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W I L L A M E T T E U N I V E R S I T Y

MBAAtkinson Graduate School of Management

Salem, Oregon

This publication has been written to serve as a source of information for prospective students, current students, advisors, faculty, employees, employers and friends of the Atkinson Graduate School of Management.

Over the course of the year there may be changes in the curriculum, faculty and other important areas. Information about each change will be distributed appropriately. However, all provisions herein contained are subject to change without notice and do not constitute a contract, or offer to contract with any person.

Willamette University seeks to be a diverse community and to provide equal opportunity in its educational programs and activities, and employment. In keeping with the letter and spirit of federal and state laws, the institution is committed to not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, marital status or sexual orientation. Questions regarding the University’s equal opportunity policies and practices may be directed to: Assistant to the President, 503-370-6209, Willamette University, 900 State Street, Salem, OR 97301-3931.

The security of all members of the campus community is a vital concern to Willamette University. Information regarding crime prevention advice, the law enforcement authority of the Office of Campus Safety, policies concerning the reporting of crimes which occur on campus, and the crime statistics for the most recent three-year period may be viewed on Willamette University’s website at www.willamette.edu/dept/campuslife/policies/ or a paper copy can be requested from Willamette University, Office of Admission, 900 State Street, Salem, OR 97301.

Willamette University complies with the Student-Right-to-Know Act, the Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act, and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. For more information, call the Office of Institutional Research at 503-375-5303, or see Willamette’s website at www.willamette.edu/dept/ir/compliance.htm.

1

A Message from the Dean

While you are reading this, the world is changing. The economy is

changing. It’s getting better, getting tougher and getting faster. And right

now someone is responding with a new business model or maybe an entire

new industry. Someone else is reinventing a governmental service or agency

or reshaping a nonprofit organization.

Very soon, these people will be looking to you to take the next step – to

effectively manage complex issues and answer multidisciplinary challenges.

That’s why the Atkinson School goes beyond the traditional ideas of MBA

education. Here you will learn in an innovative program that effectively

blends the development of knowledge with real-world experience. In

addition, you’ll build friendships and a network that will last a lifetime.

As you read through this publication, you’ll see what others like you have to

say about their experience at Atkinson. We hope you’ll discover that

Willamette University’s Atkinson School MBA is the right choice for you.

James A. Goodrich, DeanPh.D., University of California, Los Angeles

2

3

contentsOverview ............................................................ 5Reach a New Degree of Opportunity .....................................................7Atkinson School MBA ...............................................................................8Prepare for the Career of Your Choice ....................................................9Select a Format to Meet Your Goals .....................................................10Willamette University ..............................................................................12George H. Atkinson Graduate School of Management ......................12

Real Challenges, Real Experiences ........................... 15The Core Curriculum ...............................................................................16Hands-On Experience in the Core Curriculum .....................................17The Elective Curriculum ..........................................................................18Areas of Interest ......................................................................................20

Living and Learning ............................................. 23People, Place and Possibility ..................................................................24Campus Life at Atkinson ........................................................................ 29Beyond Campus ......................................................................................29

Teachers and Mentors ........................................... 31The Atkinson School Faculty ..................................................................33

Career Roadmap ................................................. 39Along the Road to Your Success ............................................................41

After Atkinson .................................................... 45Education with a Future ..........................................................................46Alumni Perspectives ................................................................................48

Making it Happen ................................................ 51Admission .................................................................................................52Financial Aid ............................................................................................54Resources .................................................................................................56Map ...........................................................................................................57Mission and Value Statement .................................................................58

5

There is no other MBA like this. Innovative, nationally

noted for the quality of its faculty, curriculum and

professional preparation, the Atkinson School MBA

provides a graduate experience that moves beyond

existing conventions of management education. This is

a multi-sector, multi-benefit, multi-opportunity

education that offers you professional growth,

unmatched real-world experience, unparalleled faculty

attention and the confidence to meet the complex,

multidisciplinary, managerial challenges you face today

and will face tomorrow.

overviewA look at our MBA program

Better yourself. Better your career. Better your future.

Get the competitive advantages of the Atkinson School MBA. Get the education

and the versatility that mean better choices and better career paths. Be ready

for dramatic change. Be ready for a better future.

7

Unique Real-World Experience

No other school puts you in the thick of it like we do.

Atkinson’s MBA creates dynamic working knowledge.

Witness the Private, Public and Community Enterprise

Program (PaCE) – the first of its kind in MBA programs.

PaCE is a three-tier, hands-on, minds-on experience in

which you actively apply what you learn in a real

organization. From your first day of class you will apply

your growing knowledge of management to provide

consulting services for a client not-for-profit organization. By

the end of your first year you will have written a business

plan. And you will have the opportunity to go even

farther with the PaCE Commercial Enterprise Project,

where you and your teammates create and operate an

actual business. PaCE is just one example of Atkinson’s

commitment to learning by doing, to providing the kind

of track record employers value.

Exceptional Environment for Learning

This is personalized instruction from a talented faculty

who are award-winning teachers, researchers and

professional leaders. There is an extraordinarily high level

of student-faculty interaction, an emphasis on teamwork

and “learning by doing,” and numerous opportunities to

take the lead. You will be challenged, and emerge with

confidence in your knowledge, meaningful experience

and an impressive professional skill set. The result is more

open doors, more career options, and more choices.

Limitless Career Potential

The flexibility of the Atkinson School MBA will allow

you to move from sector to sector and challenge to

challenge, with total confidence. Atkinson is the place to

pursue your individual career interests in finance, general

management, human resources, information systems,

international management, marketing, organizational

analysis, public management and quantitative analysis.

Atkinson’s learning experience, combined with an active,

strategic career services program, means you will be

prepared to reach your goals. You will join Atkinson

alumni who are finding success in every sector, from

Fortune 500 companies to entrepreneurial start-ups,

from government and public agencies to not-for-profit

organizations.

Nationally Respected Credentials

Substance is everything. The Atkinson

School MBA is the world’s only MBA

accredited by the two most prestigious

organizations evaluating management

education - AACSB International

(business) and NASPAA (public

administration). Accreditation represents

the highest standards of achievement,

and is the hallmark of excellence in

management education. Atkinson has

also been profiled among the nation’s

best programs by Business Week,

U.S. News & World Report, and The

Princeton Review.

Outstanding Environment for Living

You’ll find this impressive program on a beautiful campus

in the capital city of Oregon. Willamette University’s

home, the city of Salem, is one of the hubs of the

Interstate-5 business, technology and government

corridor, where commercial icons like Hewlett Packard,

Nike, Intel and Tektronix have a major presence. This

is a place renowned for quality of life, friendly people,

sky instead of skyscrapers, parks instead of parking lots.

Just 40 minutes north is Portland with all of its cultural

and entertainment amenities. And a short drive in any

direction reveals something outstanding: the beaches of

the Oregon coast; the ski, snowboard and mountain-bike

country of the Cascade range; the wild rivers, fly-fishing

and forests of southern Oregon; the world-famous

windsurfing, kiteboarding, hiking and scenery of the

Columbia River Gorge.

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Reach a New Degree of Opportunity

The Atkinson School MBA prepares students for careers in business, government and not-

for-profit organizations. The program is noted for the quality of its faculty, its emphasis on

experiential learning, and for being the world’s only MBA accredited for business (AACSB

International) and public administration (NASPAA).

From the first day of class, Atkinson students apply what they learn to real

organizations. Class consulting projects for real clients, in-depth case studies, internships

and the PaCE Program offer powerful opportunities to build the professional work

experience employers value.

The curriculum builds a strong foundation in the fundamental principles of management,

enhances communication, leadership, team and career management skills, and provides

the opportunity to pursue individual career goals in finance, general management, human

resources, information systems, international management, marketing, organizational

analysis, public management and quantitative analysis.

The power of an Atkinson education is personified by the careers of our alumni. Atkinson

graduates are finding success in every sector. They occupy leadership roles in finance,

marketing, international management, accounting, human resources and more. And

they are described by their employers as quality performers, effective problem-solvers,

approachable leaders, collaborative team players and down-to-earth communicators who

are ready to “hit the ground running” and immediately assume their job responsibilities.

optionsThe Atkinson School MBA: Career-building, Life-changing

“As the owner of a $10

million technology

distribution company,

I credit Atkinson for

much of my success.

They gave me

‘business thinking’.

The faculty helped

me learn to analyze

every part of business

from management to

marketing to human

resources to

organizational behavior.”

David M. Liu, MBA‘94 Chairman and CEO Longwell Technology International Ltd. Kowloon, Hong Kong

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9Prepare for the Career of Your Choice

The Atkinson School provides the knowledge and real-world experience needed for career entry, change or

advancement in a variety of career paths.

• Business and Consulting – The Atkinson School is profiled as one of the nation’s best business schools by Business

Week, U.S. News & World Report and The Princeton Review, and is one of only 43 MBA programs accredited by AACSB

International that focuses on the master’s level of study. While the tools learned at the Atkinson School are

representative of top MBA programs, the experiential and cross-sector nature of the Atkinson MBA provides essential

preparation for effective decision making in business and consulting careers. Seventy-five percent of Atkinson graduates

have chosen careers in large corporations, medium and small businesses and entrepreneurial enterprises.

• Government and Not-for-Profit Organizations – The Atkinson School multi-sector core curriculum, elective courses

in public management and opportunities to participate within the Willamette University Public Policy Research Center

build a strong foundation in the political, regulatory and fiscal issues of the public sector. In addition, the School’s unique

dual accreditation by NASPAA and AACSB International ensures students receive the finance, marketing, quantitative,

teamwork and negotiation skills often missing in MPA programs but clearly needed in today’s public and not-for-profit

organizations.

• Management and Law – The MBA/JD joint degree develops and hones the tools for successful careers in business,

law and public service. Combining the respected academic and professional resources of the Atkinson School and the

College of Law, the joint degree provides America’s only joint degree accredited by three professional organizations: the

American Bar Association, AACSB International and NAASPA.

• Management and Dispute Resolution – The MBA/CDR (Certificate in Dispute Resolution) degree, offered in

cooperation with the Willamette University College of Law Center for Dispute Resolution, provides intensive, rigorous

education in the major dispute resolution devices including negotiation, mediation and conflict management. The

Willamette Center for Dispute Resolution has been rated as one of the top dispute resolution programs in the country by

U.S. News & World Report.

“The faculty challenge

students to look beyond

the classroom and to

think in real-world

terms. Most incorpo-

rated projects that

linked students with the

outside world. These

projects gave me the

experience necessary

to start a career as a

consultant.”

Kelly Duncan, MBA’04Management ConsultantAldrich, Kilbride & Tatone, LLC Lake Oswego, OR

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o10

Select the Format to Meet Your Goals

The Atkinson School offers one MBA degree available in five formats. Each format features the Atkinson School’s

emphasis on “learning by doing,” excellence in teaching and teamwork. Choose the format which meets your goals.

• Full-Time MBA – The full-time MBA is designed for students seeking career entry or career change. Students

complete the required core curriculum during the first academic year of study. During the second year, students pursue

their individual career interests through the elective curriculum. In just 21 months, full-time Atkinson students refine

their career interests, develop the knowledge and tools managers need to lead and succeed, and build a professional

portfolio of real-world experience. Although the Atkinson School MBA is structured as a full-time program, students may

enroll on a part-time basis and complete the degree in four to six years. Approximately five percent of students enroll

part-time.

• Accelerated MBA – The accelerated MBA is a waiver-based option of the Atkinson School MBA and is designed

for students seeking career change or advancement. Full-time accelerated students focus their studies in the elective

curriculum and generally complete their MBA in nine to 15 months.

• MBA/JD Joint Degree – The MBA/JD joint degree is a four-year program that results in both the MBA and the Doctor

of Jurisprudence. During the first two years of the program, students complete one year at the Atkinson School and one

year at the College of Law. During the third and fourth years, two-thirds of the student’s courses are taken at the College

of Law and one-third is taken at the Atkinson School.

• MBA/CDR – Each year, up to four Atkinson students may be selected to participate in the combined MBA/Certificate

in Dispute Resolution program. The MBA/CDR can be completed in 21 months of full-time study.

• BA/MBA – The BA/MBA combined degree in liberal arts and management allows advanced Willamette University

College of Liberal Arts students to complete the BA and MBA degrees in five years of full-time study.

11

A Sample of Employers and Position Titles of Atkinson Alumni

EMPLOYER POSITION LOCATION

ACNielsen Senior Research Executive Bombay, India

Boise Office Solutions Sr. Vice President/CFO Boise, ID

Bonneville Power Administration Vice President of Generation Supply Portland, OR

Center for Disease Control Deputy Division Director Decatur, GA

CH2M Hill Vice President/Treasurer Aurora, CO

Charles Schwab & Co. Director of Executive Compensation Oakland, CA

Chemeketa Community College Chief Financial Officer Salem, OR

City of Seattle Director of Housing/Human Services Seattle, WA

Compaq Computers Director, Banking Solutions Scotts Valley, CA

DaimlerChrysler Services General Counsel Troy, MI

Deloitte & Touche Senior Manager San Francisco, CA

E*TRADE Financial Director of Software Foster City, CA

Freightliner Inc. Business Systems Administrator Portland, OR

Georgia Pacific Corporation Vice President, Corporate Safety Atlanta, GA

Hewlett Packard Company New Business Development Manager Vancouver, WA

Hewlett Packard Company Human Resources Manager Corvallis, OR

IBM Corporation Manager of Consulting Services Seattle, WA

Intel Corporation Senior Financial Analyst Portland, OR

Jeld-Wen Foundation Executive Director Klamath Falls, OR

Make A Wish Foundation of America Finance & Operations Specialist Phoenix, AZ

Metro-Goldwyn-Meyer, Inc. Manager, Budgets & Forcasts Encino, CA

Microsoft Corporation Information Technology Manager Redmond, WA

Mitsubishi Silicon America Senior Site Cost Analyst Salem, OR

Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Senior Vice President, Wealth Advisor Greenwich, CT

NASA Head, Technical Information Services Bowie, MD

National Geographic Society Grants Officer Washington, DC

Nike, Inc. Process Innovation, Process Improvement Mgr. Beaverton, OR

Nike, Inc. Director, Global Sales and Planning Beaverton, OR

Northwest Human Services Chief Financial Officer Salem, OR

Northwest Natural Vice President of Human Resources Portland, OR

Oracle Corporation Managing Principle Consultant Camas, WA

Oregon Hospice Association Executive Director/CEO Portland, OR

Oregon School Boards Association Attorney/Labor Relations Specialist Salem, OR

Pemstar Inc. Director of Global Logistics Rochester, MN

Planar Systems Inc. Senior Human Resources Consultant Portland, OR

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Manager, Risk Management Solutions Tokyo, Japan

Providence Health System Director, Performance Analysis Seattle, WA

Puentes Brothers Foods Vice President, Marketing & Sales/Partner Salem, OR

Red Chip Review Equity Analyst Los Angeles, CA

Rolls-Royce North America Inc. Vice President, Total Compensation Fairfax, VA

State of Nevada Deputy Attorney General Carson City, NV

State of Oregon Chief Procurement Officer Salem, OR

Thai Arrow Products Co., LTD Foreign Trade Officer Bangkok, Thailand

The Bank of New York Senior Currency Strategist New York, NY

The Boeing Company Senior Attorney Seattle, WA

The Tao of Tea CEO Portland, OR

U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security Senior Special Agent Atlanta, GA

U.S. Dept. of Housing & Community Development Comptroller Washington, DC

Verizon Communications Vice President of Sales Fairfax, VA

Wah Chang Director of Marketing & Business Development Salem, OR

Xerox Corporation Financial Planning Manager Giza, Egypt

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12

The George H. Atkinson Graduate School

of Management

Willamette University’s Atkinson Graduate School of

Management prepares you for a management career,

expands executives’ skills and connects organizations

with people who know the business of management. The

School concentrates on the master’s level of education,

values teaching first and foremost, and emphasizes

immediate practical application of the knowledge and

experience you gain.

Atkinson School programs are solidly built on the

philosophy that effective management requires a

cross-functional and cross-sector understanding of

decision-making in addition to the traditional quantitative

and qualitative tools of management.

Why does this matter? Because in today’s world, corporate

activities are interrelated like never before. Private

and public organizations must cooperate to solve the

problems facing society. Managers of business and

not-for-profit organizations must understand how

government decisions influence their organizations. Public

managers must understand the work of business and

not-for profit enterprises, and the influence of government

policies on these organizations. This perspective prepares

you for an impressive array of career possibilities in both

the private and public sectors.

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Willamette University – The First University in the West

Founded in 1842, Willamette is the first university in the

West. A private, selective, coeducational University with

2,500 students enrolled in the College of Liberal Arts,

Atkinson Graduate School of Management, College

of Law and School of Education, Willamette is widely

recognized for the excellence of its academic programs,

the quality of its students, the dedication of its faculty and

the achievements of its graduates in both the private and

public sectors.

Willamette has a long history of providing innovative

professional education. It established the first law school

in the Northwest more than a century ago and pioneered

the development of the integrated cross-functional and

cross-sector philosophy of management education when

it opened the George H. Atkinson Graduate School of

Management in 1974.

All of this is located on a spacious, beautiful campus in

the heart of Oregon’s Willamette Valley. The University is

adjacent to the Oregon State Capitol complex. In addition

to a rich campus life, Willamette’s location offers the

affordable advantages of Salem, one of America’s most

livable small cities (pop. 143,700) and easy access to the

many professional and recreational resources of the Pacific

Northwest.

university

Willamette University and the Atkinson School are guided by a motto that

epitomizes our commitment to prepare you for service and leadership in

your profession and community:

Not unto ourselves alone are we born.

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“Choosing the Atkinson School was the best decision I’ve ever

made. The school helped me develop a broad, but detailed

perspective of management, strengthened by information

technology and communication skills, and gave me the

confidence to pursue my career.”

Marilee Bostic, MBA’98 Director of Software E*Trade Financial Menlo Park, CA

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The distinctive, integrated Atkinson MBA curriculum is

built on a proven learning model that emphasizes learning

by doing. It provides a wealth of new knowledge and the

vital opportunity to put your knowledge and skills to the

test through the innovative PaCE Program, consulting

projects, internships, case studies and simulations.

The program is comprised of a balance of dynamic core

and elective course work. Core courses build a strong

foundation in the fundamental “core principles” of

management – the basics you need to succeed in any

management position.

The elective curriculum provides in-depth knowledge and

the opportunity to pursue your individual career interests

in finance, general management, human resources,

information systems, international management,

marketing, organizational analysis, public management and

quantitative analysis.

real challenges real experiences

The Atkinson Curriculum

16

The Atkinson core curriculum develops a comprehensive and integrated understanding

of the functional areas of management, emphasizes learning-by-doing, and enhances

your communication, team and career management skills. More simply put, the core is all

about new knowledge, real-world experience, synergy and professionalism.

The learning experience is focused on outcomes, emphasizing what you can actually

do with the knowledge you gain. You will develop the tools managers need to lead and

succeed within organizations in local and global markets. You will learn to effectively

structure an organization, manage and motivate a work force, negotiate for the resources

needed to fulfill your responsibilities, facilitate and respond to change, identify and

provide value to customers and clients, and interact in international settings. You will

learn the financial, statistical, economic, quantitative, strategic and information system

tools essential for successful careers. And you will understand the ethical, legal and

multi-sector issues of management. Along the way you develop a true understanding of

cross-functional integration and management decision-making.

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The Core Curriculum – The Principles of Management

“Think like an executive.

Value the importance of

teamwork. Work hard

and smart to get things

done FAST! I learned

many things at the

Atkinson School and was

well prepared for my

career.”

Makoto Onodera, MBA’91Representative Director of the Board, Vice PresidentTaiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Japan K.K.Yokohama, Japan

Fall Semester Core Courses

• Managing Organizations

• Managing Exchange

• Management Controls

• Foundations of Quantitative Analysis

• Managerial Economics and Finance

• Integration and Professional

Development

Core Curriculum The core curriculum is generally completed during the first year of study.

Spring Semester Core Courses

• Managing Organizations

• Managing Exchange

• Management of Business Processes

and Information Systems

• Statistical Inference and Model

Formulation

• Macroeconomics and the Financial

System

• Strategic Management

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“Hand’s-On” Experience in the Core Curriculum

Your ability “to do” will be actively supported throughout your core experience and powerfully enhanced through

four exciting and distinctive components of the Atkinson core: PaCE Service Learning/Consulting, PaCE Business Plan

Project, Integrated Knowledge Exercise Weeks (“IKEWs”), and Integration and Professional Development.

• PaCE Service Learning/Consulting – The project starts on the first day of class when you and your colleagues

develop your team into an organization of managers who will negotiate, establish and deliver a package of management

services for a local not-for-profit organization. The service learning/consulting project provides a valuable opportunity to

apply what you learn, build real-world experience and contribute to your community through enhancing the operations

of your client organization.

• PaCE Business Plan Project – In your second year, you and your PaCE teammates will accomplish something most

managers have never experienced – you will write and present a business plan. Typical of the multi-sector nature of the

Atkinson MBA, your plan may focus on the establishment of a business, government or not-for-profit organization. Your

plan will compete with those of other PaCE teams, and the best plans will be implemented in the PaCE Commercial

Enterprise Project offered in the elective curriculum.

• Integrated Knowledge Exercise Weeks – Atkinson IKEWs are specifically designed to ensure you get the most from

your MBA education. IKEWs help you to apply knowledge of the functional areas of management in an integrated and

strategic manner. This ability does not happen automatically within any learning experience; it is a skill that must be

recognized, practiced, reviewed and supported.

The first IKEW occurs during fall semester. It clarifies expectations and builds your confidence in your ability as you and

your teammates work to define a complex case problem, offer an integrated analysis of the problem and propose an

effective, ethical, practical and realistic solution. The second IKEW occurs during spring semester and is designed to

measure competence in applying your knowledge of management to a real issue.

• Integration and Professional Development – This course will develop the skills essential to successful management

careers that are not generally taught in MBA courses. Topics and activities include Career Roadmap, job analysis,

internship planning, interviewing, leadership and teamwork, networking, oral and written communication, project and

time management, resume writing, and software skills.

c

“I chose the Atkinson School MBA program mostly because of the PaCE program. Having hands-on experience, formulating a business plan, proposing it to a bank, asking for a real loan, and then executing the plan. Step by step, you make it happen and eventually get to the end of the project. You look at your teammates and think, ‘Wow, we’ve really done something!’”

Roger Fong Atkinson School MBA Class of 2005

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The elective component of the Atkinson School MBA curriculum is as wide-ranging as the

core is innovative. A choice of more than 40 elective courses offers you the opportunity

to target and pursue your individual career goals in one or more career areas of interest,

including:

finance information systems organizational analysis

general management international management public management

human resources marketing quantitative analysis

A minimum of 10 elective courses is required to fulfill the elective component of the MBA

degree. Elective courses include opportunities to further develop your management tools

and build your real-world experience. Class projects, consulting for organizations, analyzing

industries, internship experiences, case studies, simulations, and the PaCE Commercial

Enterprise Project provide opportunities to enhance your ability to collaborate, lead and

follow; communicate and persuade; utilize spreadsheets, databases and software

applications; and build the practical experience employers value.

The PaCE Commercial Enterprise Project is an experience in creating and running a

real business. You will work with real clients, real customers, real products, real services

and real challenges – plus the decisions and results that come with them. You and your

teammates will implement your plans for delivering your product or service and work to

meet the goals of your enterprise. In the end, you will close or sell the enterprise, repay

loans and contribute your profits to a community service. You will have completed an

unparalleled real-world learning experience – all within the safety net of your Atkinson

School education.

Students pursuing career entry or career change are encouraged to select elective

courses that support in-depth knowledge and experience in one or more areas of

interest. The combination of in-depth knowledge in one or more functional areas of

management, your portfolio of real-world experiences at the Atkinson School, and the

understanding of general management acquired in the core curriculum will help you

succeed in early career positions and successfully move to higher levels of management.

Students with more extensive work experience, who are pursuing career advancement or

entrepreneurial ventures, often select courses from several areas of interest to enhance

the breadth of their strategic managerial abilities and build upon their previous professional

experience.

Course descriptions for core and elective courses are available at:

www.willamette.edu/agsm/academics/mba/course_descriptions.htm

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A Sample of Recent PaCE Enterprises • Creative Juices

Published and sold the Winery Guide to Marion, Polk and Yamhill County Wineries. Donated profits to the Humane Society of the Willamette Valley

• Lokahi Enterprise Published and sold Boots and Bikes – a best-selling guide for hiking, cycling and mountain biking in the mid-valley. Donated profits to the United Way.

• Mill Stream Publishing Published and sold Where is Home? – ¿Dónde es Hogar? – a bilingual coloring/activity book for children. Donated profits to the Salem Outreach Shelter.

• Parrott Productions Produced and sold “Northwest Foundations” CD of local jazz and blues music. Donated profits to the Salem Chapter of Habitat For Humanity

• Rubicon Consulting Produced Willamette University logo license plates and sold through the WU Bookstore. Donated profits to the Historic Elsinore Theater.

The Elective Curriculum – Design Your Future

• Researched and studied a Silicon Valley high-tech company to identify best practices for employee retention following layoffs

• Developed a web-enabled marketing survey for use by a start-up company that will help people build technical analysis trading systems online

• Identified personal attitudes toward risk and designed personal investment portfolios

• Designed a functional database that matches needs of developing nations with donations of corporations from developed nations

• Developed a conflict resolution and negotiation curriculum for the Oregon Department of Transportation

• Studied the culture of three successful IT companies located in different parts of the world and compared the cultures with Hewlett Packard Company and the “HP Way”

• Evaluated and critiqued the marketing strategy of a small manufacturing company and made recommendations for a five-year strategy that would grow revenues from $1.25 million to $5 million

• Researched trends in foundation and corporate giving and created a development plan for the Oregon Donor Program

Examples of Recent Real-World Elective Class Projects:

“Atkinson graduate students completed two human resource projects. Both required a great deal of data collection and analysis. The quality and timeliness of their work exceeded my expectations. Their contribution enabled me to complete my deliverables in a cost-effective manner and, most important, meet the needs of my internal customers. We were all very impressed by their work!”

Mary MacDonald Director, Organizational Effectiveness & Government Partnerships Toys R Us

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International ManagementThe international management area of interest develops knowledge of international trade, foreign market entry, inter-national investment and other issues faced by organizations operating in a global economy. This area of interest should be combined with one or more additional areas of interest.

Courses to ConsiderManaging Entry Into Foreign Markets and International Trade CertificateInternational FinanceNew Enterprise DevelopmentEntrepreneurship and Small Business ManagementResearch for Marketing Decisions Marketing StrategyIntegrated Marketing CommunicationsProduct PlanningForeign Study Exchange ProgramForeign Study Tours

c

FinanceThe finance area of interest provides a framework for making financial decisions for organizations within an environment characterized by risk.

Courses to ConsiderAdvanced Capital ManagementFinancial Intermediation and Monetary TheoryInvestmentsFinancial ManagementInternational FinanceFinancial Derivatives and Risk ManagementPaCE Commercial EnterpriseManagement of Business Processes and Information SystemsSeminar in Benefit-Cost Analysis Financial ReportingAdvanced Statistical MethodsBusiness and Economic ForecastingPublic Financial Management

Human Resource Management The human resource management area of interest provides the strategic and technical tools needed to effectively manage human resource processes and procedures within an organization. Courses needed to prepare for the PHR (Professional in Human Resources) and GPHR (Global Professional in Human Resources) certification exams are also available.

Courses to ConsiderCollective Bargaining and Labor Relations Compensation Design and ManagementGlobal Human Resource ManagementEmployment RegulationEmployee Selection, Training and DevelopmentLeadershipLabor Law (College of Law)Workers’ Compensation (College of Law)Employment Discrimination (College of Law)PaCE Commercial Enterprise Advanced Statistical MethodsManagement of Business Processes and Information SystemsManaging Organizational ChangeBusiness and Economic ForecastingOrganization DesignDatabase ManagementManagement and Operations ReviewNegotiation

Elective courses for career areas of interest provide in-depth knowledge and build your real-world experience.

Information SystemsThe information systems area of interest provides a broad understanding of the effective application and implementation of information technology to solve operational, tactical and strategic challenges.

Courses to ConsiderManagement of Business Processes and Information Systems Database ManagementManagement and Operations Review Managing Organizational Change Management Science Advanced Statistical MethodsBusiness and Economic ForecastingPaCE Commercial Enterprise

areas of interest

General Management Students pursuing a general perspective of management usually select elective courses covering several career areas of interest. This option is most viable for experienced managers using the Atkinson program to build on their previous professional backgrounds.

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Marketing The marketing emphasis develops the understanding and skills necessary to manage the process by which individuals and organizations obtain what they need and want through the exchange of ideas, products or services.

Courses to ConsiderResearch for Marketing DecisionsMarketing StrategyIntegrated Marketing CommunicationsMarketing and Public PolicyProduct PlanningPaCE Commercial Enterprise Advanced Statistical MethodsBusiness and Economic ForecastingManaging Entry into Foreign Markets and International Trade CertificateData Mining Applications for the Marketing of Information-based Products Strategic Marketing for Non-profit Organizations Managing Organizational Change Strategic Applications of Quantitative and Informational Tools Industry Analysis

Organizational AnalysisOrganizational analysis provides an understanding of the human and structural elements that influence an organization’s effectiveness. This area of interest should be combined with one or more additional areas of interest.

Courses to Consider Managing Organizational ChangeOrganization Design Advanced Management ControlsManagement and Operations ReviewPaCE Commercial EnterpriseNew Enterprise DevelopmentNot-for-Profit ManagementNegotiationLeadershipWorkshop on Conflict Management

Public ManagementThe public management area of interest provides an understanding of the political, regulatory and fiscal issues of government and develops practical management skills.

Courses to ConsiderPublic Policy StudiesSeminar in Benefit-Cost Analysis Public Financial ManagementManagement and Operations ReviewWorkshop on Conflict ManagementAdvanced Management Capability in GovernmentPaCE Commercial Enterprise Management of Business Processes and Information Systems Managing Organizational Change or Organization Design Advanced Management Controls Database Management Marketing and Public Policy Management Science

Quantitative AnalysisThe quantitative analysis area of interest develops the tools and knowledge to strategically use statistical models and information systems to provide a basis for managerial decision-making.

Courses to ConsiderManagement of Business Processes and Information SystemsAdvanced Statistical MethodsBusiness and Economic ForecastingStrategic Applications of Quantitative and Information ToolsManagement ScienceDatabase ManagementResearch for Marketing Decisions Data Mining Applications for the Marketing of Information-based Products Value Chain Management Statistical Quality Control

“There is excellent cross over among the courses. You may be doing a marketing case – like the Southwest Airline case – but to analyze it you have to bring in the fact that their human resources program, company culture, etc., are part of what makes the company strong and helps it to compete within its market. It is a very practical approach that helps it all come together in your mind.”

Melissa ChownAtkinson School MBA/JD Class of 2005

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The Atkinson School experience is practical,

personal, intimate and interactive. Under the

close guidance of exceptional teachers, you’ll

build the confidence that comes from experience

as doers, communicators, leaders, team members,

decision-makers and problem-solvers. Atkinson’s

collegial atmosphere and exclusive focus on the

master’s level management education combine

to create a learning environment where your

professional development and success are

our top priority.

living & learning

The Atkinson Experience

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Teaching Matters

At the Atkinson School, teaching matters. In fact, teaching

effectiveness is the number-one criterion used in faculty

hiring, promotion and tenure decisions. Here, the research

and consulting projects of our faculty add value to your

education rather than taking time away from classroom

teaching. As teachers first and foremost, faculty stress the

practical application of management theory to managerial

decision-making and problem-solving, using a variety of

teaching methods including in-depth case studies, class

and individual consulting projects, simulations and lecture.

Within this supportive learning environment, you will find

your MBA education to be challenging and productive.

The workload is demanding and faculty expectations are

high, as is their commitment to individual attention and

one-to-one mentoring. You will put in long hours – 60 to

70 hour academic work weeks are common – but when

you graduate from the Atkinson School you will be ready

to lead and succeed.

Making It Real

Atkinson faculty members understand you’re preparing

for the world of work and provide an MBA experience

that’s about doing, succeeding and futures. From the first

day of classes, you’ll apply what you are learning to real

management decisions. The Atkinson PaCE Program,

IKEWs, class consulting projects and internships provide

incredible opportunities to learn by doing. Throughout

your Atkinson experience you will build your confidence

in real-world management issues and see the actual

results of your decisions – all while supported by faculty

dedicated to your success.

Classrooms are modern and designed to facilitate student

interaction. You will have 24-hour-a-day wireless access to

the Internet, email and local network services including

specialty software and printing. The impressive electronic

and paper-based resources of the University’s Mark

O. Hatfield Library and the J.W. Long Law Library also

enhance your educational experience.

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And never underestimate the value of a view from the

outside. On-campus presentations by leaders of business,

government, not-for-profit and entrepreneurial organiza-

tions add an important dimension to your education.

Visiting executives provide students and faculty with

new perspectives on leadership and the challenges of

managing organizations in an ever-changing economy.

Give-and-take with these visiting executives expands your

insight (and your connections).

Close Student-Faculty Interaction

A high degree of student-faculty interaction is the norm at

the Atkinson School. It’s never “us” and “them”, it’s “we”

from day one. Our efficient size and exclusive focus on

the MBA program facilitate close relationships between

faculty and students. Faculty are available to you both in

and out of class, they serve as your academic advisors,

provide guidance for student projects involving external

organizations and participate with you in social activities.

Total Teamwork

At the Atkinson School, you will be immersed in teams

from your first day, steadily refining your ability to listen

and to learn, and to work as a leader and a follower.

Even the most competitive students soon learn the

value of striving together in a challenging environment

– camaraderie, friendships and study groups quickly

develop. The academic design at Atkinson balances

cooperation with strong individual effort – a balance, by

the way, typical of the most successful organizations, and

a characteristic valued by employers.

Expectation of Conduct

We are a community of learners. Our professional

commitment is to create an environment that advances

the science and practice of managing organizations. As

individuals, we conduct ourselves with honor and integrity,

treat everyone with respect, take responsibility for our

actions, and fulfill our promises. (Excerpted from the

Atkinson School Expectation of Conduct).

People, Place and Possibility

General Student Profile

Mean GMAT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 585Median GMAT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 590

Mean undergraduate g.p.a.. . . . . . . . . 3.3

Mean age . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Female . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39%Male . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61%

U.S. multicultural. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15%International . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13%

Previous work experience . . . . . . . . . 52%Average years work experience. . . . . . . 2

Bachelor degree in:Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18% Economics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16%Liberal Arts/Social Science. . . . . . . . . 41% Math/Science/Engineering . . . . . . . . 25%

“My Atkinson MBA is really opening up doors. My experience at Hewlett Packard tells me that I was well prepared at Atkinson and am fully capable of working in a large organization, with people of all sorts of diverse skill sets from other big name schools. And, I feel completely confident in the skills and training that I received at Atkinson to compete with these people where that’s necessary.”

Michael Doss, MBA’03 Supplies Usage Marketing Specialist Hewlett Packard Company Corvallis, OR

“In the consulting industry, my Atkinson MBA has

given my career an edge. My colleagues respect my

management skills, and my clients appreciate my understand-

ing of the public sector. My Atkinson education has given me

the best of both worlds – the ability to relate to clients and the

ability to compete in the fast-paced consulting environment.

My career could not have achieved the same level of growth

without Atkinson.”

Kristina Gonier, MBA‘99 Senior Consultant Unisys Global Public Sector Washington, DC

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Networking

Atkinson students have many valuable opportunities to

network with leaders in business, government and not-for-

profit organizations through the career mentor program,

in-class guest speakers, class consulting projects,

internships, career networking and alumni activities, site

visits and other events sponsored by student professional

organizations. Students and alumni also have on-line

access to the Atkinson School alumni database.

The Atkinson School actively encourages mutually

productive relationships with the professional community

through faculty and student consulting projects, student

internships, employment referral for students and alumni,

networking events that connect prospective employers

with students and alumni, the training and development

services of the Executive Development Center, and the

Certificate in Public Management program.

An International View

With 20 percent of Atkinson students coming from various

countries around the world, the Atkinson classroom

provides a true global environment for learning. Your

PaCE, IKEW and class project teams will represent a

microcosm of the world marketplace and enhance your

understanding of management issues. International

aspects of management are weaved throughout the

curriculum and elective courses in international

management support your interests. The international

perspective of an Atkinson education is also enhanced by

the presence of an endowed faculty chair dedicated to

international management – which, among other benefits,

provides additional resources and bolsters the educational

and professional opportunities for students and faculty, alike.

Atkinson students may also have the opportunity to

participate in graduate management exchange programs

with the University of Southern Denmark, Linkoping

University in Sweden, the Willamette University College

of Law summer program in China, or special international

study tours periodically offered through the Atkinson

School. Classes at all sites are taught in English.

A Diverse Student Profile

Our student profile is characterized by the same diversity

of age and experience that is common to the work

environment of most organizations. Students come from

around the world and across the United States, from big

cities and small rural areas. Some have focused their

undergraduate studies in the liberal arts. Others have

studied the sciences, engineering, business or economics.

Some have recently completed their bachelor’s degree

and are preparing for entry- or mid-level management

positions. Others have several years of work experience

and are seeking career advancement or change.

Students also come to the Atkinson School with differing

aspirations and career goals. Future business leaders work

side-by-side with future leaders of public and not-for-

profit organizations – each gaining insight and a better

understanding of the role of a manager in the organiza-

tional environment.

The diversity in backgrounds of Atkinson students adds

to the real-world experience of an Atkinson education.

Students challenge and support each other, in good times

and bad, in work and in play. You will build a network of

friendships that will last a lifetime.

Student Professional Organizations

Student organizations offer you opportunities for

increased career understanding and professional

development through networking, leadership and social

activities. They promote interaction with business and

government through site visits, guest speakers and

mentoring programs. Student organizations include:

Associated Graduate Students of Management, American

Marketing Association, Atkinson Public Management

Association, International Graduate Student Association,

Joint Degree Association and the Society for Human

Resource Management.

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“The opportunities to study, work and live in the Pacific

Northwest are benefits of attending the Atkinson School.

The region has a diversified economy and an excellent

quality of life.”Keith Phillips, MBA’96Senior Financial AnalystNike, Inc.Beaverton, OR

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coffeehouses and movie theaters. Salem is home to many

historic sites, 96 city parks, indoor and outdoor concerts

featuring international performers, art and wine festivals,

bike paths and running trails. Riverfront Park is a busy

place most weekends with people walking, roller-blading,

picnicking, enjoying Salem’s wonderful carousel, viewing

the beautiful and intriguing Eco-Earth display, or visiting

the noted children’s museum, the A.C. Gilbert Discovery

Village. Life in Salem is pleasant and only as fast-paced

as you want it to be. The manageable pace and relaxed

atmosphere enables you to focus your energies on

success in your graduate program.

A note about the weather: Don’t believe what you hear

– one way or the other. It doesn’t rain all the time. The

summers are mainly warm and sunny; the fall is usually

clear and beautiful; the spring is a little bit of everything.

In the winter it’s fine library weather. If you don’t own an

umbrella, you will. You’ll develop a meaningful relation-

ship with Gore-Tex®. There will, of course, be many winter

days when it doesn’t rain. Some of them will even be

clear. Two or three days a year it will snow a little.

An extraordinary variety of activities are within a short

drive of Salem. You will find pleasure in the region’s

beautiful natural environment and close opportunities for

big-city excitement in Portland. Graduate students don’t

live by classes alone – there is perhaps no environment

better than Salem and Oregon to prove that point.

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Campus Life at Atkinson

While intense study and late nights are common when

classes are in session, a healthy recreational balance is

important for the successful student – an idea clearly

taken to heart by the Atkinson community. You will join

an upbeat, energetic community participating in a variety

of social/recreational activities sponsored by Willamette

University and the Atkinson School.

Barbecues, receptions, the international dinner,

community service projects, food drives, holiday cel-

ebrations, alumni activities, pizza nights, the traditional

Thursday Night Out program, and the time-honored

Brownwater Regatta (a celebration of spring) balance

the academic demands of the program. University

programs popular with Atkinson students include films; art

exhibitions at the University’s noted Hallie Ford Museum

of Art; nationally recognized speakers; athletics; intramural

sports; use of the Sparks Center fitness and recreation

facilities (exercise classes, swimming, weight room,

handball, racquetball, gymnasium, tennis courts); concerts

at the Mary Stuart Rogers Music Center; and numerous

music and theater productions at the University Playhouse.

On the networking/social level – students participate in a

variety of professional organizations and alumni activities.

Beyond Campus

Salem is honored as an “All American City,” and an

example of the best of Oregon values. A hub of the I-5

business/technology/government corridor and one of the

fastest growing areas in the Northwest, Salem continues

to offer a lifestyle that is friendly, uncomplicated and

inexpensive compared to the larger cities of the West.

The downtown area is a short walk from the Atkinson

School, offering major department stores linked with

skybridges, traditional and ethnic restaurants,

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Students and alumni are the heart of Atkinson;

the faculty is our soul. Nationally and internationally

respected scholars, the Atkinson faculty share an

intense commitment to the academic and

professional success of their students. They are

first and foremost excellent teachers, who are

readily accessible to you – and their extensive

professional activities provide the firsthand

experience with current management issues

that makes the Atkinson School an exciting

place to learn.

teachers & mentors

The Atkinson Faculty

“One of the strengths of Atkinson is faculty involvement.

‘Open door’ really does mean an open door. The faculty take

the time to be mentors, in life rather than just academic mentors,

and don’t just teach to the book. They bring energy to class and

a unique perspective to the subject matter. They bring their life

experiences, and combine theory and practice.”

Trevor Franklin, MBA’04Ambulatory Care Manager Kaiser Permanente Portland, OR

We are proud of our faculty at the Atkinson School

– their scholarly accomplishments are complemented

by their experiences. They are consultants to business,

government and not-for-profit organizations and members

of the national and regional boards that make important

decisions about management education. They are

entrepreneurs, recipients of awards for outstanding

teaching and research, leaders of community and

professional organizations, authors of books and articles,

and editors for professional journals.

Atkinson faculty bring the benefits of a broad world view,

with nearly every member having worked, consulted or

completed academic work abroad. And, they create an

intimate atmosphere by working one on one with students;

the most critical ingredient for preparing you for successful

outcomes beyond your MBA.

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“The Atkinson School experience

is practical, personal, intimate and

interactive. Under the close guidance

of our exceptional professors, you

will build the confidence that comes

from real-world experience as team

members, communicators,

decision-makers, problem-solvers,

and leaders.”

James A. GoodrichDeanB.A., Occidental CollegeM.A., University of KansasPh.D., University of California, Los Angeles

facultyExperience the Benefits of Exceptional Faculty

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“Managers must be able to identify critical assumptions and issues, and correctly reach conclusions from them. While the conclusions may be of interest, understanding the way in which they’re reached is probably of longer-run significance. Stated another way, the important question at hand is ‘why’?”

“More and more companies are relying on their human resource teams to help them make the transition from domestic to transnational business concerns. Cross-cultural savvy, global teamwork, global leadership development, interna-tional ethics and global corporate social responsibility are some of the important areas where human resources can add value and play a strategic role.”

“Implicit in the curriculum is the premise that organizations are human instruments created and maintained to perform society’s work. Anything we do today, from producing personal computers to providing sanctuary for the abused, requires organizations and people to manage them.”

“Today, financial markets and institutions are freer, more interconnected, more global, and more sophisticated than ever. Today, we also better understand what really matters for the creation of wealth.”

G. Marc Choate Professor of Economics and Finance B.A., M.B.A., Ph.D., University of Washington

Lisbeth Claus Associate Professor of Global Human Resources B.A., K.U. Leuven (Belgium) M.A., K.U. Leuven (Belgium) M.B.A., University of San Francisco Ph.D., Saint Louis University SPHR

Patrick E. Connor Professor of Organizational Analysis B.S.E.E., University of Washington M.S.I.A., Purdue University Ph.D., University of Washington

Michael U. Dothan Guy F. Atkinson Professor of Economics and Finance B.SC., M.SC., Israel Institute of Technology Ph.D., Harvard University

faculty

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Bruce L. Gates Professor of Quantitative Methods and Public Management B.S.E., Princeton University Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh

Michael L. Hand Professor of Applied Statistics and Information Systems B.S., Oregon State University M.S., Ph.D., Iowa State University

Elliot N. Maltz Associate Professor of Marketing B.A., Trinity University M.B.A., University of California, Davis Ph.D., University of Texas

Steven M. Maser Professor of Public Management and Public Policy S.B., Massachusetts Institute of Technology M.A., Ph.D., University of Rochester

Kenneth E. Murphy Associate Professor of Information Systems B.A., Reed College M.S., Oregon State University M.S., Ph.D., Carnegie Mellon University

“Your career in management will provide many challenges and even more opportunities. And while nothing about the future is certain, you can be confident that the successful manager will need to be both a specialist and a generalist, a leader and a follower, a team player and a self-reliant entrepreneur, a creator and a user of information.”

“Information is the principal resource of managers. Just as manufacturing operations transform raw materials into finished goods, statistical models and information systems transform raw data into valuable information that can be used to control organizations and guide decision making.”

“Organizations should be collections of individuals with multiple talents which, when combined, create value greater than the sum of the parts. And every organization exists to serve the end user of its outputs and should, to a great degree, be market driven.”

“To me, politics isn’t something restricted to public elections, legislatures or bureaucracies. It’s a form of conflict, more difficult in some situations than in others, but just as much a part of business as government.”

“In the information age, the most valuable resources that an organization has are its data and knowledge bases. Effective management of information systems and technology is central to codifying and sharing data, as well as to discovering and applying new knowledge – both of which are essential for success.”

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“To some, marketing is the function that identifies customer needs and wants, determines which target markets to serve and designs appropriate products and services for these markets. While this sounds reasonable, marketing is much more than a function – it is a philosophy that can guide the entire organization.”

“It takes skill and practice to identify when accounting issues are the center of a problem and when they are not. The Atkinson School curriculum gives students the knowledge and experience they need to know the difference.”

“The world in which we live increasingly requires mutual understanding of business and government. Government officials must understand what makes business tick. And business leaders must appreciate the functioning of government.”

“Despite globalization, borders do matter and cross-border business relationships require special knowledge.”

“Strategy is built around the notion that value is created by thoughtfully integrating the separate business functions.”

Debra J. Ringold Associate Dean Professor of Marketing B.A., Texas Tech University M.B.A., Southern Illinois University Ph.D., University of Maryland

Kenneth (Ken) A. Smith Assistant Professor of Accounting and Management Information Systems B.A., Anderson University M.B.A., Ball State University Ph.D., University of Missouri Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

Fred Thompson Grace and Elmer Goudy Professor of Public Management and Policy Analysis B.A., Pomona College Ph.D., Claremont Graduate School

Ilan Vertinsky Distinguished Visiting Professor of International Business Studies B.A., Hebrew University, Jerusalem Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley

Robert E. Wiltbank Assistant Professor of Strategic Management B.S., Oregon State University Ph.D. Candidate, University of Washington Certified Managerial Accountant (CMA)

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Visiting, Executive and Affiliated Professors

Laura Leete

Paulus Director, Willamette University

Center for Public Policy Research

Willamette University Associate Professor of

Economics and Public Policy

Ph.D., Harvard University

Jennifer Roney

Visiting Assistant Professor of Management

B.A., University of California, Los Angeles

M.B.A, San Diego State University

Ph.D., University of Utah

Geoff Guilfoy

Executive Professor

Partner, Aldrich Kilbride & Tatone, LLP

B.S., San Jose State University

M.B.A., Willamette University

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“As a marketing professional working between the continental U.S. and Puerto

Rico, the faculty prepared me with information that is relevant in the global

marketplace. They challenged me to develop the tools I needed to integrate

into the business world, and taught me the importance of making decisions

based on solid information and strategies.”

Angela Mahoney, MBA’00Marketing Analyst/Sales Consultant MMM Healthcare San Juan, Puerto Rico

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Throughout the process of earning your Atkinson

MBA, your future is always in sight. Atkinson

teaches you marketable skills for a wide range of

work settings, and places a high priority on career

development. Our professional development

and career services offer a bridge to your future

employment. And we get started right away with

the Atkinson School Career Roadmap.

career roadmap

Atkinson Career Management

“Atkinson’s Career Services staff really helps you to keep focused on your future. Even in my first year, they helped me to create a career development plan and network for internship oppor-tunities. Although I came to Atkinson immediately following my undergraduate degree, I’ve already taken part in developing a business entity, providing consulting services, and partici-pating in mock interviews. I feel that I’m ready to get out into the business world.”

Russell Yost Atkinson School Student Class of 2005

Sample of Recent Internships Adidas America Sales and Projections Analyst Intern Board of Medical Examiners Management Analyst City of Salem, Department of Finance Finance/Franchise Intern Freightliner Corporation New Market Development Intern Intel Corporation Legal Intern MaPS Credit Union Strategic Business Consultant Mentor Graphics Corporation Market Research Intern Merrill Lynch Financial Advisor Intern Oregon Zoo Corporate Sponsorship Intern Planar Systems Marketing Intern Salem-Keizer Transit Information Systems Intern Salomon Smith Barney Broker Assistant SpaceKraft Marketing Intern Spirit Mountain Human Resources Intern State Farm Insurance Human Resources Intern State of Oregon E-commerce Intern State of Oregon Finance/Operations Intern United Nations Public Economics & Administration Intern United Nations MBA Intern Willamette University Athletics Marketing Intern

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Career Services • Career counseling

• CareerLeader online

assessment

• Career management

workshops

• Employment recruitment

and referral

• Executives on campus

• Internship program

• Interview training

• Job search techniques

• Mentor program

• Networking

• Resume writing

• Self assessment

• Student professional

organizations

• Vault.com – special access

• WetFeet.com – special

access

• Workplace site visits

The Career Roadmap

Throughout the process of earning your Atkinson MBA, your future is always in sight. The

Career Roadmap is an organized month-by-month program of activities and resources,

all preparing you to take the next step in your career. From the essential tools of career

self assessment to the most basic aspects of resume preparation to mock interviews

and networking workshops, the Career Roadmap helps ensure your career growth and

success. Career Roadmap activities are so important that they start even before the

first day of class. So important, in fact, that many roadmap activities are included in the

integrated track of the required core curriculum.

Self Assessment through CareerLeader

The first step in successful career management is self-assessment. Like many people

entering MBA programs, you may not yet have a specifically defined career goal. Not

to worry – that’s why you come to Atkinson, to broaden your horizons and discover

possibilities. To help you, Atkinson provides access to CareerLeader, the premier on-

line self-assessment tool for management careers. Developed at the Harvard Business

School and used by more than 100 of the top MBA schools in America and Europe,

CareerLeader will provide a profile of your unique set of relevant interests, values and

abilities in management, a personalized report recommending specific management

careers for you to investigate, in-depth reviews of 27 management career paths, and

other information and insight related to career management issues.

Powerful Job Search Skills

You will strengthen your job search skills through participation in the Career Roadmap,

individualized career counseling and a variety of workshops presented by alumni and

employers. You will hone your interview skills, learn to produce effective electronic and

paper resumes, and master the art of employer research – skills that will serve you well

throughout your working life.

“Atkinson exceeded my expectations. I have built a portfolio in human resource

management through my PaCE experience, internships and my presidency of

the Atkinson chapter of Society for Human Resource Management. During my

internship developing the Career Exploration Program for Salem/West Valley

Hospital, I was able to integrate my knowledge and understanding of the

viewpoints of the different management functions. I was able to walk into a

meeting of the top people of each department and successfully communicate

the benefits of the program.”

Denise Hoover, MBA‘04 Human Resources/Administrative Fellowship Salem Hospital Salem, OR

Along the Road to Your Success

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Placement Services

• Atkinson resume database

(Online & CD)

• Atkinson School Career

Fair

• Pacific Northwest MBA

Career Network

• Networking events

• Online job postings

• On-campus recruiting

• Off-campus recruitment

and referral

“I had a summer internship at the United Nations in New York. It was a competitive program and only four interns were selected from top MBA schools around the world. I was one of the four and the others were from Wharton, Harvard, and Duke. The experience made me realize I can compete with anyone with my Atkinson education.”

Elvira Mammadzada, MBA‘04 Edmund Muskie Fellowship Recipient Moscow, Russia

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Accessible Employer Information

The Atkinson School has contracted with Vault.com and WetFeet.com – two premier

online career sites providing employer and industry information – to assist you with your

job search activities. The resources and electronic databases of the Hatfield Library also

provide general information about employers, recent annual reports and publications

detailing the “how to” of the job search.

Essential Mentoring/Networking

Increase your network and gain career insights through mentoring and on-site company

visit programs sponsored by student professional associations and the career services

office. On-line access to the Atkinson School Alumni Directory and opportunities for

individual mentoring from Atkinson faculty are also readily available.

Experience-building Internships

Internships provide essential work experience and help you evaluate your career goals.

Many Atkinson students complete an internship during the summer between their first

and second year of study. Project and consulting work are also available during the

academic year.

Effective Career Placement

The Career Services Office coordinates the on-campus and off-campus interview

programs. Although some organizations regularly participate in our on-campus interview

program, others prefer to interview candidates at their company location and keep us

directly informed by posting job opportunities on the Atkinson website and reviewing

resumes online. Your resume is easily posted online for prospective employers via the

Atkinson Resume Database and is available to employers in CD format. The Career

Services Office distributes the resume database, coordinates student participation in

consortium/career fair interviews and organizes networking events with prospective

employers and alumni.

Our side of the bargain: We work to give you the tools: a unique, versatile, real-world

experience-driven curriculum, a caring faculty and effective career support. We organize

career networking fairs, on- and off-campus interviews and keep you informed of career

opportunities.

Your side: You work to invest your time and energy to develop your professional tool set

of knowledge, skills, abilities and real-world experiences. You complete the timelines of

the Career Roadmap and utilize your network of contacts.

Together, we work to make your investment in your future pay off. It’s been said a

thousand ways: you reap what you sow; you get what you pay for; what goes around

comes around. The bottom line is that you’ll get everything out of Atkinson that you put

into it – and then you build your future.

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• Career Action Group Workshop – provides career transition and management

services for MBA programs, corporations and executives

• Networking 101 – students practice their “elevator speech,” develop a list of

100 contacts, and practice the techniques of “working a room”

• Mentor Program – mentors connect and network with Atkinson students

• Area of Interest Research Groups – second-year students work together

in groups based on their career area of interest to develop activities, visits,

networks and career opportunities

• Pacific Northwest MBA Networking Fair – students network with potential

employers such as KPMG, Intel Corporation, InFocus, U.S. Bank, and more

Recent Career Management Events

“The first-year core

courses provided a

solid knowledge base

across major business

disciplines and helped

to narrow my areas of

interest. The second-

year elective curriculum

provided an excellent

opportunity to pursue

my interests surrounding

company valuations

and financial analysis.

The quality of teaching

and the availability of

professors were great.

The career services

office was helpful in

securing two rewarding

internships over the

summer; a marketing

research internship

with SpaceKraft,

Weyerhauser and a

finance internship with

Merrill Lynch.”

Greg Templeman, MBA’04 Account ManagerSpaceKraftMacedon, NY

45

after Atkinson

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“The most important

thing that my Atkinson

MBA has given me is

credibility. As an HR

director, I can work with

senior management and

speak their language

from a business context.

Atkinson provided the

strategic perspective I

was looking for in my

MBA.”

Carri McBride, MBA‘01 Human Resource Manager Planar Systems Beaverton, OR

As an Atkinson graduate, you will join a very accomplished group. Our alumni work in

exceptionally diverse settings, including sole proprietorships, mid-market companies,

Fortune 500 companies, government entities, not-for-profits and service firms. They

manage operations, analyze finances, promote products and act as consultants and

advisors. They work hard and contribute to the success of their employers.

Atkinson graduates traditionally seek and maintain employment in the Northwest

– an area acclaimed for the quality of its environment, livability and lifestyle. Although

70 percent of Atkinson alumni work in the Pacific Northwest, others have followed

their careers throughout the United States and around the world. Positions sought

and accepted are most commonly in the functional areas of finance and accounting,

marketing, general management, human resources and professional legal services.

Consulting, entrepreneurship, operations management and information systems are also

frequent choices.

An Education with a Future

a

Hewlett Packard CompanyIntel CorporationNike, IncorporatedState Farm Insurance CompaniesMicrosoft CorporationDeloitte & ToucheWah ChangESCO CorporationGartner GroupMentor GraphicsXerox Corporation

U.S. Bank CorporationWeyerhauser Seagate TechnologyMorgan Stanley Dean WitterNielsen ManufacturingPacifiCorpPortland General ElectricThe Boeing CompanyPlanar SystemsPrecision CastpartsTektronix, IncorporatedWashington Mutual

State of OregonBonneville Power AdministrationU.S Federal GovernmentKaiser Permanente SAIF Corporation

Top Business Employers of Atkinson Alumni

Top Government and Not-for-Profit Employers of Atkinson Alumni

Willamette UniversityChemeketa Community CollegeSalem Keizer School DistrictSalem HospitalState of Washington

“The curriculum and the real life applications taught

by faculty refined my skills, gave me confidence and

equipped me with enough of an understanding of

marketing, organization design and finance to reinforce

my interest in buying a small business. I bought a business

during the summer between my first and second year at

Atkinson.”

Brian Johnston, MBA’04 Owner/EntrepreneurDallas GlassDallas, OR

48

“My time at Willamette was well spent. After having a phenomenal, yet very big school

experience at the University of Michigan, I looked hard to find a graduate program that

would be much more intimate and speak to my individual needs. Without formal business

education or experience, I felt it imperative that I be able to work very closely with those

who had. The easy access to instructors and the collegial atmosphere among students

and faculty fostered a learning environment that reached far beyond the classroom, and

allowed me to grow dramatically both personally and professionally. Today, I manage

not only a large investment portfolio, but also a team of professionals and assistants.

The Atkinson School program provided me the opportunity to build the business skills

necessary to excel at both of these tasks, in a comfortable, hands-on community of bright,

entrepreneurial individuals.”

John Hoekman, MBA’93Vice President and Senior Financial ConsultantPrivate Client GroupStephens, Inc. – Investment BankersNew York, NY

Jessica Brown

John Hoekman

James Fitzhenry

“The joint degree offered by Willamette University’s Atkinson Graduate School of

Management and College of Law has given me the flexibility to make important

transitions in my career. Whether it’s practicing law in Portland, acting as Oregon Deputy

State Treasurer, serving as Legislative Director and Legal Counsel in Washington, D.C.,

working at the White House or being Vice President and General Counsel for a high-tech

business, my education at Willamette has helped make opportunities possible.”

James Fitzhenry, MBA/JD’81Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel FLIR Systems, Inc.Portland, OR

“Thanks to the tri-sector emphasis of the Atkinson MBA, I have a rewarding career that

allows me to work at the intersection of the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors

simultaneously. Employers recognize the value of the degree – especially its emphasis on

teamwork and the hands-on curriculum.”

Jessica Brown, MBA’04 Grants Officer National Geographic Society Washington, D.C.

a

alumni perspectives

49“At Intel, understanding government and not-for-profit organizations helps us establish

win/win programs that improve the quality of life in communities we occupy, while

also providing business benefits to the corporation. We supplement funding of public

schools, invest in the public infrastructure, clean up the environment, and help those

who may be less fortunate through contributions to not-for-profit organizations.

Partnerships like these require mutual understanding. A multi-sector management

education, such as the one I got from Willamette University’s Atkinson School,

substantially enhances that understanding.”

Dan Fineberg, MBA’81Business Strategy ManagerIntel CorporationHillsboro, OR

Dan Fineberg

Pablo Ugarte

Purnima Renjen Khu

“As a consultant in the area of Enterprise Risk Services, I am expected to go into a

business and help solve all kinds of issues from ERP selections to Sarbanes Oxley

implementations. The background I received from my Atkinson courses in organizational

analysis taught me to focus on organizational needs, understand them, and convert them

into deliverables to help clients through turbulent market trends. The statistics courses

taught me to benchmark a client’s inventory forecasting modules and explain how they

can best streamline their processes. The economics, finance, public management and

policy analysis courses taught me the macro-economics of business and to look at the

effects it can have on a company’s financial statement.”

Purnima Renjen Khu, MBA’00 Senior Consultant Audit, Enterprise Risk Services Deloitte Portland, OR and Seattle, WA

a

“My Atkinson School education prepared me to participate in the new economy. It wasn’t

just the academic content and analytical intelligence I gained that prepared me – it’s

more complete than that. I also developed the other areas of intelligence important

for success in the new economy: interpersonal intelligence – the ability to interact with

others, and intrapersonal intelligence – the ability to adapt to change and adverse

situations and react to them with positive ideas.”

Pablo Ugarte, MBA’00 Production/Operations ManagerBivac del EcuadorQuito, Ecuador

51

Admission

Financial Aid

Resources

making it happen

52

Admission Directory

Online Application:www.willamette.edu/mba

Email: mba-admission@willamette.edu

Telephone: 503-370-6167 1-866-MBA-AGSM (Toll- free in U.S.)

Fax: 503-370-3011

Mailing Address:Admission Office Atkinson Graduate School of ManagementWillamette University900 State StreetSalem, OR 97301-3931

Admission and Application Process

The full-time MBA program is specifically designed for students seeking career entry,

career change or advancement. The program emphasizes experiential learning and

builds the knowledge and real-world experience employers value. Recent college

graduates and applicants with work experience are invited to apply.

Admission is based on academic ability and managerial potential. Academic

ability is evaluated by the GMAT (or GRE) score, past academic performance and

recommendations. Managerial potential is evaluated by factors such as experience,

motivation, leadership, involvement in organizations or community activities,

communication skills, and commitment to participating in an intensive and experiential

MBA learning environment.

Applicants must have a bachelor degree from an accredited U.S. college/university, or

an equivalent degree from another country. All applicants must submit the following

documents to the Atkinson School Admission Office:

• Online Application Form (www.willamette.edu/mba)

• Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate course work

• Official GMAT or General GRE scores

• Personal statement of experiences and professional goals

• Two candidate evaluation forms or letters of reference

• Resume

• $50 nonrefundable application fee (waived for applications submitted online)

International applicants must also submit:

• English translation of all undergraduate and graduate academic records

• TOEFL score of 230 or higher on the computer-based test

• I-20 evaluation documents: Statement of Financial Responsibility, official bank

documentation of funds and a photocopy of the name page of their passport.

The application deadline is May 1. Applicants will be asked to formally communicate

with representatives of the Atkinson School as part of the application process. Applicants

will be notified of an admission decision within three weeks of completion of the

application file.

Applicants are encouraged to visit the Atkinson School and to contact the Admission

Office with their questions and information needs. Complete information about the

application/admission process and an online application are available at

www.willamette.edu/mba.

admission

m

“My Atkinson

experience exposed me

to a variety of analytical

tools and perspec-

tives that enhanced

my ability to design

a company’s product

strategy and market

segmentation from the

ground up. And that’s

exactly what I’m doing

now – helping transform

a business plan into a

business.”

Chad Fife, MBA’01 Director of Enrollment and Marketing Global Education Network New York, NY

“Why is the Atkinson School a great place to learn? Maybe it’s knowing that I am

on a first-name basis with faculty from day one. Maybe it’s knowing more than

business is taught here; such as learning how to work as a team, conduct solid

presentations and negotiate. It is all of these reasons and much more.”

Jeff Levon, MBA/CDR’00 Board Agent National Labor Relations Board San Francisco, CA

54

FINANCIAL AID

Pursuing a graduate management education is a personal and financial investment in

your future. Like any investment, it requires your energy and dollars in exchange for

short-term and long-term benefits. And, like any investment, the decision to pursue a

graduate degree should be based on a clear understanding of the potential benefits

and costs. In the end, your successful career will be determined, of course, not by your

degree, but by your ability to build a track record of excellent performance. The Atkinson

School MBA provides the foundation for a career of accomplishment and growth. When

you graduate from the Atkinson School you will be ready to lead and succeed.

Many sources of financial aid exist, including Atkinson School scholarships, Federal

Subsidized and Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, private credit based educational loans,

Atkinson School research assistantships and campus work programs. Most U.S. students

participate in the Federal Stafford Loan programs which provide up to $18,500 per year,

and some U.S. and international students access funding through private credit-based

educational loans. Our financial aid personnel are a wonderful resource of information

and are available to help you with your questions.

All full-time applicants who are admitted to the Atkinson School and who indicated an

interest in merit-based scholarships on their application for admission are automatically

considered for Atkinson School scholarship programs. Scholarship awards are based

the student’s GMAT or GRE score, undergraduate grade point average, experience and

potential. Scholarships range from 25 percent to 100 percent of tuition.

At the Atkinson School, you will receive a quality education at a manageable cost. Tuition

for 2005-06 for full-time students will be $10,800 per semester ($21,600 for the academic

year). Tuition for students enrolled in less than 12 credits is charged on a per credit basis.

Complete information about financial aid programs is available at www.willamette.edu/mba.

financial aid

m

Financial Aid Information Directory

Telephone: 503-370-6273

Toll Free: 877-744-3736

Fax: 503-370-6588

Email: gradaid@willamette.edu

Willamette University

FAFSA Code: 003227

Mailing Address:

Financial Aid Office

Willamette University

900 State Street

Salem, OR 97301-3931

“The Atkinson School MBA is the perfect complement to my law degree. My

firm’s small business clients benefit from my Atkinson education every day.

My knowledge and understanding of business issues allows me to work with

attorneys in the firm to develop a solution which addresses our client’s business

and legal needs. My PaCE experience, an experience only the Atkinson School

provides, has been particularly invaluable to my work with clients.”

Katheryn Gettman, MBA/JD’03 Associate Mackall, Crounse & Moore, PLC Minneapolis, MN

“I knew the value of a business degree is greatest

the sooner it is earned, so I used a combination of

savings, scholarships and loans to fund my education

at Atkinson. My MBA allowed me to successfully pursue my

career goals and I was able to pay off my graduate school loans

in just a few years.”

Stephanie Hardy, MBA’99Major Accounts Solution Manager Intel CorporationPortland, OR

Key Contacts for Applicants

Atkinson School Admission OfficeWeb: www.willamette.edu/mbaEmail: mba-admission@willamette.eduTelephone: 503-370-6167 Toll-free in U.S.: 1-866-MBA-AGSM Fax: 503-370-3011

Mailing Address Admission OfficeAtkinson Graduate School of ManagementWillamette University 900 State StreetSalem, OR 97301

Center for Dispute ResolutionVisit: www.willamette.edu/wucl/cdr/

College of Law Admission OfficeVisit: www.willamette.edu/wucl/Email: law-admission@willamette.edu

Disability and Learning ServicesVisit: www.willamette.edu/dept/disability/Email: jhill@willamette.edu

Financial Aid Visit: www.willamette.edu/agsm/admission/financial_aid/Email: gradaid@willamette.edu

International Student Visa or Immigration InformationChris Andresen, Advisor to International Students Email: candrese@willamette.edu

Multicultural Student AffairsVisit: www.willamette.edu/dept/oma/Email: gtoyama@willamette.edu

Office of Residence Life Visit: www.willamette.edu/dept/reslife/ Email: housing@willamette.edu.

Public Policy Research CenterVisit: www.willamette.edu/publicpolicy/

resourcesImportant Information for Applicants

• We encourage you to contact us with your questions and visit us on campus! Call 503-370-6167 or 1-866-MBA-AGSM, or email mba-admission@willamette.edu

• The $50 application fee is waived for students who apply online at: www.willamette.edu/mba

• Application deadline for fall semester is May 1

• Willamette University GMAT, GRE and TOEFL code: 4954 GMAT information: www.mba.com GRE information: www.gre.org TOEFL information: www.toefl.org

• Willamette University FAFSA code: 003227

• Students are required to have a laptop computer with wireless LAN capability (802.11b) and a standard suite of software for word processing, spreadsheets and presentations. Specifications are available from the Admission Office.

Salem and Portland Web Resources

Statesman Journal Online www.statesmanjournal.com

Salem Convention and Visitors Informationwww.scva.org/

Portland Essential Linkswww.el.com/To/Portland/Links/

Portland International Airportwww.portlandairportpdx.com/

Travel Oregon Onlinewww.traveloregon.com/

Welcome to Oregonwww.el.com/to/oregon/

56

m

“Atkinson gave me a clear vision of the international business world. It taught me the principles of both American

business and American culture, and showed me the paths for

success, personally and professionally.”

Kamran Ismailov, MBA’02 Safety Advisor BP Caspian Exploration Baku, Azerbaijan

58

The Atkinson School was named

to honor George H. Atkinson.

As president and chairman of

the Guy F. Atkinson Companies

from 1943 until his death in

1978, George H. Atkinson used

his business acumen to excel in

construction innovation. Among

his company’s greatest successes

was the construction of the

Grand Coulee and The Dalles

dams.

In addition to leading this

worldwide $900-million company,

Atkinson was an alumnus,

former chairman of the board

of trustees, benefactor and

friend of Willamette University.

A strong believer in a lifetime of

hands-on learning, he espoused

values the Atkinson School

seeks to instill in its students – a

commitment to learning, energy

and vitality through successful

management, innovation and

leadership.

Through the Atkinson

School, Atkinson provides

future business managers

and government leaders the

opportunity to continue his

entrepreneurial vision.

Atkinson School Mission Statement

The mission of the Atkinson Graduate School of Management is to identify and convey

principles of management shared by successful business, government and not-for-profit

enterprises. The School’s purposes are to establish a close community; to provide diverse

learning experiences to serve individual student objectives; to strengthen learning

through scholarship and discovery; and to apply learning through service and leadership.

Extending to management education the teaching and learning traditions of Willamette

University, the School’s academic commitment is to nurture each student’s aspirations

toward professional excellence. The Atkinson School aims to be the preeminent private

management program in the Northwest.

Strategic Objectives

Foster an integrated view of management rather than one of specialized functions. The

school’s emphasis on general management promotes synthesis as well as analysis and

incorporates a global perspective.

Implement collaborative learning among faculty and students, valuing teaching and

encouraging practical applications of knowledge. While capitalizing on the liberal arts

and law strengths of the University, the Atkinson School concentrates on master’s level

education that sets high expectations for faculty and student achievement.

Contribute intellectually to understanding management and public policy. The School

values generating and disseminating knowledge, especially research and publication, and

invites students to collaborate.

Develop mutually productive relationships with the professional community. The School

tempers study and classroom learning with practical experiences that deepen managerial

competency and enhance student and faculty commitment to high standards of profes-

sional behavior.

Continuously improve the Atkinson program. Atkinson values, actively seeks counsel

from, and includes in its decision processes students, alumni, employers, supporters and

the University at-large.

Value Statement

An Atkinson education is designed to develop the ability to manage across functions

and across sectors. The School matches the educational program to the individual. Its

programs range from a full-time curriculum with an experiential component for recent

undergraduates to accelerated curricula for students who have appropriate academic

preparation or work experience.

This publication has been written to serve as a source of information for prospective students, current students, advisors, faculty, employees, employers and friends of the Atkinson Graduate School of Management.

Over the course of the year there may be changes in the curriculum, faculty and other important areas. Information about each change will be distributed appropriately. However, all provisions herein contained are subject to change without notice and do not constitute a contract, or offer to contract with any person.

Willamette University seeks to be a diverse community and to provide equal opportunity in its educational programs and activities, and employment. In keeping with the letter and spirit of federal and state laws, the institution is committed to not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, marital status or sexual orientation. Questions regarding the University’s equal opportunity policies and practices may be directed to: Assistant to the President, 503-370-6209, Willamette University, 900 State Street, Salem, OR 97301-3931.

The security of all members of the campus community is a vital concern to Willamette University. Information regarding crime prevention advice, the law enforcement authority of the Office of Campus Safety, policies concerning the reporting of crimes which occur on campus, and the crime statistics for the most recent three-year period may be viewed on Willamette University’s website at www.willamette.edu/dept/campuslife/policies/ or a paper copy can be requested from Willamette University, Office of Admission, 900 State Street, Salem, OR 97301.

Willamette University complies with the Student-Right-to-Know Act, the Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act, and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. For more information, call the Office of Institutional Research at 503-375-5303, or see Willamette’s website at www.willamette.edu/dept/ir/compliance.htm.

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WILLAMETTE UNIVERSITYAtkinson Graduate School of Management

Office of Admission900 State Street, Salem, OR 97301-3931

Phone: 503-370-6167 Facsimile: 503-370-3011www.willamette.edu/mba

mba-admission@willamette.edu

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