An MBA that works for you

An Olin professor teaching a Flex MBA class

Flex MBA curriculum

Our MBA balances core business principles with an expansive selection of elective courses.

From the start of the Flex MBA program, you’ll dive into classes designed to develop your business analytical skills. While you’re studying core areas like accounting, finance, marketing, microeconomics, strategy, and operations, you’re also learning about subjects of your choosing — AI, venture capital, ESG, or whatever interests you most.

All Flex MBA courses are viewed through a contemporary lens to give you a forward-leaning perspective on business theory and practice. The program curriculum is tailored to your educational needs, with 24 credit hours of required core credits and 24 elective credits. With this kind of flexibility, you can build your MBA experience to meet your unique interests and career goals.

Dynamic learning format

In both Flex MBA formats—on campus and online—prerecorded content is mixed with live class sessions that focus on discussions and group interaction. An emphasis is placed on dynamic and interactive learning, including:

  • Live cases use recent examples of companies managing contemporary issues and often include a live interview with business executives discussing their organizations’ challenges.

  • Sector deep dives are tailored to your interests. You spend two weeks analyzing a subject from the perspective of a few key industries that you choose.

  • Experiential exercises like simulations, role-playing and peer-to-peer or group work promote collaborative, hands-on learning.

Whether you attend class on campus or online, your live sessions for required classes will be on Tuesdays from 6:00 to 9:15 p.m. CT. Elective courses are held on varying days and at varying times.

On campus vs. online

In our core (required) courses, students who select:

  • The on campus format will experience eight (8) in-person sessions/semester (3 credit courses) or four (4) in-person sessions/semester (1.5 credit courses).

  • The online format will experience eight (8) online synchronous sessions/semester (3 credit courses) or four (4) online synchronous sessions/semester (1.5 credit courses).

All students will receive the remaining content for the core courses in an asynchronous format, giving them the flexibility to access this material at their own pace. Elective classes offer a choice of in-person or online learning formats.

Course sequence

The Flex MBA requires 48 credits and offers more than 100 elective courses.

Year 1

  • Strategy for Organizations 3 credits
  • Economics from the C-Suite Perspective 3 credits
  • Marketing Strategy 3 credits
  • Managerial Accounting in the Modern Era 3 credits
  • Teamwork and Leading Organizations 3 credits
  • Strategic Decision Making with Data Analytics 1.5 credits
  • Electives Up to 6 credits

 Year 2

  • Financial Management 3 credits
  • Managing Operations in the Modern Era 3 credits
  • Communication for Leaders 1.5 credits
  • Elective 13.5 credits

Year 3

  • Elective 3 credits
    (These credits can be taken in Year 1 and/or Year 2 for students who wish to graduate in two years)

If you are on the fence about joining the program because you are worried about the time commitment, my advice is to shadow a class so you can talk with current students. The program is very flexible, and there are multiple class types to work around the schedule of someone with a full-time job.

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Dan Oleson

Professional MBA

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Electives

There are over 100 elective courses Flex MBA students can take. Here's a sampling by interest.
  • Marketing

    • Marketing Strategy
    • Creating and Managing Innovative New Products
    • Business Marketing and Sales
    • Digital Marketing

  • Finance

    • Advanced Corporate Finance I
    • Mergers and Acquisitions
    • Private Equity Methods
    • Venture Capital Methods
    • Behavioral Finance
    • Financial Markets
    • Options and Futures
    • Financial Technology in the Digital World

  • Data Analytics

    • Database Design & SQL
    • Data Visualization for Business Insights
    • Machine Learning Tools for Prediction of Business Outcomes
    • Introduction to Python and Data Science

  • Organizational Behavior

    • Power and Politics in Organizations
    • Women in Leadership
    • Negotiation
    • Leading Change

  • Management

    • Corporate Strategy
    • Consulting Business Models & Value Capture
    • Introduction to Entrepreneurship
    • Ethical Issues in Managerial Decision Making
    • Strategic & Crisis Communication
    • Managing the Innovation Process
    • Ownership Insights: Competitive Advantage of Family and Employee-Owned Firms

  • Accounting

    • Business Analysis Using Financial Statements
    • Advanced Business Analysis Using Financial Statements

  • Supply Chain and Operations Technology

    • Project Management
    • AI for Managers
    • Foundations of Supply Chain Management

  • Economics

    • Healthcare Management
    • Macroeconomics for Business Leaders
    • Olin Ground Rounds
    • Game Theory for Business
    • Health Insurance in the U.S. 

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Olin Business School - Knight Hall
One Brookings Drive
St. Louis, MO 63130-4899

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