Earn Your MBA at Iowa's Only AASCB-Accredited Private University
Online Master of Business Administration
Next Application Deadline: May 12, 2025
2 Years to Complete // $718/Credit // 36 Credit Hours // 5 Areas of Concentration
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.
With no GRE or GMAT requirements, and no application fee, we invite you to get started on your application today!
Have a specific question? Email us at drakeonline@drake.edu.
100% Online
6 Start Dates a Year
No Application Fee
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.
Drake’s online Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree will help you move ahead in your career path, whether you’re interested in healthcare, human resources, marketing, finance, and more.
Careers & Salary Potential for the MBA Graduate
Median annual salaries in for jobs requiring an MBA in the Greater Des Moines Metro (US Bureau of Labor and Statistics):
- Marketing Manager: $157,620
- Human Resources Manager: $144,200
- Finance Manager: $153,140
- Medical & Health Service Manager: $116,790
- Sales Manager $147,910
Customize Your Drake Experience
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. See below for these emphasis options, as well as the courses included.
MBA Core Curriculum
MBA Foundations of Decision Making - 6 Hours
| Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| MBA 240: Corporate Governance and Ethics | 3 |
| MBA 245: Leading with Data | 3 |
MBA Core Curriculum - 27 Hours
| Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| 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: Business, Government, and the Global Economy | 3 |
| MBA 260: Strategic Business Practices | 3 |
Accounting Emphasis
Accounting Electives - 9 Hours
Choose 3 of the following 5 courses.
| Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| ACCT 276: IT Auditing | 3 |
| ACCT 277: Fraud Examination | 3 |
| ACCT 278: Internal Auditing | 3 |
| ACCT 280: Financial Statement Analysis | 3 |
| BLAW 250: The Law of Business Organizations | 3 |
Business Analytics Emphasis
Business Analytics Electives - 9 Hours
Choose 3 of the following 6 courses.
| Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| IS 210: Business Analytics, Teams, and Projects | 3 |
| IS 220: Information Technology Legal and Ethical Issues | 3 |
| IS 231: Data Management and Visual Analytics | 3 |
| IS 282: Python Programming for Data Analytics | 3 |
| STAT 240: Statistical Modeling | 3 |
| QUAN 270: Quantitative Analytical Methods | 3 |
Cybersecurity Emphasis
Cybersecurity Electives - 9 Hours
Choose 3 of the following 7 courses.
| Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| ACCT 276: IT Auditing | 3 |
| ACCT 277: Fraud Examination | 3 |
| ACCT 278: Internal Auditing | 3 |
| BLAW 225: Practical Contract Interpreting | 3 |
| INS 280: Operational Risk Management | 3 |
| IS 280: Cybersecurity Management | 3 |
| IS 281: Cyber Attack Prevention & Mitigation | 3 |
Health Care Management Emphasis
Health Care Management Electives - 9 Hours
| Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| HLTH 261: Health Care Policy | 3 |
| HLTH 263: Health Care Administration | 3 |
| HLTH 266: Health Care Regulation, Law, and Policy | 3 |
Individualized Emphasis
Individualized Electives - 9 Hours
You will work with your advisor to choose 9 credit hours tailored to your unique interests from all specialized courses offered.
Leadership & Human Capital Development Emphasis
Leadership & Human Capital Development Electives - 9 Hours
Choose 3 of the following 5 courses.
| Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| BUS 212: Seminar in Executive Leadership | 3 |
| BUS 283: Negotiation and Conflict Resolution | 3 |
| INS 280: Operational Risk Management | 3 |
| MPA 216: Human Resource Development | 3 |
| MPA 221: Public Organizations and Leadership | 3 |
Public & Nonprofit Management Emphasis
Public & Nonprofit Management Electives - 9 Hours
Choose 3 of the following 5 courses.
| Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| MPA 221: Public Organizations and Leadership | 3 |
| MPA 228: Resource Development and Program Performance | 3 |
| PADM 245: Public Policy | 3 |
| PADM 273: Non-profit Management | 3 |
| PADM 287: Public Management | 3 |
Alumni Testimonial
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
Admission to the MBA
To be eligible to enroll for the MBA, applicants must have earned a bachelor’s degree from an institution accredited by the Higher Learning Commission or comparable association. No GRE or GMAT is required for admission.
Application Steps
You will find the basic steps for applying below. In depth details, such as information for international students and where to send your transcripts, can be found at the bottom of this section under the dropdown titled “Application Step Details”.
- 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.
Unofficial transcripts may be used for admittance. Upon acceptance, applicants will need to supply official transcripts into the application portal within 30 days after the start of the first course. - 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.
Application Step Details
Transcript Information
Mail transcripts to:
Drake University
Attn: Drake Online & Continuing Education
2507 University Ave.
Des Moines, IA 50311
Or email:
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).
Tuition Details
Drake University takes pride in delivering the best value education possible to our students. With our online MBA, which costs $718 per credit hour, you’ll be prepared to pursue your career goals with skill, knowledge, and confidence.
The Judith A. Lindquist Scholarships for Graduate Studies is available to all newly-admitted graduate-level business students in the Zimpleman College of Business. Learn more by clicking here.
Begin Your Path to Career Growth Today
Launch your MBA on your terms with our flexible, fully online program! With courses starting six times a year, you never have to pause your goals. Our 100% asynchronous format means no mandatory live sessions—giving you the freedom to balance work, school, and life without career interruptions. Check the calendar below to find the upcoming application deadlines and start dates.
| Semester | Start Date | Application Deadline | Registration Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer Term 1 | 05/19/25 | 5/12/25 | 5/15/25 |
| Summer Term 2 | 07/07/25 | 6/30/25 | 07/03/25 |
| Fall Term 1 | 08/25/25 | 8/18/25 | 08/21/25 |
| Fall Term 2 | 10/20/25 | 10/13/25 | 10/16/25 |
About the Zimpleman College of Business - Do well by doing good.
Drake University is the #1 Private School in Iowa, and has been recognized by the WSJ and US News and World Report for delivering outstanding student ROI.
The Zimpleman College of Business is among the 5% of business programs accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
Drake’s Zimpleman College of Business positions you for a lifetime of career advancement by providing you to do work that aligns with your values and generates economic opportunity and income for yourself and others.
If you're now prepared to advance in your career, we're waiting at the ready to review your application. Apply today with no application fee!
