Flex MBA program helps students customize and expand their options

WashU Olin is in the midst of preparations for the first cohort in its new Flex MBA program, which combines the best of the school’s in-person and online MBA infrastructure. Olin has carefully designed the FMBA to meet the needs of a wide range of working professionals.

Fuqiang Zhang, the Dan Broida Professor of Supply Chain, Operations, and Technology—and academic director for the Flex MBA—describes how Olin has expanded and optimized its offerings to create a unique MBA experience:

What are the key benefits of the Flex program for students?

Compared to our previous part-time MBA program, the Flex program has added several key benefits to enhance the appeal and value proposition for prospective students.

Students have greater flexibility in modality than ever before. Each semester, they can opt for either online or in-person classes for the core curriculum, providing maximum flexibility to accommodate different schedules and preferences.

The new program features a state-of-the-art curriculum that blends traditional business fundamentals with modern digital skills, equipping students with the knowledge to tackle future challenges effectively.

The Flex program offers exceptional cost efficiency, not just through lower tuition costs, but also a reduced program length and a reduced program length compared to our previous part-time MBA program.

How has Olin prepared for the switch to Flex MBA?

Olin has meticulously combined elements from both the online and part-time MBA programs to create a cohesive core curriculum for the Flex program. This integration ensures a robust foundation in business education while catering to diverse learning preferences and schedules.

To enrich the learning experience, Olin has also expanded the pool of electives. Faculty members have been encouraged to develop new, market-driven online courses, allowing students to tailor their education to align with their career aspirations and industry demands.

How might different students set up their Flex MBA experiences differently?

As we’ve mentioned, with the Flex program, students can choose between online or in-person learning each semester. In addition to providing scheduling flexibility, these options can accommodate diverse learning styles.

In addition, the curriculum enables students to accelerate their learning journey. For example, they can take additional courses during summer sessions to fulfill degree requirements and graduate in a shorter timeframe.

Our expanded pool of electives can empower students to specialize in areas that align with their career goals and interests. This customization ensures that each student’s educational experience is both relevant and impactful.

For example, an engineer might focus on finance electives to help transition into a leadership role, where they would be responsible for budgets and contract negotiations. Or a student with an undergraduate degree in an art-related field who is working in a business setting might take a wider range of electives to come up to speed in general business administration skills.

Connecting with other members of the MBA cohort is a core element of the Olin MBA. How does the Flex program encourage those connections?

The flexibility in modality offered by the Flex MBA program enhances opportunities for students to connect and engage within the MBA community.

Through online courses, students can interact with classmates in different geographical areas. This global reach fosters diverse perspectives and networking opportunities.

In-person classes enable students to engage more directly with classmates and instructors. These face-to-face interactions facilitate deeper connections, project collaborations and the real-time exchange of ideas.

To further promote interaction and networking, Olin plans to organize occasional in-person events on weekends and holidays. The events will allow students to connect with their peers as well as with faculty, alumni and local businesspeople.