UW News

October 23, 2008

UW Bothell to offer MBA in Bellevue

The UW Bothell recently received approval from the Higher Education Coordinating Board to extend its MBA Program southward to Bellevue.


The new Leadership MBA in Bellevue will focus on developing business leaders through a mentorship and strategic leadership program. It will complement the successful MBA program offered at the Bothell campus geared towards managing technology-oriented businesses. The program in Bothell will be known as the Technology MBA and have a strong focus on technology and entrepreneurship. Both programs will emphasize analysis and problem solving, business theories, and communication skills.


By expanding to Bellevue, the MBA program will provide increased educational access to residents of the Eastside (including Bellevue, Issaquah, Redmond, Renton, Sammamish and surrounding communities) who will benefit from the UW-quality education, reduction of travel time, expense and impact on the environment.


Support from Eastside leaders has been great, as shown by their letters of support to the Higher Education Coordinating Board. Said Christine Hoffmann, head of the Greater Redmond Chamber of Commerce, “We support the college’s efforts for outreach and their ability to provide top quality education regionally.”


Grant Degginger, mayor of Bellevue, echoed this sentiment, “In considering the strong demand for top quality education programs that will deliver the most current and successful business practices to the Eastside, the City of Bellevue supports and endorses bringing to Bellevue the University of Washington Bothell’s outstanding MBA program.”


Chris Boody, director of product management and consumer messaging for AT&T Mobility, adds, “The addition of an MBA program in the Bellevue/Redmond area would allow the large and small companies in this area to continue to invest in their leadership and staffing objectives by providing access to the outstanding University of Washington advanced degree programs in their own back yard.”


The new program strengthens UW Bothell’s overarching vision of becoming the regional center of academic excellence in higher education, providing increased access to citizens of the north Puget Sound region while also achieving campus priorities outlined in the newly released 21st Century Campus Initiative: University of Washington Priorities Plan 2008-2020 and is one of approximately 20 new programs projected to begin in 2009.


Applications are now being accepted for the fall 2009 MBA classes. An information session featuring a presentation on both the Bothell and Bellevue MBA offerings will be held at UW Bothell on Thursday, Nov. 6. For more information call 425-352-3277 or visit http://www.uwb.edu/business/mba/.