Western Colorado University has been named among America’s Top Colleges by Forbes for 2019, and also designated among Colleges of Public Distinction for 2019-2020. In 2017, the Princeton Review listed Western in its Guide to Green Schools. The School of Business allows students to combine their passion for business with innovative degree options. The experiential learning opportunities lead graduates into careers with top corporations, such as Red Bull, Fiji Water, and the Denver Broncos. There are 37 SoB scholarships available, making college well within reach of aspiring businessmen and women. Students will learn from the brightest, with 95% of professors holding the highest terminal degree. Additionally, each student will receive professional career guidance from an expert in the industry.
Education
The SoB offers a wide array of 18 undergraduate program options. Students can pursue traditional fields, including Accounting, Business Administration, Business Analytics, Business Law, Economics, Finance, Management, Resort Management, Marketing, or Sales. Activists who would like to use their business savvy to make a difference can earn a degree in Energy Management or Business Administration and Environment and Sustainability. The Latin American Business major is perfect for students who would like to work at an international level. Those looking to express their creativity can participate in the Innovation, Creativity, and Entrepreneurship program. Students from any major can enhance their degree by participating in the Honors Program. For 30 years, this program has been challenging students to go beyond the standard educational requirements. This selective intellectual community has access to the exclusive honors lounge and is invited to special social events. Other benefits include additional scholarship opportunities, priority housing, and class registration.
Student Life
Students can prepare for their future through professional mentoring, career fairs, study abroad programs, and competitions. Western students have taken home the Rocky Mountain Investment Challenge Title for two consecutive years, won first place in the 2019 Business Ethics Case Competition, and received a $5,000 Nextcycle Incubator Grant in 2019. ICELab offers student start-ups a space on campus to access the support and materials they need to grow their businesses. LEAD: Leadership, Engagement, and Development enables students to assume leadership roles in key campus events, such as Community Cleanup, Family Weekend, New Student Orientation, the Senior Reception, and Week of Welcome. Business students intern for more than 40 organizations, so by graduation, professional relationships have been established within the community.
Online Programs
The new online Outdoor Industry Master of Business Administration launched in 2018. This program is truly unique, and the first of its kind in the nation. Students will complete evening classes remotely from anywhere in the world with the internet, as well as three immersion experiences and a final capstone project. All of the immersion experiences are located in Colorado and include an introductory meeting at Western in Gunnison, the Outdoor Retailer Show in Denver, and Crested Butte. The program is set to follow a two-year timeline. Students have the opportunity to specialize in the product or service side of the industry. An accelerated Outdoor Industry MBA 3+2 program is also available.
