It's a snap to get started
Decide when you want to start classes. Apply by the deadline. That’s it.
With three start times a year, the Professional MBA Program offers virtually year-round admission. Decisions are made based on your work experience, academic performance, test scores*, and essay.
*The GMAT/GRE requirement is waived through Fall 2022.
Minimum admission requirements
There are two requirements to meet before we can consider you for admission status:
- A bachelor's degree or higher with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.75
- If your GPA is under 2.75, you may qualify for admission through our MBA Access admission option.
- At least 18 months of post-undergrad, professional, full-time work experience.
The GMAT/GRE and test waivers
This requirement is temporarily suspended through Fall 2022. A score is not required to apply, and it is not needed in order to graduate.
If you're applying for Spring 2023 and beyond, in general, if you don't meet the criteria for a waiver, 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.
Application dates and deadlines
Fall 2021
Classes start: Late August
Priority deadline: March 15, 2021
Final deadline: August 1, 2021
Spring 2022
Classes start: Late January
Priority deadline: October 15, 2021
Final deadline: January 1, 2022
Summer 2022
Classes start: Mid-May
Priority deadline: February 15, 2022
Final deadline: May 1, 2022
Notification of admission decisions will begin on August 1 for spring term, January 1 for summer term, and February 1 for fall term.
MBA Access
If your undergraduate GPA falls between 2.45 and 2.75, there's an alternative way to start your MBA.
MBA Access allows you to start taking MBA courses right away and lets you establish a new GPA to meet the requirements for regular admission. Upon completion, you'll have earned a Business Fundamentals Certificate—a credential you can immediately add to your resume.
Two ways to get started
- Set up time with an enrollment specialist to talk about your options
- Apply to the Professional MBA as usual; we'll determine if MBA Access is a good fit for you
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. See tuition and aid information.
Video: Meet Iowa's #1-ranked MBA
Check out this quick video where we cover must-know program info about the state's top-ranked part-time MBA, including how to apply and ways to customize the MBA for your life and schedule.
Find out more at a virtual event
There are several ways you can get more information. Flip through our viewbook (brochure), or meet with us one-on-one in a virtual Zoom meeting to get your questions answered.