Master of Business Administration MBA

The Master of Business Administration (MBA) Program prepares graduates to find innovative solutions to marketplace opportunities. The program offers emphases in accounting, artificial intelligence, corporate financial management, cybersecurity, general management, human resources management, leadership, organizational development, and sport administration. Skill and competence in specific business areas are developed through individual and team assignments and application of relevant theories to practical case study situations. The program provides a balance of quantitative and qualitative studies to strengthen contemporary managerial skills.

The program concludes with BA 590 Research Seminar, providing a capstone experience for the student to apply the concepts of the program in the development of a business report or proposal. The report or proposal is presented to peer students and/or business leaders using presentation software. The researched report or proposal provides the student an opportunity to demonstrate integration of the core curriculum and emphasis acquired knowledge and skills using graduate-level communication and critical thinking skills.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to analyze the implications of regulatory and legal issues for corporations competing in the current economic environment.
Students will be able to identify and resolve problems, create change, or develop recommendations using analytical tools for business decision-making.
Students will be able to explain the interdependence of corporate functional responsibilities.
Students will be able to evaluate effective business and management practices of corporations competing in the global or domestic economy.

Degree Requirements

The Upper Iowa University Master of Business Administration degree requires a minimum of 36 semester credits of graduate level coursework with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for completion. At UIU, three-semester-credit courses are scheduled in five eight-week sessions and one six-week session each year.

The student completes 15 semester credit hours in core requirements, three semester credit hours in the capstone, 18 semester credit hours in a chosen area of emphasis and any required prerequisite credits. Students choosing an emphasis with an elective can select courses in another emphasis or graduate program relevant to the student’s area of emphasis.

Students entering the MBA program are required to hold a BS or BA in a business discipline or be able to demonstrate a basic level of knowledge and achievement in accounting and finance. Students who have not completed a bachelor’s degree in business and cannot demonstrate a basic level of knowledge as listed above will be required to take MBA 500 - Accounting & Finance Principles . This course is a prerequisite course to FIN 513 - Financial Management . At the time of admission, the student’s file is reviewed and it is determined if MBA 500 is required. MBA 500 and Graduate Rize courses will not satisfy a Graduate Elective in an emphasis in any graduate program.

Degree Completion

To receive the Master of Business Administration degree, the student must successfully complete 36 semester credits of graduate work and earn a cumulative GPA of not less than 3.0 on a 4.0 point scale.

A graduate student will have five years after initial enrollment in the first graduate level course to complete the graduate program under the requirements in effect at the time of enrollment. If program requirements change, the student can elect to complete the revised curriculum or to complete under the original curriculum.

If the student does not complete the graduate degree program within the five-year period, the requirements in effect at the time of the next enrollment will be used to determine the student’s graduation requirements.

Upper Iowa University reserves the right to make changes in its academic regulations and requirements when, in its judgment, the best interests of the institution are served.

Core Requirements

The core curriculum is a forward-thinking academic program developing comprehension and competence in financial risk, economics and change, innovation through sustainability, current legal implications, product improvement and market analysis. Many courses include group work that prepares students to work in teams in the corporate world, a skill sought by many organizations.

BA 506 - Organizational Strategy/Economic Change 3 Credit(s)
BA 508 - Current Issues in Corporate Law and Ethics 3 Credit(s)
BA 511 - Corporate Entrepreneurship and Sustainability 3 Credit(s)
FIN 513 - Financial Management 3 Credit(s)
MKT 504 - Marketing and Product Management 3 Credit(s)

Capstone

BA 590 - Research Seminar 3 Credit(s)

Credits: 18

Emphasis Area(s)

Elective courses can be selected from other MBA courses not already required in the emphasis or from another graduate program. If selecting elective courses from a graduate program outside the MBA, course substitution approval will be required prior to registration in the course. MBA 500 and Graduate Rize courses will not satisfy a Graduate Elective in an emphasis in any graduate program.

Accounting

The Accounting Emphasis integrates management skills with accounting theory and practice. It is strongly recommended that students have an undergraduate degree in accounting when pursuing this emphasis. The Accounting Emphasis will provide students an opportunity to meet the 150 credit requirement for the Uniform CPA examination. The completion of the Accounting Emphasis does not guarantee that the requirements to sit for the Uniform CPA examination have been met. Contact the Board of Accountancy in the state that the student wishes to sit for the examination for that state’s specific requirements.

Accounting Emphasis (MBA)

Artificial Intelligence Emphasis

The emphasis in artificial intelligence teaches MBA students to bridge the gap between technical teams and business stakeholders, ensuring successful AI adoption and implementation. This low-code and accessible emphasis gives students literacy in the technical subjects they will need to manage AI projects successfully. This emphasis includes online courses as part of the curriculum through our partnership with Rize. These offer students cutting-edge curriculum, greater scheduling flexibility, access to nationwide experts in the field, and access to even more resume-ready skills. Rize courses may not be taken for electives.

Artificial Intelligence Emphasis (MBA)

Corporate Financial Management

The Corporate Financial Management Emphasis provides students with a broad understanding of financial management, financial institutions, and investment strategies. Graduates will evaluate investments, develop management strategies using corporate financial information, and apply various corporate financial management strategies to evaluate risk.

Corporate Financial Management Emphasis (MBA)

Cybersecurity Emphasis

An MBA emphasis in cybersecurity prepares students to step into lucrative and high-impact roles that both enhance overall business acumen and bring desperately needed security value to almost every industry. This emphasis includes online courses as part of the curriculum through our partnership with Rize. These offer students cutting-edge curriculum, greater scheduling flexibility, access to nationwide experts in the field, and access to even more resume-ready skills. Rize courses may not be taken for electives.

Cybersecurity Emphasis (MBA)

General Management

The General Management Emphasis allows learners, in collaboration with their academic advisor, to develop a program that meets their specific career needs and goals. Elective courses can be selected from other MBA courses not already required in the emphasis or from another graduate program. If selecting elective courses from a graduate program outside the MBA, course substitution approval will be required prior to registration in the course.

General Management Emphasis (MBA)

Human Resources Management

The Human Resources Management Emphasis assists students as they explore the theories and methods to manage the personnel resources of an organization. The emphasis has been reviewed and aligns with SHRM curriculum guidelines.

Human Resources Management Emphasis (MBA)

Leadership

The Leadership Emphasis is intended for seasoned professionals desiring an MBA with a focus on leadership. Graduates of the Leadership Emphasis will gain skills in the holistic view of leadership including foundational groundwork, globalization, diversity, and conflict management from a leadership position.

Leadership Emphasis (MBA)

Organizational Development

The Organizational Development Emphasis provides students with the skills and understanding of organizational structure and culture and the ability to analyze and diagnose problems to develop recommendations supporting long-term change.

Organizational Development Emphasis (MBA)

Sport Administration

The Sport Administration emphasis integrates topics specific to sport with high-level business administration content from the MBA. Students of the Sport Administration emphasis delve deeper into the specifics of sport administration, strengthening their knowledge of the industry and applying the knowledge in leadership roles. This emphasis is an excellent option for those in professional sports, intercollegiate athletics, high school athletic departments, and not-for-profit sports programs just to name a few.

Sport Administration Emphasis (MBA)

Note:

The student is responsible to complete all prerequisite requirements for elective courses. Exceptions must be approved by the MBA Program Director.