School of: Business
Degree Type: Master's Degree
Format: Hybrid | Online
Student Type: Graduate

Program at a Glance

$910
per credit hour
42
total credits
3.0
undergraduate GPA preferred
99%
of all students receive financial aid

Master of Business Administration Degree Overview

Warner Pacific University’s Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree program is designed for today’s global marketplace, where management professionals need to be fluent in all functional business areas, understand how these aspects work together, and be able to communicate with and influence others across a range of demographics.

WPU’s MBA degree program is geared toward modern-day professionals looking to broaden their skill set and take on more responsibilities without interrupting their current career trajectory. The program is available in both an online and a hybrid format, with just one accelerated course every six weeks, allowing students to earn an increasingly essential credential while still managing their full-time job or other obligations. 

With an optional emphasis area in management/leadership, students can choose to further hone their communication and team-building skills while developing a Christ-centered ethical mindset. WPU also offers an MBA 4+1 program option for individuals who have earned a bachelor’s degree at WPU.

 

A group of Warner Pacific University college students walking across a field.

Leadership Skills You’ll Gain With an MBA Degree

Creating and maintaining collaborative relationships is at the heart of WPU’s Master of Business Administration program. We balance this core concept with comprehensive knowledge of all functional business areas, with the goal of preparing students to develop effective solutions for any organization’s specific needs across a wide range of industries. 

We aim to help you grow professionally to meet the marketplace’s ever-changing job requirements, and to become a leader who can:

  • Analyze and improve an organization’s efficiency
  • Build strong teams through influence and empathy
  • Develop effective leadership and business strategies
  • Drive industry innovation
  • Create a collaborative, effective organizational culture

What Can You Do With an MBA Degree? 

Earning your MBA is an investment in your professional success and financial future. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), overall employment in management occupations is projected to grow at the faster-than-average rate of 6% from 2024 to 2034, with about 1.1 million openings projected each year. 

The median annual wage for management occupations was $122,090 in May 2024, according to the BLS. Here are the median annual wages for some of the positions available to those with an MBA degree:

Human Resources Manager

$140,030

 Information Technology Manager

$171,200
Operations Research Analyst

$91,290

 Personal Financial Advisor

$102,140

Master of Business Administration Careers

Today’s business climate calls for people-centric leaders who are focused on establishing and developing strong connections with others to support their organization’s success. Our accelerated MBA program helps students hone the key skills required to advance into management or a leadership role in:

  • Global business 
  • Marketing
  • Entrepreneurship         
  • Finance
  • Healthcare
  • Operations
  • Nonprofit leadership
  • Consulting
  • Human resources       
  • Social services

Individuals with an MBA can qualify for roles such as financial manager, director of operations, and project manager. Take a look at some common roles for MBA graduates and their responsibilities:

Human Resources Manager

  • Oversee recruitment, onboarding, and offboarding processes
  • Manage employee relations and performance management
  • Ensure compliance with labor laws and HR policies
  • Administer compensation, benefits, and training programs
 Information Technology Manager

  • Manage IT operations and ensure system functionality
  • Oversee IT staff recruitment, training, and performance
  • Develop and implement IT policies and security measures
  • Manage IT budgets and recommend technology solutions
Operations Research Analyst

  • Collect and analyze data to identify operational issues
  • Develop models and simulations to solve business problems
  • Optimize processes and improve resource allocation
  • Present findings and recommendations to stakeholders
 Personal Financial Advisor

  • Assess clients’ financial situations and goals
  • Develop personalized financial plans and strategies
  • Provide advice on investments, retirement, and insurance
  • Monitor clients’ portfolios and adjust plans as needed

Accelerated Online MBA Program Curriculum 

Warner Pacific University’s Master of Business Administration program helps prepare students from diverse backgrounds to become effective organizational leaders who operate with an ethical mindset and seek to improve efficiency. The core curriculum for the MBA program reflects this mission. 

All students take courses in leadership, organizational, and change management theories; become familiar with higher-level accounting, finance, and marketing strategies; and refine their decision-making and communication skills in the process. To finish the program, all candidates must complete a capstone or thesis project.

Prerequisites

  • BUS 223 Introduction to Microsoft Office (or equivalent)
  • BUS 107 College Algebra (or equivalent)

Core MBA Degree Coursework (42 Credits)

Students in the accelerated MBA program complete 42 semester credits, 36 of which must be completed at WPU. Courses are three credits and six weeks in length unless noted otherwise.

  • BUS 500A | Foundations for Successful Graduate Studies | 3 credits
  • BUS 501A | Leading Diverse, High-Performing Teams | 3 credits
  • BUS 502A | Technology Trends in Business Culture | 3 credits
  • BUS 503A | Corporate Finance | 3 credits
  • BUS 505A | Managing Change | 3 credits
  • BUS 600A | Business Ethics | 3 credits
  • BUS 603A | Behavioral Economics and Strategy | 3 credits
  • BUS 604A | Business Innovation | 3 credits
  • BUS 606A | Managerial Accounting and Financial Strategies | 3 credits
  • BUS 607A | Strategic Marketing | 3 credits
  • BUS 608A | Project and Operations Management | 3 credits
  • BUS 609A | Business Analytics | 3 credits
  • BUS 610A | Leading in a Global Environment | 3 credits
  • BUS 613A | Research Methods Workshop | 1 credit
  • BUS 614A | Strategy/Capstone | 2 credits

All MBA students must maintain a 3.0 GPA throughout the program, with no individual course grade lower than a C-, and finish all coursework within six years from their start date. Following the completion of the first five courses, WPU will evaluate each student’s performance. From this point, students will be directed to continue the MBA program or be recommended for the Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership degree program.

MBA Management/Leadership Emphasis

All industries need effective managers and leaders. Not specific to a single field or organizational structure, this versatile emphasis helps students hone their communication, team-building, and connection-making skills and develop a Christ-centered ethical mindset.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Master of Business Administration degree?

A Master of Business Administration program is designed to help students develop the business acumen and leadership skills they need to advance in the business world. The MBA program at WPU allows students to choose between a fully online or a hybrid format, taking just one accelerated course every six weeks. Consisting of 15 courses, the program can be completed in two years.

What does the accelerated MBA degree format entail?

Offered through WPU’s Professional and Graduate Studies (PGS) division, the accelerated MBA degree program has been created to accommodate the unique needs of today’s adult learners, many of whom are balancing work and family responsibilities. 

Students in the program may choose to participate in a 100% online, asynchronous learning experience or select a hybrid flexible (HyFlex) learning model, which includes one synchronous class per course. All MBA courses are scheduled in six-week blocks for accelerated completion. 

Regardless of the format:

• Expert faculty members bring their professional experiences into the classroom, enhancing the curriculum with real-world examples.

• Rolling monthly start dates let you begin working toward your MBA as soon as possible, rather than wait a full semester.

• Courses use WPU’s Learning Communities cohort model, which is ideal for building connections with your fellow students and professors.

Online Experience

Asynchronous lectures are scheduled weekly, and students then complete all assignments and readings within this time frame.

Participation is key to the online format of the MBA degree program. After registering for a course, the typical online student logs in on average five out of seven days per week to access materials and must contribute at least three substantial posts to class forums over two days per week.

HyFlex Experience

Most of the coursework for the HyFlex format of the MBA program is completed asynchronously, but the first class meeting is conducted in a synchronous format. Students may choose to attend the synchronous class remotely or in person at our main and local campuses in Portland. 

Some students may choose to participate in WPU’s 4+1 MBA program, which is also offered in multiple formats.

What are the admissions requirements for this program?

All candidates interested in enrolling in the Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree program must:

• Have earned a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university

• Have completed college-level coursework in business math or algebra 

• Submit evidence of competence in Microsoft Excel through college coursework or a proficiency test

• Supply official transcripts from all schools attended to date

• Have earned a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA (or, if below a 3.0, write a brief explanation regarding the reasons for their GPA)

• Write a letter explaining why they want to earn an MBA

As part of the admissions process, the dean of business or an MBA faculty member will contact all applicants. Learn more about our admissions requirements on the admissions page and in our course catalog.

Where can I learn more about tuition and financial aid?

WPU strives to provide students with a valuable education at an affordable cost, with tuition rates that are more than 40% lower than the average private university tuition in the Pacific Northwest. To explore your financial aid options, please visit our Financial Aid page.

Adult Degree Graduate Programs

Academic Year Per-Credit Tuition Fee
2025-2026  $910
2026-2027 $910

For a full list of fees, please reference the below fee schedules:

2025-26 Tuition and Fees — Adult Degree (Graduate)/Professional and Graduate Studies (PGS)
2026-27 Tuition and Fees — Adult Degree (Graduate)/Professional and Graduate Studies (PGS)

Does the MBA program have any professional partnerships?

Our graduate program partners include the following organizations: 

• Avis Budget Group

• Central City Concern

• Farmer’s Insurance

• FedEx

• Intel

• Kaiser Permanente

• Multnomah County

• Oregon Manufacturing Innovation Center

 • Port of Portland

• Portland Public Schools

• Providence Health Systems

• Self Enhancement Inc.

• State of Oregon

• U.S. Bank

• Wells Fargo

 

Is the online MBA degree accredited?

Warner Pacific University is accredited by The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). WPU is also an educational member of the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) located at 11960 Quivira Rd. in Overland Park, Kansas. Educational members have not yet undergone accreditation reviews and do not have business programs that are accredited by the IACBE.

Elevate Your Career With an MBA From WPU

As a faith-based institution grounded in the Christian hallmarks of love, respect, service, and perseverance, WPU offers business programs that create space for students of all cultural and professional backgrounds to take a purpose-driven approach to their career advancement.

If you have management or team leadership aspirations, WPU Online’s accelerated Christian MBA program lets you work toward your goal without sidelining your career. For questions about this degree program or the format, contact PGS Admissions at 800-804-1510, or request additional information today.

Explore Related Programs

Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership Master of Business Administration (MBA) 4+1 Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration

See All Business Programs

Questions?

Our School of Business faculty would love to hear from you.

Image of Dr. Ulf Spears, DSL, CAGS, M.Sc., BS

Dr. Ulf Spears, DSL, CAGS, M.Sc., BS

Dean of Business

Faculty
School of: Business
Phone: 503-517-1324
View Bio

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