WashU Olin Launches 3 Specialized Master’s Degrees In AI, Sports & Wealth Management

Washington University’s Olin Business School will launch three new specialized master’s degree programs in Fall 2026, expanding its graduate portfolio with offerings in artificial intelligence, sports business, and wealth management.

The simultaneous rollout of three programs marks one of Olin’s most significant expansions of graduate offerings in recent years and reflects a broader shift in business education toward shorter, industry-focused credentials.

“I do think it is a big deal for us to be introducing these three new programs,” says Todd Gormley, Olin’s vice dean for education. 

All three degrees are designed as accelerated pathways for recent graduates and early-career professionals seeking targeted skills rather than the broad leadership training of a traditional MBA. Two of the programs – AI for Business and Wealth Management – will run as one-year degrees, while the sports business program will span three semesters to accommodate an industry internship.

AI FOR BUSINESS: EMPLOYER DEMAND & FACULTY MOMENTUM

The Master of AI for Business enters an increasingly crowded market as business schools race to integrate artificial intelligence into their curricula. At Olin, the program was shaped by direct input from corporate partners and faculty interest in applied AI.

“We’re repeatedly hearing from employers that this is something they’re looking for in potential hires,” Gormley says. “They want individuals who are more familiar with AI and its potential applications to business.”

Durai Sundaramoorthi, professor of practice in data analytics, says the program was built from scratch rather than repackaged from existing coursework.

“Everyone is coming out with their version of an AI degree, and some of it is just recasting older courses,” he says. “For our program at Olin, we created net-new custom courses informed by the needs we’re hearing from employers.”

The program targets students across finance, marketing, and technology, with a focus on practical application of AI tools in business settings.

“The most fundamental outcome of the program is adding AI skills to your resume,” Sundaramoorthi says. “We expect that the hard skills and added confidence will help our students secure strong post-program career placement.”

SPORTS BUSINESS: BUILDING ON ALUMNI NETWORKS

The Master of Business of Sports builds on Olin’s long-running undergraduate minor in the field and an alumni network of more than 600 professionals working in the sports industry.

“We recognized that Olin could offer something unique: genuine access, mentorship, and community to help launch successful careers,” says Patrick Rishe, director of the sports business program.

Olin developed the graduate program in consultation with alumni and industry partners to identify the skills employers want in new hires. Alumni will also play a role in teaching specialized courses and mentoring students.

“If our inaugural cohort feels supported, mentored, and builds a strong sense of community with faculty, alumni, and industry partners, that’s half the battle,” Rishe says. “More tangibly, if we successfully place students in mid-program internships and post-program jobs aligned with their interests, then we’ve hit a home run.”

Unlike the other two programs, the sports degree will run three semesters instead of two – a deliberate design choice intended to strengthen internship opportunities.

“Internships are really important to landing jobs in the industry,” Gormley says. “We wanted to make sure that was part of the program.”

WEALTH MANAGEMENT: RESPONDING TO A TALENT GAP

The Master of Wealth Management reflects both regional economic strengths and national demographic trends.

Tim Solberg, CFA, professor of practice in finance and director of Olin’s Corporate Finance & Investments Platform, points to an impending labor shortage in the industry.

“With an expected intergenerational wealth transfer of $14 trillion by 2030, wealth management is facing a looming talent gap,” Solberg says. “Projections suggest as many as 10,000 financial advisers will be needed.”

The program was designed in collaboration with regional and national wealth management firms, many of them alumni employers.

“A one-year Master of Wealth Management program helps get highly engaged talent into the workforce with the right skills to meet the moment,” Solberg says.

Olin plans to track early indicators of success through industry certification outcomes and employment data.

“High pass rates on industry-standard exams like the CFA and CFP will be the first indicators of the success of our first cohorts,” Solberg says.

At the same time, he notes that long-term career trajectories will ultimately define the program’s impact.

“Successful wealth management careers are a combination of financial expertise and relationship building,” he says. “We’ll know the real success as our graduates mature into their long-term careers in the industry.”

MEASURING OUTCOMES BEYOND PLACEMENT RATES

Across all three programs, Olin is emphasizing outcomes and employer alignment as core design principles.

Gormley says the school’s definition of success is straightforward.

“Students getting jobs in the industry and positions that they are looking for when they come out of this program,” he says. “Happy grads and happy employers.”

Beyond traditional placement data, Olin plans to track internship pipelines, employer diversity, certification results, and alumni engagement, using industry feedback to refine curricula as the programs evolve.

Sundaramoorthi adds that alumni input will play a key role in shaping the AI program’s future.

“When graduates tell us about the tools they’re using, we can update our program to align with the needs they see in the market,” he says.

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