No business degree? No problem.
It happens all the time. You earn a bachelor's degree in one area, and find your calling in another. So how do you fill in the gaps?
You can (and should) be proud of working your way up in an area where you don't have formal education. It's time to layer solid business fundamentals on top of your non-business background.
The Business Fundamentals Certificate is a five-course program designed to give you a broad introduction to the core principles of business. You'll dive into the disciplines: marketing, management, finance, and accounting. You choose your fifth and final course, exploring either business analytics or business strategy.
If this whets your appetite for more, good news: all of the certificate courses count toward an Iowa MBA. MBA Access students complete the Business Fundamentals certificate while working to reestablish a GPA or gain additional work experience for full admission to the Iowa MBA.
At a glance
Delivery
All courses are offered both online and in-person in Des Moines annually.
Curriculum
Complete five courses (four required courses + one elective)
Format
Primarily 8-week courses, meeting one night a week, no Fridays or weekends.
Time to complete
As little as 1 year
Cost
$11,250 (Five courses at $2,250 each)
Admission
No entrance exam required.
Certificate courses
Four required courses plus one elective to give you a broad introduction to the core principles of business. You'll have a chance to dive into the disciplines: marketing, management, finance, and accounting.
Required course
- Marketing Management—MBA:8110
- Management in Organizations—MBA:8120
- Corporate Financial Reporting—MBA:8140
- Managerial Finance—MBA:8180
Elective courses (select one)
- Data and Decisions—MBA:8150
- Foundations in Strategy—MBA:8300
A few things to note: If you're waived from a required course based on already-completed coursework, you’ll need to fulfill those semester hours with other courses. Talk to your advisor to find out your options to fulfill the requirements.
If you're admitted to the Business Fundamentals Certificate, you won't have access to other courses offered through the Iowa MBA—only the courses listed above.
Students admitted to the Business Fundamentals Certificate (MBA Access) are not eligible for financial aid until they are accepted into the Iowa MBA program.
Take the next step
You can start the Business Fundamentals Certificate in any semester. No business prerequisites are needed, and there's no entrance exam. See application deadlines and minimum requirements on the Admission page.