Washington University Dropping Its eMBA Program Here

Washington University of St. Louis announced today that it would discontinue its first-year of the executive MBA curriculum in Kansas City, effectively pulling out of the market for business higher education here, starting in January.

In a letter addressed to graduates of that program,  Mark Taylor, dean of the Olin School of Business at Washington U., said the eMBA program also would be discontinued in Denver, calling it a strategic decision that would “better position the school to meet the challenges and opportunities presented by global business trends.”

“While this was a difficult decision,” he wrote, “we believe the school is better served by building on the established strength of our core St. Louis programs and investing more resources in our global programs and partnerships in Shanghai, Mumbai, and elsewhere. We are exploring new value-added activities to support online and lifelong learning opportunities.”

Stuart Bunderson, associate dean and director of executive programs, will meet with alumni next week to discuss the future of Olin and its executive programs, Taylor said.

“Washington University and Olin’s Executive Programs team will remain engaged in Kansas City, and Washington University will continue to support the alumni of our programs in your region,” Taylor wrote. “Kansas City boasts more than 1,700 Washington University alumni, parents, and friends, 325 of which are Olin Business School alumni. You will always have access to this robust alumni network through annual events, programs, and initiatives.