Three quick steps to get started
Decide when you want to start classes. Choose one of two paths to admission. Apply by the deadline. That’s it.
With four start times a year, the Professional MBA Program offers virtually year-round admission. Decisions are made based on your work experience, academic performance, and depending on which method you choose below, your test scores, and essay.
Full admission
If an MBA from the University of Iowa is your goal, and you have time to take the GMAT/GRE prior to the application deadline, apply for full admission to secure the benefits enjoyed by admitted students:
- Priority registration
- 100% flexibility in choosing courses
- Full focus on your MBA studies, without interruption for test prep
PreMBA status
This is a simple way to "try out" the Professional MBA Program or to get a quick start if you haven't yet taken an MBA entrance exam. It allows you to:
- Take up to 5 courses before applying for full admission
- Enroll in the same courses as admitted students
- Earn MBA credits that count toward your degree
- Benefit from the same faculty, staff, and level of support as full admission students
Minimum admission requirements
There are two requirements to meet before we can consider you for full admission or PreMBA status:
- A bachelor's degree or higher with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 (a lower GPA may be considered based on a combination of GPA and GMAT/GRE score).
- Fully employed with at least 18 months of professional, full-time work experience (exceptions may be made if you're transitioning jobs)
The GMAT/GRE and test waivers
Before you apply for full admission, you'll need to take an entrance exam, either the GMAT or GRE. When you've been out of the academic world for a while, a standardized test can be a little intimidating. We provide a long list of GMAT/GRE prep resources to get you started.
Plus, there are several situations where the test can be waived. Find out if you meet criteria for a waiver.
Video: Meet Iowa's #1-ranked MBA
Check out this video of a recent webinar, where we covered must-know program info about the state's top-ranked part-time MBA. Learn how to customize the MBA for your life and how to skip the standardized test and start right away.
Application dates and deadlines
Spring 2020
Classes start: Late January
December 30
Full admission application deadline
January 6
PreMBA application deadline
Summer 2020
Classes start: Late May (session 1) and Late June (session 2)
May 1
Full admission application deadline
May 8
PreMBA application deadline
Later applications are accepted for students looking to start in session 2. Contact us for details
Fall 2020
Classes start: Late August
Priority deadline: March 15, 2020
Final deadline: August 1, 2020
Video: Application tips
Planning to apply? Watch this first—a quick, 10-minute video that covers everything you need to know to apply.
We'll cover:
- What the admission committee is looking for in each element of your application
- Frequently asked questions about applying
- Common pitfalls (and how to avoid them)
Tuition and financial aid
Your MBA is an investment in you—your skills, your career, and your future. There are a multitude of options for financing your degree, from employer reimbursement and federal loans to private bank loans and VA benefits.
Find out more
There are several ways you can get more information. Flip through our online viewbook (brochure), or meet us at an event:
Information sessions
Learn about the program at an in-person info session. Held regularly in Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, and the Quad Cities.
Admissions events
Attend an "On the Spot"—an accelerated admissions event where you can get an acceptance decision in 90 minutes.
Personal appointments
Schedule one-on-one time with a program representative, in person or by phone, and we'll help you get your questions answered.