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Elevate your career without missing a beat. Our Salem and Portland MBA program offers evening courses, allowing you to fit education into your busy lifestyle.

Program Snapshot

MBA

Graduate

48

2 Years

Salem, Portland

MBA-P students inside a classroom during a lecture

Our MBA for Professionals Program

Develop your leadership skills and enhance your career prospects with our MBA characterized by excellent teaching and an innovative hands-on curriculum. Our MBA for Professionals program is an evening, part time MBA program designed to help students work during the day. Students in our Salem and Portland MBA programs apply what they learn in class directly to their workplace. Gain the knowledge, skills, and network needed to advance your career while continuing to work full-time.

Why choose the MBA for Professionals Program at Willamette? 

  • A reputation of excellence. Our program is accredited by AACSB International, a distinction that fewer than 5% of business schools worldwide can claim. AACSB International is considered the gold standard in accreditation for MBA programs.
  • A built-in professional network. Our cohort model fosters meaningful connections between students as they move through the program together. These connections often translate to opportunities years after graduation. Students can also utilize our Career Service Center for help or join some of our networking opportunities on campus.
  • A long-term investment. Through the MBA for Life program, graduates are able to enroll in MBA classes tuition-free for life. This is part of our mission to ensure that our alumni stay up to date on the latest industry insights and best practices.

Schedule a Visit Virtual Tour – Salem Virtual Tour – Portland

Michael Gay MBA '23 is using his degree to tackle one of today's most pressing issues in a strategic way. As a co-founder of Community First Solutions, Michael is helping individuals get the mental health treatment they need.

Michael's Story

Michael Gay MBA’23 leverages a Willamette MBA to tackle Oregon’s mental health crisis

During his time in the MBA for Professionals program, Michael was in the process of developing his new organization. He was able to take the lessons from the classroom and apply them to his own work the very next day. The foundation became his project for his capstone course.

View Story
Michael leading the way
Michael credits Willamette MBA with not only helping him develop vital skills and knowledge, but with teaching him how to put that knowledge into action -- and help his community.

Alumni Stories

Alumni from our MBA for Professionals program are moving up the ranks in the corporate world, taking on leadership roles and making impactful decisions. They are working for a variety of organizations, from industry leaders to start-ups to nonprofits. Learn more about what our alumni have accomplished.

  • LaToya Kamara Manley MBA’12

    LaToya Kamara Manley MBA’12

    Creating a Women’s Jordan Line at Nike
    LaToya Kamara Manley spearheaded the development of a women’s Jordan line to meet the demand of female customers who previously bought men’s and kids’ sizes.

  • Donell Morgan MBA’21

    Leveraging Willamette's Portland MBA to Make a Difference in Youth Mentorship
    As executive director of Elevate Oregon, Donell Morgan uses his MBA to lead by example, helping youth in Portland’s Parkrose Neighborhood see their potential.

    Donell Morgan MBA’21

Introducing Some of Our Faculty

The MBA faculty is comprised of leaders and decision makers actively working in a variety of organizations. They bring the latest knowledge to the classroom. They act as mentors for students and provide meaningful industry connections that can elevate students’ careers long term.

  • Pritha Dutta

    Meet Pritha Dutta

    Dr. Pritha Dutta focuses her research on the operational and strategic challenges of global supply chains. She explores topics such as sustainability, competitive decision-making, and healthcare.

  • Ashley Nixon

    Meet Ashley Nixon

    Dr. Ashley Nixon researches occupational stress and employee well-being. She has been published in top journals and received funding from the National Institute of Occupational Health and Safety.

  • Jane Machin

    Meet Jane Machin

    Dr. Jane Machin researches decision-making, stigma, and consumer well-being. She has years of experience in brand management at Unilever and consulting for Fortune 500 companies and start-ups.

Curriculum

Our evening, part time MBA students are looking to advance their careers. That's why our curriculum emphasizes hands-on learning, giving students an MBA experience that transfers to the real world. Courses cover a range of vital topics for leaders from accounting and marketing to operations. Become a well-rounded business leader who is prepared to face modern challenges.

  • GSMPR 621 LEAD: Leadership Effectiveness and Development

    LEAD focuses on self-discovery and personal growth as the foundation for effective leadership. Through hands-on exercises and reflection, students develop emotional, social, and cultural intelligence while building core leadership skills like communication, coaching, and negotiation.

  • GSMPR 624 Managing Organizations: Individuals, Teams, and Human Resources

    Learn to manage individuals, teams, and organizational change within complex, global environments. This course builds practical skills in analyzing behavior, improving decision-making, and leading ethically across sectors. Through real-world cases and collaborative exercises, you’ll gain tools to increase organizational effectiveness and drive meaningful results.

Program Requirements

Our program requires 48 credit hours to complete the degree. Most students complete the degree program within 2 years, but it may take more or less time depending on your needs and your schedule.

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Admissions Information

Our MBA for Professionals program is open to first-year students and transfer students. International students may be eligible for admission if they hold an employment-related visa.

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Financial Aid and Scholarships

Willamette's tuition includes catered dinners, course materials, and access to the MBA career management program. We automatically consider all admitted students for scholarship awards. Our preferred partnership program also offers discounts to employees that work for our preferred partners.

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FAQs

Willamette University

Atkinson Graduate School of Management