Saint Ambrose University

Accounting

The Master of Accounting (MAcc) is a 30-hour, ACBSP-accredited interdisciplinary program preparing individuals for professional careers and leadership positions, with the flexibility to accommodate students of varying backgrounds in accelerated one-year or part-time two-year formats with day, evening, and online classes.

Accounting

The Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting provides the skills and knowledge necessary for a professional career in public and private accounting as well as the not-for-profit and government accounting arena. Majors complete an experiential learning experience.

Advanced Accounting

The Graduate Certificate in Advanced Accounting is available to any student who meets the admission criteria for the Master of Accounting program and requires taking five of a specified set of graduate accounting courses.

Advanced Accounting

The Undergraduate Certificate in Advanced Accounting is available to any accounting major with a 3.0 GPA and approval from the MAcc Program Director. Requires taking five of a specified set of graduate-level accounting courses.

Art + Design

A studio major in the Art + Design department preparing students for life-long involvement in the arts through the development of artistic and technical skills, aesthetic judgement, and critical thinking. Students choose a concentration in Art Therapy, Graphic Design, Painting, or Print & Book.

Art Education

A studio-based major in the Art + Design department for students expecting to qualify for a license to teach art at the elementary or secondary level (K-12), combining art coursework with the Educator Preparation Program.

Art History

The Art History and Museum Studies program fosters an exploration of art, architecture, material culture, and the museology through the study of primary visual and literary sources, emphasizing historical understanding, critical thinking, and professional development. Majors complete at least 3 credits of internship.

Biochemistry

The Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry combines chemistry and biology coursework, encouraging students to tailor their studies to admission requirements of medical schools and other health professional programs.

Biology (BA)

The Bachelor of Arts in Biology is designed for students who wish to receive strong scientific training and a breadth of Liberal Arts experiences to prepare for careers in health and human services. Students develop critical thinking skills in the natural sciences complemented by focused areas of study.

Biology (BS)

The Bachelor of Science in Biology trains students to use scientific inquiry to understand the living world. The curriculum develops understanding of biological processes at the molecular, cellular, and organismal levels and prepares students for graduate programs and careers including medicine, dentistry, and laboratory research.

Biomedical Laboratory Science

The Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Laboratory Science provides foundational skills in biology and chemistry to be successful in an NAACLS-accredited clinical laboratory practicum, with emphasis on critical thinking and problem solving for performing and interpreting medical tests.

Business Administration

The St. Ambrose H.L. McLaughlin Master of Business Administration (MBA) builds well-rounded business leaders by enhancing managerial skills and professional and disciplinary competency. Requires 36 semester credits including a concentration in Leadership or General Business.

Business Sales

The Bachelor of Business Administration in Business Sales prepares students to enter the business world through understanding of global, organizational, and community markets, knowledge of evidence-based sales practices, communication skills, and ethical integrity in decision making.

Chemistry (BA)

The Chemistry Department educates majors for success in graduate or professional schools in areas such as chemistry, biochemistry, medicine, forensics, or environmental science. The BA in Chemistry provides a foundation with hands-on experience with modern instrumentation.

Chemistry (BS)

The Bachelor of Science in Chemistry provides a rigorous course of study preparing majors for graduate or professional schools and careers in industrial and forensics laboratories or secondary teaching, with extensive laboratory and instrumentation experience.

Computer Network Administration

The Bachelor of Arts in Computer Network Administration combines a computer component and a communication component to prepare students to administer and manage computer networks.

Computer Science

The Bachelor of Science in Computer Science provides a foundation in programming, algorithms, and computing systems. Majors must pass core CIS courses with a C or better and complete a CIS Department Undergraduate Exit Survey.

Criminal Justice

The Criminal Justice program provides a broad-based course of study for employment in criminal justice and related fields, with courses in law enforcement, corrections, criminological theory, juvenile justice, crime prevention, and research methods. The major requires 43 credits.

Cybersecurity

The Bachelor of Arts in Cybersecurity combines computer science coursework with a criminal justice component to prepare students to protect information systems. Majors must pass core CIS courses with a C or better.

Cybersecurity Management

An undergraduate certificate offered through the College of Business Management department in cybersecurity management.

Data Science and Analytics

The Bachelor of Science in Data Science and Analytics is a 45 credit hour program mixing mathematics, statistics, and computer science courses. Through project-based courses, students learn to apply fundamental concepts to convert data into solutions and insight, building strong backgrounds in statistical inference, computer programming, and database management.

Digital Media Production

Offered by the Department of Communication and Digital Media, this major focuses on digital media production, providing hands-on education through campus media outlets. A minimum major GPA of 2.33 is required.

Early Childhood Education

A major in the School of Education preparing candidates to teach children from birth to grade 3, including those with disabilities and developmental delays, in public and private pre-school, kindergarten, and first through third grade, leading to an Iowa early childhood endorsement.

Education

The Bachelor of Education is for individuals who have completed a bachelor's or master's degree and are seeking teacher licensure. Required coursework is identical to that for early childhood, elementary, or secondary licensure, and the degree is exempt from general education requirements.

Elementary Education

A major in the School of Education leading to an Iowa elementary endorsement, preparing candidates to teach at the elementary level through an approved area of concentration and extensive pre-student teaching field experiences.

English

The Bachelor of Arts in English offers concentrations in Literature, Creative Writing, and Secondary English Education. The major develops advanced reading, writing, and analytical skills.

Exercise Physiology

The Master of Science in Exercise Physiology (MSEP) is a 35-credit-hour program enhancing knowledge within exercise science, ideal for students moving on to professional school (DPT, PA, MD), preparing for clinical certifications, or pursuing research, with an option to complete a comprehensive examination or thesis project.

Exercise Science

The Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science provides a broad-based study of scientific principles including biology, chemistry, physics, anatomy, and physiology, with advanced coursework specializing in human movement, exercise physiology, and scientific research.

Finance

The Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance requires a business core plus a financial core and finance electives. Students maintain a portfolio of finance-related work, complete an exit interview, and pass a comprehensive examination or case study.

Forensic Psychology

The Bachelor of Arts in Forensic Psychology examines the relationship between psychology and the criminal justice system, with concentrations in Children Services and Adult Services. It provides an interdisciplinary background for careers in psychology, social work, law enforcement, or criminal justice.

General Business Teaching

The General Business Teaching Major (7-12) prepares students for teacher licensure in business through the College of Business departments, combining a common business core with the Educator Preparation Program and pre-student teaching field experiences.

History

The Bachelor of Arts in History requires 38 semester credits distributed across U.S. and world history, developing skills in research, analysis, and written and oral communication.

Human Performance and Fitness

The Bachelor of Science in Human Performance and Fitness applies research-based knowledge to prepare students for careers helping individuals lead healthy lives through improving athletic performance and physical fitness, with basic scientific knowledge, communication skills, and business acumen.

Human Resource Management

An undergraduate certificate in Human Resource Management requiring HRM 340, 410, 440 and MGMT 210, 320, 332.

Industrial Engineering

The ABET-accredited Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering optimizes complex processes, systems, and organizations by designing and improving integrated systems of people, money, knowledge, information, equipment, energy, and materials, with an emphasis on how humans fit into systems for safe and productive work.

Integrative Studies

The BA in Integrative Studies (BA.IS) offers a flexible, individualized liberal arts degree that combines coursework from two disciplines. It primarily serves nontraditional students and adults with diverse backgrounds who seek to complete a degree by focusing on their individual interests, needs, and goals, and requires a proposed 30 credit hour degree plan.

International Business

The interdisciplinary International Business major provides students with an understanding of and ability to navigate the world of global business, drawing on management, marketing, economics, international studies, and politics to develop a strategic mindset for business.

International Studies

The interdisciplinary International Studies major provides an understanding of the interdependent world, spanning Social Sciences, Humanities, Language, Communication, and Theology. Requires 30 credit hours plus a study abroad requirement, offering pathways to careers in international affairs, diplomacy, and global business.

Justice, Diversity and Gender Studies

Justice, Diversity, and Gender Studies (JDG) is an interdisciplinary program (31 credits) that challenges systems of injustice and celebrates a diversity of perspectives. Students choose a concentration in Diversity and Justice or in Gender, Sex, and Justice.

Management

The Bachelor of Business Administration in Management prepares future professionals for responsible management, providing a foundation in managerial and analytical skills with opportunities for experiential learning such as internships, study abroad, and projects.

Marketing

The Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing prepares students for careers in marketing and marketing-related business areas through coursework, team-based projects, and co-curricular experiences, building marketing experience, analytical skills, and technology competency.

Mathematics

The Bachelor of Science in Mathematics is designed for students entering the job market immediately after graduation as well as those entering graduate programs. A concentration in secondary mathematics education is available for those seeking a teaching endorsement.

Mechanical Engineering

The ABET-accredited Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering focuses on the design, development, manufacture, management, and control of engineering systems, with an emphasis on people and designing to best accommodate humans in the environment.

Multimedia Journalism

Offered by the Department of Communication and Digital Media, this major prepares students for careers in multimedia journalism through hands-on education with SAUtv, KALA radio, and The Buzz student newspaper. A minimum major GPA of 2.33 is required.

Music

The Bachelor of Arts in Music is tailored to students who intend to continue studies in graduate school, pursue a music-related career, or perform professionally, developing performance skills, creativity, and historical and cultural understanding.

Music Education

The Bachelor of Music Education prepares students to teach band, orchestra, chorus, and general music in grades K-12, with General and Vocal (K-12) and Instrumental tracks. Requires acceptance into the Educator Preparation Program.

Nursing

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is earned through multiple pathways and, upon completion, makes the pre-licensure graduate eligible to take the NCLEX-RN. Full and part time options are available, including the Nano Nagle Online School of Nursing Program for current LPN or RN license holders. Accredited by the Iowa Board of Nursing and CCNE.

Occupational Therapy

The entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program, the first accredited entry-level doctoral program in Iowa, uses a hybrid delivery model of online and campus courses with field placements and a doctoral capstone. Graduates are eligible to sit for the national certification exam administered by NBCOT. Accredited by ACOTE.

Organizational Leadership

The Master of Organizational Leadership (MOL) is an interdisciplinary graduate program (30 credit hours) designed to develop skills and build abilities for effective leadership in public and private sectors, culminating in a Leadership Capstone.

Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Clinical Residency

A graduate certificate offered through the College of Health and Human Services in orthopaedic physical therapy clinical residency.

Pastoral Theology

The Master of Pastoral Theology (MPTh) offers professional and personal growth and academic rigor to those who wish to serve in a variety of pastoral responsibilities and ministries within the Church. The 30-credit cohort program is grounded in the Roman Catholic tradition and completable in as few as 2.5 years.

Philosophy

The Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy requires 30 semester credits in philosophy, developing skills in reasoning, ethics, and critical analysis.

Physical Therapy

The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) is a full-time, two-and-a-half-year graduate program based on a 3+2.5 or 4+2.5 academic model that prepares physical therapists to enter the health care environment, organized with progressive complexity to integrate basic, social, and clinical sciences.

Physician Assistant Studies

The Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) is a 29-month program consisting of a 14-month didactic component followed by a 15-month supervised clinical clerkship component, totaling 124 credit hours. Graduates are eligible to seek licensure to practice.

Political Science

The Bachelor of Arts in Political Science requires 36 semester credits and acquaints students with the broad scope of activities involved in public service, community service, and law. The department also oversees a 3+3 pre-law and law degree arrangement with the University of Iowa College of Law.

Psychology

The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology is intended for students interested in the scientific study of behavior, thought processes, and emotions, preparing students for graduate study and careers in health sciences, human services, government, education, and business.

Public Health

The Master of Public Health (MPH) develops public health leaders with a global perspective who promote social justice via experiential opportunities and person-centered education. Offered online as a 43 credit hour program (11 or 18 months full-time, or a 33-month part-time program) and accredited by CEPH.

Public Relations and Strategic Communication

Offered by the Department of Communication and Digital Media, this major prepares students for careers in public relations and strategic communication. A minimum major GPA of 2.33 is required.

Social Work

The Master of Social Work (MSW) prepares competent and ethical social work professionals through full-time, part-time, and advanced standing programs (online and in-person), completing 60 credit hours. Dual MSW/MBA and MSW/MPH degrees are available. Accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

Social Work

The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) is a 32 credit hour curriculum culminating in an internship of 400 hours over the two-semester academic year. It provides professional training for generalist social work practice and is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

Sociology

The Bachelor of Arts in Sociology (31 semester credits) empowers students to develop their sociological imaginations through the study of core sociological concepts and theories, demonstrating respect and empathy across cultures and backgrounds.

Spanish

The Bachelor of Arts in Spanish (non-Education) involves 31 hours of Spanish courses at the 300-level, rigorous interdisciplinary study of literature, film, art, music, and culture, plus a study abroad requirement. A Spanish Secondary Education track is also available.

Spanish for Health and Human Services Professionals

The Certificate in Spanish for Health and Human Services Professionals promotes linguistic proficiency in Spanish and cultural competency related to the U.S. Latinx population, created for nursing, social work, physical and occupational therapy students and other health and human services students.

Speech-Language Pathology

The Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MSLP) is a full-time, two-year graduate program (60 credit hours) that combines academic coursework, clinical experiences, and research, including adult and child clinical internships. Accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation of ASHA.

Sport Management

The Bachelor of Arts in Sport Management prepares students for careers in the field of sport management, including the financial, legal, management, and marketing aspects of sport, athletics, wellness, and fitness industries. Students choose from Business, Performance, Communications, or Combined tracks.

Theology

The Bachelor of Arts in Theology requires 30 semester credits and equips students to pursue a critical understanding of faith through examination of diverse sources in the Catholic Intellectual Tradition and experience.

Youth Ministry

A graduate certificate in Youth Ministry.