Business and Management

Interdepartmental Program
No
Being a successful entrepreneur takes more than initiative, determination, and a good idea. It takes know-how. Designed for adventurous go-getters who are ready to launch a new venture, this graduate certificate program will give you the tools and strategies you need to get your idea off the ground.
Entrepreneurship hero image

Our graduate certificate in entrepreneurship and innovation provides the foundation to launch successful startups. The certificate includes two online core courses and two specialized track courses, which may be in-person or online.


Degrees Offered:

  • Certificate

 

Program Degrees Offered
515 294-8118

Kim Putz

kputz@iastate.edu
Program Homepage

Application Requirements

Application Deadlines:

Fall term - June 15, Spring term - Nov 15, Summer term - March 15.

International students should apply at least three months before the start of term they are applying.

Application Details:

This program is open to domestic and international students.

Application Instructions

Admission Requirements

Graduate College Requirements:

  • 4 year Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent)
  • Academic Records/Transcripts
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA (Program may alter requirement.)
  • Proof of English Proficiency.

Program Specific Requirements:

International Requirements:

  • Financial Statement:  Application
  • English Proficiency Minimum:
    TOEFL Paper (PBT) 600
    TOEFL Internet (iBT) 100
    IELTS 7.5
    PTE 68
    Duolingo (approved through spring 2026) 120
Program Interest Area
Program Department
Does this Program Offer a Distance Option?
Yes
Program offers a Coursework Only?
Yes
Certificate Director
muellerb@iastate.edu
Program Staff
slwilson@iastate.edu
lacyg@iastate.edu
Interdepartmental Program
No
The objective of this Seed Business Management Graduate Certificate is to provide students with core graduate level management and leadership skills that will enable them to better serve seed and agricultural biotechnology businesses and regulatory agencies, their customers and their stakeholders, in an increasingly complex environment.
Male hands touching soil on the field.

The Seed Business Management Certificate requires 16 credits to complete. The certificate may be either the final objective of the student or an intermediate stop on his/her way to a master’s degree. The content of the course on Seed Trade, Policies, and Regulation will be unique to this program. This material will provide the basis for strategic thought about the seed industry from either the viewpoint of a participant or a regulator.


Degrees Offered:

  • Certificate

 

Program Degrees Offered
515-294-9137

Lori Youngberg

seedgrad@iastate.edu
Program Homepage

Application Requirements

Application Deadlines:

Fall term - June 15, Spring term - Nov 15, Summer term - March 15.

International students should apply at least three months before the start of term they are applying.

Application Details:

This program is open to domestic and international students.

Application Instructions

 

Admission Requirements

Graduate College Requirements:

  • 4 year Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent)
  • Academic Records/Transcripts
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA (Program may alter requirement.)
  • Proof of English Proficiency.

Program Specific Requirements:

International Requirements:

  • Financial Statement:  Application
  • English Proficiency Minimum:
    TOEFL Paper (PBT) 550
    TOEFL Internet (iBT) 79
    IELTS 6.5
    PTE 53
    Duolingo (approved through spring 2026) 115
Does this Program Offer a Distance Option?
Yes
Program offers a Coursework Only?
Yes
Certificate Director
munkvold@iastate.edu
Program Staff
lyoung@iastate.edu
Interdepartmental Program
No
Prepare to lead in public service and policy with Iowa State University's Public Management and Policy graduate certificate program. Rooted in a commitment to civic engagement and social responsibility, our program offers a rigorous curriculum that blends theory with practical application.
Gabrielle Myers

Collaborate with experienced faculty and industry professionals on pressing issues in governance, public finance, policy analysis, and nonprofit management. Whether your career goals involve government leadership, nonprofit management, or advocacy work, Iowa State equips you with the skills and expertise to drive positive change in your community and beyond.


Degrees Offered:

  • Certificate

 

Program Degrees Offered
515-294-1075

Mack Shelley

mshelley@iastate.edu
Program Homepage

Application Requirements

Application Deadlines:

May1 (Fall); Oct 1 (Spring); and Mar 1 (Summer)

Application Details:

This program is open to domestic and international students.

Application Instructions

 

Admission Requirements

Graduate College Requirements:

  • 4 year Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent)
  • Academic Records/Transcripts
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA (Program may alter requirement.)
  • Proof of English Proficiency.

Program Specific Requirements:

International Requirements:

  • Financial Statement:  Application
  • English Proficiency Minimum:
    TOEFL Paper (PBT) 563
    TOEFL Internet (iBT) 85
    IELTS 6.5
    PTE 57
    Duolingo (approved through spring 2026) 115
Program Department
Does this Program Offer a Distance Option?
No
Program offers a Coursework Only?
Yes
Certificate Director
mshelley@iastate.edu
Program Staff
erandall@iastate.edu
Interdepartmental Program
No
In an era of global food systems, effective control of foodborne hazards requires advanced education. The Food Safety and Defense online graduate certificate program serves the needs of industry and agencies that must protect the human food supply from accidental or deliberate contamination with pathogenic microbes and/or toxicants.
Food for good immunity

This online certificate allows food industry personnel to pursue more in-depth specialized training in food safety and security that is pertinent to their job while working full-time.


Degrees Offered:

  • Certificate

 

Program Degrees Offered
515-294-6469

Byron Brehm-Stecher

byron@iastate.edu
Program Homepage

Application Requirements

Application Deadlines:

Fall term - June 15, Spring term - Nov 15, Summer term - March 15.

International students should apply at least three months before the start of term they are applying.

Application Details:

This program is open to domestic and international students.

Application Instructions

Admission Requirements

Graduate College Requirements:

  • 4 year Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent)
  • Academic Records/Transcripts
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA (Program may alter requirement.)
  • Proof of English Proficiency.

Program Specific Requirements:

International Requirements:

  • Financial Statement:  Application
  • English Proficiency Minimum:
    TOEFL Paper (PBT) 550
    TOEFL Internet (iBT) 79
    IELTS 6.5
    PTE 53
    Duolingo (approved through spring 2026) 115
Does this Program Offer a Distance Option?
Yes
Program offers a Coursework Only?
Yes
Program Director
byron@iastate.edu
Program Staff
robynath@iastate.edu
Interdepartmental Program
No
The family financial planning online programs prepare you to work in the growing financial planning field. A master’s in family financial planning from Iowa State University allows you to have diverse career specializations in areas like real estate and community education.
businessman putting coin on the piggybank and paper family on table

You will also gain the skills necessary to work in the following environments:

  • Companies such as banks, insurance companies, and brokerage firms
  • Employee benefits and pension departments of all types of corporations
  • Your own personal practice, with your own clientele

Degrees Offered:

  • Certificate

 

Program Degrees Offered
515-294-3916

Iowa State Online

gpideainfo@iastate.edu
Program Homepage

Application Requirements

Application Deadlines:

Fall term - June 15, Spring term - Nov 15, Summer term - March 15.

International students should apply at least three months before the start of term they are applying.

Application Details:

This program is open to domestic and international students.

Application Instructions

Admission Requirements

Graduate College Requirements:

  • 4 year Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent)
  • Academic Records/Transcripts
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA (Program may alter requirement.)
  • Proof of English Proficiency.

Program Specific Requirements:

International Requirements:

  • Financial Statement:  Application
  • English Proficiency Minimum:
    TOEFL Paper (PBT) 600
    TOEFL Internet (iBT) 100
    IELTS 7.5
    PTE 68
    Duolingo (approved through spring 2026) 115
Does this Program Offer a Distance Option?
Yes
Program offers a Coursework Only?
Yes
Certificate Director
jjfox@iastate.edu
Program Staff
sarendt@iastate.edu
rogo@iastate.edu
mdirth@iastate.edu
Interdepartmental Program
No
The Family Well-Being in Diverse Society Graduate Certificate at Iowa State University will provide human and family service, education, and mental health professionals a greater understanding of racial, cultural, gender, education, economic, abilities, sexual variations as they relate to family well-being that occur within diverse societies.
Beautiful couple with little children pose for photo. Preschool kids sit on sofa with Hispanic parents at home smile look at camera.

This graduate certificate will provide human and family service, education, and mental health professionals a greater understanding of racial, cultural, gender, sexual, educational, economic, and ability variations as they relate to family well-being that occur within diverse societies.


Degrees Offered:

  • Certificate 

 

Program Degrees Offered
515 294 8502

Tricia Neppl

hdfs-grad-adm@iastate.edu
Program Homepage Program Handbook

Application Requirements

Application Deadlines:

Fall term - June 15, Spring term - Nov 15, Summer term - March 15.

International students should apply at least three months before the start of term they are applying.

Application Details:

This program is open to domestic and international students.

Application Instructions

Admission Requirements

Graduate College Requirements:

  • 4 year Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent)
  • Academic Records/Transcripts
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA (Program may alter requirement.)
  • Proof of English Proficiency.

Program Specific Requirements:

International Requirements:

  • Financial Statement:  Application
  • English Proficiency Minimum:
    TOEFL Paper (PBT) 550
    TOEFL Internet (iBT) 79
    IELTS 6.5
    PTE 53
    Duolingo (approved through spring 2026) 115
Does this Program Offer a Distance Option?
No
Program offers a Coursework Only?
No
Certificate Director
tneppl@iastate.edu
Interdepartmental Program
Yes
Explore the frontier of renewable energy with Iowa State University's Wind Energy Science, Engineering, and Policy graduate program. Designed for aspiring leaders in sustainable technology and policy, this interdisciplinary program equips students with the expertise to innovate and advance wind energy solutions globally.
Wind energy

This Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship (IGERT) award supports the development of a new multidisciplinary, multi-institutional graduate training program of education and research in Wind Energy Science, Engineering and Policy (WESEP), at Iowa State University, in collaboration with the University of Puerto Rico – Mayagüez. The purpose of this program is to provide doctoral students with multidisciplinary training in the skills required for conducting research at the disciplinary interface between engineering, atmospheric science/meteorology, agriculture/economics, and journalism/communication.


Degrees Offered:

  • Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

 

How long does it take to earn a degree?

  • Median time to earn the doctorate: 5.3 years (Methods)
  • Median time to earn the master’s: No data
Program Degrees Offered
515-294-9162

ECpE Graduate Coordinator

ecpegrad@iastate.edu
Program Homepage

Application Requirements

Application Deadlines:

March 15 for Fall enrollment; October 15 for Spring enrollment

Application Details:

This program is open to domestic and international students.

Application Instructions

 

Admission Requirements

Graduate College Requirements:

  • 4 year Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent)
  • Academic Records/Transcripts
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA (Program may alter requirement.)
  • Proof of English Proficiency.

Program Specific Requirements:

  • GRE is optional
  • Program Requires GMAT: No
  • Program Will Review Without TOEFL or IELTS: Yes

International Requirements:

  • Financial Statement:  Application
  • English Proficiency Minimum:
    TOEFL Paper (PBT) 570
    TOEFL Internet (iBT) 88
    IELTS 6.5
    PTE 59
    Duolingo (approved through spring 2025) 115
Does this Program Offer a Distance Option?
No
Program offers a Coursework Only?
No
Program Director
jkj@iastate.edu
Program Staff
tanolte@iastate.edu
Interdepartmental Program
Yes
If you are a professional working in the seed sector, the Graduate Program in Seed Technology and Business (STB) has been designed specifically with your needs in mind. The STB program offers an interdisciplinary Master of Science degree that provides you with current seed science and technology instruction along with essential courses in business management in a rigorous, integrated curriculum. This is an ONLINE only graduate program.
Aline Sartor Chicowski

If you are a professional working in the seed sector, the Graduate Program in Seed Technology and Business (STB) has been designed specifically with your needs in mind. The STB program offers a completely online, interdisciplinary Master of Science degree that provides you with current seed science and technology instruction along with essential courses in business management in a rigorous, integrated curriculum. The STB program also offers two online Graduate Certificates, one focusing on seed science and technology and the other on seed business management. In addition to the master of science and graduate certificates, the STB program hosts two, week-long short courses that take place at the Seed Science Center on the Iowa State University campus.


Degrees Offered:

  • Master of Science (M.S.)
  • Online Master of Science (M.S.)

This is an ONLINE only graduate program.

Program Degrees Offered

Learning Goals

  • Understand the principles and concepts associated with seed science, seed technology and seed business management as they relate to the global seed industry
  • Understand how research & development and technical processes contribute to business success in the seed industry
  • Critically evaluate data and other technical information in order to diagnose and solve seed technology and business problems
  • Work effectively in diverse teams to apply technical knowledge, ethics, and management skills to develop and implement strategies for business success
  • Clearly and accurately communicate technical and practical information, both orally and in writing, to colleagues and the general public
515-294-9137

Lori Youngberg

seedgrad@iastate.edu
Graduate Program in Seed Technology and Business
195F Seed Science Center
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011-3228

Program Homepage Program Handbook

Application Requirements

Application Deadlines:

Our online program has a rolling admission process and we review applications as they come in for the next available starting term.

Application Details:

This program is open to domestic and international students.

Application Instructions

 

Admission Requirements

Graduate College Requirements:

  • 4 year Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent)
  • Academic Records/Transcripts
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA (Program may alter requirement.)
  • Proof of English Proficiency.

Program Specific Requirements:

  • Submit an essay addressing your career goals and how the program will help you achieve these goals. Specific questions to consider for the essay are available on our admissions website: http://www.seedgrad.iastate.edu/what-required-admission-program
  • 3 letters of recommendation
  • Undergraduate academic transcripts
  • Resume/CV
  • Program Requires GRE: No
  • Program Requires GMAT: No
  • Program Will Review Without TOEFL or IELTS: No

International Requirements:

  • Financial Statement:  Application
  • English Proficiency Minimum:
    TOEFL Paper (PBT) 550
    TOEFL Internet (iBT) 79
    IELTS 6.5
    PTE 53
    Duolingo (approved through spring 2026) 115
Program Department
Does this Program Offer a Distance Option?
Yes
Program offers a Coursework Only?
No
Program Director
munkvold@iastate.edu
Program Staff
lyoung@iastate.edu
Interdepartmental Program
No
Master the art of effective communication in today's dynamic professional landscapes with Iowa State University's Rhetoric and Professional Communication graduate program. Rooted in the traditions of rhetorical theory and practice, our program prepares students to excel as strategic communicators in diverse organizational settings.
Seemi Choudry

The PhD in Rhetoric and Professional Communication focuses on the rhetorical theory, history, pedagogy, and practice of written, oral, visual, and electronic communication (WOVE) in professional communities, such as business, industry, science, and government. The degree prepares graduates for academic positions in rhetoric, in multimodal composition, and in business, professional, and technical communication, as well as for work in the private and public sectors as professional communication specialists, editors, designers, and communications managers. Candidates are required to complete 72 hours of graduate credit including a dissertation and to pass a portfolio assessment, a preliminary examination (consisting of a written comprehensive examination and a special field examination), and an oral defense of the dissertation. The English Department offers a Master of Arts in Rhetoric, Composition, and Professional Communication as well.


Degrees Offered:

  • Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

 

How long does it take to earn a degree?

  • Median time to earn the doctorate: 4.8 years (Methods)
Program Degrees Offered

Learning Goals

  • Demonstrate understanding and application of theories, research methods, and concepts in rhetoric, professional communication, and multimodal composition
  • Use a variety of technologies and media for designing and implementing effective, audience-centered communication
  • Analyze and critique communication in a variety of organizational and public contexts
  • Synthesize multiple historical and contemporary sources within research projects
  • Design and produce scholarship that makes a significant contribution to the field
515-294-2477

Graduate Program Office

englgrad@iastate.edu
English Department
Graduate Program Office
Iowa State University
227 Ross Hall
Ames, IA 50011-1201

Program Homepage Program Handbook

Application Requirements

Application Deadlines:

January 5 (once per year for fall semester entry only). Early application completion is encouraged.

Application Details:

This program is open to domestic and international students.

Application Instructions

 

Admission Requirements

Graduate College Requirements:

  • 4 year Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent)
  • Academic Records/Transcripts
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA (Program may alter requirement.)
  • Proof of English Proficiency.

Program Specific Requirements:

International Requirements:

  • Financial Statement:  Application
  • English Proficiency Minimum:
    TOEFL Paper (PBT) 587
    TOEFL Internet (iBT) 95
    IELTS 7
    PTE 79
    Duolingo (approved through spring 2026) 115
Program Department
Does this Program Offer a Distance Option?
No
Program offers a Coursework Only?
No
Program Director
begray@iastate.edu
Program Staff
tsmiley@iastate.edu
jkilborn@iastate.edu
Interdepartmental Program
No
Collaborate closely with award-winning faculty on innovative projects in multimedia journalism, public relations, advertising, media ethics, and communication technology. Gain practical experience through internships, media partnerships, and cutting-edge facilities. Whether your aspirations involve reporting on global issues, shaping public opinion, or leading communication strategies for organizations, Iowa State provides the expertise and resources to excel in today's rapidly evolving media landscape.
Graduate-Program-Daniela-office

The mission of the Department of Interior Design is to educate students to become successful designers and scholars who enhance human experience and improve built, cultural, and social environments through interior design.

Our programs are ideal for energetic and inquisitive students who want to study within an energetic field that encourages innovation, creativity, collaboration, and experimentation. Through coursework, hands-on projects, and research activities, our students leave Iowa State ready to tackle any challenge that comes their way.


Degrees Offered:

  • Master of Science (M.S.)

Area(s) of Specialization: 

  • Science communication
  • Political communication and social change
  • Multicultural communication
  • Media industries

How long does it take to earn a degree?

  • Median time to earn the master’s: 1.9 years (Methods)
Program Degrees Offered

Learning Goals

  • To develop an understanding of the central issues and current research important to the field of journalism and communication.
  • To be familiar with the breadth and depth of the journalism and communication profession.
  • To be able to communicate acquired knowledge in the field.
  • To be aware of ethical issues that pertain to the field of journalism and communication.
  • To develop the ability to design and present an independent and meaningful research project.
515-294-8344

Michael Dahlstrom

greenlee-masters-program@iastate.edu
Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication Graduate Program
101 Hamilton Hall
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011-1180

Program Homepage Program Handbook

Application Requirements

Application Deadlines:

Rolling examination of applications, but students who wish to be considered for assistantships should submit applications by Feb. 15.

Application Details:

This program is open to domestic and international students.

Application Instructions

Admission Requirements

Graduate College Requirements:

  • 4 year Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent)
  • Academic Records/Transcripts
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA (Program may alter requirement.)
  • Proof of English Proficiency.

Program Specific Requirements:

  • Portfolio (recommended
  • Program Requires GRE: No
  • Program Requires GMAT: No
  • Program Will Review Without TOEFL or IELTS: No

International Requirements:

  • Financial Statement:  Application
  • English Proficiency Minimum:
    TOEFL Paper (PBT) 570
    TOEFL Internet (iBT) 88
    IELTS 6.5
    PTE 59
    Duolingo (approved through spring 2026) 115
Does this Program Offer a Distance Option?
No
Program offers a Coursework Only?
No
Program Director
mfd@iastate.edu
Program Staff
jkilborn@iastate.edu
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