Have more questions? We have answers
Due to our status as a well-established hybrid graduate program, we are continuing to provide the best possible learning opportunity and educational experience for our students. We are very proud of being an adaptable program based on student needs. The following are some of things that we have been using for our program to provide the best digital learning environment:
- Program is hybrid (60% online + 40% face-to-face education) originally, but courses can be offered as hybrid or 100% distance as needed
- Courses are being developed for face-to-face, hybrid and 100% distance/online delivery formats and pedagogy
- Faculty are tech savvy and experienced with face-to-face, hybrid or distance teaching and learning
- Faculty, staff and students have been using Zoom Video Conferencing and Microsoft Teams as collaboration tools very proactively in our program
- Faculty hold live synchronous office hours to teach content and assist students
- Faculty provide course content for asynchronous learning
- All face-to-face and synchronous distance class sessions are being recorded and posted on course Canvas pages
- Students have a dedicated Microsoft Azure Data Science Virtual Computer that includes needed software for our MSBA program. They can use the assigned virtual computer via an internet connection
- Each applied project student team has a dedicated Microsoft Team Site that has Kanban/Agile Project Management Tool, Onedrive storage, Sharepoint file sharing and Live chat & video conferencing
- We have a Power BI Reporting Server for MSBA and minor in business data analytics students
- MSBA Program Director, Advisor, CBA Technologist and Program Manager have been in contact with faculty and students for all issues and concerns
- We are simulating as real-world learning environment with our industry applied projects as clients (companies who provide projects), student consultants, faculty and staff in different time-zones globally.
Yes, this program requires students to come to campus on select Saturdays (about twice a month) and to complete asynchronous online work in between class meetings. The amount of time students will need to spend on schoolwork outside of the on-campus sessions will vary person to person, depending on their past educational and professional experience with the course content.
Asynchronous learning allows students to complete coursework on their own time. Students are given a general time frame during which they will be required to complete assignments, connect with classmates, and attend virtual office hours. However, work can be completed anytime, day or night, to suit each student’s individual schedule.
This is a tuition-based program. This means that the program is funded both by student tuition and the State of Washington, whereas fee-based programs receive no direct funding from the State.
What sets the MSBA program at University of Washington Tacoma apart from other MSBA programs is its interdisciplinary approach. The individuals in each cohort are specifically selected to represent a wide array of educational backgrounds and professional fields, with the intention of shaping a cohort culture that is multifaceted and diverse. Additionally, the structure of this program gives you the best of both worlds; on-campus sessions to ensure ample networking opportunities, and online classes to give you the flexibility you need with your busy schedule. Moreover, all students enrolled in the UW Tacoma MSBA program will engage in a year-long Applied Project with an industry partner in the greater Puget Sound region. These live consultative projects include will help students to gain skills in data collection, analysis, demo, service/digital transformation plans and recommendations.
Yes, the MSBA Program is considered a full-time graduate program and international students may apply.
Yes, this is a STEM qualifying program so international students studying on an F-1 visa may qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT Extension, after being approved for an initial 12 months of post-completion OPT.
Yes, as a veteran, current active duty member, or a dependent of military personnel, you may be entitled to VA benefits to fund your education. These benefits may include funding for tuition and fees, housing, books, and meals. To learn more about these opportunities, please connect with the UW Tacoma Veteran and Military Services office to learn more.
Currently, the MSBA Program currently only accepts students for a summer quarter (June) start date.
Classes are held on campus approximately two Saturdays a month. Students are required to attend these classes, which are typically held from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. When students are not in class, they are required to complete online assignments through the asynchronous online learning component of the program.
Students will have a 3-4 week break between summer and fall quarters (mid-August to mid-September), a 3 week break between autumn and winter quarters (early December to early January), and a week-long spring break in mid-March. Due to the accelerated nature of this program, students may have coursework responsibilities over the breaks, though no in-person attendance will be required. Students are expected to work with their teams to manage their time and workload for the Applied Project throughout the year.
Yes, it is possible to use WA State Tuition Exemption for this program. However, only a limited number of tuition exempt students will be admitted into each cohort of the program. If you are a WA State employee, please indicate in your personal statement if you would like to be considered as a paying applicant if all tuition exempt seats have been filled. Tuition exemption is limited to 12 credits of the 40 required for the MSBA degree.
We encourage applicants to submit a completed application by the November 15thearly deadline. Applications received by the early application deadline will be reviewed during the first round of review by the Admissions Committee. In general, applying earlier in the admission cycle will mean more seat availability. Additionally, those individuals applying before November 15thwill receive an admission decision earlier than those who wait until later in the application cycle.
Yes! Applications submitted after the November 15thearly deadline will be considered on a rolling, space-available basis until the final deadline.
Submitting a GMAT/GRE score is optional for all applicants. However, we strongly advise that the following applicants submit GMAT/GRE scores to strengthen their application: a) International applicants who have not completed an undergraduate or graduate degree in the United States, b) Applicants who have less than 2 years of post-baccalaureate professional experience, c) Applicants who have between a 3.0-3.25 GPA, or equivalent, on a 4.0 scale.
Graduates of this program may qualify for many types of jobs, including, but not limited to: Information Architect, Analytics Manager, Business Intelligence Analyst, Data Scientist, Business Analyst, Project Manager, Chief Analytics Officer, Marketing Manager, and many more! You can read more about MSBA Skills and Sample Occupations here: https://www.tacoma.uw.edu/milgard-school-business/msba-career-services
This interdisciplinary MSBA degree is designed for professionals and college students who want to sharpen their critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, data/analytical decision-making, digital technology-enablement and project/process management skills. Students will be educated to make effective and efficient business decisions that solve existing problems or cultivate new opportunities, improving the performance of organizations. Read more about this program here.
Business intelligence and analytics represents the combination of skills, practices, processes, applications and technologies used by organizations (for continuous iterative exploration and investigation of past business performance) to gain actionable insights for their business based on data, information, statistics, quantitative modeling, simulation, optimization & knowledge. It includes solutions for gathering, storing, accessing, reporting, modeling, simulating, analyzing and visualizing data to support actionable decision-making and innovation. tacoma.uw.edu/business/msba-career-services
UW Memo 8 outlines the ways applicants can satisfy the English proficiency requirement. If an applicant is required to take courses in the Academic English Program (AEP), these will be offered online.
No, due to the rigorous nature of the MSBA program, it is not possible to begin the program while a student is concurrently enrolled in another graduate program. Students who wish to pursue the MSBA are encouraged to complete any degree programs prior to starting the MSBA.
