As technology develops and the population ages, employers’ needs are changing. WashU is determined to stay ahead of the curve.
“Given the evolving needs of employers, we want prospective students to be able to quickly upskill in specific areas so they can reenter the workforce,” says Todd Gormley, vice dean of education at Washington University’s Olin Business School.
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Beginning this fall, the university will launch three new specialized master’s programs driven by a growing demand for proficiency in artificial intelligence, expertise in sports administration, and knowledge on the complexity of financial decisions. The goal of these programs is not only to better equip students with the skills they need to succeed but also to help bring new talent to businesses across the St. Louis region.
“These accelerated programs were developed with direct input from local employers to ensure students graduate with the skills needed to fill existing gaps in the market,” says Gormley.
Many job postings now call for familiarity with AI tools to enhance areas like customer targeting in sales and marketing, as well as financial forecasting. “Industry partners are increasingly seeking employees with deeper AI training and practical business applications,” says Gormley.
WashU’s new Master of Science in AI for Business focuses on AI applications in the workplace by providing students hands-on experience with AI applications, from chatbots and virtual assistants to AI-based fraud detection, among other things.
The degree features three distinct tracks: finance, marketing, and technical. The finance track emphasizes AI-driven financial technology, while the marketing track concentrates on analytics-based brand management and customer insights. The technical track centers on ethics and responsible AI in business, along with data visualization for business insights.
With more than 600 WashU alumni working in the sports industry—including graduates who have gone to work for international teams, leagues, and agencies, as well as local sports teams such as the Cardinals, the Blues, and City SC—it’s no surprise WashU is also launching a master’s program dedicated to the business of sports.
The Master of Science in the Business of Sports is designed for students interested in careers ranging from corporate partnerships to digital media. It builds on Olin’s previous minor in sports business, which focuses on foundational business principles to real-world consulting projects.
Lastly, the Master of Science in Wealth Management program focuses on an area with increasing demand and growing complexity.
Tiffany Jarvis, a St. Louis native who’s been with Edward Jones for more than 10 years, worked alongside Tim Solberg, a WashU instructor for the CFAR Practicum, to create source material for the masters program.
“Money can be an emotional topic, so understanding what drives client behaviors can help advisors help clients more effectively,” she says.
According to Jarvis, the wealth management industry now extends beyond investment advice and financial planning to include estate planning, taxation, elder care, and more—driving a demand for thousands of new financial advisors over the next decade. Edward Jones, for one, will be looking to add more staff with the right skills.
“We’d love to see graduates of the program apply to join the firm,” she says.
Applications are now open for all three master’s programs. The Master of Science in AI for Business and the Master of Science in Wealth Management are two-semester programs, while the Master of Science in the Business of Sports is three semesters, including a summer internship. An undergraduate degree is required for all programs, but only the technical track of the Business AI program requires a business undergraduate degree.
The Olin Business School also offers foundational courses over the summer on business basics. Those courses are now fully asynchronous—and also free.
“I think this is an ideal time to launch these programs,” Gormley says. “There’s clear demand, and we expect they’ll be popular with both students and prospective employers.”
