The Iowa
State University College of Engineering and the College of Business
offer an integrated, concurrent program leading to a Bachelor of Science
degree and Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree. The
Engineering/MBA program is available to undergraduate students majoring
in civil, computer, electrical, industrial, or mechanical engineering.
The Engineering/MBA concurrent degree program reduces by one year the
normal time period for completing both degrees separately.
Rationale Today’s successful engineers often need strong business management
skills to complement their degree in engineering. These skills are
especially important for engineers who are interested in working for
technology companies, launching their own business ventures, or pursuing
non-traditional jobs such as consulting. Generally, engineers will need
highly developed technical and advanced business skills as their careers
progress. The MBA may give engineers a competitive advantage for
advancement or lead to accelerated opportunities for growth into
management positions. Enhanced business skills may open a more diverse
offering of career choices.
Overview The Engineering/MBA concurrent degree program offers students the
opportunity to integrate study in engineering and business management.
Both the Bachelor of Science and the MBA are awarded to successful
candidates of the concurrent degree program.
The Engineering/MBA program is designed to be completed in a minimum of
five academic years or ten semesters. While the program can be finished
in five years (ten semesters), the actual time for completion may be
longer depending upon semester course loads, internships, and course
sequencing. Careful planning between the engineering student and the
academic advisor is essential throughout the program.
The program requires engineering students to take a slightly accelerated
program through the first six semesters in order to complete the general
education requirements. The remaining four semesters integrate the
engineering major requirements and the MBA courses. Twelve credits will
be shared in common and will fulfill the degree requirements for both
the engineering bachelor’s and the MBA degrees.
Summer study is possible, although students are strongly encouraged to
complete at least two internships or co-ops in engineering and business
for practical experience.
Preparing for the Engineering/MBA Engineering students interested in pursuing the MBA need to
demonstrate exemplary academic performance throughout their
undergraduate program. Mastery of the knowledge and skills in
coursework taken in communications, economic theory, global and
diversity perspectives, statistical data analysis, and the core
professional curriculum is of particular importance. Engineering
students are not required to have additional coursework in business in
preparing for the MBA.
Student Selection The Engineering/MBA concurrent degree program is open to only those
currently enrolled Iowa State University students who have completed
three years of their engineering degree program majoring in civil, computer,
electrical, industrial, or mechanical engineering.
The program is demanding and admission is very selective. Students are
expected to exhibit superior intellectual ability, strong leadership
attributes, and must be highly motivated and career-focused. Although
not absolute minimums, admitted students will typically have earned a
cumulative GPA of 3.50 or above and have scored 650 or higher on the
Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT). All application materials,
however, are taken into account collectively in the applicant review and
student selection process.
Advisors for the Engineering/MBA concurrent degree are available for
consultation about the advisability of applying to the program. Students
must have completed a stipulated number of engineering credits from Iowa
State to be eligible for the program.
Sample Study Plans
Applying to the Engineering/MBA Engineering students interested in the Engineering/MBA concurrent
degree program must apply to the MBA by January 15 of their
junior year. The following application materials are required:
Graduate College Application
Official transcripts
Graduate Management Test (GMAT) scores
Three letters of recommendation
Essay responses
Resume
Admission into the
Engineering/MBA concurrent degree will only be considered for the fall
semester of the student’s senior year. If admitted to the MBA program,
students then complete a concurrent enrollment request form.
Admitted students are classified as graduate students when concurrent
enrollment begins and are subsequently assessed graduate tuition and
fees.
