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 Iowa MBA Program offers virtually year-round admission. Admission decisions are based on your work experience, academic performance, test scores (if you choose to provide them), and essay.
Skip the Essay
Seriously. Get the application essay waived simply by having a conversation with an enrollment specialist. Instead of hours spent crafting a statement, let's just chat.
Hurry—this ultra-convenient option goes away December 6.
Application dates and deadlines
For strongest consideration and to qualify for scholarship opportunities, submit your application by the priority deadline. Applications completed after this date will be considered as capacity allows.
Notification of admission decisions will begin on August 1 for spring term, January 1 for summer term, and February 1 for fall term.
Minimum requirements
Before you get cracking on your application, you'll need:
- Bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally accredited college/university with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0
- If your GPA is under 3.0, you may qualify for our MBA Access admission option.
- At least 18 months of post-undergraduate professional, full-time work experience
- If you have 12 months of work experience, you may qualify for our MBA Access admission option.
- U.S. citizenship/permanent residency, or non-U.S. citizenship with a valid non-student visa
A test score (GMAT or GRE) is not required for admission nor at any point during the program, but can strengthen your application for admission and scholarship eligibility. Review the admission criteria to learn about the kind of student we’re looking for.
These are the minimum requirements to be considered for admission. The average profile of an Iowa MBA student includes a 3.25 undergraduate GPA and 8 years of professional work experience.
There's another way to get in: MBA Access
As an undergrad, a lot of things can get in the way of a high GPA. We get that! If yours falls between 2.5 and 3.0, the MBA Access admission option allows you to start taking MBA courses right away through the Business Fundamentals Certificate. This lets you establish a new GPA to meet the requirements for regular admission. Upon completion of the five MBA Access courses, 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 Business Fundamentals Certificate
Admission criteria
Your academics, test scores (if you provide them), work experience, and personal statement—that's where we’ll focus our attention when we review your application for admission.
Academics
An MBA requires working with numbers. Quantitative skills—i.e., math and stats—are key. We’ll look at your transcripts to see results of the quant courses you’ve taken.
Entrance exam (optional)
GMAT/GRE scores are not required for admission, nor at any point in the program.
However, GMAT and GRE scores are proven indicators of a candidate's ability to excel in the classroom, and can strengthen your application significantly. Scholarships for Iowa MBA students are available and awarded based on academic measures including GPA and GMAT/GRE scores.
Work experience
The minimum to be considered for admission is 18 months of post-undergrad professional, full-time work experience. We’re looking for work records that demonstrate increasing responsibility and/or promotions.
How we define professional work experience:
Time spent working in a business environment with significant individual responsibilities, including some decision-making authority and personal accountability for the results of those decisions, post-undergrad.
Professional backgrounds can vary, and we're looking for your work experience to demonstrate skills in independent problem solving, teamwork, critical thinking, time management, and management of people or teams. If you're a non-traditional student, we may be able to consider work experience gained before your bachelor’s.
Ready to apply? Get more specifics from the application checklist.
Online learners
Technology requirements
For online courses, you'll need regular access to a computer with a reliable internet connection, a headset, and a webcam.
Explore our suggested computer configurations for new and previously purchased computers (click "Technical Requirements/Download Page") to see how they compare to our recommended requirements.
Location limitations
Limitations under the State Authorization and Reciprocity Agreement (SARA)
The State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) is an agreement among member states, districts, and territories in the United States which establishes comparable national standards for interstate offering of postsecondary distance education courses and programs. The University of Iowa is a member of SARA and is authorized to offer online courses and programs to residents of member states, districts and territories of the United States.
Two U.S. territories—Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands— are not SARA-approved at this time, so the University of Iowa cannot admit students who reside in these regions.
Other location limitations
Due to firewalls or government restrictions blocking our Learning Management System (LMS), we are also unable to admit students who will be studying in China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, or the region of Crimea.