Western’s Outdoor Industry MBA program is currently accepting applications for the Fall 2018 semester. Applications are due Aug. 24; classes begin Sept. 24.
Applications received before Aug. 24 will be eligible to earn $5,000 in scholarships, provided by Steven Borick for the inaugural Outdoor Industry MBA class.
The two-year, online program includes an MBA core as well as specific tracks for either the product or service side of the outdoor-recreation economy, which generates $887 billion annually in consumer spending, according to the Outdoor Industry Association. The program also includes residencies, immersion experiences and guest lectures from outdoor industry experts.
“The Outdoor Industry MBA at Western will give graduate students the tools and connections necessary to make forward-thinking change within this fast-growing industry,” said Sherman. “We have a unique approach to class scheduling where we offer the industry-specific courses first. This way, students can apply content from class immediately to the workplace.”
Ideal candidates have a bachelor’s degree, professional experience in the industry and the desire to take their career to the next level. They have a lifestyle rooted in the outdoors, an aspiration to foster growth in this environmentally conscious, sustainable business sector and an interest in strengthening their network within the outdoor industry.
“The Outdoor Industry MBA’s clear focus on the business acumen required to lead the outdoor-recreation industry’s multibillion dollar economy is a significant measurement of Western’s and Colorado’s commitment to our talent pipeline,” said Luis Benitez, director of the Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office.
Why Colorado? Why an MBA that focuses on the outdoor industry?
- Colorado contains 75 percent of the land area of the U.S. with an altitude over 10,000 feet.
- Colorado has more than 12 mountain ranges, 15 national parks and forests, 26 ski resorts and 54 14ers.
- The United Health Foundation named Colorado the most active state in the country.
- Colorado gets 300-plus days of sunshine a year.
- WalletHub named Colorado the No. 2 “Best state for jobs.”
- Colorado is home to 10 Fortune 500 companies.
- Business Insider named Colorado the fourth-best state to start a company.
“Western has always been a feeder school for the outdoor industry,” said Adam Howard, president and CEO of Height of Land Media, publisher of Alpinist, Backcountry and Cross Country Skier magazines. “Given its location and culture around outdoor pursuits, I can’t think of a school more poised to bring this MBA program to fruition.”
For more information about this one-of-a-kind academic program, visit western.edu/outdoor-industry-mba.
Photo by Eric Phillips.
