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Expand your thinking with dynamic online MBA learning experiences

Experience matters in online education, and Kelley Direct is the industry leader and innovator in using technology to deliver graduate business education. The Kelley School of Business at Indiana University was the first top-ranked business school to offer an online MBA in 1999.

  1. Home
  2. Graduate
  3. Kelley Direct Online MBA
  4. Why Kelley Direct?
  5. Online Learning
  • Return On Investment
  • Online Learning
  • In Person
  • Immersions

The benefits of in-house online learning innovation

Your online classes will have the feel of being in a live classroom with your peers. You'll also experience dynamic course content created by your instructors in Kelley's state-of-the-art Brian D. Jellison Studio.

Check out the official Kelley Direct blog for student experiences, Q&As with faculty, and alumni stories.

Read blog

Sample course video

Clinical Assistant Professor Susan Batchelder helped create this video about business pathways for her students.

Description of the video:

WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.480 --> 00:00:03.480 Pathways make everything more efficient. 2 00:00:09.520 --> 00:00:12.600 But in business, established pathways often lead 3 00:00:12.600 --> 00:00:16.160 to missed opportunities and eventual obsolescence. 4 00:00:16.800 --> 00:00:20.000 Borders is closing and city is going out of business. 5 00:00:20.080 --> 00:00:21.720 Here's announces it will close dozens 6 00:00:21.720 --> 00:00:24.720 more stores as part of its cost cutting campaign. 7 00:00:24.760 --> 00:00:26.400 This really is the end of an era 8 00:00:26.400 --> 00:00:29.000 and blockbuster will close all of its remaining stores. 9 00:00:29.000 --> 00:00:32.000 Do you know what this is? 10 00:00:32.920 --> 00:00:35.760 Path dependance is like being stuck in a routine 11 00:00:35.760 --> 00:00:37.440 because it's what you're used to. 12 00:00:37.440 --> 00:00:40.440 Even if there might be better options available. 13 00:00:40.440 --> 00:00:43.200 Taking the same path over and over 14 00:00:43.200 --> 00:00:46.200 without questioning if there's another way to go. 15 00:00:46.440 --> 00:00:47.520 In business, 16 00:00:47.520 --> 00:00:50.400 it means that companies keep doing things the same way 17 00:00:50.400 --> 00:00:52.560 because that's how they've always done them. 18 00:00:52.560 --> 00:00:53.880 Which is understandable. 19 00:00:53.880 --> 00:00:56.640 After all, changing course can feel risky, 20 00:00:56.640 --> 00:00:58.520 or it could be too expensive. 21 00:00:58.520 --> 00:01:01.920 Or maybe change just feels too complicated or hard. 22 00:01:02.480 --> 00:01:05.280 We often don't realize how quickly time moves 23 00:01:05.280 --> 00:01:07.480 as established paths become locked in. 24 00:01:07.480 --> 00:01:09.560 Let's travel back in time for a moment 25 00:01:09.560 --> 00:01:11.360 and look at the BlackBerry, 26 00:01:11.360 --> 00:01:13.800 a pioneer of its age who was credited with 27 00:01:13.800 --> 00:01:16.440 bringing the very first smartphone to the market 28 00:01:17.760 --> 00:01:18.840 in 2008. 29 00:01:18.840 --> 00:01:20.120 BlackBerry's market cap 30 00:01:20.120 --> 00:01:24.160 reached an all time high of $65.1 billion, 31 00:01:24.720 --> 00:01:28.760 but only 16 years later it would drop down to 1.67 32 00:01:28.760 --> 00:01:33.360 billion and hold 0% market share of the mobile phone market. 33 00:01:33.960 --> 00:01:36.000 So what happened? 34 00:01:36.000 --> 00:01:38.600 BlackBerry had a staggering 43% 35 00:01:38.600 --> 00:01:41.600 market share in the early and mid 2000s. 36 00:01:41.760 --> 00:01:44.200 Their popularity surged among business 37 00:01:44.200 --> 00:01:45.720 professionals who benefit 38 00:01:45.720 --> 00:01:49.040 from having a singular device that could send emails, 39 00:01:49.320 --> 00:01:52.320 texts, make calls and search the internet. 40 00:01:53.000 --> 00:01:55.320 But the very thing that set them apart 41 00:01:55.320 --> 00:01:58.600 a query keyboard, would be their undoing. 42 00:01:59.360 --> 00:02:02.600 BlackBerry devices were tried and true, but offered little 43 00:02:02.600 --> 00:02:05.600 in the way of innovation or change over the years. 44 00:02:05.840 --> 00:02:09.360 Mostly, they refined a version of the same device over 45 00:02:09.360 --> 00:02:10.400 and over. 46 00:02:10.400 --> 00:02:12.440 This strategy worked temporarily 47 00:02:12.440 --> 00:02:15.920 up until Apple introduced the first iPhone in 2007. 48 00:02:16.440 --> 00:02:19.160 What had been a whirlwind, kickstarted by innovation 49 00:02:19.160 --> 00:02:23.000 of design, led to their failure to adapt to the marketplace. 50 00:02:24.080 --> 00:02:24.840 But not all 51 00:02:24.840 --> 00:02:28.360 examples of path dependance are even about one business. 52 00:02:28.840 --> 00:02:32.400 Some ruts last for thousands of years, literally. 53 00:02:33.120 --> 00:02:35.520 For nearly 1500 years, the Roman 54 00:02:35.520 --> 00:02:38.520 Empire ruled much of Europe and northern Africa. 55 00:02:38.640 --> 00:02:41.160 They conquered using an advanced military, 56 00:02:41.160 --> 00:02:43.720 but they kept control by among other things, 57 00:02:43.720 --> 00:02:46.920 frequent patrols by soldiers and two wheeled chariots. 58 00:02:47.880 --> 00:02:51.840 Their frequent patrols soon left wheel ruts wherever they went. 59 00:02:52.240 --> 00:02:55.240 Ruts that were four feet 8.5in apart. 60 00:02:56.280 --> 00:02:59.160 Local farmers soon learned that their wagons 61 00:02:59.160 --> 00:03:02.040 would have trouble following these convenient paths 62 00:03:02.040 --> 00:03:03.360 if they didn't adjust them 63 00:03:03.360 --> 00:03:06.280 to have wheels set at the same width. 64 00:03:06.280 --> 00:03:09.840 Later, when railways came along, they were initially built 65 00:03:09.840 --> 00:03:11.120 to move mining carts 66 00:03:11.120 --> 00:03:13.080 that were adapted from the wagons, 67 00:03:13.080 --> 00:03:15.760 so rails were set at the same width. 68 00:03:15.760 --> 00:03:18.960 When railway tracks became train tracks, locomotives 69 00:03:18.960 --> 00:03:19.800 were built to fit. 70 00:03:21.760 --> 00:03:25.080 When locomotives were replaced by today's high speed rail, 71 00:03:25.080 --> 00:03:28.080 even they were designed with the same wheel whip. 72 00:03:28.520 --> 00:03:30.360 Even today's space shuttles would have 73 00:03:30.360 --> 00:03:31.560 a solid rocket boosters 74 00:03:31.560 --> 00:03:34.560 that travel on train tracks to get to their destination. 75 00:03:35.920 --> 00:03:39.040 2000 years of no one questioning whether four feet, 76 00:03:39.040 --> 00:03:42.040 8.5in was the best width for those tracks. 77 00:03:42.360 --> 00:03:44.960 2000 years of past dependance. 78 00:03:44.960 --> 00:03:47.200 We see path dependance all around us. 79 00:03:47.200 --> 00:03:48.320 But how do we stop 80 00:03:48.320 --> 00:03:51.920 the metaphorical train on its four feet, 8.5in tracks? 81 00:03:53.040 --> 00:03:55.320 In fact, let's take it a step further. 82 00:03:55.320 --> 00:03:57.720 How do we reverse the process altogether 83 00:03:57.720 --> 00:04:00.000 to establish new pathways? 84 00:04:00.000 --> 00:04:00.960 I challenge you 85 00:04:00.960 --> 00:04:03.960 to start recognizing the pathways in your lives, 86 00:04:04.080 --> 00:04:07.080 because sometimes the most obvious answers 87 00:04:07.160 --> 00:04:10.160 are hidden in plain sight. 88 00:04:11.280 --> 00:04:12.600 So here's my question. 89 00:04:12.600 --> 00:04:15.240 In what ways have you or your organization 90 00:04:15.240 --> 00:04:16.200 become path dependent? 91 00:04:17.280 --> 00:04:19.040 What are some assumptions that have served you 92 00:04:19.040 --> 00:04:22.040 well in the past, but that could be limiting your future? 93 00:04:23.040 --> 00:04:25.240 Recognize pathways for what they are 94 00:04:25.240 --> 00:04:28.080 and don't let them limit your future opportunities.

Educational video, redefined

See how Kelley Direct educational videos are designed to elevate and enhance your learning.

Description of the video:

WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.667 --> 00:00:03.253 Kelly Direct is a really 2 00:00:03.253 --> 00:00:06.256 special program. 3 00:00:08.425 --> 00:00:09.259 the uniqueness 4 00:00:09.259 --> 00:00:12.262 really lies in the people. 5 00:00:14.681 --> 00:00:18.226 from the moment we sat down and I said, here's my lesson. 6 00:00:18.226 --> 00:00:20.603 And there I hear some creative ideas 7 00:00:20.603 --> 00:00:23.606 we have and ways that we could help is tell this story. 8 00:00:29.696 --> 00:00:32.282 graphics, the quality, 9 00:00:32.282 --> 00:00:34.909 the whole production They're always looking 10 00:00:34.909 --> 00:00:39.873 to innovate, to engage, to, create really high quality 11 00:00:39.914 --> 00:00:42.917 learning experiences in different ways. 12 00:00:47.797 --> 00:00:50.008 we can record a lot of things on our own, 13 00:00:50.008 --> 00:00:52.260 but being an engaging online teacher is 14 00:00:52.260 --> 00:00:55.263 storytelling is important. 15 00:01:05.482 --> 00:01:06.149 Kelly Direct 16 00:01:06.149 --> 00:01:09.319 is the gold standard, and there's so much value there 17 00:01:09.486 --> 00:01:11.780 that it's the best program for a reason.

You'll build your network and skills

Teamwork and group assignments are built into the Kelley Direct experience. You’ll work with team members located all over the US and the world to schedule virtual meetings and calls. It’s similar to working internationally. 

You’ll build relationships with your classmates as you work on projects. You’ll also gain project management skills and learn how to coordinate schedules for your team across time zones.

Apply now

Live weekly classes

You’ll have the opportunity to connect with your Kelley Direct classmates and professors for live classes every week. Each course requires a live weekly session. Your live class will last about 75 minutes and take place between 6 and 9 p.m. ET. Use this time to ask questions, get immediate answers, and join discussions. All live classes are recorded so you can reference them later.

“I like the flexibility of not always attending, but when you do attend, it’s real—you really feel engaged. The technology that they use for the online classrooms largely in Zoom and Canvas—it’s great. You feel like you are part of the discussion.”

Aran January, MBA/MS’20Vice President, Risk & Underwriting, National Merchants Association

“I make a point to attend the live classes because it's an opportunity to see the professors and ask questions. The faculty are invested and they want to see you succeed. They know your name, and they look forward to seeing you in class and hearing your opinions.”

Rosalyn Hurt-Steverson, MBA’19Global Account Manager, Audit & Assurance, Deloitte

“The professors understand the needs of working students and they build a lot of flexibility into the program. A lot of my professors encourage me to sit in another section or pick a different time frame if I have conflicts.”

Bill Dawson, MBA’21, MS’22Vice President of Operations, Validity, Inc.

Read their posts: Kelley faculty discuss what makes our approach to online learning impactful—and exceptional

Kelley Direct faculty—the same world-class faculty who teach in Kelley’s in-residence programs—are experts in online instruction who deliver engaging, interactive classroom experiences. You’ll find they are approachable and eager to share their expertise with you.

Check out their blog posts to get to know some of the faculty, their approaches to teaching online, and the satisfaction they get from interacting with Kelley Direct Online MBA students.

  • Kelly Eskew

    Kelly Eskew

    Clinical Professor, Business Law & Ethics
    Director—Education and Outreach, Institute for Environmental & Social Sustainability

    “The Kelley Direct program accelerates career advancement and opens new pathways. I have seen it over and over in my students’ experiences.”

    Read Q&A with Kelly Eskew
  • Alex Lopes

    Alex Lopes

    Clinical Professor, Operations & Decision Technologies
    Grant Thornton Scholar

    “I very rarely have lectures in my live classes. I have recorded many videos over the years that students can watch prior to class so that we can do work during class time.”

    Read Q&A with Alex Lopes
  • Ernest O'Boyle

    Ernest O'Boyle

    Associate Professor, Management and Entrepreneurship
    Dale M. Coleman Chair in Management

    “You can’t expect students to stay engaged while staring at a professor spout off for 75 minutes. Any content that is one-way communication isn’t taught in a live session. The live sessions are their opportunity to interact.” 

    Read Q&A with Ernest O'Boyle
  • April Sellers

    April Sellers

    Clinical Professor, Business Law & Ethics
    Pam Meyer Yttri Director, Kinsey-Kelley Center

    “I love discussing gender and business issues with students, and I’ve learned from students sharing their own stories of hoping to rise higher against obstacles in their own organizations.”

    Read Q&A with April Sellers
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