Academic Programs
The School of Business offers master's and bachelor's degrees, minors, and certificates that cover in-demand specialties, including accounting, economics, entrepreneurship, finance, global development, leadership, management, and marketing. In addition, interdisciplinary majors prepare for careers in aviation management, automotive management, and information systems. Our main degrees (BBA, BS, and BA) are externally-validated by ACBSP, a world leader in mission-based accreditation with a focus on teaching excellence, so you can rest assured that our program meets high-quality standards and your degree is broadly accepted. Learn about where our graduates end up.
Graduate Program - Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Our fully online MBA degree provides flexibility for busy, working people who want to enhance their leadership and management skills. It can be finished in as little as 12 months and includes real-world, project-based courses taught by knowledgeable professionals from a faith-based perspective.
Learn more about WWU's Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree
Undergraduate Programs
Business majors across the country earn six of the top ten college degrees in demand (per NACE). We offer bachelor degrees, an associate degree, minors, and certificates that cover in-demand areas in business. Learn more about where our graduates end up.
Accounting
The Bachelor of Business Administration with a Concentration in Accounting covers financial reports, budgets, tax planning, fraud investigation, auditing, internal controls, international accounting, and financial planning. Curriculum meets the accounting content for the CPA Exam in most states. Opportunities are available to do hands-on accounting work during the school year, as well as valuable internships during the summers.
- Course requirements: BBA Core / Accounting Concentration
- 4-year course plan—Accounting (BBA)
Entrepreneurship and Small Business
The Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a Concentration in Entrepreneurship & Small Business provides strong business and technical content. Students learn about starting, funding, and operating a small business, including classes on finance, taxation, accounting, and human resource management.
Finance
The Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a Concentration in Finance covers corporate finance, financial markets and investments, banking, real estate, insurance, retirement funds, and international finance. Graduates may pursue certification as financial analysts or personal financial planners and licenses in securities, insurance, and real estate.
- Course requirements: BBA Core / Finance Concentration
- 4-year course plan—Finance (BBA)
Management
The Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a Concentration in Management covers how to lead and manage people, projects, and organizations, both domestically and internationally. Many managers eventually seek a graduate degree in management, such as WWU's MBA degree.
- Course requirements: BBA Core / Management Concentration
- 4-year course plan—Management (BBA)
Marketing
The Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a Concentration in Marketing covers creating a value proposition, branding, digital advertising, consumer behavior, market research, sales, public relations, international marketing, and more.
- Course requirements: BBA Core / Marketing Concentration
- 4-year course plan—Marketing (BBA)
General Business (BS degree with flexible electives)
The Bachelor of Science degree with a Major in Business Administration is a flexible degree designed for students who want a wide selection of electives or who want to form a self-designed concentration. It is ideal for students pursuing medicine, dentistry, physical therapy, occupational therapy, or any other programs with significant prerequisites.
General Business (BA degree)
The Bachelor of Arts degree with a Major in Business Administration is broadly-based and flexible. The degree requires a minor or second major in a non-business area. Because foreign language study is required, this degree works well for students who study abroad in one of our many sister schools in Europe, the Middle-East, South America, and Asia. This degree is also ideal for students seeking careers in law, medicine, dentistry, or other professions.
Associate of Science (two-year degree)
The Associate of Science degree in Business Administration degree can be completed in two years and is ideal for those seeking entry-level jobs in business, such as bookkeeping, purchasing, inventory management, billing, sales, and small business management.
Information Systems
The Bachelor of Science degree with a Major in Information Systems is offered jointly with the Computer Science Department. This degree is designed for students who want to use information systems to help managers make organizations more effective and efficient. Graduates work in areas including computer support, database systems, and network systems.
Automotive Management
The Bachelor of Science degree with a Major in Automotive Management is jointly offered with the Department of Technology. This degree is designed for students who want careers in automotive service management. On top of the technical automotive content, the program covers how to manage personnel, customer relationships, and the finances of a business.
Aviation Management
The Bachelor of Science degree with a Major in Aviation Management is jointly offered with the Department of Technology. This degree is designed for students who want to work in the aviation industry. Supplementing the technical aviation content and licensing, the program covers how to manage people and organizations in preparation for becoming a well-rounded aviation professional.
Minors
Accounting Minor
A minor in accounting is designed for students who want a solid foundation in accounting but who are not seeking a major in accounting or certification as a CPA.
Business Administration Minor
A minor in business administration gives students essential skills in business basics, marketing, and management.
Course requirements—Business Administration minor
Economics Minor
A minor in economics will introduce students to the world of micro- and macroeconomics with courses in finance and other areas of business.
Course requirements—Economics minor
Global Development Minor
A minor in global development gives students exposure to business in a global context through courses in project management, global marketing, economics, and other business topics.
Course requirements—Global Development minor
Leadership Minor
A minor in leadership was designed for students who want to enhance their leadership and management skills.
Certificates
Social Media and Digital Marketing Certificate
This certificate prepares students to use social media and conduct digital marketing campaigns. The 21-credit certificate includes courses in web design, social media, and marketing. It is offered jointly with the communication department.
Course requirements—Social Media and Digital Marketing certificate
X-data Certificate
This certificate teaches skills in data analytics so that good business decisions can be made.
Course requirements—X-data certificate
Community Impact Certificate
This certificate prepares students for humanitarian service by teaching multicultural skills, ethics, and critical thinking through coursework and real-world humanitarian projects.
Course requirements—Community Impact certificate
Careers and Placement for Business Graduates
According to a recent NACE Job Outlook, over half of the top 10 majors in demand were in business. Over 97% of WWU business majors are placed in jobs or graduate schools within 12 months of graduation.
Graduates get excellent jobs in many fields:
- Accounting: Fraud investigator, financial planner, tax consultant, auditor, corporate accountant, budget manager, public accountant (CPA)
- Entrepreneurship: Cutting-edge start-up, innovative venture, small-business owner and/or manager
- Finance: Investment advisor, retirement planner, financial manager, banker, insurance or real estate professional
- Management: human resources, operations, department managers, executives
- Marketing: Advertising, public relations, marketing management, sales, consumer behavior, market research
- Global Development: Disaster relief, development specialist, NGO manager, country director
- Information Systems: Computer support, network administration, database management, web maintenance
- Automotive management: Shop service manager or technician
- Aviation Management: Pilot or aviation service manager
Graduates have been employed in a variety of organizations, such as:
- Investment Banker, JP Morgan Chase, New York
- Country Finance Director, ADRA
- CFO, Starbucks Headquarters, Seattle
- Finance Director, Walt Disney Company
- Senior Manager, Corporate Financial Planning, Walmart Headquarters
- Executive Director, UBS Investment Bank, New York
- President/CEO, Bank of Idaho
- CEO, Boeing Company Parts Division, Seattle
- CFO, Washington Hospital
- Director of Online Marketing, One Planet Ops.com
- VP of Finance, Walla Walla Community College
- Staff Editor, Entertainment Weekly, New York
- Sales Management, Twitter
- Director of Operations, Olo.com, Seattle
- Analyst, Columbia Sportswear Co.
- VP of Finance, Whitman College
- Chief Judge, Washington State Court of Appeals, Div. III
- VP of Financial Counseling, Goldman Sachs/Ayco
- VP of Communications, Seattle Symphony
- Product Manager, Google/Fitbit
- Founder/President, Campground Automation Systems
- CEO/Founder, Pocketinet Communications
- Director of Business Management, Microsoft
- Vice President, Watertower Group, Venture Capital
- President/CEO, Adventist Health System
- President & CEO, Risk Underwriting, Inc., New York
- Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Portland OR
- Assistant Vice President, Baker Boyer Bank
- General Manager, KEEH/104.9 Spokane
- Fashion Manager, Forever 21, Los Angeles
- Financial Analyst, Tripwire.com, Portland OR
- Senior Portfolio Manager, Russell Investments, Seattle
- Senior Executive, Life Care Centers of America
- CFO, Ryonet Corp., Vancouver, WA
- Senior Counsel, Morrison & Foerster Attorneys, Los Angeles
- Financial Advisor, Cetera Networks
- President/CEO, Florida Hospital
- President, Providence Alaska Foundation
- President/CEO, Loma Linda University Medical Center
- Partner, KPMG, Seattle WA
- Partner, Deloitte, Ohio
- Vice President, Thompson & Associates, Planned Giving Consultants
- CFO, Aquameta, Software Development, Seattle
- Honorary Consulate, Republic of Philippines in Palau; Executive VP, Surangel & Sons
- Founder/Chairman, Generations Senior Housing
- Attorney, Tamaki Law
- CFO, Manchester Memorial Hospital
- Director of Projects, Maranatha Volunteers International
- Corporate Director of Financial Performance, Adventist Health
- Business Operations Manager, Boeing, Seattle
- Attorney, Social Security Administration
- CFO, AdventHealth
- VP of Marketing, Key Technology
- Legislative Director, U.S. House of Representatives
- Manager, Commercial Real Estate, Wilson Group
- President/CEO, Shady Grove Medical Center
Alums have been accepted into many graduate programs, including:
- UW Foster School of Business
- MIT Sloan School of Management
- UCLA Anderson School of Management
- Harvard Law School
- Claremont Graduate University, Drucker School of Management
- Carnegie Mellon University, Tepper School of Business
- University of Virginia, Darden School of Business
- Dartmouth Tuck School of Business
- University of Oregon
- Thomas Jefferson School of Law
- UC Davis Graduate School of Management
- University of Minnesota Carson School of Management
- Washington State University
- Gonzaga University
- IMD Business School
- University of Rochester, Simon Business School
- Oxford University
- Pepperdine University
- Northwestern University
- Loma Linda University