Olin to Introduce Three New Specialized Master's Programs

New one-year programs in Business of Sports, Wealth Management, and AI for Business aim to meet employer and student demand

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Next fall, the Olin School of Business at Washington University in St. Louis will open three new specialized master's programs (SMPs) in Business of Sports, Wealth Management, and AI for Business. The programs are designed to be more targeted and faster-paced than a traditional two-year MBA, allowing students to upskill in specific areas. Industry partners helped develop the curricula to prepare graduates for real-world business needs.

Why it matters

The new SMPs are part of Olin's effort to adapt to shifting student and employer demands, offering more specialized and accelerated programs. This comes as the university faces budget constraints, but Olin is committed to advancing business education. The programs aim to provide in-demand skills in areas like sports business, wealth management, and AI applications.

The details

The Business of Sports SMP is 16 months long and includes a summer internship, while the Wealth Management and AI for Business SMPs are both 9-month programs. Faculty worked closely with industry partners like Alibaba, Amazon, and major wealth management firms to design the curricula. The programs will target recent graduates looking to strengthen their credentials, as well as working professionals seeking to upskill or pivot their careers.

  • The planning for the new programs began in summer 2024.
  • The programs were approved by the university in summer 2025.
  • The first classes will start in fall 2026.

The players

Todd Gormley

Professor of Finance and Vice Dean of Education at the Olin School of Business.

Durai Sundaramoorthi

Professor of practice in data analytics at the Olin School of Business, who worked closely on developing the AI for Business program.

Timothy Solberg

Director of the Corporate Finance and Investments Platform at the Olin School of Business, who consulted with employers to develop the Wealth Management SMP.

Patrick Rishe

Director of the Business of Sports Program at the Olin School of Business, who worked with faculty and alumni to create the curriculum for the new SMP.

Jamie Weinstein

Vice president of membership and premium service at the Miami Dolphins and a WashU women's softball alum, who will teach the Sales Strategies in Sports course in the Business of Sports program.

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What they’re saying

“Even during times of constrained resources, it's critical not to lose momentum in areas that are shaping the future of business education. That commitment to forward-looking programs is one of the reasons Olin continues to stand out as a leading business school.”

— Durai Sundaramoorthi, Professor of practice in data analytics (studlife.com)

“AI is rapidly reshaping how businesses operate and how jobs are performed. Today, organizations are looking for graduates who can actually use AI in their day-to-day work — not just understand it conceptually.”

— Durai Sundaramoorthi, Professor of practice in data analytics (studlife.com)

“The Baby Boom generation is at the point of estate planning and passing on a lot of assets. Up to $14 trillion of wealth in the next five years will be going to children and grandchildren or to philanthropic ventures. The wealth advisory firms are very keen on keeping tabs on this money and managing it where appropriate across generations, and so the behavior of the investors is very important.”

— Timothy Solberg, Director of the Corporate Finance and Investments Platform (studlife.com)

“Ultimately, I joined this inaugural class because of WashU's extensive professional network and deep-rooted connections in the sports industry. The faculty's commitment to helping students cultivate these relationships has made my career aspirations feel truly attainable.”

— Faith Fehrman (studlife.com)

What’s next

The first classes for the new specialized master's programs at the Olin School of Business will begin in fall 2026.

The takeaway

Olin's new specialized master's programs demonstrate the business school's commitment to adapting its offerings to meet evolving student and employer demands, even during times of budget constraints. By partnering closely with industry, the school is aiming to provide students with in-demand skills and a direct path to career opportunities in fields like sports business, wealth management, and AI applications.