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Graduate Studies in Business

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Dual Degree Programs

Understand the Business of Healthcare

Whitworth University's graduate business and health science programs have partnered to offer dual graduate degree programs that will help you to understand the business of healthcare. Students enrolling in Whitworth's Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) or Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) programs may simultaneously work toward a Master of Business Administration (MBA) or Master of Business Leadership (MBL). Our programs will open the door to a variety of career paths and advancement opportunities by equipping graduates to integrate leadership training and business practices with their knowledge of healthcare.

  • Become prepared to start your own clinic or work in management within healthcare systems.
  • Earn your graduate business degree in the evening or online alongside your doctoral degree and finish in just three years (only 24 additional credits, or eight courses).
  • Fulfill courses required for the Master of Business Administration (MBA) or Master of Business Leadership (MBL) with classes you've already taken for your doctoral degree.

Apply Now

How It Works

  1. After you apply for your doctoral degree in either occupational or physical therapy, click here to submit a 600-word essay to complete your MBA or MBL application for dual enrollment.
  2. If prerequisites are required before you can begin courses for your business degree, you can complete them pass/fail, in a self-paced, online environment.
  3. You'll get a customized degree plan, in addition to doctoral program and business program advisors who will work closely with you to help you stay on track.

Dual Degree Options

  • Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)

    Students enrolled in the Doctor of Physical Therapy dual degree program will complete 115 credits toward their Doctor of Physical Therapy and an additional 24 credits to earn a Master of Business Administration or Master of Business Leadership. All MBA classes are offered at night in six-week modular formats or through asynchronous online courses.

    The following four courses from the DPT curriculum fulfill 12 credits total required for the MBA or MBL degree:

    DPT CourseMBA/MBL Course Fulfillment
    DPT 807: Health Systems III, Health Policy MB 525: U.S. Transactions Law
    DPT 808: Health Systems IV, Ethics, Business Management and Law MB 513: Operations & Project Management (and will also help cover the MB 525 requirements)
    DPT 750: Fundamental of Critical Inquiry MB 517: Business Statistics & Decision Analysis
    DPT 740, 742, 843, 844, 845 & 946: Professional Formation (3 credits worth)  MB 501: Organizational Behavior & Leadership
    MB 550: Executive Leadership (MBL only) 

    These four DPT core course requirements are equivalent to one-third of the MBA/MBL coursework and would abbreviate a business degree by 12 credits, resulting in a shorter completion timeline and significant savings toward an MBA/MBL (current savings of $11,520 based on 2022-23 tuition rates).

  • Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)

    Students enrolled in the Doctor of Occupational Therapy dual degree program will complete 112 credits toward their Doctor of Occupational Therapy and an additional 24 credits to earn a Master of Business Administration or Master of Business Leadership. All MBA classes are offered at night in six-week modular formats or through asynchronous online courses.

    Any of the following courses from OTD curriculum can fulfill up to 3 credits each (12 credits total) required for the MBA/MBL degree:

    OTD CourseMBA/MBL Course Fulfillment
    OTD 812: Management of Health Care Services MB 513: Operations & Project Management)
    OTD 712: Evidence-Based Practice MB 517: Business Statistics & Decision Analysis
    OTD 802: Program Evaluation & Development MB 530: Entrepreneurship & New Venture Creation
    OTD 801: Applied Leadership & Ethics MB 501: Organizational Behavior & Leadership

    These four OTD core course requirements are equivalent to one-third of the MBA/MBL coursework and would abbreviate a business degree by 12 credits, resulting in a shorter completion timeline and significant savings toward an MBA/MBL (current savings of $11,520 based on 2022-23 tuition rates).