In this article:
- Hear from the executive director of the Kelley Direct Online MBA about why the program is the right choice for professionals who are seeking advancement in strategic leadership.
- Discover how the program integrates foundational lessons and experiences into a broader framework for strategic thinking.
When it comes to preparing professionals for today’s complex leadership challenges, the Kelley Direct Online MBA offers an advantage: it doesn’t just teach about strategy; it trains students to think strategically. With a flexible curriculum, tailored career coaching, and an unmatched focus on personal and professional development, Kelley Direct goes beyond the basics of the typical online MBA curriculum to ensure graduates are fully equipped for what’s next.
Sarah Wanger, executive director of the Kelley Direct Online MBA program, shares how the program is uniquely designed to help students navigate the demands of modern business and excel in strategic leadership roles.
Kelley Direct: A program designed to shape strategic leaders
Strategic leadership is more than just a concept taught in core courses—it’s a mindset that permeates the Kelley Direct Online MBA experience, says Wanger. While the program offers foundational courses in topics like strategy and leadership, data-driven decision-making, and organizational behavior, Kelley Direct further challenges students to expand their skill set, teaching them not only to understand strategy but also to approach their entire online MBA experience with a strategic mindset.
“Strategic leadership is not just a concept you study. It’s a skill you actively develop and apply throughout your online MBA journey,” says Wanger. “We’re covering the important topics, but what we do differently is focus on how to apply this knowledge beyond the classroom.”
Whether deciding which major to pursue or selecting electives that will make them more competitive in the job market, students are taught to strategize their academic and professional path with intention.
Want to strengthen your leadership skills? Run for a Kelley Direct Student Leadership Association position. Interested in global business? Participate in a global immersion experience to enhance your resume. By providing more than 100 course options and countless opportunities to tailor a Kelley Direct Online MBA in strategy, students are not just learning about strategic leadership—they’re practicing it every step of the way.
“Kelley Direct gives you numerous opportunities to practice strategy and think strategically about yourself,” says Wanger. “You get to focus on every element of yourself and your career.”
By the time they graduate, Kelley Direct students are not only equipped with the tools to overcome strategic leadership challenges but are also able to anticipate future challenges, apply innovative solutions, and lead with confidence in any setting.
What sets Kelley Direct apart: Opportunities for personal growth in strategic thinking
While gaining content knowledge is fundamental in any online MBA program, Kelley Direct offers a wealth of opportunities to build skills, expand networks, and strategically plan for what comes next. Whether it’s through electives, global immersions, leadership roles, or personalized career coaching, Kelley Direct ensures that every student leaves the program with a academic and professional foundation that is as strong and well-rounded as possible.
This self-focused, strategic approach is what sets Kelley Direct apart from other top-ranked MBA programs. By the time students graduate, they haven’t just earned a degree—they’ve thoughtfully designed an online MBA in strategy that equips them to lead in any field, with a toolkit of knowledge and real-world experience to back it up.
Tailored electives and opportunities to specialize
Unlike many traditional programs that follow a fixed curriculum, Kelley Direct allows students to tailor more than half of their total coursework through elective choices—more than any other online MBA program.
Students can take electives across a variety of departments and topics, gaining exposure to a broad range of business disciplines. For those looking to specialize, Kelley Direct also offers the opportunity to major in a specific area, including Business Analytics, Digital Technology Management, Entrepreneurship & Corporate Innovation, Finance, Marketing, Strategy & Leadership, and Supply Chain & Operations. Even with a major, students still have room to explore additional electives to dive deeper into new fields or strengthen their expertise in their chosen major.
This flexibility gives Kelley Direct students the chance to both customize and experiment, ensuring their MBA is as comprehensive as they want it to be. Whether a student wants to focus on one area or explore multiple interests, the program is designed to give control over the learning journey.
Combining the concepts of several different courses, I put together an extensive strategic implementation plan for my firm, and I received a raise and was given a promotion to the senior leadership team. None of this would have been possible without all the synergies that I’ve experienced between my courses in the Kelley Direct program.”
Richard Trietley, MBA’23
Director of Client Strategy Advancement, Corporate Care
Learning from the best with the best
The flexibility and variety of the program mean that each student’s network grows exponentially as they interact with different groups of students throughout their online MBA. Rather than being confined to a single small cohort, Kelley Direct students collaborate with a diverse set of peers to expand their professional connections.
The caliber of professionals in the program also ensures that students will challenge each other, push their thinking, and ultimately become an invaluable part of one another’s professional networks.
“By the time a student completes their two-year journey, they have not only mastered strategic leadership concepts but also honed their ability to think and act strategically in any professional setting,” says Wanger. “When you enroll in the Kelley Direct Online MBA, you’re not just learning from world-class professors; you’re also learning from your peers—fellow professionals who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table.”
Kelley Direct Professional Advancement Team
The Kelley Direct Professional Advancement team (KDPA) offers a specialized resource to help students not only plan their careers but strategically navigate them. Unlike traditional career services, which often take a one-size-fits-all approach, KDPA provides personalized career guidance tailored specifically for the needs of experienced professionals. This strategic career support is integrated throughout the program, allowing students to think ahead and align their online MBA journey with their long-term career aspirations.
Kelley Direct students have the option to work with a career strategist—someone who guides them to map out a clear, strategic direction for their professional life. KDPA focuses on holistic career development, ensuring that students are prepared for everything from executive presence and leadership challenges to negotiating salaries and navigating promotions. Whether it’s discussing the next move in their career or tackling a work-related negotiation, students have access to expert advice that empowers them to lead and grow in real time.
KDPA emphasizes next-level thinking. Students practice it through one-on-one sessions with career strategists who help them apply their learning to real-world challenges. The unit provides executive coaching that sharpens leadership skills and develops the professional presence necessary to excel in high-stakes business environments. This on-demand service ensures that Kelley Direct graduates aren’t just equipped with an MBA; they’re equipped with the strategic tools and support needed to drive their careers forward.
Immersion experiences
Kelley Direct’s global and domestic immersion programs are a cornerstone of the program’s hands-on, real-world approach to business education. These experiences go beyond the virtual classroom, offering students the opportunity to apply their learning in dynamic in-person environments.
Immersions are designed to push students out of their comfort zones and into real-world business contexts, allowing them to develop practical skills that can’t be fully captured in a traditional online setting. From consulting projects with major corporations to analyzing international markets, these experiences give students the ability to apply strategic thinking in complex, high-stakes environments. For many, these experiences are transformative, offering fresh perspectives on leadership, collaboration, and global business trends.
Students can choose from a variety of locations and industries, ensuring that the experience aligns with their career goals and personal interests. Whether you’re looking to deepen your understanding of global supply chains in Asia or explore entrepreneurial ecosystems in Silicon Valley, Kelley Direct offers a wide range of options to fit your ambitions.
For students, these immersions are an essential part of building a well-rounded online MBA experience. They offer the chance to network with peers, faculty, and industry leaders, while also enhancing your resume with tangible, international business experience. By integrating these real-world opportunities into the online MBA curriculum, Kelley Direct ensures that students leave the program not just with knowledge, but also with the practical skills and global perspectives needed to lead in today’s interconnected business world.
The key to a well-rounded online MBA
While Kelley Direct is designed to offer students a wide range of opportunities, “it’s what you put into it,” says Wanger. “Just like in your career, where taking on extra projects and demonstrating leadership leads to promotions, the more you engage with your online MBA, the more you’ll get out of it.”
“The most strategic thinkers actively participate and invest in their online MBA journey, becoming better prepared to tackle the significant leadership challenges that await them in the workplace,” says Wanger. “The more they push themselves to engage, learn, and grow, the more prepared they will be to solve complex problems and lead with confidence in their careers.
Keep reading: Comparing online MBAs? Top considerations to find the right program