PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree program uses an integrative approach that emphasizes real-world application of knowledge and problem-solving strategies and techniques. Technology and management are incorporated into and across courses.

The MBA program is flexible and is tailored to suit your goals. It lets you learn from experienced faculty and successful business leaders. The MBA is backed by Drake University's full resources and reputation and is fully accredited by the AACSB -- the international association for management education.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

• Affordable degree program earned in as little as two years in a part-time evening format
• Emphasis Areas in:
  • Accounting
  • Entrepreneurial Studies
  • Executive Development
  • Financial Resources
  • Health Care Management
  • Human Resources
  • Marketing
  • Nonprofit Management
  • Operations Management
• 39 credit hour program
• Any undergraduate major accepted from accredited institution
• Full library research database available with off-campus access

Faculty
Academic Preparation
Learning Outcomes
Graduate Program of Study
     Foundations of Decision Making
     Core Courses
     Areas of Specialization
     Professional Development Seminars
Admission Requirements
Career Options


FACULTY
The MBA faculty are recognized scholars who also have extensive experience as practitioners and consultants. They blend this first-hand knowledge of best practices into their teaching. All faculty hold the highest degrees in their field.

ACADEMIC PREPARATION
The MBA program encourages students from all academic backgrounds to apply.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

• Communications - Each student can demonstrate the ability to prepare and deliver professional oral presentations and to research and write concise and documented business memoranda and reports.
• Leadership and Governance - Each student can identify and understand the characteristics, role and implications of effective leadership and corporate governance.
• Global - Each student can identify the implications, risks and opportunities of global markets.
• Diversity - Each student can understand the implications for business in a pluralistic and diverse society and the accepted approaches for operating successfully in this environment.
• Ethics - Each student can recognize ethical issues in organizations and apply a framework for addressing them.
• Strategic Perspective - Each student can use a strategic perspective for business decision making.
• Analysis and Problem Solving - Each student can identify organizational opportunities and problems and analyze them by developing and using quantitative information and applying appropriate theory and techniques.
• Information Technology - Each student can demonstrate the ability to apply information technology where appropriate and can recognize opportunities created by information technology and incorporate them into strategic decision making.
  

GRADUATE PROGRAM OF STUDY
The Drake MBA course of study comprises four components:

• Foundations of Decision Making
• Core Courses
• Areas of Specialization
• Professional Development Seminars

 FOUNDATIONS OF DECISION MAKING - 6hrs.
All students are required to take these two classes first, to provide a framework for decision making designed to increase value through increasing the long-run sustainability of the organization.

MBA 240 -- Values and Ethics in Decision Making -- 3 hrs.
MBA 242 -- Evaluating Organizational Performance -- 3 hrs.

CORE COURSES - 21 hrs.
Required courses that provide students with knowledge that every manager needs to effectively lead an organization. Each class emphasizes ethical questions that arise in the area and their impact on the decision making process and long-run sustainability.  (Once MBA 240 and MBA 242 are completed, the 250-level courses can be taken in any order.)

MBA 250 -- Corporate Governance -- 3 hrs.
MBA 251 -- Creating Customer Value -- 3 hrs.
MBA 252 -- Information Technology and Electronic Commerce Strategy -- 3 hrs.
MBA 253 -- Enhancing Firm Value -- 3 hrs.
MBA 254 -- Leadership and Human Capital Development -- 3 hrs.
MBA 255 -- Improving Operations through Data Analysis -- 3 hrs.
MBA 260 -- Strategic Business Policy (Capstone Course) -- 3 hrs.

AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION - 9 hrs.
Each student can extend their core knowledge into an area of specialization by choosing three courses from a group of electives designed to focus on one of the following areas of specialization.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SEMINARS - 3 hrs.
Each student takes three 1-credit hour seminars for professional development taught during three-week sessions prior to or following the fall and spring semesters. The seminars are designed to provide students with increased exposure to current issues that are impacting their workplace. Topics include: 

- Managing Turnarounds
- International Human Resource Management
- How to Connect with Your Customers
- Country Risk Analysis
- Leadership Roundtable
- Website Programming using HTML
- Entrepreneurship
- Working With the News Media
- Performance Management
- Tax and Business Strategy
- Behavioral Finance

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
To be considered for admission to the Drake University MBA program, students must hold a bachelor's degree (in any major) from an accredited college or university. In making an admission decision, Drake reviews each student's college transcripts for academic progress and undergraduate GPA. Successful candidates generally have a 3.0 or higher undergraduate GPA. We also take into consideration any graduate course work, professional experience and GMAT results.

To apply for admission to the Master of Business Administration, you must provide the following materials: 

* Official transcripts from coursework completed in all colleges, universities or technical institutes you attended should be sent from each institution to the CBPA Graduate Programs office at Drake University.  Unofficial transcripts or transcripts marked “issued to student” will not be accepted.  Drake transcripts are not required.

* Completed and signed Drake University Application for Graduate Admission.

* $25 application fee (fee waived for current Drake students and alumni of Drake University).

* Two letters of recommendation from individuals such as professors and employers who can attest to your potential for success in a graduate program of study.  Letters of recommendation should specifically address your potential for a successful career and your motivation for graduate study.  The letters of recommendation should be signed, on organization letterhead, and include contact information for the person submitting them on behalf of the applicant.

* A personal essay written by you describing your career and academic goals.  The essay should provide details about how a graduate education from Drake University will help you reach these goals.  The essay should also describe what unique skills and perspectives you would bring to the program.  The essay could also include any other information you believe important in assessment of your candidacy for admission to the program.  The essay should be typed and limited to no more than ONE page in length.

* A current copy of your résumé.

Students must also take the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), administered year-round at testing centers throughout the United States. Students should plan to take the GMAT at least six weeks before they want to begin taking classes, to allow time for score processing and an admissions decision. Students who received an acceptable GMAT score within the past five years need not re-take it, unless they wish to work for an improved score.

Click here to look at a GMAT general information sheet.

International students, or students whose native language is not English, must also take the Test of English as a Foreign Language. Scores dated within the last two years are acceptable and must be reported directly from the testing agency. A TOEFL score of 550 on the paper-based exam, 213 on the computer-based exam or 79-80 on the Internet-based exam is required for consideration of international student seeking admission into the program. All international students must satisfy Drake University's specific requirements as outlined in the Application for Graduate Admission.

Drake University's College of Business and Public Administration Graduate Programs office must receive all necessary application information and supporting materials before an admission decision will be made. The admission decision is based upon each student's individual credentials. Undergraduate GPA, academic performance on any prior graduate work, and your score on the GMAT are used in the evaluation process.

Application Deadlines:
   December 1 for classes starting in spring (January)
   April 15 for classes starting in summer (May/July)
   July 15 for classes starting in fall (August)

Following admission to the program, students will receive the Graduate Programs Student Handbook, which further details the grade point and academic performance requirements for all MBA students. The student also will have an academic advisor to assist with course scheduling.

For further information on the application process and our admission requirements, please review our compiled lists of FAQs based on the following subject areas:
     Application and Admission
     GMAT Exam
     Financial Aid
    
CAREER OPTIONS
Although most MBA students enter and exit the program as full-time employed professionals, students who wish for assistance in career planning may utilize the full resources of the Professional and Career Development Services.