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Graduate

Product Concentration in the Outdoor Industry MBA

WCU - Outdoor Industry MBA - Hero
Part of:

Outdoor Industry Master of Business Administration, School of Graduate Studies, School of Business

Offered as:

Master's Concentration

Degree:

Outdoor Industry MBA

Build Expertise in Outdoor Product Development and Innovation

The Product concentration within Western Colorado University’s Outdoor Industry MBA prepares professionals to lead the development, management and commercialization of products for the outdoor industry. Students build specialized expertise in outdoor product development, product innovation, lifecycle management, sustainable materials, supply chains and the business decisions that bring products from concept to market.

As part of Western’s 36-credit MBA, the Product concentration combines core graduate business education with industry-specific coursework and applied learning. Students develop the strategic, financial and leadership skills of an MBA while learning to evaluate consumer needs, manage product lifecycles, make responsible sourcing decisions and lead product-driven outdoor businesses.

The Product concentration is designed for professionals interested in careers with outdoor brands, gear and apparel companies, product manufacturers, startups and other organizations that develop products for the outdoor recreation economy.

What is the Product Concentration within OIMBA?
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What Will You Learn in the Product Concentration?

The Product concentration focuses on the business of creating, developing and managing products within the outdoor industry. Students examine how successful outdoor products move from initial concepts through development, sourcing, production, positioning and lifecycle management.

Coursework and applied projects help students build expertise in areas such as:

  • Outdoor product development and innovation
  • Product lifecycle management
  • Consumer and market research
  • Sustainable materials and sourcing
  • Supply chain strategy
  • Product positioning and commercialization
  • Financial decision-making
  • Sustainable product strategy
  • Leadership within product-driven organizations

These specialized skills complement the broader business foundation students develop through Western’s Outdoor Industry MBA, including finance, marketing, strategy, operations and organizational leadership.

Careers in Outdoor Product Development and Management

The Product concentration prepares students to apply MBA-level business skills to organizations that design, manufacture and market outdoor products. Graduates can use their combination of business and product expertise in areas such as product management, product development, innovation, sustainability, market research, supply chain strategy and entrepreneurship.

Potential career paths include outdoor product manager, product developer, brand or category manager, sustainability manager, product innovation manager and outdoor industry entrepreneur.

Admissions, Cost & Requirements

Admissions
Tuition & Costs
Part of Western's Outdoor Industry MBA

Outdoor Industry MBA Application Requirements

All admission requirements to the MBA Program will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis with respect to work experience, including managerial experience and leadership roles.

  • BA or BS degree in Business or related program from a regionally accredited college or university.
  • Prospective students with a BA or BS in an unrelated area may be provisionally admitted. Provisionally admitted students with this requirement must earn a B- in the fall semester pre-term course MBA 690: MBA Essentials prior to classes starting.
  • Prospective students with a degree in a related area may be provisionally admitted. Provisionally admitted students with this requirement must earn a B- in the fall semester pre-term course MBA 690: MBA Essentials prior to classes starting:
  • Intro to Financial Accounting (lower or upper division)
  • Statistics (lower or upper division)
  • Microeconomics (lower or upper division)
  • Macroeconomics (lower or upper division)
  • Business Finance (upper division)
  • Principles of Marketing (lower or upper division)
  • Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is desirable. Official transcript required.1
  • Greater than three years of outdoor industry work experience.2

1 Those candidates with significant work experience with less than the minimum GPA will be considered.

2 Candidates with less than three years of outdoor industry experience will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Provisional Admission: If an applicant applies without all of the requirements listed above, they will be reviewed for provisional admission. Students who enter the program with prerequisite deficiencies can make up those deficiencies during the fall semester pre-term prior to their first year. In that case, MBA students will enroll in the required MBA 690 course once accepted to the program. These students will be considered “provisional admits” (this status will be removed once a student has completed the prerequisite).

International Students: See Graduate Academic Catalog section, Criteria for International Admission.

Application Deadlines and Requirements

  • Application Priority Deadlines: February 1, May 1, November 1
  • Applications received after the priority deadlines will be reviewed ongoing
  • Enrollment Deposit Deadlines: March 1 (for early applicants), July 1 for all rolling admissions

*GRE/GMAT/GMAC are NOT required for our program.

All admission requirements to the MBA Program will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Ideal applicants will have:

  • More than three years of work experience
  • Applicants with significant work experience and less than the minimum GPA will be considered
  • Those with less than three years of work experience will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis
  • A bachelor’s degree in business-related studies is preferred. Applicants with other academic background will be considered on a case-by-case basis
  • A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is desirable
  • Demonstrated preparations for graduate-level courses in business

Provisional Admission: If an applicant applies without all of the requirements listed above, they may be reviewed for provisional acceptance. Students who enter the program without an academic business background must complete the 3-credit MBA 690: MBA Essentials course before the regular OIMBA fall semester begins. Course registration information is provided upon admission to the program.

Outdoor Industry MBA Tuition & Fees

Period Credits Required Tuition Per Credit Fees Per Credit* Flat Fees** Total Tuition & Fees
Year 1: Fall 9 $1,110.00 $73.40 $50.00 $10,700.60
Year 1: Spring 9 $1,110.00 $73.40 $10,650.60
Year 2: Fall 9 $1,110.00 $73.40 $10,650.60
Year 2: Spring 9 $1,110.00 $73.40 $10,650.60
Program Total 36 $42,652.40

*Mandatory graduate students fees per credit hour
$3.90 IT Services Fee
$63.00 Graduate Operations Fee
$6.50 Library Fee

**Mandatory graduate students flat fees
One-Time Matriculation Fee: $50.00. Applies once to new students in their first semester.

 

Master of Business Administration - Product

The Product concentration is one of two concentration options within Western Colorado University’s Outdoor Industry MBA. The 36-credit hybrid-remote program combines online evening coursework with in-person immersions and residencies, giving working professionals the flexibility of remote learning alongside hands-on industry experiences.

Students seeking expertise in experience-based businesses, customer experience and operations can also explore the Service concentration.

How to Apply

We are so excited about your interest in the Outdoor Industry MBA! Before submitting the application, please review the requirements and deadlines.

Fellowships, Scholarships & Financial Aid

Frequently Asked Questions: Outdoor Industry MBA – Product

What is the Product concentration in Western's Outdoor Industry MBA?

The Product concentration is a specialized pathway within Western Colorado University’s Outdoor Industry MBA focused on the development, management and commercialization of products for the outdoor industry. Students combine core MBA coursework with specialized study in areas such as product innovation, lifecycle management, sustainable sourcing and product strategy.

What careers can the Product concentration prepare me for?

The concentration can support careers in outdoor product management, product development, product innovation, sustainability, market research, supply chain strategy and entrepreneurship with outdoor brands and product-driven organizations.

What is the difference between the Product and Service concentrations?

The Product concentration focuses on developing, managing and bringing outdoor products to market. The Service concentration focuses on customer experience, operations and leadership within recreation and experience-driven organizations.

Is the Product concentration a separate MBA?

No. Product is a concentration within Western Colorado University’s 36-credit Outdoor Industry MBA. Students complete the MBA’s core business curriculum along with specialized coursework focused on outdoor product development and management.

Faculty & Staff

Outdoor Industry Master of Business Administration

Contact Information

Contact Location

1 Western Way
Borick Business Building 252
Gunnison, CO 81231

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