Master of Business Administration

Our Master of Business Administration program was launched in 1977, and it was the first College of Business graduate program offered at St. Ambrose University.

In 1984, the program was officially named the H.L. McLaughlin MBA program after a prominent area businessman. Many business and management practices have changed in the past 40 years, and our program continues to evolve to meet the needs of business professionals.

Do we provide a relevant education? We surveyed our MBA graduates in 2015 and:

• 100% reported the MBA program met or exceeded their expectations.
• 9 out of 10 ranked leadership skill development among the program's greatest strengths.
• 94% would choose the SAU MBA again.
• 9 out of 10 graduates said classwork was relevant and applicable to their job and career.

We are proud to offer an MBA program taught by PhDs with deep experience in their specialty. They are academics and business professionals.

The St. Ambrose University MBA program requires students to choose a concentration area, which helps you become an expert in your current or future career field. You can choose from Leadership, Human Resource Management, Marketing Management, and General Business.

Our MBA professors teach from their decades of experience in the working world and pass their knowledge on to you. Faculty are experts from all sectors of business and management ranging from international and communication to workforce and organizational behavior.

As a university grounded in the liberal arts, discovery and new ways of thinking are encouraged which will help transform you into a capable and competent manager. You'll not only be able to solve current problems but also think nimbly as new problems arise.

Browse the MBA course listing and descriptions

Amber Brackey '17 MBA, '18 MOL, earned two graduate degrees from the St. Ambrose University College of Business and gained a deeper level of professional knowledge that is recognized and appreciated. Read her story.

• Gayle Roberts '91 MBA is President of Stanley Consultants, a Muscatine, Iowa-based firm that provides engineering services across the globe.
• Joe Bailey '12, '14 MBA, is the Senior Learning Consultant for Cerner Corporation in Kansas City, Mo.
• Eva Dondanville '11 MBA, is a Realtor with Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors in Dubuque, Iowa.     
• Joe Conklin '12 MBA is the Athletic Director for Alleman High School, Davenport.
• Collin Grady '16 MBA is a Field Supervisor for Northwest Mechanical, Davenport.

Your master's degree is an investment in you, your career, and your future.

Tuition for the 2022-23 academic year is $733/credit hour for seated and online classes. There are some fees, too (see below).

While the cost can seem daunting, the MBA program offers research assistantships that can defray some of the expense. Many employers offer tuition reimbursement, and if so, you may qualify for deferred payment.

MBA students may be eligible for federal and state student aid, or low-interest federal loans. Our Financial Aid office can provide more information.

And if you are a veteran, contact Natalie Woodhurst. She is an expert in military benefits, and her job is to make sure veterans get the benefits for which they are eligible.

Dan Ebener, DBA, Professor
Monica Forret, PhD, Professor
Jessica Greenwald, PhD, Assoc. Professor
David O'Connell, DBA, Professor
Jie Peng, PhD, Assoc. Professor
Arun Pillutla, PhD, Professor

The basic 36-credit MBA program is comprised of 12 courses. All courses are three credit hours.

Additionally, students earn one of five specialized MBA concentrations (see below) that complement the foundation. Each concentration requires four elective courses.

Program options include a part-time or 14-15 month schedule.

Required:
MBA 600 Data Analysis for Decision Making
MBA 606 Accounting for Managers
MBA 615 Ethical and Social Responsibility of Business
MBA 621 Human Behavior in Organizations
MBA 626 Managerial Economics
MBA 675 Financial Management
MBA 680 Marketing Management
MBA 800 Strategic Management

Click here to read course descriptions in the online course catalog

We are the only university in Iowa offering a three-year Master of Social Work-Master of Business Administration program (both programs are accredited). It pairs management together with empowerment so that you are uniquely poised to explore and tackle social issues using ethical business sense.

It's a great degree for students who want to be leaders in the field of social work and non-profits. Graduates are able to move agencies and corporations forward in an ever-changing market.

Click here for MSW-MBA degree requirements

Here is what our first MSW-MBA graduate says about the benefits of her dual degree.

If you apply at the beginning of a Spring or Fall term, you can complete the degree in as few as 14 months by taking two courses per 8-week session.

Then, take the next step toward earning your master's degree and apply to the Master of Business Administration program.