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Bachelor of Arts/MBA

The Bachelor of Arts/MBA combined degree program (BA/MBA) provides selected undergraduate students at Willamette University's College of Liberal Arts the opportunity to fast-track their career in business, government and not-for-profit organizations.

In just five years of education, BA/MBA students obtain the benefits of a liberal arts education in whatever major they choose, develop an in-depth understanding of management and build the portfolio of experience needed for successful careers in a competitive job market.

Students admitted to the BA/MBA program begin the Early Career and Career Change MBA program in the fall semester of their senior year. During their senior year, BA/MBA students complete at least 8 of the 10 courses of the first year MBA curriculum and their one or two remaining CLA senior level courses. During the fifth year of study, BA/MBA students complete the second year MBA curriculum and any remaining courses from the first-year MBA curriculum.  At the end of the fifth year, BA/MBA students who have completed all BA and MBA graduation requirements are awarded the MBA degree.

The BA/MBA program includes a required supervised MBA internship as part of their MBA graduation requirements. Students complete their internship during the summer between the senior and fifth years of study, or during the fifth year of study. 

BA/MBA Curriculum

Fall Semester - First Year

• Data Analysis, Modeling & Decision Making
• Accounting for Managers
• Managing Organizations: Individuals, Teams and Human Resources
• Managing Organizations: Design and Change
• Marketing: Creating Satisfied Consumers
• PACE I: Practical Application for Careers & Enterprises
  * Consulting for Not-for-Profit & Government Organizations
  * Achieving Your Career Goals

Spring Semester - First Year

• Economics, Finance and Markets I or II
• Operations and Systems Management
• PACE II: Practical Application for Careers & Enterprises
  * Consulting for Not-for-Profit & Government Organizations
  * Developing an Entrepreneurial Venture
• Elective
• Elective

Summer - Internship (required for BA/MBA)

Fall Semester - Second Year

• Politics and Public Policy for Managers
• Leading Ethical, Socially Responsible and Sustainable Organizations
• Experiential Elective or Elective
• Elective
• Elective

Spring Semester - Second year

• Strategic Management
• Experiential Elective or Elective
• Elective
• Elective
• Elective

Preparing for the BA/MBA

Willamette students preparing to apply for the BA/MBA enroll in the College of Liberal Arts for their first three years at Willamette and complete at least 23 credits of CLA course work, including general education requirements and most courses required for their major. Students who transferred to CLA complete at least 15 credits at the CLA including general education requirements and most courses required for their major. The specific courses and number of CLA credits a student must complete to be eligible to apply to the BA/MBA program are determined by the student's CLA major department. However, students should have no more than one or two remaining senior level CLA courses to complete during their first year of study in the BA/MBA program.

Students who will meet the CLA eligibility requirements by the end of their junior year may apply for admission to the BA/MBA. The final deadline for submitting the BA/MBA application to Atkinson School is May 1st of the junior year.

BA/MBA Application Process

The first step in determining a student's eligibility to apply to the BA/MBA is decided by the student's CLA major advisor and/or department. Only students who will meet the CLA eligibility requirements for the BA/MBA program by the end of their junior year may apply for admission to the BA/MBA. In addition, students must have well-focused career interests in management.

Application to the BA/MBA program requires all of the following:

• Online Application Form
• Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate course work
• Official GMAT or General GRE scores
• Personal statement of experiences and professional goals
• Two candidate evaluation forms or letters of reference
• Resume
• Letter from CLA advisor or department chairperson stating the student has met CLA requirements to complete the BA degree through the BA/MBA program, and listing all CLA courses to be completed during the senior year of study.

An interview is part of the applicant selection process. Applicants eligible for an interview will be invited to interview after all the applicant's documents have been received. Interviews will occur on campus.

Tuition, Scholarships and Loans for BA/MBA Students

All BA/MBA students are classified as graduate students for financial aid and tuition purposes. Classification as a graduate student for financial aid and tuition means the following:

• the BA/MBA tuition rate will be the tuition rate of the Willamette Early Career MBA program,
• BA/MBA applicants are automatically considered for Willamette Early Career MBA merit-based scholarship programs. MBA scholarships are based on the applicant's credentials as a candidate for the MBA program and in accordance with programs and policies of the Willamette Early Career MBA program. Students enrolled in the BA/MBA program are graduate students and not eligible for undergraduate scholarships sponsored by Willamette University.
• Federal Direct Educational loans for BA/MBA students are based on federal policies governing financial aid for graduate students.

In general, U.S. graduate students are able to fully fund their MBA educational, living and personal expenses through federal direct loan programs. Loans are the most common source of financial assistance for MBA students throughout the United States, and these federal loans make it possible for students to invest in a future of expanded career opportunities, increased career satisfaction and increased earning power.

The BA/MBA program is a great investment in your future.  Completing the BA/MBA program accelerates your career entry into professional positions, provides increased salary opportunities earlier in your career, and saves a year of educational and living expenses because you complete your BA and MBA degrees in just five years of education rather than six.