CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – Following unanimous approval by the Iowa Board of Regents, working professionals will now be able to earn their Masters of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the University of Northern Iowa fully online. The move comes with a revamped curriculum to meet the demands of modern business professionals. The top-ranked MBA program offered by the Wilson College of Business highlights the university’s dedication to academic excellence and meeting student needs, making it easier and more flexible for professionals to advance their careers.

“I am thrilled about the opportunity to extend our top-tier education to a broader audience through our new online offering," said Leslie Wilson, dean of the Wilson College of Business. The program will begin offering courses online starting in the summer of 2024, with the entire course lineup available by the fall of 2025. "UNI has consistently been ranked as a 'Best Business School' by The Princeton Review for over a decade reflecting our commitment to academic excellence, personal development, and career advancement within the Wilson MBA program.”  

The MBA program features a redesigned curriculum that includes three stackable graduate certificates tailored to the needs of today's business professionals: Business Fundamentals, Managerial Analytics, and Strategic Leadership and Innovation. Each certificate requires the completion of four courses.

"UNI alumni want to earn a Wilson MBA. They value the coursework, experiences and relationships they have developed during their undergraduate program,” said Mary Connerley, associate dean of the Wilson College of Business. “I'm excited to deliver the same level of excellence and support to all professionals across Iowa and beyond. Our focus is on meeting the needs of employers who are looking for professionals with strong written and oral communication skills and critical thinking abilities."

Participants in the program with a desire to earn their MBA have the option of a flexible pathway to achieving their goal by completing all three certificate programs. The program aims to enhance the skills of degree holders, responding to employers' growing demand for professionals with strong communication and critical thinking skills.

“These new stackable certificates, along with the online MBA program, are designed to offer unparalleled convenience,” said Stephanie Huffman, dean of the College of Graduate, Research and Online Education. “This allows students to tailor their education to their career goals while studying from anywhere.” 

The Wilson MBA program is comprised of 10 courses, totaling 30 credits. Those in the program can attend these courses online from any location. 

"Our decision to add an online MBA program is a direct response to the evolving needs of today's business professionals," said Alicia Rosburg, MBA program coordinator. "By adding an online format, we prioritize convenience and flexibility, reflecting our dedication to student success. This approach guarantees that all students can access our top-tier education from anywhere, creating opportunities to advance their education, especially for those living outside of the Cedar Valley or those balancing work and family commitments."

Prospective students interested in earning their MBA through the Wilson College of Business can find more information about the program and admissions process at business.uni.edu/mba.