Master of Business Administration

Program Description

The Master of Business Administration (MBA) program is a rigorous, integrated, graduate business program designed to prepare students for responsible leadership positions in private, public and not-for-profit organizations, as well as in entrepreneurial ventures. The Western MBA curriculum provides a balance of theory and application essential for managerial excellence. The program is intended for the active manager and technical supervisor as well as those looking for new opportunities at the mid-management level. Regardless of undergraduate degree, candidates will find a challenging program designed to meet their specific background and needs. The program is distinguished by small classes, collegial relationships among faculty and students, and a diverse student body.

The College of Business and Economics is accredited by AACSB International-The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business at both the graduate and undergraduate levels.

Program Mission

The Western MBA is a high-quality general graduate business program that develops organizational leaders who integrate strong managerial skills with a solid foundation in the core business functions within a global context.

Program Learning Goals

The typical student graduating from Western Washington University’s MBA program shall:

Validate mastery of discipline-specific business knowledge and analytical skills
Integrate functional areas of business knowledge across disciplines
Synthesize functional business knowledge within strategic organizational framework
Illustrate ability to apply critical thinking and ethical decision making to complex business problems
Exhibit competence in applying interpersonal and managerial skills within an institutional context
Demonstrate ability to motivate others to achieve strategic outcomes
Be conscientious in the application of business knowledge
Create an orientation of personal responsibility, respect and professionalism
Transform followers to leaders

Admission Prerequisites

Knowledge prerequisites: Normally an applicant to the program must have completed a college-level calculus course or otherwise demonstrate knowledge and proficiency in quantitative methods prior to entering the program. It also is expected that entering students will have proficiency in the use of computers and common business software. Well-developed communications skills also are important.

Graduate Faculty

Cat Armstrong Soule (2014) PhD, marketing
Earl D. Benson (1980) PhD, finance.
Christopher Califf (2015) PhD, management information systems.
Shih-Fen Chen (1996) PhD, global strategy.
Burak Dolar (2007) PhD, economics.
Reid Dorsey-Palmateer (2015) PhD, economics.
Dawna Drum (2010) PhD, technology management.
Craig Dunn (2005) PhD, business environment.
Steven Globerman (1994) PhD, international business.
Steven E. Henson (1985) PhD, microeconomics, applied econometrics.
L. Hart Hodges (2005) PhD, natural resources, applied business.
Stella Hua (2002) PhD, operations management and quantitative methods.
Jason M. Kanov (2007) PhD, organizational behavior.
Jongwook Kim (2003) PhD, business policy and strategic management.
Shawn Knabb (2005) PhD, macroeconomics, public finance, growth.
Sophie Kong (2003) PhD, finance.
Pamela L. LaBorde (1990) PhD, finance.
Edwin A. Love (2008) PhD, marketing.
Claire Lending (2008) PhD, finance
Jiexun Li (2008) PhD, information systems.
David M. Nelson (1977) PhD, macroeconomics/money markets.
Matthew Roelofs (1997) PhD, managerial economics.
Shantala Samant (2017) PhD, management.
Mary Sass (2005) PhD, organizational behavior and development.
Tejvir Sekhon (2010) PhD, marketing management.
Mark G. Staton (2010) PhD, marketing and consumer behavior.
Ozan Sula (2006) PhD, international finance, macroeconomics, money and banking.
Audrey Taylor (2001) PhD, managerial accounting.
Craig Tyran (2001) PhD, management and information systems.
Erik Wehrly (2010) PhD, finance .
Nicholas Wonder (2002) PhD, corporate finance.
Zhe George Zhang (2000) PhD, statistics.

Programs

Graduate

Courses

Master of Business Administration

Courses numbered X37; X97; 300, 400, 500 are described in the University Academic Policies section of this catalog.