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Service Concentration in the Outdoor Industry MBA

Former Western student and owner of Campfire Ranch, Sam Degenhard introduces himself to Outdoor Industry MBA students during their summer immersion.
Part of:

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

Offered as:

Master's Concentration

Degree:

Outdoor Industry MBA

Lead Outdoor Recreation and Experience-Driven Organizations

The Service concentration within Western Colorado University’s Outdoor Industry MBA prepares professionals to lead recreation, tourism, hospitality and other experience-driven organizations within the outdoor industry. Students build specialized expertise in customer experience, service operations, sustainable business strategy and the management of businesses and organizations that connect people with outdoor experiences.

As part of Western’s 36-credit MBA, the Service concentration combines core graduate business education with industry-specific coursework and applied learning. Students develop skills in finance, strategy and organizational leadership while learning to improve service delivery, strengthen customer relationships, manage operations and create sustainable value for outdoor recreation businesses and organizations.

The Service concentration is designed for professionals interested in careers with outdoor recreation organizations, guiding and outfitting businesses, resorts, tourism organizations, hospitality businesses, nonprofits, startups and other experience-driven organizations.

What Will You Learn in the Service Concentration?
A rock climber coils rope.

About the Service Concentration

The Service concentration focuses on the business of creating, managing and improving experiences within the outdoor recreation industry. Students examine how outdoor organizations can deliver high-quality experiences while managing operations, people, financial performance and long-term sustainability.

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

  • Customer experience strategy
  • Service operations management
  • Outdoor recreation management
  • Hospitality and tourism strategy
  • Organizational leadership
  • Sustainable business operations
  • Financial decision-making
  • Customer relationships and loyalty
  • Experience design and service delivery
  • Entrepreneurship and business development

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 Recreation and Service Management

The Service concentration prepares students to apply MBA-level business skills to organizations that deliver outdoor recreation, tourism, hospitality and other experience-based services. Graduates can use their combination of business and service expertise in areas such as recreation management, operations, customer experience, sustainable tourism, hospitality, business development and organizational leadership.

Potential career paths include outdoor recreation manager, adventure travel manager, guest experience manager, operations manager, sustainable tourism manager, hospitality manager, recreation business owner and outdoor industry entrepreneur.

“After hearing great things about the OIMBA from an alumnus, I joined this program to help with my transition from high school science teaching to the outdoor industry.”

Karley Rempel

OIMBA Candidate
Karley Rempel

Admissions, Cost & Requirements

Admissions
Tuition & Costs
Service Concentration in the 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.

 

Service Concentration in the Outdoor Industry MBA

The Service 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 interested in product development, innovation and product-driven businesses can also explore the Product 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 - Service

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

The Service concentration is a specialized pathway within Western Colorado University’s Outdoor Industry MBA focused on customer experience, operations and leadership within outdoor recreation and experience-driven organizations. Students combine core MBA coursework with specialized study in areas such as service strategy, sustainable operations, recreation management and organizational leadership.

What careers can the Service concentration prepare me for?

The concentration can support careers in outdoor recreation management, customer experience, operations, sustainable tourism, hospitality, business development, organizational leadership and entrepreneurship with outdoor recreation and experience-driven organizations.

What is the difference between the Service and Product concentrations?

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

Is the Service concentration a separate MBA?

No. Service 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 recreation, customer experience, service operations and organizational leadership.

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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