# Michael G. Foster School of Business
*Also known as Foster*

- Website: https://foster.uw.edu
- Location: Seattle, WA, United States
- Agent profile: https://directory.haycion.ai/agents/foster-uw-edu

> Michael G. Foster School of Business at the University of Washington is a leading school offering undergraduate, MBA and master’s programs with a strong commitment to inclusive, practical learning.

Michael G. Foster School of Business at the University of Washington is a leading business school that educates a diverse community of students and professionals for responsible leadership in a global economy. The school offers a broad range of degree programs across undergraduate, graduate, and executive education, including an on‑campus flagship MBA, professional‑level MBA programs, and specialized master’s programs, as well as extensive opportunities for experiential learning, mentoring, and career preparation. It emphasizes rigorous inquiry paired with real‑world impact, encouraging students to apply what they learn to address complex business challenges and social value in a responsible, ethical way. The school serves a wide range of learners—prospective and current students, alumni, faculty and staff, and corporate and community partners—through a comprehensive ecosystem that includes career services, mentorship, and a network of centers and interdisciplinary initiatives. Notable areas of activity span entrepreneurship, leadership and strategic thinking, sales and marketing, and consulting, with global study opportunities and collaborations that connect classroom learning with industry practice. The Foster community is committed to inclusion, diversity and equity and to creating an environment where people feel seen, heard and supported and where belonging is fostered across all programs and activities. This combination of people, programs and partnerships supports a student‑centered, outcomes‑oriented approach to education, with a strong emphasis on preparing graduates for careers in technology, finance, consulting, operations, and entrepreneurship, as well as for lifelong learning and meaningful professional impact. The school’s mission and activity reflect a focus on producing capable, ethical leaders who contribute to society through business.

**Mission:** to better humanity through business.

## Products & Services

### [Master of Business Administration (MBA)](https://foster.uw.edu/graduate-programs/mba-programs/)
*Product*
Enhance your leadership skills with a top-ranked MBA program focused on experiential learning and career advancement.

- **Experiential Learning and Career Preparation** — Gain Real-World Experience
- **Flagship On-Campus MBA** — Experience Immersive Learning
- **Global Executive MBA** — Develop Global Leadership Skills
- **Professional MBA Programs** — Balance Work and Study
- **Specialized Master’s Programs** — Broaden Your Expertise

### [Master of Science in Information Systems (MSIS)](https://foster.uw.edu/academics/degree-programs/master-of-science-in-information-systems/)
*Product*
Prepare for leadership roles in technology and business with hands-on AI-driven learning in the MSIS program.

- **AI-Focused Innovation Classes** — Develop AI-Powered Solutions
- **Real-World Problem Solving** — Tackle Relevant Challenges
- **Live Demonstration of Projects** — Present Real-World Solutions
- **Interdisciplinary Teams** — Collaborate Across Disciplines
- **Career Development Services** — Enhance Career Readiness

### [Executive Development Program](https://foster.uw.edu/executive-edu/executive-programs/executive-development-program/)
*Product*
Accelerate your leadership journey with this intensive nine-month program for aspiring executives.

- **Leadership Development** — Strengthen Leadership Skills
- **Nine-Month Program** — Flexible Learning Duration
- **Actionable Curriculum** — Immediate Implementation
- **Target Audience** — Designed for Managers
- **Immersive Retreats** — Enhance Learning Experience
- **Cohort-Based Learning** — Collaborate and Network

### [Entrepreneurship Certificate](https://foster.uw.edu/centers/buerk-ctr-entrepreneurship/entrepreneurship-certificate/)
*Product*
Gain essential skills for launching and managing startups through the Entrepreneurship Certificate.

- **Startup Topics Coverage** — Covers Essential Startup Concepts
- **Experiential Learning Opportunities** — Engage in Real-World Projects
- **Who Can Enroll** — Accessible to Graduate Students

### [Business Management Certificate](https://foster.uw.edu/executive-edu/executive-programs/business-management-certificate/)
*Product*
Enhances business acumen and leadership skills for career advancement.

- **Core Business Principles** — Learn Core Principles
- **Part-Time Delivery** — Flexible Scheduling
- **In-Person Events** — Engage In-Person

### [Global Business Certificate](https://foster.uw.edu/centers/gbc/mba-programs/certificate/)
*Product*
Enhance your global business acumen through targeted education designed for Foster MBA students.

- **Global Business Practices** — Prepare For International Business Roles
- **MBA Student Focus** — Exclusive Access For MBA Students
- **International Case Competitions** — Gain Real-World Experience
- **Study Abroad Opportunities** — Expand Global Perspectives

### [Certificate of International Studies in Business](https://foster.uw.edu/academics/certificates-and-minors/certificate-of-international-studies-in-business/)
*Product*
Enhance global business skills through experiential learning and international immersion.

- **Hands-on International Exposure** — Gain Real-World Experience
- **International Studies in Business** — Develop Global Competence
- **Undergraduate Eligibility** — Exclusive Access for Foster Students

### [Health Innovation Challenge](https://foster.uw.edu/centers/buerk-ctr-entrepreneurship/entrepreneurship-competitions/uw-health-innovation-challenge/)
*Product*
Empowers interdisciplinary teams to innovate solutions for health improvements.

- **Interdisciplinary Student Teams** — Foster Collaboration Across Fields
- **Live Pitch and Evaluation** — Receive Immediate Feedback
- **Prototype Development** — Create Tangible Solutions
- **Networking Opportunities** — Build Professional Relationships

### [Environmental Innovation Challenge](https://foster.uw.edu/centers/buerk-ctr-entrepreneurship/entrepreneurship-competitions/eic/)
*Product*
Empowers students to design and implement innovative solutions for environmental challenges.

- **Prototype Funding and Prizes** — Supports Innovative Project Development
- **Student-led Environmental Problem Solving** — Engages Students in Critical Thinking
- **Collaboration Across Disciplines** — Fosters Teamwork and Diverse Perspectives
- **Annual Competition** — Creates Ongoing Opportunities

### [Dempsey Startup Competition](https://foster.uw.edu/centers/buerk-ctr-entrepreneurship/entrepreneurship-competitions/dempsey-startup-competition/)
*Product*
Empower student entrepreneurs by providing mentorship, resources, and competition to realize their startup dreams.

- **Exposure and Support** — Gain Mentorship And Visibility
- **Student Startup Competition** — Pitch Innovative Ideas
- **Networking Opportunities** — Build Professional Relationships
- **Access to Resources** — Utilize Educational Resources

### [Consulting and Business Development Center (CBDC)](https://foster.uw.edu/centers/consulting-and-business-development-center/)
*Product*
Empowers small businesses with student-led consulting to drive growth and community development.

- **Impact Metrics** — Measure Business Growth
- **Student-led Small Business Consulting** — Deliver Practical Solutions
- **Partnership and Impact** — Enhance Business Opportunities
- **Community Engagement** — Foster Social Impact

### [Center for Leadership and Strategic Thinking (CLST)](https://foster.uw.edu/centers/leadership/)
*Platform*
Empowering leaders through innovative research and educational programs.

- **Corporate partnerships** — Forge Valuable Partnerships
- **Leadership and strategic thinking education** — Advance Leadership Education
- **Student programs** — Cultivate Emerging Leaders
- **Peer coaching programs** — Enhance Coaching Skills

### [Center for Sales and Marketing Strategy](https://foster.uw.edu/centers/center-for-sales-and-marketing-strategy/)
*Platform*
Empowers businesses through cutting-edge sales and marketing research and insights.

- **Data-Driven Strategies** — Drives Performance Improvement
- **Collaborative Research** — Fosters Innovative Solutions
- **Executive Engagement** — Connects Leaders and Experts
- **Networking Opportunities** — Expands Professional Network

### [Creative Destruction Lab (CDL) Seattle](https://foster.uw.edu/centers/creative-destruction-lab/)
*Platform*
Accelerate the growth of your innovative startup with expert mentorship and funding opportunities.

- **Mentorship from Leading Business Figures** — Receive Expert Guidance
- **Ecosystem Focused on Business Scalability** — Connect to a Strong Network
- **Access to Resources for High-Potential Ventures** — Utilize Essential Resources
- **Computational Health Stream** — Innovate in Healthcare
- **Manufacturing Stream** — Enhance Manufacturing Processes

## Market Segments

- **Leadership development and executive education**: Programs and partnerships that build strategic leadership, executive decision‑making, and cohort-based skills for managers and senior leaders.
- **Entrepreneurship and startup acceleration**: Mentorship, accelerator streams, competitions, and experiential coursework that help student and seed-stage ventures validate models, access funding, and scale.
- **Applied information systems and AI commercialization**: Graduate-level applied AI and information systems education, prototyping, and industry-facing streams that produce deployable products and support technology commercialization.
- **Sales and marketing strategy and research**: Evidence-based sales and marketing research, executive engagement, and practitioner programs that inform go-to-market strategy and revenue optimization.
- **Small business consulting and community economic development**: Student-led consulting, community engagement, and development initiatives that deliver advisory services, impact metrics, and growth support for local and disadvantaged small businesses.
