MBA Program Update: Curricular Changes for 2025-26

As we approach the end of the academic year, we want to share some important updates about changes to the MBA program coming next year. We're excited to continue enhancing the program through several key improvements.

We are taking a multidisciplinary approach to the student journey that aligns career planning with today’s market trends that increasingly require professionals to have a diverse skill set and a strong understanding of interconnected business functions. The new MBA Pathways model will feature three career pathways: Finance, Strategy and Technology. Each pathway represents a general career focus spanning multiple roles and industries, where the previous model aligned the pathways with academic disciplines. The re-envisioned pathways represent broad relationships with key employers, ensuring that our students have phenomenal career outcomes in a variety of roles.

We’ve also redesigned our Mod Away programs in Silicon Valley and Chile to maintain their strongest elements while improving aspects that didn't meet our standards for excellence. The new format integrates Silicon Valley travel with on-campus coursework in the fall, and Chile travel with on-campus curriculum in the spring. This restructuring allows students to participate in both programs while still engaging in campus recruiting activities and attending November football games!

Additional changes to the program include a new course on generative AI in the core curriculum and more extensive communications and presentation courses for students in the first year. Notre Dame MBA students will be well-equipped with the analytical chops, presentation skills and team skills to shine in their internships.

Additionally, we're launching an Executive in Residence program where MBA alumni from outstanding organizations — including Google, EY and IBM — will mentor students. These executives will periodically visit campus and contribute to classroom learning in various capacities.

Over the next year, we will continue enhancing the curriculum to align with employer partners and strengthen the career outcomes for our students. Change will not always be easy, and we ask that you all work with us to do the best we can as we continue to strengthen and streamline the curriculum, with a focus on pedagogical excellence and equipping our students for phenomenal career outcomes. 

So many of you have helped so far, especially the department leadership — Brad Badertscher, Shane Corwin, Jen Cronin, Rob Easley, Frank German, Jim Leady, Mitch Olsen, Jim Seida, Ann Tenbrunsel and Jen Waddell. Thanks also to faculty members Robert Battalio, Kristen Collett-Schmitt, Kevin Hartman, Amanda McKendree, Alfonso Pedraza-Martinez, Mike Meyer, Kelly Rubey and Adam Wowak for your willingness to be flexible and supportive during this transition.  

Also, numerous staff leaders have collaborated with us to ensure successful operations, including Carol Elliott, Christine Gramhofer, Megan Piersma, Marnie Stahl, Teresa True, Ben Wilson, Rebecca Wood and their teams. Evolving the program certainly presents challenges for all involved, but your flexibility and cooperation make us so thankful to be a part of this fine institution. 

In Notre Dame,

Nick and Gianna

Nick Berente
Senior Associate Dean for Academic Programs

Gianna Bern
Associate Dean for the MBA