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One-Year MBA Program

Stay on track with your career goals. Students with an undergraduate degree in any business field can earn their MBA in just 12 months through Willamette's one-year accelerated MBA program.

Program Snapshot

Program Type

Graduate

Credit Hours

45

Time to complete

1 Year

Campus

Salem

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Information for Current MBA Students
MBA student studying

Our MBA One-Year Program

Join a dynamic one-year MBA program in Oregon designed to propel you toward your career goals. Develop your strategic management skills, broaden your business knowledge, and improve your leadership skills through our 12-month MBA program. Through small class sizes, students have the opportunity to engage with professors, ask questions, and participate in class discussions.

Why choose Willamette University's One-Year MBA Program?

  • Experiential learning focus. Our PACE (Practical Applications for Careers and Enterprises) program and the IMAP (Integrative Management Project) Capstone Course offer ways to integrate real-world experiences into the curriculum. Work closely with local organizations and apply your skills to a real business challenge.
  • World class business school. We know how important it is to choose a graduate degree that offers a return on investment. As one of the top MBA programs in the United States, we can help increase your earning potential and prepare for exciting careers.
  • Make the right connections. With a strong alumni network and campuses in Portland and Salem, students can make powerful connections. Utilize career management services to tour companies, meet employers, and gain powerful insights.

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Do you have questions about the One-Year MBA program at Willamette? Fill out this form and we’ll get in touch!

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Alumni Stories

Our one-year MBA students and alumni are making a name for themselves in business, government, and non-profit organizations. As one of the oldest universities in the West, we have an extensive alumni network. Create connections and build your own network across the globe. Learn more about how our alumni are making an impact.

MBA Stories

Introducing Some of Our Faculty

Our professors are mentors, published authors, and working professionals. They support students as they navigate graduate life. They'll help you build connections in the local industry and guide you through important business principles that benefit everyone.

  • Dr. Henry Bi

    Haidong (Henry) Bi

    Dr. Henry Bi holds a Ph.D. from the University of Arizona and multiple certifications in Six Sigma. Recognized with several teaching awards, Dr. Bi is committed to helping students excel in the quality of social and economic development.

  • Dr. Michael Hand

    Michael Hand

    Dr. Michael Hand specializes in integrating mathematics, statistics, and information systems into management education. He excels in helping students from diverse backgrounds confidently apply advanced quantitative tools to real-world decision-making and organizational control.

Curriculum

We know every student brings a unique background and set of experiences. That's why our program offers two distinct tracks for students with and without business experience. No matter which path, Willamette's One-Year MBA program emphasizes hands-on learning through both core and elective courses to help you apply what you learn in real time and turn knowledge into action. 

  • GSM 5108 PACE I - Practical Applications for Careers and Enterprises

    Gain real-world experience by working on a six-month consulting project for not-for-profit clients. Through this course, students develop key skills in management, teamwork, and communication while applying business concepts directly to client projects. Alumni often cite PACE as a transformative part of their MBA experience, combining career development with impactful community service.

  • GSMPR 632 IMAP (Integrative Management Project) Capstone Course

    Apply your understanding of management theory and practice to an integrative project that spans multiple disciplines, including strategy, marketing, finance, and human resources. This course is designed to enhance your innovation and leadership skills, culminating in a professional, MBA-level project aimed at persuading executive audiences.

Program Details

Our One-Year MBA program at Willamette is designed for high-achieving students who are ready to accelerate their careers. The track you join depends on your professional experience after earning your undergraduate degree. 

Track 1 begins in the summer or fall semester and is for students with limited post-baccalaureate business experience. Track 2 is for students with two or more years of post-baccalaureate business experience and begins in the fall semester. 

Students take a mix of required and elective classes. All students take Politics & Public Policy for Managers as well as electives in:

  • Accounting or Finance
  • Operations or Supply Chain Management,
  • Marketing, Organizational Behavior, or Human Resources 
Two MBA students at commencement.

Admissions

Our one-year Master's in Business Administration program is for students with an undergraduate degree in any business field. Professional work experience is not required. All applicants must have completed their undergraduate degree within the previous five years and have earned a minimum GPA of 3.34. We are test optional. Although the minimum GPA is 3.34, applicants who demonstrate strong potential through academic performance, professional experiences, or other evidence of readiness are encouraged to apply and will receive full holistic consideration.

Mudd Building where the Willamette MBA program has its home.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Students are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships. Students can contact the MBA admissions office for more details about graduate scholarships. We also offer generous financial aid packages, including summer financial aid.

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FAQs

Yes. Students in this program complete their MBA in just three consecutive semesters, fall, spring, and summer. Unlike large state universities where required courses may be delayed or out of sequence, Willamette has intentionally designed this program so every class you need is offered on time, enabling you to graduate in one year.

For the right student, absolutely. Our One-Year MBA offers an accelerated path to career advancement, reducing both tuition and the income you’d forgo in a longer program. If you already have a strong foundation in business and a clear vision for your next career step, our One-Year MBA format can help you reach your goals faster, and return to the workforce with new skills and credentials in just 12 months.

We recommend following the schedule below to graduate on time:

Track 1

  • Fall (students may also start in the fall semester)
    • Practical Application for Careers and Enterprises I
    • Politics & Public Policy for Managers
    • 2 electives
  • Spring
    • Practical Application for Careers and Enterprises II
    • 3 electives
  • Summer
    • 4 electives

Track 2

  • Fall
    • LEAD
    • 3 electives
  • Spring
    • Strategic Management (GSM 6123)
    • 3 electives 
  • Summer
    • Integrative Management Project Capstone Course
    • Politics & Public Policy for Managers
    • 2 electives

 

Both tracks require a completed internship for graduation and internships done before enrollment can count. At least 4 elective credits must involve real-world organizational projects and reflective learning. All One-Year MBA students must successfully complete the Integrated Knowledge Experience Week. 

We understand that each student brings a unique set of experiences and goals to the program. That's why we offer two distinct tracks:

Track 1: Limited or No Post-Baccalaureate Business Experience

  • Fall: Your journey begins in the fall with our signature PACE program (Practical Application for Careers and Enterprises). PACE is a two-course sequence that allows you to apply your business knowledge by consulting with local organizations. This hands-on experience exposes you to real-world challenges and opportunities, helping you develop practical skills from day one. Additionally, you'll take the "Politics & Public Policy for Managers" course, a unique aspect of our cross-sectoral MBA program, along with two electives.
  • Spring: Building on your fall experiences, you'll continue with PACE II and dive deeper into your chosen areas of interest with three elective courses.
  • Summer: In the summer, you'll engage in Strategic Management, the IMAP (Integrated Management Project) Capstone Course, and two electives to round out your foundational knowledge.

Track 2: Two or More Years of Post-Baccalaureate Experience

  • Fall: For students with more extensive post-baccalaureate business experience, you'll start the fall term with our Leadership Effectiveness and Development (LEAD) course. The LEAD course focuses on honing your leadership capabilities and framing your future success in terms of emotional, social, and cultural intelligence. You'll also take the unique "Politics & Public Policy for Managers" course.
  • Spring: In the spring, you'll have the opportunity to explore four electives, allowing you to tailor your curriculum to your specific career goals and interests.
  • Summer: Like Track 1, you'll complete the program with Strategic Management, the IMAP Capstone Course, and two additional electives.

Willamette University

Atkinson Graduate School of Management