Wichita State University and McPherson College have established a new academic partnership that creates an accelerated pathway into the Master of Business Administration program offered through Wichita State’s W. Frank Barton School of Business. 

Beginning with the fall 2026 semester, eligible McPherson undergraduates will be able to earn up to nine graduate credit hours toward the Barton School’s MBA while completing their bachelor’s degrees. 

The agreement, which is anticipated to be the first of many between McPherson and Wichita State, establishes a streamlined academic pathway enabling qualifying students to begin graduate-level coursework while completing their undergraduate degrees. Through this partnership, students may enroll in up to three MBA courses through the Barton School of Business — reducing the time and cost required to complete the degree. 

Students must meet defined academic and eligibility requirements to participate. Credits earned through the pathway will apply toward Wichita State’s MBA program upon formal admission. 

The partnership also supports regional workforce development, preparing graduates with advanced business skills to lead across industries in Kansas and beyond. 

Students interested in learning more about enrollment opportunities through the pathway program may visit wichita.edu/mba or contact Stephanie Cockrell, director of graduate programs in the Barton School of Business, at 316-978-6019 or stephanie.cockrell@wichita.edu. 

The collaboration strengthens institutional alignment while preparing students for the academic rigor of graduate study.  

“This partnership demonstrates how institutions can work together to serve students more effectively,” said Dr. Monica Lounsbery, senior executive vice president and provost at Wichita State. “It provides motivated students with early exposure to graduate-level expectations and academic rigor.” 

Rooted in Wichita State’s strategic priorities, the agreement underscores a shared emphasis on access, affordability and workforce development. The accelerated pathway lowers barriers to graduate education and strengthens the regional talent pipeline — in turn, supporting economic growth in Kansas by preparing students with advanced business skills sooner and more efficiently. 

“This partnership with Wichita State’s Barton School of Business creates a powerful academic bridge for our students — one that accelerates their path to advanced business leadership while maintaining the high academic standards McPherson College is known for,” said Michael Schneider, president of McPherson College. “It reflects our shared commitment to innovation, access and preparing graduates to thrive in a rapidly evolving economy.” 

Dr. Larisa Genin, dean of the Barton School of Business, underscored the pathway’s focus on access, momentum and career acceleration.  

“Our mission is to create bold, accessible pathways to advanced business education,” Genin said. “This partnership empowers McPherson students to begin their MBA journey early — reducing time and cost while accelerating both their academic progress and career trajectories.” 

For more information, visit www.wichita.edu/business or www.mcpherson.edu.   

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Wichita State University is Kansas' only urban public research university, enrolling more than 25,000 students between its main campus and the WSU Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology (WSU Tech), including students from every state in the U.S. and more than 100 countries. Wichita State and WSU Tech are recognized for being student-centered and innovation-driven.

Located in the largest city in the state with one of the highest concentrations in the United States of jobs involving science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), Wichita State University provides uniquely distinctive and innovative pathways of applied learning, applied research and career opportunities for all of our students. The National Science Foundation ranked WSU No. 1 in the nation for aerospace engineering R&D, No. 2 for industry- and defense-funded engineering R&D and No. 9 overall for engineering R&D.

The Innovation Campus, which is a physical extension of the Wichita State University main campus, is one of the nation’s largest and fastest-growing research/innovation parks, encompassing over 120 acres and is home to a number of global companies and organizations.

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