Augustana MBA FAQs

If you have questions about the new Augustana MBA program, please see the Q&A sections, below.

Questions

Answers

What do I need to submit as part of my application?

Applications (4 +1 application; two-year application) will include the completed online form, an official transcript, two recommendation letters and a typed essay sharing your academic interest, educational goals and plans for graduate study. You can find more information on the Graduate Education page.

How quickly will I hear about my application?

All admissions decisions will be made within 30 days of application submission.

Is there an application fee?

Yes, the fee is $60, however this fee is waived for students applying for the 4+1 program.

What if I didn't major in business or accounting?

The intent of the MBA is to embrace and enhance through the intentional design and delivery of both courses and experiences within the liberal arts education that are so central to Augustana’s mission. Students majoring in any subject area are welcome to take three pre-requisite classes on campus prior to applying for admission. 2-year students are also welcome to take pre-requisite classes on campus or transfer in equivalent courses. 

What are the pre-requisites for the MBA program?

Accounting, economics and management information systems courses are required. ECON 121, ACCT 207 or 210 and COSC/BSAD 205. Learn more about the curriculum.

Is a GMAT or GRE required?

If you earned a 3.0 or higher GPA as an undergraduate, the GMAT/GRE requirement will be waived. We understand that the pandemic has created challenges in taking entrance exams and for the foreseeable future, we want to be flexible for our MBA candidates.  

How long will it take me to complete the MBA degree program?

The program takes approximately 2 years.

Why should I enroll in Augustana's MBA rather than another university?

Augustana’s MBA coursework reflects the rigor and relevance expected of a regionally respected university. This program is distinctive in that students are introduced to members of the Sioux Falls business community early in the program. Student Fellows will work with their business Mentors to tackle real business problems in a consulting capacity. This experience, tied with course theory, will promote students’ career ambitions while also preparing more business leaders for Sioux Falls.

What is the leadership academy?

The Leadership Academy’s mission is to foster reciprocal and sustainable relationships among corporate leaders, professors, alumni and current students. The intent is to provide an invaluable link between academic theories and on-the-job realities. The Leadership Academy is dedicated to curricular and experiential alignment, matching Student Fellows with Community mentors.

Why is an MBA with a leadership focus important?

We asked hundreds of undergraduates, AU alumni, organizational leaders and young business professionals about their career goals. We inquired about motivations in earning an MBA degree. Most reported they were motivated by the desire to gain the skills needed for leadership positions both in for-profit and non-profit organizations. Some want to lead their own businesses.

When will classes be scheduled?

Class scheduling is different for 4+1 students than for 2-year students. The senior year will include three courses taught in a traditional classroom format. The second year will include block scheduling (7 weeks per block) and hybrid delivery (a combination of face-to-face and an online learning management tool). For 2-year students, MBA classes will meet the needs, experiences and schedules of working adults. Classes will be held off campus, likely at a downtown location or other location that is convenient for student cohorts. These classes, too, will be hybrid and, according to our market research and other input, primarily scheduled over the noon hour (11-1 or thereabouts) with a potential second option in the evening.

Are there any information events I can attend?

Yes, there will be one on Wednesday, October 21st at 12pm to be held virtually. Please register here. 

How will financial aid work for me?

Students will be full-time, so their current financial aid packages will continue. For 4+1 students, they will pay undergraduate tuition rates until they reach 124 credits. They will then pay the graduate tuition rate for the 30 additional MBA credits. For 2-year students, options include applying employer-paid tuition benefits, financial aid or private pay. Contact the Office of Financial Aid with any questions.

Can I transfer my credits?

A maximum of nine semester hours of graduate credit earned at other accredited institutions may be transferred to Augustana and applied to a student's graduate program. Please contact the MBA Program Director for more information.

Why is an MBA a good career move for me?

According to Graduate Management Admission Council’s hiring trends report for 2018, employer demand for MBAs will increase in the coming year. Recruiters say the need for MBA-prepared personnel will increase by 7 percent. Nearly 80% of grads themselves rate of the value of their graduate management education as outstanding or excellent. MBA alumni who attended school full-time express the most agreement that their education increased their earnings power. (The median base salary among alumni is $115,000, with variation by job level and location.) The majority of business school alumni feel their graduate management education advanced their careers at a faster rate compared with peers who do not have a graduate management education.

Is the MBA program at Augustana University accredited?

All programs offered by Augustana University are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. 

Is AU's MBA program accredited by the Accreditation Council of Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)?

Not currently as new programs cannot seek accreditation until two years after the first cohort graduates.

Find out more information about Graduate Education at Augustana University.