The Foster School of Business at the University of Washington is a top-ranked business school located in the Pacific Northwest. Foster offers multiple MBA programs, such as full-time, evening, executive, technology management, and hybrid. While their technology management MBA program offers some online classes, their hybrid program is 95% online and 5% in-person to accommodate different lifestyle needs. Read to learn about admissions data, program description, and why an online program might be right for you.
| Enrollment | 158 |
| Acceptance Rate | 80% |
| Total Tuition and Fees | $90,000 |
| Average GPA | 3.4 |
| Average GMAT | 615 |
| Average GRE | Does not disclose |
| Average Age | Does not disclose |
| Average Work Experience | 9.9 years |
| Diversity | Male: 53% Female: 47% |
Craft a Powerful Personal Statement with Support from EssayEdge.
The Foster School of Business follows the same quarter system schedule as the rest of the University of Washington, meeting primarily in the evenings. There is a 62-credit requirement, which is the full course load. 50 of these credits are core classes, and 12 are electives. This commitment allows students to graduate within a 2-year time frame (six quarters). The electives are exclusive to the hybrid MBA program and include leading organizational change, marketing analytics, behavioral finance, and sustainable design of global supply chains. The Foster School of Business also offers study abroad programs, which count for elective credit. All students take the same core curriculum. While you aren’t able to concentrate on a specific subject, Foster offers a Technology Management MBA, formatted in a hybrid style.
You probably have heard the benefits of full-time, in-person MBA programs. These include focusing full-time on your studies, gaining access to more financial aid options, and networking. Full-time MBAs are an excellent option for students who have the financial resources to quit their jobs for two years and focus only on school. However, if you’re a young professional, parent, or frequent business traveler, the online option could be perfect for you. Learn more about the benefits here.
The MBA curriculum delivered by the hybrid program is the same as the full-time program. The differences include class experience and meetings, which we discuss in this article.
| General Requirements | Personal Info, Resume, Transcripts, Letter of Recommendations, and English Proficiency (if applicable) |
| Apply | UW Foster Hybrid MBA Application |
| Application Fee | $85 |
| Admissions Essay | Behavioral Essay: Describe a time when you had to make a difficult decision at work (other than a job or career change). Briefly describe the circumstances, the pros and cons of the various options and how you responded. Given the benefit of hindsight, do you think you made the best decision? Why or why not? What would you have done differently, if anything? What did you learn? This essay is about assessing your critical thinking skills and ability to learn from past experiences. (1500 word maximum) Personal Statement: The Personal Statement should be a maximum of 1000 words and must address both questions below: a) The format of an online degree program can be a challenge for some learners. Online programs require discipline, self-direction, resourcefulness, follow-through, and the ability to actively seek help when needed. Considering this, why do you think you will be successful in this Hybrid MBA Program? Describe a situation in which you successfully demonstrated these qualities. (500-word maximum) b) Why have you decided to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? Why do you think the Hybrid MBA Program is the best fit for you? (500-word maximum) |
| GMAT/GRE | Optional Admissions Exam (GMAT, EA or GRE) |
| Interview | Interview by invitation only |
See the full details here: UW Foster Hybrid MBA Admissions
Foster’s hybrid MBA offers synchronous learning for those who can attend live online classes. However, these same lectures are recorded and delivered asynchronously for those who can’t attend. Classes are generally 60-90 minutes long and meet once a week, with optional Thursday evening review sessions. In addition, hybrid students must attend a mandatory 3-5 day intensive at the start of each quarter, where they can network, attend classes and workshops, and more. This accounts for the program’s 5% in-person requirement.
Many hybrid students work full-time jobs while acquiring an online MBA from Foster. The program is structured around students who have to travel or continue working while attending school.
Students must prepare outside of synchronous class, with a central part of the coursework being case study analysis and evidence-based challenges. Their coursework values practicality, with most assignments intended for real-life application post-graduation. Their website describes the coursework as a “combination of independent work supplemented with virtual team work.” Foster supplies an example of the asynchronous course content, accessed here.
Foster is committed to helping students land jobs post-graduation. One of their most effective programs is a Hybrid MBA Career Trek, where students visit different cities and speak directly to senior leadership in respective companies. This experience provides students with further insight into various company sizes, work cultures, industries, and more. Foster also offers online and in-person career development workshops, a leadership speaker series, 1:1 career coaching, alumni mentorship programs, job search work teams, and an on-demand career course. These resources can be accessed here.
