Milgard School of Business cultivates business leaders through cutting edge and personally accessible education, diverse scholarly exploration, and innovative community engagement while promoting social responsibility. We inspire students to become lifelong learners.
The Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration program is designed to prepare students for entry into professional positions in business and government. The curriculum, which leads to a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, emphasizes critical learning outcomes needed by students to succeed in the business environment of the 21st century. Students will learn and apply the specific skills associated with each learning outcome in the core courses, refine and practice those learning outcomes in their study option, and use and demonstrate the outcomes in additional course work as they develop skills for their professional careers.
This program of study leads to the following credentials:
Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration degree
Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration degree: Accounting
Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration degree: Finance
Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration degree: Management
Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration degree: Marketing
Admission Requirements
Direct Admission
The Milgard School of Business enrolls a limited number of students each year directly out of high school. Freshmen applicants to the University who indicate Business Administration as their intended major are automatically considered. Admission is offered to students with competitive academic records. Involvement in high school leadership, activities, and community service are also considered.
Students who are offered Direct Admission to the Milgard School of Business will be notified starting in February each year. Students must confirm acceptance to the Direct Admission program.
Admission Requirements
Current University of Washington Tacoma students must complete an online application to be considered for admission to the Milgard School of Business in their junior year.
Transfer students follow a two-step process for admission to Milgard. Transfer students must apply to the University of Washington Tacoma and complete the online application for the Milgard School of Business.
High school seniors can apply directly to the Milgard School of Business through the University of Washington Tacoma application by selecting any of the five Business options.
Academic Performance and Prerequisites
Applicants must meet the following requirements in order to be eligible for admission:
A cumulative GPA of at least a 2.75 in all college coursework.
A cumulative GPA of at least a 2.75 in business prerequisites:
Financial Accounting I
Financial Accounting II
Managerial Accounting
Business Law
Microeconomics
Macroeconomics
Statistics
Prerequisite course work must be completed prior to the start of the quarter of admission. Of the 7 required prerequisite courses, Financial Accounting I, Microeconomics or Macroeconomics, and 2 other prerequisites must be completed at the time of application.
Applicants must also complete 5 credits of English composition with minimum acceptable grade of 2.0 to meet eligibility requirements.
Business prerequisites may not be taken P/F or S/NS; the minimum acceptable grade in Business prerequisites is 2.0.
Completion of a minimum of 60 college-level credits. A maximum of 105 college-level transferable credits may be applied to the degree.
The Milgard School of Business admits students for autumn and winter quarters.
Admission Process
Applicants are considered in two admission groups: Direct Admission and Standard Admission. The following requirements apply to the Standard Admission Group:
Applications for admission into the Business School are complete when the following have been received:
UW Tacoma undergraduate application and application fee
Business School Application and Personal Statement
In addition to completing a Business School application, a written personal statement is required from all applicants. Both are used by the Milgard School Admissions Committee to assess applicants. When writing the personal statement, applicants should refer to the current Milgard School application for specific instructions. Additional application information can be found online at www.tacoma.uw.edu/business/baba.
Selection Criteria
Admission is competitive, and candidates will be evaluated on the following criteria:
Previous academic performance (cumulative and business GPA)
Likelihood of success in the degree program
Demonstration of the relationship between academic opportunities and the candidate's professional career goals
Admission decisions are made by the Business School Admissions Committee.
Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration degree
Credential Overview
Want to get a degree in business, but have flexibility to mix and match courses from a variety of business disciplines? The General Business option is for you! Combining courses from management, marketing, economics, finance, and business data analytics you have flexibility in course selection allowing you to customize your skill set. The General Business option is designed for the student interested in a broad perspective that draws from multiple disciplines.
Completion Requirements
To qualify for graduation with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from the University of Washington Tacoma, a student must:
Be a matriculated Business student in good academic standing with UW Tacoma and the Milgard School of Business.
Satisfy all of the prerequisites for entrance into Milgard School of Business.
Complete 5 credits of Psychology, Sociology, or Anthropology.
Complete T BUS 300 and T BUS 400 in residence at UW Tacoma.
Maintain a minimum cumulative 2.0 grade point average and a minimum cumulative 2.0 grade point average in all Business courses.
Apply for graduation with an advisor by the application deadline posted by the Business School for the expected date of graduation, and prior to registration for the Business capstone.
Complete all required and elective courses in a selected degree option.
Business Core Course Requirements (35 credits)
T BUS 300
T BUS 301
T BUS 310
T BUS 320
T BUS 330 (T ACCT 330 for accounting option)
T BUS 350
5-credit capstone course: T BUS 400
Additional requirements specified below.
Additional Completion Requirements
Option specific-requirements
30 credits of core courses
30 credits of upper-division Business courses
300/400 level TBGEN courses, T BUS 468 and 469 do not apply
Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration degree: Accounting
Credential Overview
Accounting focuses on recording and reporting financial transactions and students in this option develop the financial and quantitative skills necessary to succeed in today’s fast-paced business environment.
Specific areas covered within the MSB accounting option include: recording and reporting of financial data under generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), understanding tax law and its effect on business decisions, auditing financial statements using GAAP, the importance of accounting information systems, understanding the composition of consolidated financial statements, gathering and using cost data for planning and control decisions.
Elective courses provide extensive studies in corporate and non-profit accounting, forensic accounting, and taxation.
Completion Requirements
To qualify for graduation with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from the University of Washington Tacoma, a student must:
Be a matriculated Business student in good academic standing with UW Tacoma and the Milgard School of Business.
Satisfy all of the prerequisites for entrance into Milgard School of Business.
Complete 5 credits of Psychology, Sociology, or Anthropology.
Complete T BUS 300 and T BUS 400 in residence at UW Tacoma.
Maintain a minimum cumulative 2.0 grade point average and a minimum cumulative 2.0 grade point average in all Business courses.
Apply for graduation with an advisor by the application deadline posted by the Business School for the expected date of graduation, and prior to registration for the Business capstone.
Complete all required and elective courses in a selected degree option.
Business Core Course Requirements (35 credits)
T BUS 300
T BUS 301
T BUS 310
T BUS 320
T BUS 330 (T ACCT 330 for accounting option)
T BUS 350
5-credit capstone course: T BUS 400
Additional requirements specified below.
Additional Completion Requirements
Option-specific requirements
30 credits of core courses to include T ACCT 330
35 credits of Accounting courses to include: T ACCT 301, T ACCT 302, T ACCT 303, T ACCT 311, T ACCT 411, T ACCT 451
Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration degree: Finance
Credential Overview
Finance – the indispensable discipline for the future. It is impossible to participate in any discussion of financial trends for the next few decades without becoming aware of the low accumulated savings of the average individual, of the depletion of the Social Security Trust Fund, of an aging population, and other factors that will affect all of us in some way. An understanding of finance and how it, together with time, can be made to work for you and your employer is the major goal of the finance option. Whether you are managing your own money or other peoples, whether you are running your own business or involved with the financial affairs of a corporation, whether you work at a bank or the loan department of a car dealership, a comprehensive understanding of finance together with the ability to apply it in your decision making is critical to your future wellbeing.
After taking basic and elective courses in finance you will be able to apply the concept of the time value of money in all your financial decisions; understand interest rates and how they affect financial decision making; value financial securities like bonds and stocks; understand risk and its relationship with return; estimate and compute returns; learn about derivative securities and their various uses; learn about the goal of a corporation and how it uses financial tools to achieve that goal; learn about portfolio management; use your knowledge of finance to secure your own financial future.
Completion Requirements
To qualify for graduation with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from the University of Washington Tacoma, a student must:
Be a matriculated Business student in good academic standing with UW Tacoma and the Milgard School of Business.
Satisfy all of the prerequisites for entrance into Milgard School of Business.
Complete 5 credits of Psychology, Sociology, or Anthropology.
Complete T BUS 300 and T BUS 400 in residence at UW Tacoma.
Maintain a minimum cumulative 2.0 grade point average and a minimum cumulative 2.0 grade point average in all Business courses.
Apply for graduation with an advisor by the application deadline posted by the Business School for the expected date of graduation, and prior to registration for the Business capstone.
Complete all required and elective courses in a selected degree option.
Business Core Course Requirements (35 credits)
T BUS 300
T BUS 301
T BUS 310
T BUS 320
T BUS 330 (T ACCT 330 for accounting option)
T BUS 350
5-credit capstone course: T BUS 400
Additional requirements specified below.
Additional Completion Requirements
Option-specific requirements
30 credits of core courses
30 credits of Finance courses chosen from the T FIN and TBECON course offerings
Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration degree: Management
Credential Overview
The management option is designed to prepare students to meet today’s managerial challenges effectively. Students learn how to build and work in effective teams, solve complex problems considering ethical and sociocultural implications, bolster their critical thinking skills, communicate effectively with diverse others, manage conflict, navigate difficult conversations, and effectively use human resource management tools such as recruiting, hiring, performance appraisal, and reward systems.
Completion Requirements
To qualify for graduation with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from the University of Washington Tacoma, a student must:
Be a matriculated Business student in good academic standing with UW Tacoma and the Milgard School of Business.
Satisfy all of the prerequisites for entrance into Milgard School of Business.
Complete 5 credits of Psychology, Sociology, or Anthropology.
Complete T BUS 300 and T BUS 400 in residence at UW Tacoma.
Maintain a minimum cumulative 2.0 grade point average and a minimum cumulative 2.0 grade point average in all Business courses.
Apply for graduation with an advisor by the application deadline posted by the Business School for the expected date of graduation, and prior to registration for the Business capstone.
Complete all required and elective courses in a selected degree option.
Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration degree: Marketing
Credential Overview
Marketing is about fulfilling customer needs. The Marketing option examines the dynamic world of consumer and organizational buyer behavior, and the impact of economic, technological, legal, and social changes on buyer behavior. The courses in the marketing option cover topics such as consumer behavior, channels of distribution, marketing research, marketing strategy, advertising, product development, promotion, services marketing, business-to-business marketing, and sales administration. The option prepares students for responsibilities in domestic business firms, including private and publicly held firms, as well as governmental agencies, international and multinational organizations. Marketing careers may involve specializations such as product or brand management, advertising, wholesaling, marketing research and sales.
Completion Requirements
To qualify for graduation with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from the University of Washington Tacoma, a student must:
Be a matriculated Business student in good academic standing with UW Tacoma and the Milgard School of Business.
Satisfy all of the prerequisites for entrance into Milgard School of Business.
Complete 5 credits of Psychology, Sociology, or Anthropology.
Complete T BUS 300 and T BUS 400 in residence at UW Tacoma.
Maintain a minimum cumulative 2.0 grade point average and a minimum cumulative 2.0 grade point average in all Business courses.
Apply for graduation with an advisor by the application deadline posted by the Business School for the expected date of graduation, and prior to registration for the Business capstone.
Complete all required and elective courses in a selected degree option.
Business Core Course Requirements (35 credits)
T BUS 300
T BUS 301
T BUS 310
T BUS 320
T BUS 330 (T ACCT 330 for accounting option)
T BUS 350
5-credit capstone course: T BUS 400
Additional requirements specified below.
Additional Completion Requirements
Option-specific requirements
30 credits of core courses
30 credits of Marketing courses to include: T MKTG 450, T MKTG 460, T MKTG 475, 15 credits of Marketing electives
Communication Skills: Students will effectively present ideas orally and in writing, including organizational coherence, stylistic appropriateness, and mechanical correctness.
Quantitative Analysis: Students will be able to use quantitative reasoning to solve business problems.
Financial Skills: Students will understand financial theories and methods, including financial reporting, analysis, and markets.
Strategic Thinking: Students will be able to think critically, diagnose organizational problems, and design effective solutions.
Ethics and Business in Society: Students will be able to identify ethical standards and evaluate the societal implications of business decisions.
Global Awareness: Students will be able to understand the global environment of business decisions and identify threats and opportunities.
Teamwork: Students will be able to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the team process and provide recommendations. Students will be able to analyze individual performance of team members and provide meaningful feedback.
Technology: Students will be able to utilize technology to formulate business solutions.
Curriculum
The Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration curriculum consists of:
30 credits of required core courses
30-35 credits of option courses
5 credit capstone course
General electives to reach a total of 180 credits
General Electives
In addition to the Business course requirements, students may be required to take additional general electives to complete the 180 credits required for the baccalaureate degree. Internship and independent study credits fulfill general elective requirements.
Academic Standards/Policies
The following standards apply to all students in the Milgard School of Business. These standards may be in addition to other academic standards at the University of Washington Tacoma.
Students must complete all upper-division Business courses with a minimum grade of 1.7. Required core and option course(s) with a grade below 1.7 must be repeated.
Courses in the Business core and option may not be taken S/NS (satisfactory/not satisfactory).
Students may transfer up to a total of three upper-division business courses: a maximum of two approved courses may be applied toward the core requirement, and one toward the option requirement. T BUS 300 and T BUS 400 must be completed in residence.
Upper-division Business courses completed at other accredited four-year institutions may not be more than seven years old in order to substitute for a course in the Business Administration major. If a course is more than seven years old, the student will be required to repeat the course at UW Tacoma. Credit will not be awarded twice for an equivalent course. There is no time limit on prerequisite course work.
Transfer courses used to satisfy upper-division Business requirements are held to the 1.7 grade standard.
Removal from Program
Students are notified in writing of academic warning, probation or drop as soon as practicable after receiving the previous quarter's grade reports; each notice of academic warning or probation is noted on the student's transcript.
Students removed from the Milgard School who wish to re-enter the program must re-apply for admission and/or submit a petition for reinstatement. The Milgard School evaluates the student's file, statement requesting re-admission and any extenuating circumstances, and then recommends action.
The minor in Business Administration is designed for undergraduate students in any non-business major to increase their understanding of business theory, practices, and applications within a wider economic and social context.
The curriculum is designed to emphasize critical competencies, including strategic thinking, integrated business knowledge, communication and teamwork needed by students with a broad range of interests to succeed in the 21st century.
This program of study leads to the following credential:
Minor in Business Administration
Minor in Business Administration
Completion Requirements
The Business minor requires 30 credits; a minimum of 20 credits must be completed in residence.
Students must maintain a cumulative Business GPA of 2.0 in all minor course work and a 2.0 GPA in each course required to earn the minor.
The Minor in Business Data Analytics prepares students to learn how to make data-driven decision making. Foundational coursework for the minor teaches students in a range of disciplines how to collect, store, interpret and present data after discovering meaningful insights. Curriculum provides a strong foundation in data analysis, interpretation and visualization. The minor in business data analytics would be valuable for students from any major and/or concentration who want to sharpen their critical thinking, cognitive development, problem solving, creativity, data/analytical decision-making and information technology-enablement skills. It also helps students appreciate ethical dimensions of concerns, and provides students the opportunity to integrate these skills into their majors.
This program of study leads to the following credential:
Minor in Business Data Analytics
Minor in Business Data Analytics
Completion Requirements
Required Courses (15 credits): Business Data Analytics Foundation Courses
Program of Study: Minor: Sports Enterprise Management
Program Overview
The minor in Sports Enterprise Management is designed for undergraduate students in any major to provide a foundational understanding and set of tools necessary to navigate the evolving environment of the business or sports. The minor prepares students to develop critical thinking skills and to analyze the business environment in the sports industry. The curriculum enables students to discover evidence and determine actions to be taken to support the activities of for-profit and not-for-profit sports enterprises.
This program of study leads to the following credential:
Program of Study: Master Of Business Administration
Program Overview
The Milgard School of Business operates on a quarter system. The master of business administration (MBA) degree at the Milgard School of Business is a 64-credit graduate degree designed to provide experienced professionals and managers with new tools for responding to the challenges of change. The program encourages managers to develop the integrated base of knowledge and skills needed to lead organizations facing an increasing pace of change. The Milgard School of Business MBA is a comprehensive degree that builds capabilities across the full range of business disciplines.
The primary goal of the MBA is to provide current and future managers with the knowledge necessary to succeed in an increasingly dynamic and complex environment. Students develop a strong mix of leadership, financial, analytical, operational, relational, and communication skills. We offer a high-quality program that is immediately relevant to practicing managers.
This program of study leads to the following credential:
Master Of Business Administration
Admission Requirements
The following are required for admission to the Master of Business Administration program:
A baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution.
An overall grade point average of 3.0 calculated from the applicant’s final 90 graded quarter credits or 60 graded semester credits.
Competitive scores from the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) completed within the last five years. GRE scores are also accepted; contact MBA advisor for details.
A minimum of two years of managerial/professional work experience.
Unofficial transcripts from any institution where a degree was obtained to include 90 graded quarter or 60 graded semester credits. Transcripts with post-degree credits may also be submitted. If admitted, an official baccalaureate transcript will be requested by the Graduate School.
Two essays. Details about the essays are included in the application information.
A resume
Two professional recommendations
Applicants indicating that English is not their native language must meet the English Language Proficiency requirements outlined in the UW Graduate School Memo #8.
Applicants with transcripts in a language other than English must apply by June 1 for autumn quarter admissions or November 1 for winter quarter admission to allow extra time for transcript evaluation. These transcripts must be accompanied by an English translation when submitted.
Admission Processes
Applicants must simultaneously be admitted to the Milgard School of Business and to the Graduate School of the University of Washington. Application information is available on the MBA website at https://www.tacoma.uw.edu/uwt/business/mba-admissions. Applications must be submitted in time to meet the Milgard School of Business deadline listed on the website, as this supersedes the Graduate School admissions deadline. The MBA program admits students for autumn and winter quarters only.
Pre-enrollment requirement of MBA math online preparation workshop (not for credit)
Core courses (48 credits):
T ACCT 513
T BUS 500
T BUS 501
T BUS 520
T BUS 503
T BUS 504
T BUS 506
T BUS 507
T BUS 508
T BUS 530
T MGMT 512
T MGMT 516
Elective courses (16 credits): Graduate courses in the Milgard School of Business or other UW Tacoma graduate programs. Course list maintained internally by the program.
The curriculum develops well-rounded managers who can:
Develop, articulate, and implement an organization’s strategy
Analyze data using quantitative and statistical tools or relevant technologies so that they can make informed business decisions
Evaluate and manage formal and informal processes that facilitate the meeting of organizational objectives
Understand how to motivate, develop, and manage people and teams in ways that foster organizational success
Demonstrate effective oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills that support and enhance managerial effectiveness
Demonstrate an understanding of organizational systems including interdependencies and relations among and between functional departments
Demonstrate an understanding of market dynamics and financial theories that can influence organizational actions and outcomes
Assess the global, social, political, economic, ethical, and environmental consequences of management decisions
Use analytical tools to diagnose organizational problems and identify appropriate solutions
Understand how to launch and assess organizational change initiatives
Academic Standards/Policies
The UW Tacoma MBA is designed for working professionals and allows students to continue in their careers while they develop new managerial knowledge and skills. In the average quarter, an MBA student will enroll in two courses (8 credits) of study. Students may complete their degree on a year-round basis in 21 months (including summers) or extend their study to three or more years.
MBA core courses meet weeknights plus some Saturdays during the quarter. Summer courses meet weekday evenings and/or Saturday. September courses meet intensively over the course of 2 to 3 weeks, including several weekdays and Saturdays. All courses incorporate online learning components. Online assignments and discussion offer flexibility while keeping students connected to the faculty and their classmates. Courses integrate current conceptual and practical knowledge while building analytical and interpersonal skills. As a result, the curriculum is immediately relevant to practicing managers.
Elective Credits
A minimum of 16 graded elective credits must be completed to fulfill graduation requirements. At least 8 of these credits must be completed within the Milgard School of Business. For students choosing to take courses other than the rotating MBA summer electives (different each summer) or Autumn Elective options (T MGMT 557 and T BUS 570), a list of approved options is available within the MBA Elective Policy. These options include approved courses from other UW graduate degree programs, independent study T BUS 569 or T BUS 568, MBA Global Study Tours, one 400-level undergraduate course within the Milgard School of Business, or some combination thereof.
No more than eight credits of independent study--with a maximum of 4 credits of T BUS 569 Analytical Research and a maximum of 5 credits for T BUS 568 Internship—may be applied toward the MBA degree. MBA electives vary from 2-4 credits to allow greater choice and flexibility with scheduling.
MBA students pursuing the Business Analytics concentration are suggested to complete at least 16 credits of elective from the Milgard MBA business analytics-related electives.
MBA students pursuing the Healthcare concentration are suggested to complete at least 12 credits of elective from the Milgard MBA healthcare-related electives.
Transfer Credits from Other Institutions
An admitted MBA student may petition to transfer up to the equivalent of 12 quarter credits of graduate business course work from an AACSB-accredited institution. Graduate credits that have been applied toward a completed degree cannot be transferred.
Applicants may petition by sending a letter to the graduate program advisor. The petition should identify the courses requested for transfer credit and, for each course, clearly articulate how the course content contributes to the objectives of the UW Tacoma MBA curriculum. Petition requests will not be evaluated until an official transcript is received by the Milgard School of Business.
Written petitions for transfer credits completed prior to admission to the MBA program must be submitted no later than the first week of the quarter preceding graduation.
Enrolled UW Tacoma MBA students who take courses at another institution with the intent of transferring the credits should first seek approval from the graduate program advisor. If approved, these students should submit a written petition to transfer credits within one academic quarter of completing the course at another institution (e.g. petitions to transfer summer credits must be received by the end of autumn quarter). Only credits for courses in which a grade of "B" or higher is achieved may be transferred.
Course work that duplicates the content of required courses in the MBA curriculum will not be accepted for transfer elective credit.
Petitions are reviewed by the Graduate Committee and a letter is mailed to the address of record indicating how many credits, if any, will transfer. Students who transfer graduate credits from another university may be restricted in the elective courses they may take to complete their elective. Details of such restrictions will be included in the reply letter to the petitioning student. All decisions of the Graduate Committee with respect to transfer credits are final.
Waiver (Substitution of Core Courses)
An admitted MBA student may petition to waive up to the equivalent of 12 quarter credits of MBA core courses. Waiver requests must be accompanied by official transcripts and other documentation such as course syllabi or proof of professional licensing where applicable. If a waiver is approved, the petitioner may select an available elective course with the same number of credits to replace the waived course. A waiver will not reduce the required credits needed to earn the MBA.
Waivers may be granted if the graduate committee concludes that a petitioner has demonstrated proficiency in the course material by prior educational training (e.g., undergraduate major or concentration or graduate degree in a specific field or professional licensing). Waivers will only be entertained for graduate coursework completed with a grade of “B” or better or undergraduate coursework completed with a grade of “B Plus” or better. A single undergraduate course does not waive an MBA course (e.g. 1 undergraduate finance course will not waive the MBA Financial Theory course). Students who request waivers may be restricted in the courses they may take to complete their elective. Details of such restrictions will be included in the reply letter to the petitioning student.
Reduction in Credits Required/Complete Waiver
Students who hold a CPA (Certified Public Accountant), CMA (Certified Management Accountant) or CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) license/certification qualify to waive out of T BUS 503 Financial Reporting and Analysis thus reducing the total number of credits required to earn their MBA by 4 credits. Students who hold a CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) credential also qualify to waive out of T BUS 501 Financial Theory thus reducing the total number of credits required to earn their MBA by another 4 credits. The MBA program shall only permit a maximum of 8 credit reduction in credits required for those holding such designations. Student must show proof of active license/designation. These are the only courses eligible for complete waiver.
UW Credits Earned Outside the Tacoma MBA Students taking electives other than MBA summer or autumn electives may earn credits from approved courses in other University of Washington degree programs. Students must petition to ensure these credits apply toward their degrees. The following restrictions apply:
At least 8 elective credits must be taken within the Milgard School of Business
No more than 8 credits earned in other UW graduate programs (numbered 500 and above) can be applied to the MBA degree.
No more than 5 credits of approved 400-level Tacoma business courses can be applied to the MBA degree.
400-level courses from any other undergraduate program cannot be applied toward the MBA degree.
Ungraded Credits (S/NS, C/NC)
All courses (core and elective) in the Tacoma MBA curriculum must be taken for a grade. No more than 8 credits of elective courses may come from credit/no-credit (C/NC) electives.
Minimum Graduation Requirements for the MBA Degree
Along with the Graduate School requirements, courses taken to complete the 64 credits required for the MBA degree must receive a passing grade (2.7 or higher or Credit).
If a student does not pass a required course, the course must be repeated. Another course cannot be substituted for a failed required course. Students are reminded to read and carefully adhere to the university's policies.
The core curriculum addresses key areas of business knowledge via the core courses, which focus on finance, accounting, marketing, operations, ethics, human behavior, and business strategy. Perspectives on international business are integrated across some of these courses, which culminate in a capstone course that offers a comprehensive systems perspective on organizations. These courses also emphasize quantitative and qualitative tools for predicting, planning and managing change.
Beyond the core courses, students are required to complete 16 elective credits. The choice of electives will depend on the students' career and educational goals. Students can create a profile of elective courses that allows them to gain additional business knowledge. Elective courses that substituted for summer and autumn elective option may also be taken outside of the Milgard School of Business from other UW Tacoma graduate programs. MBA students have the opportunity to pursue a Business Analytics or Healthcare concentration. Their electives will be respectively in business analytics-related topics (e.g., business analytics, business process and workflow analysis, analytical decision making) or health-related topics (i.e. healthcare economics, healthcare marketing, healthcare analytics) and must be earned in residence. It may be possible for students to craft other custom MBA concentrations; contact the advisor for details.
The Milgard School of Business Master of Science in Accounting (STEM) program (MSAcc) offers both a 9-month, 45-quarter credit full-time professional program for those with an accounting undergraduate degree and an 18-month, 80-quarter credit option for those new to accounting.
The MSAcc is designed to ensure students are positioned to be leaders in the accounting profession by developing their critical thinking, teamwork, and communication skills, as well as their ability to research complex accounting related issues and apply findings. The MSAcc’s innovative design incorporates the latest analytics, audit, forensic and tax software into its curriculum. The MSAcc Internship empowers our students to obtain practical knowledge and experience in an accounting environment while employing the skills developed in the classroom. The curriculum is widely applicable to accounting careers in the public accounting, corporate, government, and not-for-profit sectors. In addition, the program provides the fifth-year of higher education required for the State of Washington CPA exam.
This program of study leads to the following credentials:
Master Of Science In Accounting (18-month) (fee-based)
Master Of Science In Accounting (9-month) (fee-based)
Admission Requirements
This program has separate admissions for each credential. See additional admission requirements below for credential-specific information.
Master Of Science In Accounting (18-month) (fee-based)
The Milgard Master of Science in Accounting (STEM) program (MSAcc) provides current and future accounting professionals with the knowledge necessary to succeed in an increasingly dynamic and complex business environment. Students will gain deeper capabilities in the areas of accounting analytics, financial statement analysis, tax planning and strategy, cost accounting, forensics, auditing, and business law. Coursework in the MSAcc emphasizes the real-world skills needed to generate financial information and utilize it to influence business decisions at a high level.
Educational Objectives
The curriculum develops well-rounded leaders in accounting who:
Have an enhanced understanding of the accounting profession, the changing technology, and the role of the accounting professional in the business environment
Can demonstrate and apply strategic planning, critical thinking and analytical skills for decision-making, forecasting and planning
Have enhanced audit and assurance knowledge and skills, use analytics and audit software and can communicate results effectively
Can understand organizational structures, tax laws, and use technology and analytics skills to research and solve business problems
Can articulate the ethical dimensions of accounting and their importance to the financial marketplace
Have advanced knowledge on issues related to the preparation, analysis, presentation, regulatory requirements and use of financial reports
Can apply data visualization, analytics techniques, and use technology to gather, transform, and present data for decision making.
Have the combination of strategic thinking, analytical skills and critical reasoning to plan, monitor, and evaluate financial data.
Academic Standards/Policies
Enrollment and Classes
The MSAcc offers late afternoon and weekday evening courses. Each quarter, students will typically enroll in 10 to 17 credits of study. Part time schedules can also be arranged. See website for details for both the 9-month and 18 month track course plans: https://www.tacoma.uw.edu/uwt/business/master-science-accounting-msacc.
Ungraded credits (S/NS and C/NC)
All core courses and select elective courses in the Tacoma MSAcc curriculum must be taken for a grade. The MSAcc Internship or Independent Study are graded as C/NC.
Minimum Graduation Requirements for the MSAcc Degree
Along with the Graduate School requirements, courses taken to complete the 45 (9-month track) or 80 (18-month track) credits required for the MSAcc degree must receive a passing grade (2.7 or higher or Credit).
If a student does not pass a required course, the course must be repeated. Another course cannot be substituted for a failed required course. Students are reminded to read and carefully adhere to the university’s policies. Please refer to the Graduate School website for more information regarding graduate degree requirements: https://grad.uw.edu/policies-procedures/graduate-school-memoranda/.
Program of Study: Master Of Science In Business Analytics
Program Overview
The STEM designated MSBA program is an accelerated 12-month, full-time, 40 credit professional program. The program consists of 8 four-credit, and 4 two-credit applied project courses. Students will tackle a real-world business analytics project for an opportunity to apply the concepts, principles and methods associated with business intelligence and analytics to solve complex business problems.
This is a hybrid 60% online and 40% in-person (on Saturdays) work-compatible program, which allows professionals to earn their MSBA degree while working.
This program of study leads to the following credential:
Master Of Science In Business Analytics
Admission Requirements
The following are required for admission to the Master of Science in Business Analytics program:
A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution.
An overall grade point average of 3.0 calculated from the applicant’s final 90 graded quarter credits or 60 graded semester credits.
Proficiency in English: Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency. See UW Graduate School Memo #8 for details related to English proficiency.
Unofficial transcripts from any institution where a degree was obtained to include 90 graded quarter or 60 graded semester credits. Transcripts with post-degree credits may also be submitted. If admitted, an official baccalaureate transcript will be requested by the Graduate School.
A personal statement is required as a part of your online application, and may include a video interview.
A résumé
Recorded Video Interview
Contact information for two references
Refer to website for details on prerequisite content areas.
Work experience - Post-baccalaureate professional experience is desirable, but not required.
The following items are optional for admission to the Master of Science in Business Analytics program:
One professional letters of recommendation
GMAT/GRE scores. We highly recommend that the following applicants submit a score:
International applicants who have not completed an undergraduate or graduate degree in the United States
Applicants who have fewer than 2 years of post-baccalaureate professional experience
Applicants who have between a 3.0-3.25 GPA, or equivalent, on a 4.0 scale
Admission Process
Applicants must simultaneously be admitted to the Milgard School of Business and to the Graduate School of the University of Washington. Application information is available on the MSBA website. Applications must be submitted in time to meet the Milgard School of Business deadline listed on the website, as this supersedes the Graduate School admissions deadline. The MSBA program offers rolling admissions on a space available basis. Admission is competitive.
Knowledge, Wisdom, Practice, and Outcome Courses (8 credits):
TBANLT 591
TBANLT 592
TBANLT 593
TBANLT 594
Along with the UW Graduate School requirements, courses taken to complete the 40 credits required for the MSBA degree must receive a passing grade (2.7 or higher). The program is designed to include business, data, analytics and information courses along with four sections of applied projects to develop knowledge, wisdom, and practice and achieve outcomes.
The Milgard School of Business Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) program provides students with the knowledge, tools and skills to understand, manage and make use of big data and smart digital solutions. Students will make effective and efficient business decisions that either solve existing business problems or create new business opportunities, and improve the performance of organizations. This work-compatible program allows students to learn necessary skills and become part of the next generation of analytics savvy business analysts, project managers, analytics managers, chief analytics officers, chief digital innovation officers, digital talents, T-shape analytical thinkers and adaptive innovators in this data-driven digital era.
Educational Objectives The Milgard School of Business Interdisciplinary MSBA degree integrates STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) perspectives into business education and analysis. It is designed to build competency in:
BUSINESS: What are the problems and/or opportunities?
Necessary skills for achieving organizational impact and competitive advantage with strategic thinking, service transformation, and evidence-based decision making, e.g. communication, project management, process change, optimization, business ethics, privacy, organizational culture change
DATA: What data could solve this problem?
Core methods for acquiring, storing, handling, and representing data; and how to convert that data to information, knowledge, and wisdom for desired outcomes, data modeling and databases
ANALYTICS/ANALYZE: What models, methods or digital services can be applied to solve this problem?
Descriptive, diagnostic, predictive, prescriptive, cognitive, visualization/storytelling, analytical, statistical, and computational techniques. Regression and related statistical methods, data and text mining, and operations research methods
OPERATIONS/PRACTICE: How does this apply to a business?
Create/amend business processes, inform decision-making, understand current and future strategic, tactical, and operational performance, create new businesses, close existing ones, and enter new markets. Key insights that can be gained only through hands-on experience working with and implementing analytical projects in a business environment.
Academic Standards/Policies
The Milgard School of Business MSBA degree is 40 credits of graduate courses over the course of 12 months.
The MSBA program does not transfer credits from other institutions.
The MSBA program does not waive credits from other institutions.
All courses in the Tacoma MSBA curriculum must be taken for a grade.
If a student does not pass a required course, the course must be repeated. Another course may be substituted for a failed required course with approval from faculty.