Early Career & Career Change MBA
The Willamette MBA
Willamette University’s history of pioneering innovative, high-caliber academic programs led to the development of an integrated, cross-functional, and cross-sector management program in 1974. As part of the oldest university in the west, Willamette’s Atkinson Graduate School of Management (AGSM), home to the Willamette MBA, has deep roots in the Pacific Northwest, offering students unique access to internship and job opportunities.
Today, AGSM is recognized as the #1 business school in Oregon and continually adapts to meet the needs of business, government, and non-profit professionals as careers evolve. With a knowledgeable faculty dedicated to educating the next generation of insightful and socially responsible leaders, Willamette MBA prepares students for the careers of the future.
TOP-RANKED MBA PROGRAM IN OREGON by Forbes, Businessweek, Poets & Quants, Princeton Review, and QS.
RANKED 2ND BEST MBA PROGRAM IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST.
RANKED 13TH IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND 24TH IN LEARNING FOR UNITED STATES BUSINESS SCHOOLS by Bloomberg.
Kick-Start Your Career With a
Willamette MBA
WILLAMETTE’S EARLY CAREER & CAREER CHANGE MBA
prepares students for careers in business, government, and non-profit organizations. The program is designed to help students build the tools to launch a successful career through hands-on, real-world learning. Prepare to enter the workforce by gaining the most current industry-related expertise and confidence in your knowledge and decision-making abilities.
MBA candidates build a resume through real consulting projects with real clients, experiential courses, and up to 3 semesters of internships for credit. Applicants do not need to have previous work experience to be admitted and will graduate from the program with an ample portfolio.
ACCREDITATION
AGSM is one of only two business schools in the nation that is accredited for both business (AACSB International) and public administration (NASPAA). This dual accreditation has earned Willamette MBA recognition and respect for our commitment to excellence.
The AACSB International is the gold standard for business school accreditation. Only 5% of business schools worldwide are accredited by AACSB.
Schools accredited by The Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA) are recognized for producing graduates who are prepared to have a meaningful career in public service.
FACTS AND FIGURES
2023
PERCENTAGE
AREAS OF INTEREST
ACCOUNTING ENTREPRENEURSHIP FINANCE
GLOBAL MANAGEMENT HUMAN RESOURCES
MANAGEMENT SCIENCE and QUANTITATIVE METHODS
MARKETING OPERATIONS, ANALYSIS, & SYSTEMS
ORGANIZATIONAL ANALYSIS
PUBLIC & NOT-FOR-PROFIT MANAGEMENT
INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS
The immersive programs below are unique to Willamette MBA and allow students to apply their coursework and act as decision makers in real time.
PRACTICAL APPLICATION FOR CAREERS AND ENTERPRISES (PACE)
PACE is a unique combination of career development, learning business practices, and a six-month project for real not-for-profit clients.
O’NEILL INVESTMENT FUND
Apply what you’ve learned about risk, economic outlooks, and company analysis and manage a real portfolio of stocks and exchange traded funds.
ANGEL FUND
Apply investment strategies and research when you work with your classmates to analyze and ultimately invest in entrepreneurial ventures.
PHILANTHROPIC INVESTMENT FOR COMMUNITY IMPACT
Grant funds to impactful non-profit organizations in the community by managing and distributing funds from Willamette MBA’s social impact investment portfolio.
CAREER MANAGEMENT
Our Career Management team offers support and services that are customized to your needs and goals. In one-on-one and group settings, gain career advice, interview skills, and professional connections that will help you as you begin your career or make a career change.
• 1:1 career coaching appointments
• Professional development workshops and programming
• Career treks to corporate giants in the PNW
GRADUATE PLACEMENTS RECENTLY
Intel
HP Inc.
Nike Redbull Tillamook Volkswagen Deloitte
JP Morgan
SAMPLE CURRICULUM
Data Analysis, Modeling, and Decision Making (3 credits)
Managing Individuals, Teams, and Organizations (3 credits)
Accounting for Managers (3 credits)
PACE I – Practical Applications for Careers and Enterprises (3 credits)
Finance and Economics I (3 credits)
Politics and Public Policy for Managers (3 credits)
MBA Elective Course
MBA Elective Course
MBA Elective Course
Strategic Management (3 credits)
MBA Elective Course
MBA Elective Course
MBA Elective Course
• Opportunities to connect and network with alumni and employers
• Mock Interview Day
• Non-profit Internship Scholarship Program
Amazon CliftonLarsonAllen
Seattle Seahawks
Portland Trailblazers T-Mobile
The Boeing Company
Anheuser Busch
Marketing – Creating Satisfied Customers (3 credits)
PACE II – Practical Applications for Careers and Enterprises (4 credits)
Finance and Economics II (3 credits)
Operations and Systems Management (3 credits)
MBA Elective Course
State of Oregon
Providence Health Salem Health
Kaiser Permanente
Columbia Sportswear Company
U.S. Bank
Internship (3 credits)
Past Destinations: China, Germany and Japan
“I feel prepared to thrive in any professional environment that I may encounter... As a part of my academic experience, I have been able to learn from a world-class faculty, especially my professors at the [Willamette] business school.”
JACK BOYDELL, BA’23, BS’23, MBA’24
“The experiential courses are fantastic and offer real consequences that help to build a résumé.”
“The opportunities for collaboration/teamwork in classes. It is great being able to work with diverse teams in different scenarios.”
“Experiential learning and real-life courses such as PACE, entrepreneurship and grant administration.”
“Experiential learning via being a part of the angel investing course, where students can invest up to $100,000 equity in startups. Hands-on consulting projects with real companies.”
COMMENTS FROM STUDENTS AND ALUMNI, BLOOMBERG BEST BUSINESS SCHOOL RANKINGS 2024-25
Tuition & Scholarships
For the most up-to-date tuition infomration, visit: WILLAMETTE.EDU/GO/MBA-TUITION
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
SCHOLARSHIP AID
• All applicants admitted to the MBA program are automatically considered for scholarship aid
• 100% of students enrolled in the full-time MBA program receive scholarship aid
• Scholarships awarded for the first year of study are renewable for the second year
ADDITIONAL MBA SCHOLARSHIPS AND FELLOWSHIPS
• City Year AmeriCorps Scholarship
• Community Impact Scholarship
• Global Reach Scholarship
• National Reach Scholarship
• Pacific Northwest Scholarship
• Segal AmeriCorps Match Award
• Veterans Scholarship
• Peace Corps Coverdell Fellowship Program
APPLICATION CHECKLIST
• Online application (submit before taking the GMAT/GRE)
• Unofficial transcripts
• 2 references
• Resume
• Personal statement
• GMAT or GRE score
• Admission interview
INFORMATION FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
Willamette MBA welcomes international students who have completed the coursework and examinations equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree. Applicants should be prepared to provide the information and documents below.
• Online application
• International transcripts
• 2 references
• Resume
• Personal statement
• GMAT or GRE score
• Proof of language proficiency
• Admission interview
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FILL OUT A FREE APPLICATION ONLINE YOU WILL NEED TO INCLUDE: REFERENCES
PERSONAL STATEMENT RESUME
TRANSCRIPTS
Have official transcripts sent by school to: mba-admission@willamette.edu or mailed to Willamette University, Atkinson Graduate School of Management, 900 State Street, Salem OR 97301
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OFFICIAL GMAT OR GRE SCORE
Willamette University students: Ask your recruiter about a waiver.
ADMISSION INTERVIEW
MBA for Life
Willamette MBA alumni have access to lifelong learning opportunities through MBA for Life. Through this program, alumni get a lifetime invitation to free supplementary classes, networking events, career management resources, and study abroad trips.
This is a return on investment that you will continue to benefit from throughout your career as you continually update your skillset and stay competitive in the job market.
