Professional Programs Built for What’s Next
EVENING AND DAYTIME PROGRAMS IN PORTLAND & SALEM
MBA FOR PROFESSIONALS
EARLY CAREER & CAREER CHANGE MBA
MS IN DATA SCIENCE
MS IN ACCOUNTING & FINANCE
Turning Knowledge Into Action
A GRADUATE EDUCATION WITH PURPOSE
At Willamette, graduate study means more than earning a degree. Our programs are designed to give you practical experience, supportive mentorship, and the skills to make a lasting contribution in your field.
LEARNING BY DOING
From consulting with regional businesses to managing investment funds and analyzing data, our curriculum is built on real-world learning. You’ll gain the kind of experience that prepares you to step confidently into your next role.
FACULTY WHO INVEST IN YOU
Our professors are recognized experts who bring both knowledge and industry connections to the classroom. They challenge you to grow and guide you toward opportunities that align with your goals.
ADVANTAGES OF STUDYING IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST
With campuses in Salem and Portland, you’ll learn in the heart of Oregon’s economic, cultural, and political centers. The region’s collaborative spirit and innovative industries create an environment that’s both dynamic and supportive.
BELONG TO A COMMUNITY THAT BACKS YOU
Willamette’s motto “Not unto ourselves alone are we born” guides everything we do. You’ll join a community that values service, inclusion, and impact. And you’ll carry those values forward into your career.
PROGRAMS THAT PROPEL YOU FORWARD
Our MBA, Data Science, and Accounting & Finance programs are designed for flexibility, real-world application, and strong outcomes. No matter which path you choose, you’ll be equipped to advance with confidence.
Fast Facts
2 CAMPUSES: PORTLAND & SALEM
EVENING OPTIONS FOR WORKING PROFESSIONALS
APPLIED LEARNING IN EVERY PROGRAM
EXPLORE PROGRAMS: GO.WILLAMETTE.EDU/GRAD-PROGRAMS
“I had a clear edge over other applicants because Microsoft puts an emphasis on projects, and I had the chance to build these cool projects at Willamette. I created a dashboard in my data visualization class that analyzed the performance of Formula One drivers and teams using the R programming language.”
—Cameron Bayer MS’24
Master’s in Data Science
Data Science Done Right
The MSDS program at Willamette is a high-caliber, professionally aligned, and nationally ranked graduate program. We are not a boot camp or a short certificate program. Our program is crafted to build advanced programming, statistical and ethical expertise, enabling graduates to stand out in a datadriven economy.
WHO’S IT FOR?
The program welcomes both working professionals and recent college graduates. You’ll grow your technical skills while learning about the broader societal implications of computing.
WHY CHOOSE WILLAMETTE’S MSDS?
This is a full graduate degree program powered by expert faculty and an annually updated curriculum. Your learning is comprehensive, not just cursory.
Our MSDS program emphasizes technical fluency in Python, SQL and R as well as
Fast Facts
LENGTH: 12 MONTHS (EVENING CLASSES)
FORMAT: IN-PERSON, COHORT-BASED
LOCATIONS: PORTLAND OR SALEM
foundational data science workflows, machine learning, data engineering, ethics, and a capstone project to apply what you’ve learned.
This program explores how data is used, its social implications, and responsible deployment so you graduate equipped to think critically, not just computationally.
Whether you’re based in Salem or Portland, you’ll be connected to Oregon’s vibrant business, policy, and nonprofit sectors. Willamette’s strong alumni network and locations amplify your potential career reach.
Anchored in our community-centered values and longstanding academic excellence, the MSDS program prepares you to lead with both skill and civic awareness.
SKILLS YOU’LL LEARN: MACHINE LEARNING, DATA ENGINEERING, ANALYTICS/ STATISTICS, AND DATA ETHICS
MOST MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE: CAPSTONE PROJECT USING REAL DATA
Master’s in Accounting & Finance
One Credential. Two Skillsets.
Willamette’s Master’s in Accounting & Finance pairs rigorous technical training with the communication and leadership skills employers expect. In as little as nine months, you’ll be ready for roles across audit, advisory, corporate finance, and financial planning and analysis. And you’ll be prepared to pursue CPA or CFA pathways. Whether you’re entering the field or leveling up, this credential holds value in every market cycle.
Fast Facts
LENGTH: 9 TO 24 MONTHS (CHOOSE YOUR PACE)
FORMAT: IN-PERSON
LOCATION: SALEM, JUST STEPS AWAY FROM THE OREGON STATE CAPITOL
PROFESSIONAL READINESS: STRUCTURED TO SUPPORT CPA AND CFA PREPARATION
MOST MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE: STUDENTMANAGED INVESTING (E.G., ANGEL FUND; O’NEILL STUDENT INVESTMENT FUND)
WHO’S IT FOR?
This degree is ideal for students seeking to enter accounting or finance directly after graduation, as well as those looking to strengthen their career trajectory with a credential that employers value.
WHY CHOOSE WILLAMETTE’S MASTER’S IN ACCOUNTING & FINANCE?
Willamette’s Master’s in Accounting & Finance emphasizes technical training with real-world application so you’re valuable in any market. You’ll build depth in accounting and finance with credentialed faculty who have extensive industry experience. Through student-managed investing, cases, and applied projects, you’ll practice the decisions analysts and controllers make every day, making you essential in downturns and ready to drive growth in upturns. Small classes and close mentorship connect you to a network invested in your success.
“At Willamette, the emphasis isn’t just on getting in, learning the material, and getting out. There’s real-world applications, there’s more working with other people. The professors are really invested in your success.”
—Sophie
Clarke MBA’19
“I took a leap of faith and enrolled at Willamette, and it led to confidence and a diverse knowledge of strategy, finance, and marketing that I use on a daily basis. My MBA really helped me build the confidence I needed.”
—Jasmine Ames, MBAP’18
MBA for Professionals
Work Full-Time While Earning Your MBA
Willamette’s MBA for Professionals program emphasizes hands-on learning and leadership development so you can take what you learn in the classroom and apply it at work the very next day. This program equips you with the tools to step into a leadership role, pivot industries, or broaden your business expertise.
WHO’S IT FOR?
Our program is designed for working adults who want to advance their careers while continuing to work full time. With evening classes in either Portland or Salem, this parttime MBA delivers the knowledge, skills, and network needed to accelerate your career without pausing your professional life.
Fast Facts
LENGTH: 24 MONTHS | 48 CREDITS SIX SEMESTERS
FORMAT: IN-PERSON, TWO EVENING CLASSES PER SEMESTER
LOCATIONS: PORTLAND OR SALEM
COHORT MODEL: BUILD DEEP RELATIONSHIPS AS YOU PROGRESS TOGETHER
LIFELONG LEARNING: MBA FOR LIFE (TUITION-FREE ALUMNI CLASS ACCESS)
MOST MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE: HAVING COMPLIMENTARY DINNERS WITH YOUR COHORT
WHY CHOOSE WILLAMETTE’S MBA FOR PROFESSIONALS?
Willamette’s evening, cohort-based program helps you build a powerful network while you work. You’ll get customized career support— including one-on-one coaching, curated alumni introductions, and employer networking—to accelerate your next move. Alumni keep learning through MBA for Life (tuition-free course access). And every student receives a generous scholarship, along with many regional employers offering automatic tuition discounts to their employees, including Nike, Intel, and Salem Health.
Early Career & Career Change MBA
The MBA That Builds Your Résumé
Willamette’s Early Career & Career Change MBA is a full-time, two-year program that lets you build experience while you study. You’ll work with real clients, complete hands-on courses, and stack internships so your résumé grows every term. Unlike programs that require years of experience up front, this MBA helps you earn it as you go, so you graduate with a portfolio of work, a strong network, and the confidence to step into roles across business, government, or nonprofit sectors.
WHY CHOOSE WILLAMETTE’S EARLY CAREER & CAREER CHANGE MBA?
Build your résumé while you earn your degree. This full-time, two-year program pairs rigorous coursework with real client consulting through the PACE class and lets you stack up to three semesters of internships, so you graduate with tangible experience, not just course credits. Based in Oregon’s capital with access to networks in both Salem and Portland, you’ll connect with industry leaders and public-sector opportunities as you learn. And because the program is dually accredited by AACSB (business) and NASPAA (public service), your degree carries multi-sector credibility that opens doors across business, government, and nonprofit roles.
Fast Facts
LENGTH: 2 YEARS | CREDITS: 60 TO 65
FORMAT: FULL-TIME, DAYTIME; COHORT-BASED
LOCATION: SALEM (ACROSS FROM THE OREGON STATE CAPITOL)
INTERNSHIPS: UP TO 3 SEMESTERS OF INTERNSHIPS
MOST MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE: PACE CONSULTING WITH REAL CLIENTS, EVERY YEAR
“I learned the skills needed to find an internship, like networking and speaking to senior executives. My MBA made me confident with negotiation power and selling myself.”
—Gianna Marchese BA’22, MBA’23
Comparing the MBAs
FEATURE:
LENGTH:
CREDITS:
LOCATION:
IDEAL FOR:
CAREER FOCUS:
1 YEAR
12 MONTHS (3 CONSECUTIVE SEMESTERS)
45 SALEM
STUDENTS WITH A RECENT UNDERGRAD DEGREE IN BUSINESS OR BUSINESSADJACENT FIELD
FAST TRACK TO MANAGEMENT ROLES, REDUCED TIME AWAY FROM WORKFORCE
STEM MBA
2 YEARS
60 (36 IN STEM-DESIGNATED COURSES)
SALEM
STUDENTS SEEKING A BLEND OF BUSINESS LEADERSHIP AND TECHNICAL STEM EXPERTISE
PREPARES GRADS FOR ROLES AT THE INTERSECTION OF BUSINESS, TECH, AND DATA
1-Year MBA
STEM MBA
Willamette’s One Year MBA is an accelerated program designed for students with an undergraduate degree in business or businessadjacent degree. In just 12 months, you’ll sharpen your management expertise, expand your leadership skills, and prepare for the next step in your career without losing momentum.
The One-Year MBA is perfect for motivated students who want to accelerate their career while reducing tuition and time away from the workforce. It’s a high ROI program that equips you with the skills and network to advance quickly. Small classes have a big impact. Personalized attention from faculty mentors and strong connections through Willamette’s alumni network are hallmarks of this program.
The STEM MBA at Willamette blends the breadth of a Willamette MBA with the technical depth today’s organizations demand. By emphasizing data-driven decision-making, this track prepares you for roles at the intersection of technology and management.
Fast Facts
LENGTH: 12 MONTHS (THREE CONSECUTIVE SEMESTERS)
FORMAT: FULL-TIME, DAYTIME LOCATION: SALEM
MOST MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE: PACE (PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS FOR CAREERS AND ENTERPRISES) AND THE IMAP CAPSTONE PROJECT
Fast Facts
LENGTH: 2 YEARS | CREDITS: 60 (WITH 36 STEM-DESIGNATED)
FORMAT: FULL-TIME, DAYTIME LOCATION: SALEM
MOST MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE: TECHNOLOGY ELECTIVES LIKE DIGITAL E-COMMERCE ANALYTICS OR MANAGING AI
JD/MBA
WHY CHOOSE WILLAMETTE’S JD/MBA?
The JD/MBA allows you to earn two respected degrees in just four years (instead of five): a Juris Doctor (JD) from Willamette’s School of Law and an MBA from Willamette’s Atkinson Graduate School of Management. This dual credential positions you at the powerful intersection of law, business, and government, just steps away from the Oregon State Capitol.
Earn two degrees with accreditation that employers recognize: an ABA-accredited JD and an MBA accredited by AACSB and NASPAA. A single, integrated plan of study saves time and tuition while giving you access to two career paths, two alumni networks, and close faculty mentorship across both schools. You’ll apply what you learn through externships and internships in law firms, in-house legal departments, government agencies, and nonprofits, graduating fluent in legal reasoning and management.
MBA/MSDS
WHY CHOOSE WILLAMETTE’S MBA/MSDS?
In only five semesters, the MBA/MSDS dual degree combines advanced management education with technical expertise in data science. This program equips graduates to lead in a data-driven world, blending strategic decision-making with cutting-edge skills in programming, analytics, and machine learning.
Earn both an MBA and an MS in Data Science in five semesters, which is just one more than the standalone MBA. This combination saves you time and tuition versus pursuing them separately. You’ll learn from expert faculty across the Atkinson Graduate School of Management and the School of Computing & Information Sciences, applying strategy and advanced analytics to real projects.
Fast Facts
LENGTH: 4 YEARS | 120 CREDIT HOURS
FORMAT: FULL-TIME
LOCATION: SALEM
CURRICULUM: SEQUENCED LAW AND MBA COURSEWORK
JOB POTENTIALS: CORPORATE COUNSEL, COMPLIANCE, PUBLIC SECTOR LEADERSHIP, ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Fast Facts
LENGTH: FIVE SEMESTERS (ONE MORE THAN STANDALONE MBA)
FORMAT: FULL-TIME
LOCATION: SALEM WITH ACCESS TO PORTLAND MSDS COURSEWORK
CURRICULUM: LEADERSHIP, MARKETING, AND STRATEGY + MACHINE LEARNING, DATA ENGINEERING, AND ANALYTICS/STATISTICS
JOB POTENTIALS: CHIEF DATA OFFICER, PRODUCT ANALYTICS MANAGER, MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT, DATA SCIENTIST, TECH ENTREPRENEUR
Office of Career Development
Willamette University’s Office of Career Development is here to ensure you have the tools and confidence to stand out in a competitive job market. Our staff delivers personalized support, helping students identify their goals to prepare for successful careers.
INDUSTRY CONNECTIONS & NETWORKING
We understand that connecting with the right people can make all the difference. Through our robust industry partnerships, we bring guest speakers directly into the classroom and help you secure strong internship placements that provide hands-on experience.
PREPARING YOU FOR SUCCESS
Our career services prepare you to excel in your career by equipping you with the skills to anticipate industry trends, innovate solutions, and tackle complex challenges head-on. From your first day at Willamette to graduation and beyond, we’re here to support your journey to becoming a leader in your field.
Noteworthy Employers
ACTIVISION
ADIDAS
AMAZON
AUTODESK
BOEING
CAMBIA HEALTH
SOLUTIONS
CHARLES SCHWAB
COLUMBIA
SPORTSWEAR
DAIMLER TRUCKS
DELOITTE
FISHER INVESTMENTS
FLIR SYSTEMS
FREDDIE MAC
GARMIN
GARTNER
HEWLETT PACKARD
INTEL
KAISER
PERMANENTE
KEEN FOOTWEAR
KEY BANK
LAM RESEARCH
LIBERTY MUTUAL
MICROSOFT
MODA HEALTH
NIKE
NW NATURAL
OREGON
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
OREGON METRO
PORTLAND GENERAL
ELECTRIC
PORTLAND PUBLIC
SCHOOLS
SAIF
SALEM HEALTH
STATE OF OREGON
TEKTRONIX
TILLAMOOK
CREAMERY
U.S. BANK
WELLS FARGO
Take the Next Step
APPLYING TO OUR GRADUATE PROGRAMS
Application deadlines vary by school, with a preference for early applications. After the final decision deadline, applications are accepted on a rolling basis as space is available.
Learn more about each school’s application process at go.willamette.edu/grad-apply.
TUITION & FINANCIAL AID
For the most up-to-date tuition information visit go.willamette.edu/grad-tuition
Federal loans and federal work study programs are available and require completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Learn more about applying for financial aid at go.willamette.edu/grad-finaid
SCHOLARSHIPS
Applicants are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships when they apply. Students will be notified of their scholarship awards in their admission decision letter.
PREFERRED PARTNERSHIPS
Our MBA for Professionals program partners with organizations in Oregon to provide automatic tuition discounts to employees. See the list of employers at go.willamette.edu/ mbap-partnerships
DISCOVER WHAT MAKES WILLAMETTE UNIVERSITY UNIQUE
We invite prospective students to visit our campuses in Portland and Salem to explore our diverse graduate programs, meet our dedicated faculty, and immerse themselves in our vibrant communities. Experience firsthand the dynamic classroom discussions, innovative research, and community engagement that define the Willamette experience.
Join us and see how we’re turning knowledge into action. Schedule your visit today at go.willamette.edu/grad-visit
