Frequently Asked Questions

The Willamette MBA is the full-time early career/career change MBA program of Willamette University’s Atkinson Graduate School of Management. It is specifically designed for students seeking their first professional position or career change in business, government or not-for-profit organizations. It is a 21-month program that emphasizes experiential learning, and builds the knowledge, professional tools and work experience needed for successful careers. Previous work experience and previous course work in business is not required.

The Willamette MBA program has two additional formats; the BA/MBA and the JD/MBA.

The BA/MBA combines the Willamette MBA experience with the undergraduate experience of Willamette University’s College of Arts and Sciences. This is a fast-track program that allows selected Willamette undergraduate students to start their MBA in their senior year of undergraduate study.

The JD/MBA combines Willamette MBA experience with the JD degree of Willamette University’s College of Law. It is designed for students seeking the professional advantages of both the MBA and JD degrees.

Yes. In addition to the Willamette MBA, we offer the MBA for Professionals program which is designed for working professionals seeking an MBA for career enhancement or advancement while employed. Learn more about our evening part-time MBA program.

Ten areas of concentration are available:

• Accounting
• Entrepreneurship
• Finance
• Global Management
• Human Resources
• Management Science and Quantitative Methods
• Marketing
• Operations, Analysis, & Systems
• Organizational Analysis
• Public and Not-for-Profit Management

There are several major benefits. Here are a few for you to consider.

You will earn an MBA accredited by the most prestigious professional organization evaluating management education -- AACSB International; and you will participate in a program that has been ranked by Businessweek, Forbes, Poets and Quants, and Princeton Review.

You will thrive in an educational environment characterized by experiential learning, excellent teaching, and a high degree of interaction with faculty and student colleagues.

You will develop cross-functional problem-solving and decision-making skills, as well as communication, leadership and teamwork abilities.

You will build the real professional experience you need for transition to the next step in your career and beyond through class consulting projects, innovative consequential experiential elective courses, an extensive internship program and a complete program of career professional development services.

You will have the opportunity to pursue your individual career goals in general management or one or more of the areas of interest listed below.

• Accounting
• Entrepreneurship
• Finance
• Global Management
• Human Resources
• Management Science and Quantitative Methods
• Marketing
• Operations, Analysis, & Systems
• Organizational Analysis
• Public and Not-for-Profit Management

You will develop a multi-sector understanding of management that provides an essential perspective for decision-making in business, consulting, entrepreneurship, not-for-profit management and public service.

You will graduate with a degree that provides the professional recognition and flexibility needed for a successful career in any sector.

You will study in Salem, Oregon - one of the nation's most livable cities located in a state renowned for its quality of life, friendly people and commercial icons like Nike, Intel, Tektronix and Hewlett Packard.

There are several major benefits. Here are a few for you to consider.

You will earn an MBA degree accredited for public service by NASPAA and for business by AACSB International.

You will learn from a program committed to the understanding that successful public service careers require an understanding of both government and business.

You will develop a strong background in the areas of finance, accounting, marketing, quantitative, computer, teamwork, and negotiation skills --- areas often missing in MPA programs but clearly needed in today's public and not-for-profit organizations.

You will build the real professional experience you need for transition to the next step in your career and beyond through class consulting projects, innovative consequential experiential elective courses, an extensive internship program and a complete program of career professional development services.

You will thrive in an educational environment characterized by experiential learning, excellent teaching, and a high degree of interaction with faculty and student colleagues

You will have the opportunity to pursue your individual career goals in general management or one or more of the areas of interest listed below.

• Accounting
• Entrepreneurship
• Finance
• Global Management
• Human Resources
• Management Science and Quantitative Methods
• Marketing
• Operations, Analysis, & Systems
• Organizational Analysis
• Public and Not-for-Profit Management

You will develop a multi-sector understanding of management that provides an essential perspective for decision-making in business, consulting, entrepreneurship and not for profit organizations and public service.

You will graduate with a degree that provides the professional recognition and flexibility needed for a successful career in any sector.

You will study in Salem -- the capital city of Oregon -- a location that provides an array of opportunities for experience in state, county and city government, as well as the lifestyle advantages of the beautiful Pacific Northwest.

Willamette MBA international students receive the same quality education and benefits as U.S. students, including eligibility for scholarships and internships.

The full-time and experiential learning environment of the Willamette MBA make it a great choice for international students because it provides rich opportunities to build professional work experience while you complete your MBA. In addition to our experiential courses, our internship program provides international students an opportunity to participate in up to three semesters of internship.

Here are a few other benefits to consider:

You will earn an MBA accredited by the most prestigious professional organization evaluating management education -- AACSB International; and you will participate in a program that has been ranked by Businessweek, Forbes, Poets and Quants, and Princeton Review.

You will thrive in an educational environment characterized by experiential learning, excellent teaching, and a high degree of interaction with faculty and student colleagues.

You will develop cross-functional problem-solving and decision-making skills, as well as communication, leadership and teamwork abilities.

You will build the real professional experience you need for transition to the next step in your career and beyond through class consulting projects, innovative consequential experiential elective courses, an extensive internship program and a complete program of career professional development services.

You will have the opportunity to pursue your individual career goals in general management or one or more of the areas of interest listed below.

• Accounting
• Entrepreneurship
• Finance
• Global Management
• Human Resources
• Management Science and Quantitative Methods
• Marketing
• Operations, Analysis, & Systems
• Organizational Analysis
• Public and Not-for-Profit Management

You will develop a multi-sector understanding of management that provides an essential perspective for decision-making in business, consulting, entrepreneurship, not-for-profit organizations and public service.

You will graduate with a degree that provides the professional recognition and flexibility needed for a successful career in any sector.

You will study in Salem, Oregon - one of the nation's most livable cities located in a state renowned for its quality of life, friendly people and commercial icons like Nike, Intel, Tektronix and Hewlett Packard.

The Willamette MBA is accredited for business administration by AACSB International, and for public service by NASPAA.

The Willamette MBA is regularly ranked as one of the "Best Business Schools" in the U.S. by Bloomberg Businessweek. Forbes magazine regularly ranks the Willamette MBA one of the "Best Business Schools in the U.S." for Return on Investment. Poets & Quants also regularly ranks the Willamette MBA as one of the 100 best MBA programs in the U.S.

Employers generally praise the maturity, academic and workplace skills, and general values and ethics of Atkinson graduates. In fact, surveys show employers of Atkinson alumni view the quality of the work of our graduates to be superior.

Willamette's Early Career & Career Change MBA program is accredited for business by AACSB International, and for public service by NASPAA - the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration. As one of only two MBA programs in the world to achieve dual accreditation in both Business and Public Service, Willamette provides the rare benefit of professional education, recognition and respect in all sectors.

Why does Willamette's commitment to dual accreditation by AACSB International and NASPAA matter? Because in today’s world, private and public organizations must cooperate to solve the problems facing society. Managers of business and not-for-profit organizations must understand how government decisions influence their organizations. Public managers must understand the work of business and not-for-profit enterprises, and the influence of government policies on these organizations. This quality multi-sector educational opportunity also provides an important base for strategic managerial decision-making and an array of career opportunities in both the private and public sectors.

No. Previous course work in business is not required for the MBA, BA/MBA or JD/MBA formats of the Early Career/Career Change MBA.

Our core curriculum develops a comprehensive and hands-on understanding of the fundamental "core principles" of management; the basics needed to succeed in any management position. The elective curriculum provides the in-depth functional knowledge in a variety of areas of interest. The curriculum and emphasis on "learning by doing" provide the knowledge and experience needed for successful careers.

No. Previous work experience is not required for the MBA, BA/MBA or JD/MBA programs.

Our learning experience is experiential and designed to build the work experience you need for the next step in your career. You will apply what you learn and build your professional resume through PACE, experiential and consequential elective courses, class consulting projects, and an extensive internship program that allows up to three semesters of internship experience.

Applications are evaluated for interviews and admission on a rolling basis.
Early Action and Standard application dates are listed online.

Applicants who complete the application process and the interview will be notified of the admission decision within three weeks of completion of the interview.

Applicants who submit an application, essay or credentials that do not indicate potential for a positive admission decision may be denied admission at any time after submission of the application form. Applicants in this situation will be notified by email from the admission office.

All admitted students are expected to pay a tuition deposit to reserve their place in the incoming class and any scholarship funds awarded by Willamette University.

We invite you to contact us with your questions and information needs. We are here to help you explore Willamette University's MBA programs.