Academics
For Topeka professionals, the MBA at Washburn University鈥檚 School of Business has a lot of selling points, among them its 鈥渓ocation, reputation, cost, and appealing schedule for full-time workers.鈥 An 鈥渁mazing value,鈥 this public school offers 鈥渓ower tuition鈥 than many business programs, yet maintains its standing as 鈥渙ne of the best business schools in [the] Midwest.鈥 No matter what your schedule and educational goals, Washburn makes it possible to complete a graduate degree without disrupting your career. 鈥淭here are traditional day classes, as well as an abundance of night-class options,鈥 which gives busy professionals the opportunity to 鈥渨ork full-time and get a world-class MBA鈥 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 鈥渢eaching institution,鈥 Washburn鈥檚 classroom experience is greatly enhanced by the fact that Washburn professors 鈥渓ove to teach and share what they know.鈥 They are also 鈥渟killful at encouraging students to lead the class,鈥 which makes coursework 鈥渋nteresting and engaging鈥 across disciplines. The school boasts small class sizes and an excellent teacher-student ratio, so it鈥檚 鈥渆asier to interact with professors and fellow students.鈥 鈥淎ccessible鈥 professors keep regular office hours, and many 鈥渓ove collaborating with students on research or outside projects.鈥 In fact, 鈥減rofessors tend to form relationships with promising students, offering assistance whenever asked.鈥 The student-oriented faculty is complemented by a 鈥渧ery friendly and cooperative staff鈥 and administration; however, students warn that, 鈥渙utside of the School of Business, it can be difficult to get various tasks accomplished (i.e., financial aid, registrar issues, etc.)鈥
Washburn鈥檚 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鈥檚 professors come from 鈥渄iverse backgrounds,鈥 contributing a great deal of 鈥渞eal world experience鈥 to the academic environment, many students would like to see the school 鈥減rovide opportunities for students to branch out, gain experience, and even earn credit through non-traditional routes.鈥 Students also note the general 鈥渓ack of electives鈥 makes it harder to specialize in a specific business discipline. Not to mention, most elective courses aren鈥檛 offered every semester. A current MBA candidate notes, 鈥淚 would love to have had the opportunity to engage in more specialized elective courses, aside from the general course requirements.鈥
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