Whitworth Takes the Lead, Offering Graduate Business Programs with Low-Residency Learning Options

A New Way to Learn Without Changing What Matters Most

Life moves fast and Whitworth University is keeping pace, becoming the first in the region to offer low-residency graduate business programs. Our master's programs in business administration, business leadership and financial planning are built for working professionals who want to move their careers forward without hitting pause on real life.

Beginning in the 2026-27 academic year, all of the degree programs within Whitworth Graduate Studies in Business will offer both low-residency and fully online learning options. The low-residency option will blend immersive, in-person learning over just one extended weekend (Friday-Sunday) per course with high-quality online coursework.

“Moving to a low-residency model is an exciting step shaped by the needs and voices of our graduate students,” says Sinead Voorhees, assistant dean of Graduate Studies in Business. “We needed to reimagine our in-person learning experiences beyond the traditional two-nights-a-week format. A low-residency model preserves the immersive, retreat-like experiences our department is known for while expanding access and flexibility for students. We’re proud to be the first MBA in the region to offer a fully low-residency option, extend this model to our Master of Business Leadership, and further enhance our low-residency Master of Science in Financial Planning.”

When it comes to consistency and convenience, the low-residency model delivers meaningful, high-impact, in-person engagement without the burden of weekly commuting. Designed with working professionals and families in mind, it offers greater flexibility and predictable scheduling that supports long-term planning. Widely adopted by executive MBA programs nationwide, this model will be unique for the Inland Northwest – combining the structure, immersion and peer connection of an executive MBA with the accessibility today’s students are requesting.

Residency weekends are intentionally designed as focused, retreat-style learning experiences that emphasize discussion, collaboration, applied learning and reflection. This model allows for active engagement with course material (rather than lecture-heavy delivery), relationship-building among students and faculty, and a strong sense of cohort community. 

GSB faculty and staff are based in the Spokane area, and students may continue to schedule in-person meetings on campus as desired.

To learn more about our new low-residency model, click here. 

About Whitworth University:

Located in Spokane, Wash., Whitworth is a private Christian liberal arts university affiliated with the Presbyterian church. The university, which has an enrollment of about 2,500 students, offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. 

Contacts: 

Trisha Coder, associate director of media relations, Whitworth University, (509) 777-4703 or tcoder@whitworth.edu