The Only Executive MBA in Iowa!

This premier program is tailored to experienced professionals. Our curriculum includes MBA foundational courses delivered by internationally-known faculty and offers customized content and case studies. Enjoy two study trips, concierge service, a leadership speaker series, and more.

Specialized curriculum designed with you in mind

The Ivy executive MBA (EMBA) is not your everyday graduate degree. This program focuses on food, agriculture, and biosystems markets and the adjacent industries of financial services and insurance. Our industry-focused executive MBA enhances students’ leadership capabilities by leveraging the extensive business experience of the cohorts. We work closely with our executive advisory council, so the curriculum is immediately applicable to current real-world situations.

2023 Cohort

EMBA program features

This 18-month program includes the following customized features:

  • Two study trips (Washington, D.C. and one international destination).
  • Leadership speaker series featuring high-profile executives.
  • Concierge service — we take care of the details so you can focus on the big picture.
  • Cohort members with extensive business experience.
  • No summer classes.
  • Predetermined courses, you’ll know your schedule the day you apply.
  • Classes meet every three weeks on Friday and Saturday.
Kayla Vandehaar

This is clearly a one-of-a-kind program and the caliber of members in the cohort is impressive. I have no doubt that this is going to be a great opportunity with knowledge and experience that I’ll have to carry with me in my career.

Kayla Vandehaar, Tax Manager, Lauridsen Group Inc.

EMBA program details

Admission

Apply to the EMBA program

Application requirements

The application process is easy. Simply submit the following items to emba@iastate.edu:

  • CV, resume, or professional biography.
  • Statement of purpose about why you would like to enroll.
  • One letter of recommendation.
  • Minimum five years of professional work experience.

There is no application fee and no GMAT required. Students are admitted for the fall semester only. You will be contacted for an interview as part of the admissions process.

If you are not a graduate of Iowa State University, submit your official transcripts to:

Office of Admissions
100 Enrollment Services Ctr.
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011-2011

Application deadlines
July 1

GMAT/GRE
Not required

Format
80 percent in-person, 20 percent online

Length
18 months, 48 credits

Location
Ames, Iowa

Tuition and fees

Final tuition assessments are subject to Iowa Board of Regents approval which occurs in the spring of each school year.

EMBA program cost of attendance*
$75,456 all inclusive

Tuition and fees cover:

  • Courses, speakers, events, and group activities.
  • Textbooks and course materials.
  • Continental breakfast, lunch, snacks, and beverages during class sessions.
  • Parking on class days.
  • Two study trips: Washington, D.C. and an international business experience (including airfare).

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

Financial aid and support

Tuition is payable in four equal installments and can be spread across three calendar years.

Office of Student Financial Aid
Explore and understand all your financial aid options available at Iowa State. Learn more about resources to help you cover costs.

Employer support and reimbursement
Many employers offer tuition assistance programs to support employee professional development. Iowa State University allows you to delay your tuition until the end of the semester to qualify for reimbursement from your employer. The university can also bill your employer directly.

Deferred billing
Iowa State University offers deferred billing to allow for some flexibility. This plan splits your semester bill into up to 3 installments for an additional $20 deferred billing fee per semester. The $20 deferred billing fee is added to your second installment.

To discuss different payment options, contact an advisor at emba@iastate.edu.

Curriculum

Deidra-teachingAs an Ivy executive MBA (EMBA) student, you will be taught by internationally known faculty. Our 48-credit degree is cohort based — meaning you’ll move through the program with the same set of classmates from start to finish as you develop leadership skills, improve effectiveness, and increase your earning potential.  

Content is developed by industry executives and faculty from the Ivy College of Business and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Each course is designed to be immediately applicable to real-world situations.  

Our curriculum covers the following topics:

  • Accounting for executive management.
  • Corporate social responsibility and ethics.
  • Economics of commodity markets.
  • Evidence-based talent management.
  • Food, agriculture, and biosystems boot camp.
  • Food and agriculture traceability (Washington, D.C.).
  • Information systems and analytics.
  • International business experience.
  • Leadership speaker series.
  • Managerial finance.
  • Marketing.
  • Organizational behavior.
  • Strategy and executive leadership.
  • Supply chain management.

The program begins with a week of orientation and classes on the Iowa State University campus in Ames. Following residency week, classes meet once every three weeks on Friday and Saturday in Ames, Iowa. Interim online interactions enhance each course.

EMBA schedule of courses

Leadership speaker series

Justin KirchhoffDevelop your skills and strengthen your network with our leadership speaker series. Each in-person session features a high-profile executive, research scientist, or startup innovator who speaks about current industry trends and his or her leadership experience. Presentations include time for questions. Following the presentation, students are encouraged to think about their own leadership styles and apply the new concepts in their current roles.

Examples of past speakers include:

  • Michelle Book, President Food Bank of Iowa.
  • Dan Houston, CEO of Principal Financial Group.
  • Bill Even, CEO of National Pork Board.
  • Emily Schmitt, CAO and General Counsel, Sukup Manufacturing.
  • Paul Maass, CEO, Scoular.

Study trips

Washington-DCA three-day working trip to Washington, D.C. takes place during the fall semester of the second year. We work with our advisory council members and the organization, Washington Campus, to arrange a variety of meetings that cover corporate public affairs, trade, immigration, regulation, lobbying, associations, fiscal policy, and more.  Read more

You’ll conclude your executive MBA with a 10-day business experience at an international destination. You will experience a new culture, expand your international network, and further develop a perspective on global markets. Meetings with senior management at a variety of corporations will enable you to explore how international policy and regulations are impacting operations around the rest of the globe. 

 

What people are saying about the Ivy EMBA program

  • Dezarae Mickelson

    Dezarae Mickelson

    Italy was an amazing host for our 10-day trip, where we learned about the manufacturing of key Italian food products and sustainable agriculture.

    #IvyEMBA
  • Sean Blomgren

    Sean Blomgren

    I came to this program with a desire to solve some complex challenges in my business. I did that and so much more!

    #WeAreIvy
  • Anna Fox

    Anna Fox

    I will never forget hearing “there’s mama” from the floor of Hilton Coliseum, and seeing my children point and wave at me from their seats. Loyal, forever true.

    #IvyEMBA
EMBA-Speaker-Series

Behind-the-scenes access

The EMBA program includes customized features like our leadership speaker series, international business experience, and a three-day working trip to Washington, D.C. Each opportunity gives you behind-the-scenes access to how business and government operate.

Executive Advisory Council

The EMBA Executive Advisory Council (EAC) is made up of who’s who in the Midwest’s leading industries and provides a valuable resource for our Ivy EMBA students.

Connect with us

Executive MBA Coordinator

Taylor Stoeckler
3107 Gerdin Business Building
2167 Union Drive
Ames, Iowa 50011
stoetay@iastate.edu
515-294-6882

Executive MBA Director

Sam DeMarie
3181 Gerdin Business Building
2167 Union Drive
Ames, Iowa 50011
demarie@iastate.edu
515-294-5526

Graduate Student Services

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