Former or current NFL players: The Kelley School of Business can help you launch the next step in your career
Through a unique partnership with the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA), the top-ranked Kelley School of Business offers current and former NFL players the opportunity to pursue an online MBA, master's degree, or graduate certificate.
With 100% online delivery, you can earn the credentials you need to advance your career without disrupting your personal and professional life. This program is designed to provide the flexibility you need to succeed both on and off the field. Join the ranks of NFL players and affiliates who have already taken this important step toward securing their future.
Explore degree and certificate options
Structure
The Kelley online MBA program will:
Total 48 credit hours
Flexible completion timeline from two to five years
Consist of approximately 6 credit hours per quarter
You'll learn from the same highly ranked faculty who teach in the residential programs.
Topics covered include:
Business law and ethics
Economics
Marketing
Finance
Operations
Information technology
Project management
Application deadlines: June 1 for fall, September 1 for winter, December 1 for spring, March 1 for summer
Upcoming term dates:
Summer 2025: May 19 through August 7
Fall 2025: August 18 through November 6
Winter 2025: November 10, 2025 through February 19, 2026
Spring 2026: February 23 through May 14
Test scores: No GMAT or GRE are required
Bachelor's degree: Can be in any field
Application process There are two parts to the application. The Part 1 application takes just five minutes to complete.
After submitting Part 1, you will receive a confirmation email containing the link to Part 2. Part 2 requires undergraduate transcript, current resume, personal statement, and one letter of recommendation.
Structure The Kelley online MS in Strategic Management program will:
Total 30 credit hours
Flexible completion timeline from 15 months to 3 years
Consist of approximately 6 credit hours per quarter
You'll learn from the same highly ranked faculty who teach in the residential programs.
Application deadlines: June 15 for fall, December 1 for spring
Upcoming term dates:
Fall 2025: August 18 through November 6
Spring 2026: February 23 to May 14
Test scores: No GMAT or GRE are required
Bachelor's degree: Can be in any field
Application process
There are two parts to the application. The Part 1 application takes just five minutes to complete.
After submitting Part 1, you will receive a confirmation email containing the link to Part 2.
Part 2 requires undergraduate transcript, current resume, personal statement, and one letter of recommendation.
Stackability: It is possible to stack a Business Management graduate certificate onto your MS in Strategic Management degree, earning both credentials without any additional expense or coursework. For more information about this opportunity, please reach out to keeppartner@iu.edu.
Structure The Kelley online Business Management graduate certificate program will:
Total 12 credit hours
Flexible completion timeline from 1 to 2 years
Consist of approximately 3 credit hours per quarter
You'll learn from the same top-ranked faculty who teach in the residential programs.
Customize the fields you focus your certificate in by choosing four of the nine courses offered:
K520 Quantitative Analysis
C521 Managing Accounting Information for Decision-Making
C522 Information Technology
C530 Economics for Managers
C540 Financial Management
C550 Law and Ethics in Business
C562 Developing Strategic Capabilities
C570 Strategic Marketing Management
C580 Operations Management
Application deadlines: June 15 for fall, September 1 for winter, December 1 for spring, March 1 for summer
Upcoming term dates:
Summer 2025: May 19 through August 7
Fall 2025: August 18 through November 6
Winter 2025: November 10, 2025 to February 19, 2026
Spring 2026: February 23 to May 14
Test scores: No GMAT or GRE are required
Bachelor's degree: Can be in any field
Application process
There are two parts to the application. The Part 1 application takes just five minutes to complete.
After submitting Part 1, you will receive a confirmation email containing the link to Part 2.
Part 2 requires undergraduate transcript, current resume, personal statement, and one letter of recommendation.
Stackability: It is possible to stack a Business Management graduate certificate onto your MS in Strategic Management degree, earning the graduate certificate and master’s degree without any additional expense or coursework. For more information about this opportunity, please reach out to keeppartner@iu.edu.
NFL Players: Go from the gridiron to success in business and life
Lester Archambeau and Andy Studebaker of the NFL Players Association discuss how the flexibility and rigor of the MBA, MS, and certificate programs offered online by Kelley Executive Education Programs work for them and can do so for other current or former players.
Description of the video:
Andy Studebaker: "When you're playing football, you're busy, life is hectic, you're moving around the country, and then all of a sudden, your career is over. And you've gained all these skills, you have this network, you've met these amazing people. Leaving the game, I realized that those are only going to take you so far."
Lester Archambeau: "You reach a point and you say that you know how can I add more value to myself. I felt like an MBA was the right thing to provide the education and the awareness so that I could do my job even better.
Rich Majuka, Faculty Chair, Kelley Executive Education Programs: "We're providing all of our students with what we call an executive toolkit."
Application instructions
Ready to get started? The Part 1 application takes just five minutes to complete.
After you complete the Kelley application, you'll receive an email with instructions on how to apply through the Graduate CAS Application. During this stage, you will upload the following materials to complete your application:
Resume Provide a copy of your resume, summarizing your professional experiences and accomplishments.
Personal statement Tell us what you want to achieve in this program in 500 words or less.
Letter of recommendation Ask someone who knows your professional career to write a letter of recommendation for you. Provide the contact information of your recommender within the application. An email prompt will be sent to their email address, and they will be able to fill out a form and upload additional material. If you need alternative arrangements, please contact keeppartner@iu.edu.
Post-secondary transcripts Provide copies of your transcripts from all of the post-secondary institutions you’ve attended. These copies can be sent to the program manager, or uploaded into the Part 2 Application.
Looking to build new skills quickly?
We have an extensive portfolio of professional development courses, ranging in completion time from just two days to 16 weeks. Each course grants a digital badge that you can add to your resume and online profiles. Many of these courses are online, with some in-residence options, to provide you with options to fit your learning style. Some professional certificates can also grant credit toward an MBA or MS degree.
Through the Kelley x NFLPA partnership, you receive a 15% discount on all noncredit certificates and short courses.
Questions? Contact us.
Our Admissions team is here to help you navigate the admissions process. Contact us to start the conversation at keeppartner@iu.edu.
