Challenging, Accredited, and Convenient
St. Ambrose University offers numerous accredited graduate programs: 14 master's programs and 3 doctoral degree programs.
Three of our master's degrees can be earned mostly or completely online, with others including a mix of online and in-person classes. You can also choose between attending part-time and full-time for several of our programs.
Start your graduate degree today. Apply now!
Above National Norms
For several consecutive years, 100% of our Occupational Therapy graduates passed the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy on their first try. The national pass percentage is 85% (2016 data).
First and Best
Offering the very first MS in Information Technology Management program in the Midwest, St. Ambrose prepares IT professionals to advance into corporate management and business professionals looking to move into IT.
Graduate Student Visits
We have excellent graduate programs and will introduce you to our faculty, programs and the many opportunities you'll have at St. Ambrose University.
Master and Doctoral Degrees
Work in healthcare
- SAU is a leader in healthcare education. See our master's and doctoral degrees in physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician assistant, speech-language pathology, and exercise physiology.
- We are also proponents of social care and justice. See our programs in social work, public health, and pastoral studies.
Enhance business knowledge
- We have master's degrees in organizational leadership, business administration, IT management, accounting, and a doctoral degree in business administration.
- Choose from our numerous professional development courses and certificate programs
Become an advocate for change
- Choose a degree in public health, social work, or organizational leadership
Develop your leadership skills
- Business leadership: Organizational leadership, business administration (MBA or DBA), accounting, information technology
- Healthcare leadership: Public health
Delve into education administration and leadership
- We have master's programs in early childhood education, educational administration, and pastoral studies.
Serve your community, church, and work for social justice
- Degrees such as pastoral studies, social work, and public health will get you there.
Waste No Time
Transferring credits is the easiest way to get done faster, but if you're starting from scratch we also have some programs you can tackle in one year.
See the program-specific websites and fact sheets for important application requirements and timelines.
Pursuing a graduate degree provides the opportunity to deepen your knowledge and it positions you as a leader in your field. Review the graduate admissions process and use the helpful resources below.
Deadlines, as a well as requirements, are program-specific and vary accordingly. Contact your graduate program of interest to be sure you meet all requirements on time.
At St. Ambrose, we offer flexible annual, semester, and month-to-month housing options. Our graduate students most often reside in McCarthy Hall, SAU-owned houses, or off-campus properties. Contact ResLife@sau.edu for more information.
There are several options to help pay for your graduate education. Let's run through them.
Graduate students can be eligible for scholarships, and many of our programs do offer a limited number. Three of our programs – Occupational Therapy, Master of Social Work, and Doctor of Physical Therapy – award a limited number of one-time fellowships upon enrollment.
Information about graduate scholarships and fellowships, if available, can be found on the website of the program in which you are interested. Here are links to each program.
Did you serve in a branch of the U.S. Armed Forces? Or, are you currently serving? If so, contact our veteran benefits expert, Natalie Woodhurst. She leads the SAU Veterans Recruitment & Services office, and will help you figure out if and what education benefits you have available, and how to best use those to get a St. Ambrose education.
Federal Direct Loans, Federal Direct Plus Loans, and private educational loans are available for students enrolled at least half-time.
Federal Direct Loans: These are federally guaranteed, unsubsidized loans. A graduate level student may be eligible to borrow up to $$20,500 per academic year. Interests accrues while you are in school, and you have the option to pay this interest or to have it capitalized. The current interest rate on a Direct Unsubsidized Loan is 5.31% with an origination fee of 1.069%.
To qualify for this loan, you must file a FAFSA. This is a non-need based loan and the majority of students are eligible for this loan.
As a first time borrower, you have to complete a Direct Loan Master Promissory Note and complete Direct Loan Entrance Counseling. Visit www.studentloans.gov and sign in to complete the process.
Federal Direct Grad Plus Loan: This loan has a fixed interest rate of 6.31% with an origination fee of 4.273%. You must file a FAFSA and borrow the maximum amount of loan through the Direct Loan program before you will be eligible for a Grad Plus. This loan is also based on your credit history, so it is possible that you may be required to have a co-borrower.
The maximum you can borrow in this program is the cost of attendance minus other financial aid you have received. If you are unsure of the amount you are eligible for, contact our office for help
You can defer payment on this loan while you are enrolled at least half-time (4.5 credit hours in the fall and spring semester, and 3 hours in the summer). Interest accrues during deferment and there is no grace period for repayment. You immediately begin payment when you drop below half-time enrollment, graduate, or withdraw from school.
To apply for a Federal Grad Plus Loan you will need to sign in and complete the PLUS Request Process at www.studentloans.gov. If approved, you will need to complete a Grad PLUS Master Promissory Note AND Grad PLUS Loan Entrance Counseling at www.studentloans.gov.
We offer a number of assistantships that can reduce your total tuition cost and some even provide a stipend.
These are not TA positions. Instead, you work side-by-side with faculty and get to use and grow your knowledge by assisting them with research and other projects. Or, by helping coach, promote, or train student athletes. Or, by working with departmental staff.
Most graduate assistantships require 10 - 20 hours per week. Click here to see your opportunities, or contact us directly and we will tell you more.
And, many of our graduate programs offer scholarships.
Admissions Process
Pursuing a graduate degree provides the opportunity to deepen your knowledge and positions you as a leader in your field.
Review the graduate admissions process below.
1. Complete the online Graduate Admission Application.
Note: Applicants for Occupational Therapy (www.otcas.org), Physician Assistant (https://portal.caspaonline.org), Physical Therapy (www.ptcas.org), and Speech-Language Pathology (https://portal.csdcs.org) should not use this application, but should use their respective centralized application service.
Submit official grade transcripts from all colleges and universities you have attended. These transcripts must be sent directly from your undergraduate institution to St. Ambrose University.
SAU Graduate Admissions
518 W. Locust St.
Davenport, Iowa 52803
gradprog@sau.edu
If you are required to submit a personal goals statement, test scores or references, send these directly to St. Ambrose University.
SAU Graduate Admissions
518 W. Locust St.
Davenport, Iowa 52803
gradprog@sau.edu
Contact
Graduate Admissions
Admissions and Welcome Center
310 W. Locust St.
Davenport, IA 52803
563-333-6308
GradProg@sau.edu