Washburn University - School of Business

For Topeka professionals, the MBA at Washburn University’s School of Business has a lot of selling points, among them its “location, reputation, cost, and appealing schedule for full-time workers.” An “amazing value,” this public school offers “lower tuition” than many business programs, yet maintains its standing as “one of the best business schools in [the] Midwest.” No matter what your schedule and educational goals, Washburn makes it possible to complete a graduate degree without disrupting your career. “There are traditional day classes, as well as an abundance of night-class options,” which gives busy professionals the opportunity to “work full-time and get a world-class MBA” simultaneously. Those who want to complete the program more quickly can enroll in more classes, taking up to a full course load. The school also offers a JD/MBA dual degree through which six hours of credit from the law school can be applied to the MBA.

As a true “teaching institution,” Washburn’s classroom experience is greatly enhanced by the fact that Washburn professors “love to teach and share what they know.” They are also “skillful at encouraging students to lead the class,” which makes coursework “interesting and engaging” across disciplines. The school boasts small class sizes and an excellent teacher-student ratio, so it’s “easier to interact with professors and fellow students.” “Accessible” professors keep regular office hours, and many “love collaborating with students on research or outside projects.” In fact, “professors tend to form relationships with promising students, offering assistance whenever asked.” The student-oriented faculty is complemented by a “very friendly and cooperative staff” and administration; however, students warn that, “outside of the School of Business, it can be difficult to get various tasks accomplished (i.e., financial aid, registrar issues, etc.)”

Washburn’s curriculum is divided into nine foundation-level courses and eight upper-level business classes, followed by two advanced elective courses; students with an undergraduate degree in business can waive many or all of the foundational courses. Covering finance, quantitative methods, marketing, international business, strategy, and information systems, the Washburn curriculum is more academic than experiential. Through the school’s professors come from “diverse backgrounds,” contributing a great deal of “real world experience” to the academic environment, many students would like to see the school “provide opportunities for students to branch out, gain experience, and even earn credit through non-traditional routes.” Students also note the general “lack of electives” makes it harder to specialize in a specific business discipline. Not to mention, most elective courses aren’t offered every semester. A current MBA candidate notes, “I would love to have had the opportunity to engage in more specialized elective courses, aside from the general course requirements.”

The Washburn MBA is an ideal program for “full-time workers that would like to grow in their company or look for upper-level positions.” Classes are geared toward improv- ing your business knowledge and skill set, and many students hope to leverage their education into a better job at their company or in their field. However, the school offers few on-campus recruitment programs, networking, or interviewing opportunities for students considering a career change. A student says, “I would expect more head-hunt- ing from surrounding companies, but that just does not happen.”

MBA candidates hoping to find a new gig after graduation can get assistance from the campus Career Services office. They offer career counseling services and host career fairs on campus that are open to undergraduates, graduate students, and alumni; recent career fairs were attended by local employers like Payless ShoeSource, CBW Bank, Cintas Corporation, and the City of Topeka. Prospective MBA candidates should note, however, that the majority of the opportunities offered through Career Services are geared toward undergraduates. As a result “most of the ‘opportunities’ that are presented to MBA stu- dents do not actually fit the ambitions of such individuals.”

Located in the heart of Topeka, “Washburn is a physically small institution, spanning just a few city blocks in each direction.” The intimacy of the campus contributes to the close-knit feeling among the student body. With a limited enrollment of fewer than sixty students, it’s an intimate atmosphere; a current student attests, “It feels like I know everyone in the MBA program.” Students come to Washburn from “from diverse back- grounds and cultures,” as well as from a range of professional backgrounds. In addition to locals, the school has “a great international student presence, as well, which adds a more worldly perspective to classroom discussions and reports.”

Although the program was specifically designed to accommodate working professionals, there are also a handful of full-time students at Washburn. During the daylight hours, full-timers “study as a group in the library and participate in activities on campus,” from sports to student clubs. Specifically aimed at graduate business students, the MBA Association is often involved in “inviting guest speakers and gathering MBA students in activities” around campus. Here, part-time students don’t feel left out of campus life: “unlike some institutions, though, Washburn is ‘alive’ almost all hours of the day, due to its course flexibility.”