin pursing an MBA during your senior year. As a concurrent student, you can start our two-year program in tandem with you bachelor’s degree — meaning you can finish both programs in five years.   

Specialized curriculum plans will guide you through the process of doing both programs at once.  

Concurrent MBA options

Double degree options

A graduate double degree combines the comprehensive management education of the MBA with a specialized study in another professional master’s degree program. Many courses count for both degrees, saving you time and money.

Double degree options

Graduate certificates

The Ivy College of Business currently has six graduate certificate programs. Each certificate requires 12-15 credits — many of which may apply to your MBA. See your advisor for more information, or email busgrad@iastate.edu.

Graduate certificates

Scholarships and assistantships

Scholarships

Scholarships are available to students based on their programs. Scholarships are only available for full-time students, unless otherwise indicated.

All prospective students that submit a completed application are considered for the scholarships. There is not a special application form. If you are awarded a scholarship, you will be notified in your acceptance letter or later in a scholarship letter from the Graduate Programs Office.

Assistantships

Graduate assistantships are offered to highly qualified candidates admitted into Iowa State University, as full-time graduate students in master’s degree programs. Assistantships provide students unique opportunities to work directly with business faculty actively engaged in leading-edge research in their respective fields. Most assistantships are administrative and are quarter-time (10 hours/week) for a total of 170 hours. In each academic year, we award 30-35 graduate assistantships that help support our academic departments. Graduate assistantships are only awarded to students in full-time Ivy graduate programs.

Graduate assistants receive the following benefits:

  • Semi-monthly stipend.
  • C-based tuition, which is equivalent to resident tuition.
  • Tuition scholarship equivalent to 37.5 percent tuition (for 10 hour/week positions).
  • Reduction in student fees.
  • Health insurance coverage for the duration of the appointment.
  • For new students to be considered for a graduate assistantship, check “yes” on the application form where it asks, “Do you want to be considered for an assistantship?” Assistantships are awarded based on GPA, GMAT scores, work experience, and other notable achievements.

You can seek out other employment opportunities across campus. Check out CyHire for other department assistantship positions and hourly, on-campus employment.

For more information about Graduate Assistantships, please refer to the Graduate College website.

Case competitions

All full-time MBA students participate in an internal case competition at the conclusion of their core courses. This culminating event allows students to apply the knowledge and skills learned in their core courses.

During the two-day competition, student teams are given a business scenario. They have 24 hours to analyze the case and prepare a presentation outlining their findings and recommendations. On day two, teams present their ideas to a panel of judges made up of business executives and faculty. Winning teams from each division advance to a final round where they repeat their presentation to a new panel of judges. Scholarships are awarded to the top performing teams.

Explore more case competition opportunities.

International students

Important information for international students

Three-year degrees may be accepted if a WES or ECE transcript evaluation deems your degree equivalent to a U.S. four-year degree.

Otherwise, Iowa State University’s Graduate College does not accept three-year degrees from India, Bangladesh, Canada (excluding Quebec), Nepal, and Pakistan. Degrees from these countries are internally reviewed individually if submitted directly to Iowa State.

Additionally, Iowa State University’s Graduate College does not accept HNDs (Higher National Diplomas) without a top-up degree. It is acceptable if your WES or ECE course-by-course evaluation determines your three-year degree equivalent to a U.S. four-year degree.

For questions regarding internal reviews and top-up degrees, please contact gradhelp@iastate.edu.

Helpful information

ISSO: https://isso.dso.iastate.edu/

Admissions information for international students: https://www.iastate.edu/admission-and-aid/admissions/graduate-students/graduate-app-info

English requirements: https://www.grad-college.iastate.edu/prospective/english-requirements/

Not ready yet?

If you’re thinking of taking the leap, but your grades or work experience are holding you back, our pre-MBA program or one of our graduate certificates will help you get ready.

These programs allow you to try highly ranked Ivy College of Business classes and earn up to nine credits before officially applying.

For more information, contact an advisor at busgrad@iastate.edu.

MBA Executive Advisory Council

The MBA Executive Advisory Council members provide a valuable resource for our Ivy MBA and PMBA students.

Case Competition

Case competitions

As a full-time MBA student, you will participate in an internal case competition at the conclusion of your core courses. This culminating event allows you to apply the knowledge and skills learned in your core courses.

Customized career advice

Whether you’re angling for a promotion or you want to polish your resume, the Graduate Career Services team offers each student personalized, custom advice and services for your climb up the corporate ladder.

next-steps

Take the next step

Connect with us

Graduate Student Services

1420 Gerdin Business Building
2167 Union Drive
Ames, Iowa 50011
busgrad@iastate.edu
515-294-8118

 

Questions?

Send us an email: busgrad@iastate.edu or call 515-294-8118.