School of Business, Government, and Economics

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Shape the future. Change the world.

You’re ready to harness the power of business and go deeper into a role that challenges you as a business leader. Seek out and achieve an MBA from SPU to satisfy your desire to rise to the challenge of thinking differently, becoming a better leader who has the opportunity to shape the future and change the world.

Apply to SPU Now

At a Glance

  • check mark icon Upcoming Application Deadline The next deadline for domestic students is 11/1/2020 for Winter quarter
  • check mark icon Upcoming Information Sessions View all of our upcoming Open House and information events.
  • check mark icon MBA Informational Webinar View our MBA informational webinar.
  • check mark icon Accreditation Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
  • check mark icon Expected Time to Completion 30–36 months
  • check mark icon Format

    Working-professional friendly (part time, evenings); on campus
  • check mark icon Credits to Graduate

    45 credits to complete
    (if prerequisites satisfied)
  • check mark icon Cost $895/credit

    Total cost $40,275 based on 2020–21 tuition. (Any needed prerequisite coursework is available at an additional cost.)

Program Overview

SPU MBA program classroom | photo by Dan Sheehan

Shape the future. Change the world.

You’re ready to harness the power of business and go deeper into a role that challenges you as a business leader. Seek out and achieve an MBA from SPU to satisfy your desire to rise to the challenge of thinking differently, becoming a better leader who has the opportunity to shape the future and change the world.

The School of Business, Government, and Economics Difference

Through the applied, experiential, and collaborative-based MBA curriculum at Seattle Pacific’s School of Business, Government, and Economics, students gain purpose-driven, cross-functional leadership skills in business, government, and civil society, and discover how business principles and ethical practice unite to lay a foundation for business as service to others.

An MBA from Seattle Pacific integrates business competence and Christian character, enabling students to think and act strategically, apply in-depth knowledge, communicate effectively, work in teams, and provide values-based leadership from a general-management perspective.

Why Seattle Pacific? 

From its inception in 1977, SPU’s School of Business, Government, and Economics has upheld an unwavering dedication to excellence ― quality faculty and curricula, values and ethics, and readying students to impact their professional and personal worlds.

  1. AACSB Accreditation

    Seattle Pacific was the first school of the nearly 100-member Council for Christian Colleges and Universities to achieve the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) distinction. AACSB International represents the highest standard of achievement for business schools worldwide — 5% of schools globally. As a member, we are part of a united movement to improve the quality of business education around the world, helping to develop the next generation of great leaders. Four out of five alumni from AACSB-accredited schools say their graduate management education contributes to improvements in their competitiveness, proactiveness, innovativeness, and creativity. Also, SPU is rated a Best On-Campus MBA Program and listed as a Best Business School in the West by The Princeton Review.

  2. Deep Ethics Emphasis

    Built on an ethical foundation, the MBA program at SPU offers first-class business education through the lens of Christian faith and values. Students take two ethics classes, and ethical issues are integrated throughout the curriculum. The School of Business, Government, and Economics also operates the Center for Integrity in Business.

  3. Flexible Format

    Classes are smaller, and students interact with professors and fellow students in a cooperative and reciprocal learning environment. Responsive and caring faculty encourage students to reach their goals. Our evening courses are designed to accommodate students' work schedules, allowing them to pace their studies to fit their lives.

  4. Mentor Program Advantage

    At SPU, students are encouraged to follow their inspiration and imagination while benefiting from a top-rated mentor program that connects them with professionals in their chosen fields of study. To enhance the MBA experience, we offer a mentor program that gives students access to more than 2,000 business people and professionals from a variety of companies, industries, roles, and levels of experience. Meet one-on-one with a mentor or multiple mentors for a richer learning experience and network of contacts.

  5. Valuable Connections

    Students have been obtaining MBAs from SPU since the program began in 1983, moving on to purposeful careers at local companies and top industries including Boeing, IBM, Safeco, and the U.S. Coast Guard. When you graduate with an MBA from SPU’s School of Business, Government, and Economics, you join a community of alumni and partnering stakeholders who stay connected. As an MBA graduate you’ll find experienced and engaged, top-level business professionals eager to lend their support.

  6. Robust Suite of Career Services

    Shaping a definitive course of action upon graduation is vital. That’s why we offer a robust suite of career and professional development opportunities including career counseling, job-search coaching, résumé development, workshops and seminars, networking events, and mentoring through SBGE Career Services.

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Curriculum

CURRICULUM (45 CREDITS*)

The MBA program develops readiness to act as a purpose-driven, cross-functional leader.

ETHICAL PERSPECTIVES COURSES (6 CREDITS)

BUS 6201     Christian Values, Ethics, and the Marketplace (3)
BUS 6202     Business Ethics: Issues and Moral Leadership (3)

LEADERSHIP & BEHAVIORAL SKILLS COURSES (6 CREDITS)

BUS 6260     Managerial Communication (3)
BUS 6266     Leadership in Organizations (3)

ADVANCED MANAGEMENT & STRATEGY COURSES (18 CREDITS) 

BUS 6210     Managerial Economics (3)
BUS 6220     Financial Analysis (3)
BUS 6250     Marketing Analysis (3)
BUS 6271     Enterprise Analysis & Integration (3)
BUS 6280     Global Political Economics (3)
BUS 6299     Strategic Policy and Planning (3)

ELECTIVE COURSES (15 CREDITS)

Management Emphasis

BUS 6365     The High Technology Enterprise (3)
BUS 6367     Project Management (3)
BUS 6381     Pacific Rim Enterprise (3)
BUS 6382     European Enterprise (3)
BUS 6390     Entrepreneurial Management (3)
BUS 6916     Managerial Issues Seminar (1-6)
BUS 6969     Practice of Business (1-6)

Finance Emphasis

BUS 6320     Investments and Portfolio Management (3)
BUS 6321     Futures, Options, and  Risk Management (3)
BUS 6322     Advanced Problems in Finance (3)
BUS 6323     International Finance (3)

Human Resources Management Emphasis

BUS 6172         HR Information Systems (3)
BUS 6300         Human Resource Management (3)
BUS 6313         Business as Community of Work (3)
BUS 6301         Labor and Employee Relations (3)
BUS 6302         Performance Management (3)
BUS 6303         Total Reward Systems (3)
BUS 6305         Managing Cultural Diversity (3)
BUS 6308         Legal Environment for HR Management (3)
BUS 6360         Innovation & Change Management (3)

Social and Sustainable Enterprise Emphasis

BUS 6312     Business and Stewardship Global Sustainability (3)
BUS 6313     Business as Community of Work (3)
BUS 6314     Business and Global Poverty (3)
BUS 6317     Spirituality in Management (1-6)

Data Management & Analytics Emphasis

ISM 6212     Database Management and Warehousing (3)
ISM 6255     Knowledge Management and Business Intelligence (3)
ISM 6353     Statistical Analysis for Data Analytics I (3)
ISM 6354     Statistical Analysis for Data Analytics II (3)
ISM 6359     Data Mining (3)
ISM 6361     Data Visualization (3)
ISM 6362     Big Data & Cloud-based Tools (3)
ISM 6331     Information Systems Security (3) or
BUS 6350     Marketing Analytics (3)
ISM 6358     Decision-making with Business Intelligence and Analytics or
ISM 6939     IS Consulting Practicum (3)

Information Systems Management Emphasis

ISM 6212     Database Management & Warehousing (3)
ISM 6225     Information and Technology Ethics (3)
ISM 6245     Information Technology Infrastructure (3)
ISM 6255     Knowledge Management and Business Intelligence (3)
ISM 6313     Information Technology as Strategic Advantage (3)
ISM 6348     End-User Computing and Interface Design (3)

Cybersecurity Emphasis

ISM 6332     Information Security Risk Management (3)
ISM 6333     Cyber Security and Disaster Response (3)
ISM 6334     Cyber Crime Investigation and Digital Forensics (3)
ISM 6336     Cybersecurity, Business and Public Policy (3)

* FOUNDATIONS COURSES

Business foundations pre-requisite coursework may be satisfied by prior undergraduate coursework or may be completed at SPU.  

BUS 6110     Macroeconomics for Managers (3)
BUS 6120     Managerial Finance (3)
BUS 6130     Financial Accounting (3)
BUS 6132     Managerial Accounting (3)
BUS 6140     Legal Environment of Business (3)
BUS 6150     Managerial Marketing (3)
BUS 6164     Operations Management (3)
BUS 6170     Information Systems Management (3)
BUS 6171     Statistics for Business Decisions (3)

Possession of the MOS Certificate in Excel is also a pre-requisite.

To view the official curriculum requirements and course descriptions for the MBA degree, visit the online Graduate Catalog.

Transfer credit

Transfer credit from other institutions will be given only for graduate-level courses from AACSB-accredited schools covering the same body of knowledge. Students may transfer a maximum of three courses (9 credits). Acceptance of transfer credit is determined by the associate dean for graduate programs. Elective course offerings vary each year based on student interest and relevance of subject matter to the business community. Consult the graduate director to select a customized and appropriate sequence of courses.

DUAL DEGREE: MBA AND MA/THEOLOGY OR MDIV

Through a program offered by the School of Business, Government, and Economics and the Seattle Pacific Seminary, you can earn two advanced degrees in the time it would take you to earn the same two degrees separately.

PROGRAM SCHEDULE AND TIMELINE

You may apply to the MBA program in any quarter. (View a list of application deadlines per quarter.) Evening and select weekend courses are designed to accommodate working professionals. Courses generally meet one evening per week for 10 to 11 weeks.

Time to complete the degree depends on previous business coursework taken (for undergraduate business majors) and number of classes taken per quarter (including summers). Typically you will take one or two classes per quarter. On average, students complete the MBA in two to three years.

Curricular Practical Training

Students attending the MBA program on an F-1 Visa are strongly encouraged to include BUS 6969 Practice of Business as one of their five electives. Completing a project in cooperation with an enterprise under the sponsorship of a faculty member is similar to doing an internship. Students have an opportunity to apply the knowledge gained from a significant amount of their prior coursework to a meaningful project for a business. This constitutes a very valuable opportunity for international students to become more familiar with U.S. business practices and meets the criteria for Curricular Practical Training.

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Career Opportunities

Career Services

Supporting the careers of our graduate business students and alumni is a high priority for the School of Business, Government, and Economics. These career resources are available:

Graduate students may use the Center for Career & Calling Resources for Current Graduate Students which include online vocational resources and résumé tips, workshops, and events. 

Job Leads

Job leads are posted in SPU's job posting board, Handshake, as well as in the SBGE LinkedIn group.

Career Counseling, Job Search Coaching, and Résumé Assistance

Where do you plan to work once you graduate? How do you plan to land your next job? If you just started your graduate business program, you might not know what is on the other side of your degree. A list of qualified, vetted career counselors and coaches is available to students who desire one-on-one assistance (i.e. résumé writing, career exploration counseling or job search coaching, career assessments, or other related activities).  This is on a fee-for-service basis.

Professional and Career Development Workshops

Managing your career is critical for success in today’s turbulent environment. To accelerate your development, each quarter we host one career related workshop on topics such as job searching, networking, résumé writing, interviewing, etc.

Alumni/Student Networking Events

Connecting alumni and current students together is a win-win for everyone. Networking events are held to connect and help current students and SBGE alumni navigate life in the workplace.

Mentoring

A mentor can be a pivotal influence in your career. Our Center for Applied Learning offers a world-class, individually customized mentoring experience that pairs you with a mentor based on your career goals and aspirations. Find out more about the Mentor Program.

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Alumna of the year, Jenette Ramos, keeps Boeing moving as operations director. READ MORE

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Costs

Tuition and Fees for 2020–21

money icon

$895

per credit

Total costs $40,275 based on 2020–21 tuition. (Any needed prerequisite coursework is available at an additional cost.)

dollar icon

$150

one time application and matriculation fee

See additional fee details.

textbook icon

45 credits

to complete

(if prerequisites satisfied.)

Financial Aid

Before applying for aid, you must first be admitted to a graduate program. Make sure you:

  • Enroll in at least 3 credits (or half-time) toward a degree or eligible certificate each quarter.
  • Complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year.

Just like undergraduates, you may take advantage of scholarships and loans. SPU does not have a deadline for graduate financial aid, though earlier is always better than later! Learn more

Fees

Learn more about administrative, certification, and other program fees.

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Application Info

Admission requirements

Generally, you must have at least a 3.0 GPA in your undergraduate studies, at least a 500 GMAT total score (25V, 30Q, and 4.4AW) and evidence of at least one year of continuous, full-time, substantive work experience after receipt of the bachelor's degree on your résumé.

Applicants must submit the following:

  • Online application and $50 application processing fee.
  • Current résumé as evidence of a substantive work experience. You will need at least one full year, continuous full time, post-bachelor’s degree experience at the time of application. More is preferred. This is a significant factor in the admission decision process. Applicants with less than one year of post-baccalaureate professional work experience, but who are otherwise strong candidates and are currently employed in a meaningful professional role, may be considered.
  • Official transcript from colleges or universities attended. Include the transcript from the institution that granted your bachelor’s degree with the posted degree appearing on the transcript. Also, send official transcripts for all institutions attended following your undergraduate degree, as well as any other schools where you earned credits that may be used to request waivers of foundations courses.
  • GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) scores. GMAT scores above 500 (25 verbal; 30 quantitative; 4.4 analytical writing) are preferred. For the GMAT, the SPU school code is C9FD273.
    • The GMAT requirement is waived for applicants with a cumulative GPA of 3.5; a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or above and 3+ years of post-baccalaureate professional work experience; or, a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and 5+ years of post-baccalaureate professional work experience; or for applicants already possessing an advanced degree from an accredited university.
    • While the university is operating under COVID-19 protocol, the GRE/GMAT test is optional for admission.
  • Personal statement (3–4 pages) responding to the essay questions listed in the online application.
  • Two professional letters of recommendation listed in the online application (optional).

APPLICATION DEADLINES

The application for admission, application fee, and personal statement must be received by the dates listed below. Recommendation letters, official transcripts and test scores must arrive before an admission decision can be made.

Quarter/Starting Month

Application Deadline

Autumn/September

August 1

Winter/January

November 1

Spring/March

February 1

Summer/June

May 1

International applicants attending on an F-1 visa 
(International applicants who do not need an F-1 visa may adhere to the above deadlines.)

Quarter/Starting Month

Application Deadline

Autumn/September

June 1

Winter/January

September 1

Spring/March

December 1

Summer/June

Admission not available for F-1 visa students

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT APPLICANTS

Pre-Qualified Students

Qualified individuals may take up to five courses if they have an undergraduate degree (as evidenced by an Official transcript(s) from an accredited institution); a minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0; and a minimum of one year full-time post-baccalaureate work experience (as evidenced by a current résumé).

Prequalified students must apply for admission to take additional courses. Prequalified status does not guarantee full admission at a later date.

Conditional Admission

You may request conditional admittance into the School of Business, Government, and Economics under these conditions: 

  • You are a student who needs an F-1 visa to study in the United States.
  • You have graduated from an accredited four-year institution. Your transcript must show completion of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
  • You have achieved at least a 3.0 GPA on the US 4.0 scale.
  • You have a minimum of at least one year, continuous full-time, post-bachelor’s degree experience at the time of application. You will be required to submit a résumé with job titles, duties, start date, and end date (month and year). Internships and job training are not accepted as full-time employment.

If approved, you will receive a Conditional Letter of Admission from SPU. Conditional admission assures that you will be considered for admission, if you satisfy all admission requirements at the time of your intended enrollment.

Please complete this form to request conditional admission to a graduate program in the SPU School of Business, Government, and Economics.

Visiting Graduate Students

If you have been admitted to a graduate degree program in another accredited institution, you may enroll for up to 9 credits at Seattle Pacific University ― with the approval of the School of Business, Government, and Economics.

To gain admission as a visiting graduate student, you must submit:

  • Online application and $50 application processing fee.
  • Letter from the dean’s office at your home institution stating that you are good standing at that institution.
  • Current résumé.

Questions?

For other questions, please check out our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page.

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International Applicants

International students are an important part of Seattle Pacific University. A vibrant and active international population, SPU’s international graduate students represent 32 different countries.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT APPLICANTS

In addition to general admission requirements, international students must also submit:

  • TOEFL score of at least 90 on the iBT, or an IELTS official score report of at least 7.0 if English is not your first language. Otherwise strong applicants with a TOEFL score of 84-89 (IELTS 6.5) may be probationally or conditionally admitted with the requirement to successfully complete SPU approved ESL coursework prior to or at the outset of enrollment and continuing as needed.
  • Official financial statement reflecting financial support equivalent to the cost of the first year of graduate study. Complete the Declaration of International Student Finances form and send it to the address listed on the form, along with an original bank statement and copy of your passport (front and back).
  • For non US transcripts, provide a transcript evaluation by World Education Services (WES) or Foundation for International Services Inc. (FIS). (A page-by-page evaluation is sufficient, but a course-by-course evaluation is needed to determine if any pre-requisite foundations have been satisfied.)

All official transcripts must be submitted in English. International applicants are responsible for all costs associated with this service. 

Questions?

For other questions, please check out our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page.

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Alumnus Kedmon Mapana leads music festival in Tanzania.

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