Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Admissions & Aid School of Business
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Master of Business Administration (MBA)

What Will I Learn in the MBA Program?

In today’s hyper-competitive business landscape, standing out requires more than just ambition. It demands strategic expertise, innovative thinking, and transformative leadership skills. The master of business administration (MBA) degree program at University of Portland is meticulously designed to elevate you as a visionary business leader.

Whether you’re seeking to accelerate your current career, pivot to a new industry, or launch an entrepreneurial venture, UP provides the toolkit and professional network to turn your business goals into reality.

MBA Courses

The master of business administration program features core courses in economic analysis, marketing, finance, operations and technology management, and accounting. This set of courses builds your foundation in the key components of business, positions you for contemporary leadership, and reveals how these subjects intersect for optimal problem-solving.

Aligning with UP’s mission, the MBA program also features values-based courses that introduce you to topics such as sustainability, cultural differences in business, and the role of business in society. With this base, you’ll broaden your outlook as you evolve into a well-rounded leader who cares deeply about the impact of your work.

Elective courses within the certificate options allow you to shape a plan of study that brings your professional aspirations to life. The UP MBA program culminates in a capstone strategy course in your final semester, which draws together the cumulative skills learned throughout the program in an interdisciplinary project.

The 36- to 39-credit MBA program at UP offers flexibility and convenience, fitting easily within your schedule. You have the option to test out of the prerequisite statistics course, and evening classes take place once a week to help you balance personal and professional commitments.

Review the MBA program sheet to track your progress.

Degree Requirements

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Admissions Process

UP strongly recommends that applicants have two to three years of professional experience after earning their bachelor’s degree to fully benefit from the program. Learn more about graduate admissions, or contact our team at gradschl@up.edu or 503.943.7107

To apply to the MBA program at UP, you must submit the following:

  1. Statement of goals
  2. Current résumé
  3. Two recommendation letters
  4. Official transcripts (from all previously attended academic institutions)
  5. A bachelor's degree or its equivalent from an accredited college or university recognized by the University of Portland
  6. Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher (on a scale of 4.0)
  7. International Applicants
    • All foreign transcripts will be evaluated by International Student Services prior to an admission decision
    • An official score from the TOEFL (minimum score of 88), IELTS (minimum score of 7.0), or Duolingo (minimum score of 110) exam is required.
    • Proof of financial support will be required to attend the University of Portland, but it is not required for application review.
Find out more about the application process in an upcoming School of Business information session.

More Than a Degree

UP’s MBA program merges academic excellence with real-world application and a global perspective, preparing you to strengthen your business and management acumen.

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MBA Certificates

Customize your plan of study to your professional goals through one of UP’s MBA certificates in business analytics, entrepreneurship and design management, finance, marketing, nonprofit management, operations and technology management, sports business, strategy, or sustainability.

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International Experience

All MBA students must complete an international experience such as a project-based learning lab, volunteer work, business plan competition, or course abroad. This requirement aims to develop your ability to collaborate effectively with executives and organizations from a range of cultural backgrounds, connecting confidently and authentically.

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Holy Cross Tradition

Guided by our Holy Cross identity, UP creates an academic environment that balances financial and operational advancement with moral reasoning. You’ll learn to approach complex problems with both creative insight and a commitment to the greater good.

The UP Difference

Find out why UP stands out.

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AACSB Accredited Business School

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Private University in the West by U.S. News & World Report

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Average Business Class Size

“The classes I took from teachers like Sam Holloway and Ian Parkman got me thinking through a small business lens. It helps frame the way I tackle new ideas and determine whether or not we have the time and resources to test or go forward with them. It helped me see that we need to be smart and lean while also staying dynamic. There’s still a ton of work ahead—we’re growing our client base, adding clinicians, and expanding our services—but we’re off to a great start. The demands of a small business aren’t so different from the demands of training for D1 Cross Country - there is always work to be done. As Rob Conner, UP XC/TF coach would say, “It’s time to get in shape!”

Leo Donlea, General Manager at SportsLab and Athletic Republic Portland, BS Biology ’21, MBA ’23

Careers and Outcomes

Forge a successful career trajectory with UP’s distinctive academic model that emphasizes practical experience, ethical decision-making, and industry-leading theoretical knowledge. You’ll graduate prepared to make your mark in the business world.

Jobs with an MBA

An MBA prepares you for a range of advanced business roles, such as:

  • Brand Manager
  • C-Level Executive
  • Data Analyst
  • Financial Analyst
  • Investment Funds Manager
  • Management Consultant
  • Marketing Director
  • Operations Director

Alumni Employers

UP’s MBA alumni are skilled leaders, making an impact at companies such as:

  • Artivion
  • Discord
  • OCHIN, Inc.
  • OHSU
  • Providence Health & Services
  • QuoteCenter
  • Stanley Black & Decker
  • Sustainable Northwest

Related Degrees

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MBA in Nonprofit Management

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MS in Finance

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MS in Operations & Technology Management

Redefine the Global Marketplace

Choosing to pursue a master of business administration is more than an academic decision; it is a strategic investment in your future. At University of Portland, our MBA program provides a transformative journey that reshapes how you think, lead, and create value in the global business ecosystem.

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