College of Business and Economics

Top degree programs for veterans and active military

November 09, 2017

Written by Dana Krems 

Transitioning the skills and knowledge gained during military service to a civilian career can be challenging. As a UW VETS Certified Campus, UW-Whitewater has been recognized for excellence in veteran education and supporting a successful transition. Degree programs through the College of Business and Economics can help translate those experiences, develop business acumen, and prepare veterans for a new challenge.

Dedicated veterans services staff are essential for assisting with Post-9/11 GI Bill, Wisconsin GI Bill, and other military education benefits, and UW-Whitewater has earned an outstanding reputation in this regard.

Aaron Kinney, prior U.S. Army Medical Service Corps Officer and current Doctorate of Business Administration candidate, relates, "A lot of schools say they have people to handle military benefits, but in my experience, UW-Whitewater really delivers. The staff was amazing at taking care of my GI Bill benefits - they literally walked me through the process each semester so that my benefits were in order with no interruptions or challenges."

Veterans Benefits Coordinator Jan Nordin describes the meaning she finds in her work, saying, "I was basically a military brat. Both my family and my husband's family were deeply committed to military service. I wasn't able to serve in the Air Force as I'd hoped, so for me, this is another way to serve."

In addition to personal attention, the College of Business and Economics delivers an exceptional education experience. As an AACSB-accredited school, the college is one of just five percent of business schools worldwide verified to meet this rigorous standard. It has also been ranked by US News & World Report, Princeton Review, Military Times and other respected sources as a top-performing institution.

These outstanding programs are offered at a superior value. The flat-rate tuition for the online Bachelor of Business Administration and online Master of Business Administration programs is the same for all students - no matter if students are out-of-state, international, or from Wisconsin. Whether courses are completed on-campus or online, tuition is usually covered 100 percent by military benefits.

Online courses are especially well-suited to active military who must balance coursework with military obligations. UW-Whitewater has 20 years of experience delivering quality online content, and its online MBA was ranked 16th in the nation's best online MBA programs by U.S. News & World Report in 2017. UW-Whitewater offers a number of distinct MBA emphases, allowing students to personalize their education.

Environmental Safety and Health is a newly-available MBA emphasis. In addition to being in high demand, ESH careers provide the opportunity to manage complex environmental safety and health issues in the workplace. The College of Business and Economics also offers a fully online Master of Science in Environmental Safety and Health program that can be completed in about two years on a part-time schedule.

Whether students complete their degrees online or on-campus, they receive the same high-quality education and degree from an AACSB-accredited business school.

Associate Dean Paul Ambrose explains, "Because our online and on-campus courses use the same rigorous curriculum taught by the same full-time, Ph.D. faculty, our degrees do not differ based on format. Your transcript will not indicate how you completed classes."

For those considering a doctoral degree, UW-Whitewater's Doctorate of Business Administration program requires a one-weekend-a-month residency that allows for a balance between career, life, and education, while face-to-face instruction during the intensive weekend sessions helps students navigate the demanding curriculum. Students pay the same flat-rate tuition whether they live in Wisconsin or out-of-state.

Learn more about the College of Business and Economics' degree programs and how to make the most of your military education benefits. Veterans, active military and U.S. Army Reserve/National Guard members may qualify for application fee waivers, as well as consideration of GMAT/GRE waivers. (Certification submittal, review and approval are required.)

For more information on the Cost of Attendanceclick here.