Landing Page | Outdoor Industry Master of Business Administration

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Western’s Outdoor Industry MBA is fully online with evening classes, offering a flexible, career-focused path to earning your graduate degree.

At Western, we don’t believe any dream is too big. Through the OIMBA, students get the support, skills, and mentorship to bring those dreams to life.

From the classroom to the snowy peaks of Japan, Hannah Mech is making moves. As a standout athlete on Western’s Mountain Sports team and a student in the Outdoor Industry MBA, she’s not just hitting the books; she’s building her own authentic brand. At 21, she founded Mountain Nomad Adventure Company, which offers immersive ski and cultural trips to Japan. Her drive, creativity, and passion for the outdoors allowed her to truly soar in the OIMBA program.

Hannah's Outdoor Industry MBA Experience

OIMBA student Hannah Mech competes in a Ski Mountaineering race.

Finding the Balance

For Hannah, flexibility was everything. Western’s online MBA coursework gave her the freedom to stay on the move, whether she was racing through alpine trails or training for her next SkiMo competition. The program’s adaptable schedule fit her life well, allowing her to fully commit to both her graduate education and her athletic goals. We proudly believe that you don’t need to put your life on hold to earn a master’s degree.

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Global Pursuits

The Outdoor Industry MBA gave Hannah the foundation to launch a business built on passion and purpose. With Mountain Nomad Adventure Company, she’s crafting next-level travel experiences for powder-seekers and cultural explorers alike. It’s bold. It’s global. And it started right here at Western. The skills, mentorship, and real-world learning she gained through the OIMBA helped turn a big idea into a thriving reality.

Fueled by Community

At Western, Hannah found a cohort who believed in her vision and a community that encouraged her every step of the way. From peers who exemplified a collaborative environment to teammates who pushed her limits on the trails, Hannah’s experience was shaped by the impactful people around her. That sense of support gave her the tenacity to take risks and grow as both an entrepreneur and a mountain sports athlete.

Feeling Inspired?

Hannah thrived at Western, balancing business, athletics, and graduate studies through the Outdoor Industry MBA. The program provides the structure, flexibility, and support to pursue meaningful goals in the outdoor industry.

Benefits of the OIMBA include:
• No GMAT required to apply
• Two-year completion time
• Online evening classes for maximum flexibility
• Valuable industry connections and networking opportunities
• A hands-on, immersive capstone project

Students select a concentration in either Product or Service, with coursework aligned to professional interests. Six professional certificates are also available to complement the degree or be pursued separately.

Fill out the form to take the first step toward joining the OIMBA community. We can’t wait to meet you.

Explore Our Programs

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Concentrations

Outdoor Industry MBA students must select a Product or Service degree concentration.

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Accelerated Degree

Earn both a bachelor’s in Business Administration and an MBA in just five years.

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Certificates

Choose through our wide array of graduate certificate options to advance your skills and career.

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Why the School of Graduate Studies?

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Flexible Learning

With a mix of online programs and immersive in-person curricula, the SGS at Western provides an accessible learning platform for students and working professionals alike.

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Small Class Sizes

Western has a 17:1 student-to-professor ratio, making it ideal for students seeking personalized attention and invaluable mentorship from their professors.

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Graduate Degrees

A graduate degree will give you the knowledge and skill sets needed to achieve your career goals and elevate your professional development.

Frequently Asked Questions

Whether you choose to pursue the Master’s track or one of the professional certificates offered in the Outdoor Industry MBA program, you will study what it means to be a leader in the outdoor industry. Master’s students can choose between two concentrations—Product or Service—when they begin their journeys in the OIMBA. Either area of study provides a highly collaborative environment that fosters professional growth and mentorship.

Students in the two-year Outdoor Industry MBA program take evening online classes and experience three summer residency programs on our campus in Gunnison, Colorado. Additionally, OIMBA students will pursue an involved capstone project that puts their knowledge to the ultimate test through real-world application. To view examples of these projects, visit the Outdoor Industry MBA Network Map.

Outdoor Industry MBA Network Map

Inspired by the constantly evolving outdoor sectors of recreation, product design, hospitality, and more, the Outdoor Industry MBA is the first of its kind. Our unique program is specifically designed for students and candidates who want to transform their love for the outdoors into a professional career track.

Whether it be starting the next adaptive ski company or gaining a certificate to enhance your professional development, your dreams of breaking through the industry can be realized.

The Outdoor Industry and a traditional MBA offer the same degree type: a Master in Business Administration. However, the Outdoor Industry MBA at Western stands apart by focusing specifically on the unique challenges and opportunities within the outdoor and adventure sectors. This specialized program combines core business principles with an in-depth exploration of the outdoor industry, including sustainability, logistics, and other related dynamics. Students engage with industry professionals and participate in hands-on experiences, allowing them to apply their learning in real-world contexts that resonate with their passion for adventure and conservation.

In contrast, a traditional MBA offers a broader business education covering a wide range of industries without a specific focus on any sector. While it provides valuable skills in management, finance, and marketing, it may lack the tailored insights and networking opportunities integral to the Outdoor Industry MBA. By choosing this specialized path, students not only gain essential business skills but also develop a deep understanding of how to navigate and influence the evolving landscape of the outdoor industry, preparing them for impactful careers that align with their values and interests.

Whether you are pursuing your graduate-level MBA or earning a certificate, here are some takeaways students leave with after completing the program:

Communication– MBA students become master orators and communicators, making them effective leaders in the outdoor industry.
Application– By applying their gained knowledge, MBA students create financial plans, marketing messages, meaningful partnerships, and establish sustainable businesses.
Critical Thinking– Students in Western’s OIMBA program leave with the analytical skills required to dissect large amounts of information, allowing them to make decisions that enhance profits while nourishing strong business practices.

970.943.2231

jvisitacion@western.edu

1 Western Way
Borick Business Building 252
Gunnison, CO 81231

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Common Questions

Common Searches

Flexible Learning

Bold Ideas Welcome

Finding the Balance

Global Pursuits

Fueled by Community

Concentrations

Accelerated Degree

Certificates

Flexible Learning

Small Class Sizes

Graduate Degrees

Program Director

Program Recruitment Coordinator and Administrative Lead