Department web site

Program Overview

Led by expert faculty who are recognized scholars and experienced practitioners, Drake’s Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) curriculum focuses on a balance of strategic decision-making, ethical leadership, and analytical reasoning that can be brought into any workplace immediately. The 36-credit hour program can be completed in two years, attending part-time. Drake’s Master of Business Administration program is designed to prepare effective communicators, ethical stewards of organizations, data-driven problem solvers, and global citizens. In addition to providing a broad foundation in advanced business principles, the program allows students to customize their degree based on personal interests and career aspirations.

Program Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Foundations of Decision-Making
MBA 240	CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND ETHICS	3
MBA 245	LEADING WITH DATA	3
M.B.A. Core Courses
MBA 242	FINANCIAL REPORTING AND ANALYSIS	3
MBA 251	CREATING CUSTOMER VALUE THROUGH MARKETING	3
MBA 253	CORPORATE FINANCE	3
MBA 254	LEADERSHIP AND HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT	3
MBA 256	INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND BUSINESS	3
MBA 259	BUS, GOVT & THE GLOBAL ECONOMY	3
MBA 260	STRATEGIC BUSINESS PROCESSES	3
Areas of Specialization
Select three courses from a group of electives designed to focus on an area of specialization:		9
Accounting:
ACCT 276	IT AUDITING
ACCT 277	FRAUD EXAMINATION
ACCT 278	INTERNAL AUDITING
ACCT 280	FINANCIAL STATEMENT ANALYSIS
BLAW 250	THE LAW OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
Business Analytics:
IS 210	BUSINESS ANALYTICS, TEAMS, AND PROJECTS
IS 220	INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY LEGAL AND ETHICAL ISSUES
IS 231	DATA MANAGEMENT AND VISUAL ANALYTICS
IS 282	PYTHON PROG FOR DATA ANALYTICS
STAT 240	STATISTICAL MODELING
QUAN 270	QUANTITATIVE ANALYTICAL METHODS
Cybersecurity:
ACCT 276	IT AUDITING
ACCT 277	FRAUD EXAMINATION
ACCT 278	INTERNAL AUDITING
BLAW 225	PRACTICAL CONTRACT INTERPRET
INS 280	OPERATIONAL RISK MANAGEMENT
IS 280	CYBERSECURITY MANAGEMENT
IS 281	CYBER ATTACK PREV & MITIGATION
Health Care Management:
HLTH 261	HEALTH CARE POLICY
HLTH 263	HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATION
HLTH 266	HEALTHCARE REGULATION, LAW AND ADVOCACY
Individualized:
Select nine credits tailored to student's unique interests from among all specialization courses offered
Leadership & Human Capital Development:
BUS 212	SEMINAR IN EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
BUS 283	NEGOTIATION AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION
INS 280	OPERATIONAL RISK MANAGEMENT
MPA 216	HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
MPA 221	PUBLIC ORGANIZATIONS AND LEADERSHIP
Public & Nonprofit Management:
MPA 221	PUBLIC ORGANIZATIONS AND LEADERSHIP
MPA 228	RESOURCE DEV AND PROG PERFORM
PADM 245	PUBLIC POLICY
PADM 273	NON-PROFIT MANAGEMENT
PADM 287	PUBLIC MANAGEMENT
Total Hours		36

Drake Leading Others/Master of Business Administration

Individuals who have completed the Drake Leading Others program offered through the Zimpleman College of Business may be eligible to waive up to 6 credit-hours in the M.B.A. program. The Leading Others program must be completed within the five-year time frame for the M.B.A. program completion.

Admission

To apply for admission to Drake’s Master of Business Administration program:

• Complete the online application.
• Submit your official transcripts from all previously attended colleges or universities. Official transcripts are prepared and sent by the institution in question and received by Drake University in a sealed envelope.

Mail transcripts to: 

Office of Admission
Drake University
2507 University Ave.
Des Moines, Iowa 50311-4505

Or email:

drakeonlinetranscripts@drake.edu

• Submit an electronic copy of your résumé or curriculum vitae.
• Submit a typed, one-page essay detailing how a graduate education at Drake University will help you reach your academic and professional goals.
• Submit contact information for two professional recommendations.

International Students

If a student earned her/his undergraduate degree outside of the United States, the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is required. Scores dated within the last two years are acceptable and must be reported directly from the testing agency. Minimum acceptable TOEFL score is 213 on the computer-based exam, 550 on the paper-based exam, or 79-80 on the Internet-based exam. Minimum acceptable IELTS score is 6.5. Minimum scores on each section of reading, writing, speaking, and listening may be required.

Transfer Credits

Students may transfer up to nine credit hours from another AACSB accredited graduate program. All transfer credits must be earned with a grade of B- or higher, must directly relate to the program of study, and must fall within the five-year time frame for program completion. Transfer credits will be applied to the degree program upon successful completion of at least one term of enrollment in the program.

Admission with Conditions

Admission with Conditions allows individuals to be reviewed for admission and begin graduate studies with a conditional requirement that must be completed successfully to progress in the program.

Students granted Admission with Conditions may enroll part-time and take up to nine credit hours of coursework to prove strong academic performance. Strong academic performance includes receiving a grade of B or higher in all courses. Students with this status may completed MBA 240 CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND ETHICS, MBA 245 LEADING WITH DATA, and one advisor recommended course.  Students will be reviewed at the end of each full semester to confirm that the conditions of their admission have been met. The review will take place if a minimum of six credit hours including MBA 245 LEADING WITH DATA, has been completed. 

Admission with Conditions is not available to international applicants.