Master of Business Administration

Build the skills employers expect and apply them immediately in your work. Drake’s MBA blends strategic thinking, data-driven decision-making, and leadership development to help you move forward with confidence.

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Zimpleman College of Business | Online

Earn Your MBA at Iowa's Only AACSB-Accredited Private University

An MBA from Drake’s Zimpleman College of Business will broaden your knowledge, increase your earning potential, and sharpen your business acumen. An MBA from Drake will help you become a data-driven decision maker, enhance your critical thinking and communication skills, and provide you with tools and techniques to be an ethical and effective leader. Employers value a Drake degree, which translates to greater earning potential for you and an ROI worth your time.

A Drake MBA Prepares

According to GMAC's 2024 Corporate Recruiter's Survey, the 3 most important skills employers want in grad school graduates are problem-solving, communication, and strategic thinking. The Zimpleman College of Business Online MBA curriculum is designed to meet this demand by helping students become:

Data-driven, Strategic Problem Solvers – Utilize a strategic perspective supported by qualitative and/or quantitative data when developing, evaluating, and implementing strategies to achieve competitive advantage.
Effective Communicators – Develop critical thinking and executive discernment through practicing how to communicate effectively and professionally to various stakeholder audiences.
Global and Multicultural Citizens – Develop the ability to critically examine interdependent global systems to craft effective solutions to complex problems.
Ethical Stewards – Critically assess ethical responsibilities as agents and/or officers of an organization.

Program Facts

Program Length: 2 Years to Complete • $740/Credit • 36 Credit Hours • 5 Areas of Concentration
Start Dates: 6 Start Dates a Year • No GRE/GMAT • FREE Domestic Applications
College or School: Zimpleman College of Business
Next Application Deadline: 06/29/26

With no GRE or GMAT requirements, and no application fee for domestic students, we invite you to get started on your application today! Have a specific question? Email us at drakeonline@drake.edu.

Online Master of Business Administration

The MBA is a flexible, standalone option open to professionals from any undergraduate background. Build a strong business foundation and gain skills you can start using right away.

Accelerated MBA

Are you an undergraduate student interested in earning your MBA alongside your bachelor's? In an accelerated program, graduate courses begin after you have completed 90 credit hours, typically during your senior year. Accelerated programs are open to any undergraduate major.

Doctor of Jurisprudence/MBA

Students considering careers in commercial or corporate law find this option useful. Both degrees can be completed in six semesters and two summers.

PharmD/MBA

This joint degree allows students to get a PharmD alongside the MBA in less time than it would take to get the degrees separately. Those looking to take a leadership role or manage their own pharmacy find this option beneficial.

Customize Your Degree

Courses are taught by full-time Drake faculty who experienced educators and experienced industry practitioners. Our six-week course structure gives you the flexibility to control the pace of your graduate degree. Once enrolled, students have 5 years to complete their MBA, but most Drake online students attend courses on a part-time basis and graduate within 18-30 months.

The online MBA consists of 36 credit hours. Our meticulously designed core curriculum is comprised of 27 of these hours, allowing you to complete the remaining 9 hours within an area of emphasis of your choosing.

Accounting Emphasis
Business Analytics Emphasis
Individualized Emphasis
Leadership & Human Capital Emphasis
Public & Nonprofit Management Emphasis

View the full catalog of courses here.

Networking Opportunities

You’ll connect with classmates from across the country, bringing a range of professional backgrounds and perspectives. These connections can expand your network, spark new ideas, and support you during your program and beyond.

Dedicated Enrollment Specialists

An Enrollment Management Specialist will be assigned to help you throughout your journey with Drake. They will assist you with advising, registration, and any other questions you have.

Immediate Career Skills

Courses are designed with real-world application in mind. You’ll gain skills you can use right away, helping you grow in your role and take the next step in your career.

Brad Meyer, PhD

Professor, Management and Business Analytics

Alejandro Hernandez

Associate Professor of Practice, Management and Organizational Leadership

Heidi Mannetter, MBA, PMP

Associate Professor of Practice, Marketing

Ina K. Purvanova, PhD

Professor, Management and Organizational Leadership

Thomas Root

Co-Academic Director

Sean Severe, PhD

Professor, Economics; Department Chair, Accounting, Economics, Finance, and Business Law

Lori Solsma, PhD

Associate Professor, Accounting

Careers & Skills

Drake’s online Master of Business Administration degree will help you move ahead in your career path, whether you’re interested in human resources, marketing, finance, and more.

Careers

Marketing Manager
Human Resources Manager
Finance Manager
Sales Manager

Skills You'll Learn

Management
Communication
Leadership
Data Analysis
Finance

Average National MBA Graduate Salary according to GMAC Corporate Recruiter Survey 2025

You will find the basic steps for applying below. Information for international students and where to send your transcripts can be found in the next drop-down.

Click here to open the graduate application portal.
Create or log in to an existing account.
Fill out the information required on the application. Please be prepared to provide information such as basic personal details, previous institutions attended, and your most current employment.
Submit copies of transcripts from all previously attended colleges or universities. Upon acceptance, applicants that were admitted with unofficial transcripts will need to request official transcripts be sent to Drake University directly from previously attended colleges or universities. Official electronic transcripts may be sent to drakeonline@drake.edu. Official paper transcripts may be sent to the following:
Drake University
Attn: Office of Admissions
2507 University Ave.
Des Moines, IA 50311
Submit an electronic copy of your résumé or curriculum vitae.
Submit a professionally formatted, one-page personal essay explaining in your own words how a graduate education from Drake University will help you reach your academic and professional goals.
Submit contact information for two professional recommendations. These individuals will receive emails from Drake Online to provide a letter of recommendation.

Transcript Information

Please note: Official transcripts must come directly from the institution in question. Transcripts received from the student applying are not official.

Mail transcripts to:

Drake University
Attn: Drake Online & Continuing Education
2507 University Ave.
Des Moines, IA 50311

Or email:

drakeonline@drake.edu

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.

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. Duolingo test also accepted (minimum score of 110).

International applicants will have an application fee of $100.

Some countries are ineligible for online education. Please reference our Sanctioned Countries page for more information.

Our program has 6 intakes per year, making it easy to start as soon as you're ready. See our upcoming dates below so you can plan accordingly.

**MBA Admission Dates**
Semester	Start Date	Application Deadline	Registration Deadline
Summer Term 2	07/06/2026	06/29/2026	07/02/2026
Fall Term 1	08/24/2026	08/17/2026	08/20/2026
Fall Term 2	10/19/2026	10/12/2026	10/15/2026
Spring Term 1	01/25/2027	01/18/2027	01/21/2027
Spring Term 2	03/22/2027	03/15/2027	03/18/2027

Amy pursued her online MBA to communicate better with upper management. “It [the MBA program] was super applicable to my job, and the six-week courses kept me interested.” The coursework exposed her to applicable software and skills. “Drake gave me the background needed to clearly communicate information.” Additionally, her decision to earn her MBA propelled her to a new career path. “The classes I liked the least as an undergraduate were business analytics. But in graduate school, I found them to be super interesting. Now I’m actually in a business analyst role.”

Amy Staebler, MBA

Take the Next Step.

Move forward with a graduate degree that builds practical skills you can use right away. Apply today or connect with our team to get started.

Contact

Drake Online & Continuing Education
drakeonline@drake.edu

Apply Now Contact Us

Master of Business Administration