The Field Study Program links Foster School MBA students and faculty with the local business community through international and domestic research projects, internships, and other interactive learning experiences. Learn more about our
First-Year MBA Applied Strategy Projects and
Second-Year MBA Student Field Study Projects.
Field Study Program
In this economy, you may be facing tough choices about which important projects you have resources to address. Putting a team of University of Washington Foster School of Business MBA students to work for your business can help make those choices a little easier.
Our 2008-2009 clients were overwhelmingly satisfied with the work, praising the value of outside perspective and analytical skills our students brought to their projects. Our partner companies and organizations report that they will implement many of the recommendations and received real value in having worked with the team. All work is strictly confidential, and is supervised by Foster School faculty and staff.
First-Year MBA Applied Strategy Projects
Are you looking for assistance and some new ideas on a challenge facing your business? A First-Year MBA Applied Strategy team may be able to help.
Completed through a winter quarter Applied Strategy class required of all full-time first year MBA students, these projects are selected and assigned by students, faculty and staff. As the name suggests, the projects must have at least some strategic element. We can work with you to frame the project in a way that meets this requirement and still addresses your immediate need.
Recent clients have included Adaquest, Baconsalt, Curves, Clearwire, Expeditors, F5 Networks, Getty Images, Imperium Renewables, Leviton Voice and Data, Lucks Food Decorating, Microsoft, NBIS (Network for Business Innovation and Sustainability), Precor, Retail Lockbox, Silicon Energy, Washington Department of Ecology and many other companies and organizations.
Demand for this program is such that we often have more projects than teams, so we may not have a team of students for your project. If that turns out to be the case, we'll try to find another way to meet your needs.
Teams: 5-6 First-Year MBA Students
Project Length: 8 Weeks
Project Topics: Marketing, Finance, Operations, Strategy, etc.
Project Scope: Domestic or International
Fee: $1,950 plus project-related expenses (fee may be negotiated for non-profit organizations on a case by case basis)
Get Started
Provide a brief, general description of your project idea, using the application form before the November 2nd deadline. If your project is selected when the class begins in January, the team will work with you to write the scope of work which both you and their instructor will approve before the project commences.
Key Dates for Applied Strategy Projects
November 2: Project Descriptions Requested
November 9: Prospective Client/Student Evening Reception (UW Campus)
January 4-11: Teams Assigned to Projects
January 13: Client/Student working dinner (UW Campus)
March 2-19: Team Presentations of Findings and Recommendations (Client office)
April 8 (Tentative): Client/Team Celebratory Reception (UW Campus)
Download an Applied Strategy Project application form.
Second-Year MBA Student Field Study Projects
Do you have a more complex business challenge? A second-year Field Study project might be right for you.
Teams of second-year MBA students participate in a two-quarter (autumn/winter or winter/spring) project under the supervision of a faculty advisor. These projects can address domestic and/or international issues, and can be structured to fit almost any business challenge. Utilizing their training in management, finance, marketing and technology, the teams are able to conduct an in-depth analysis and then make recommendations for solving strategic problems, enhancing organizational effectiveness and competitiveness, and exploring and evaluating new business opportunities.
Recent clients include large corporations like Alaska Airlines, Alteon/Boeing, Costco, and Microsoft as well as smaller, privately held companies like Isernio’s Sausage and Polyform U.S.
Teams: 3-5 Second-Year MBA Students
Project Length: 12-15 Weeks
Start Date: Flexible within October 1, 2009 – February 16, 2010 range
Project Topics: Marketing, Finance, Operations, Strategy, E-Business, etc.
Project Scope: Domestic or International
Fee: $6,500 plus project-related expenses
Please contact us to learn how a team of Foster 2nd-year MBA’s and a Field Study project could help your bottom line.