The University of Delaware’s Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics has expanded its graduate offerings for Fall 2025, including three new scholarship opportunities and three programs focused on artificial intelligence. Applications for Fall 2025 are open through Aug. 1.
Together, these initiatives aim to provide flexible, future-ready pathways for students navigating personal, academic and economic transitions, whether they are current Blue Hens, returning alumni, or professionals experiencing career shifts.
“At Lerner, we’re committed to helping students rise to meet today’s challenges, whether that means rebounding from a setback or preparing to lead in a rapidly changing world,” said Lerner College Dean Oliver Yao. “These new scholarships and AI programs reflect our belief that business education should be both accessible and forward-thinking.”
Scholarships That Support Every Step Forward
Each of Lerner’s three new scholarships provides a 20% tuition reduction and waives the $75 graduate application fee for Fall 2025 enrollment. The scholarships are available for any Lerner graduate business program, including the MBA, specialized master’s degrees and graduate certificates. Only one 20% graduate scholarship may be applied per qualifying student. These scholarships cannot be combined with other Lerner funding offers, including merit-based awards or assistantships.
Economic Hardship Scholarship
This award offers targeted financial relief for applicants who have experienced significant financial hardship, such as job loss, in 2024 or 2025. It is designed to support individuals who are navigating career changes and seeking new opportunities through graduate education.
UD Alumni Support Scholarship
Designed for Blue Hens returning to UD for graduate study, this scholarship helps alumni continue their academic journey with financial support and flexible options. It applies to the full range of Lerner programs, from short-term certificates to dual degrees.
UD Student Support Scholarship
Open to rising juniors, seniors and May 2025 graduates, this scholarship helps UD undergraduates maintain academic momentum through 4+1 pathways or traditional master’s programs.
“We know that cost is one of the biggest barriers for students considering graduate education,” said Andrea Everard, associate dean for Lerner’s graduate programs. “These scholarships allow us to support learners at different life stages and help them make real progress toward their goals, whether they’re advancing, pivoting or restarting.”
No additional application is required for these scholarships beyond the standard Lerner graduate application. Most programs do not require GMAT or GRE scores, and all are available in part-time, full-time, online and hybrid formats.
Graduate Programs for the AI-Driven Future
Alongside the scholarship launch, Lerner has introduced new AI-focused graduate programs designed to equip students with high-demand skills in artificial intelligence, analytics and innovation:
- Graduate Certificate in Generative AI for Business
- MBA with a concentration in Artificial Intelligence
- M.S. in Applied Artificial Intelligence for Business
These programs are tailored for professionals across sectors, from marketing to operations to finance, who want to lead AI-driven transformation in their organizations. They emphasize practical applications and strategic thinking, supported by faculty with deep industry and academic expertise.
“Our goal is to ensure that every student leaves Lerner prepared for what’s next,” Everard said. “That includes understanding how technologies like AI are transforming business and knowing how to apply those tools to drive impact.”
Accessible. Flexible. Career-Focused.
These new offerings build on Lerner’s longstanding strengths in student success and career outcomes. Lerner’s graduate programs prepare students to lead in high-impact fields such as business analytics, finance, leadership, artificial intelligence and fintech. The college’s Online MBA was recently ranked No. 20 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, with its faculty earning a perfect score for teaching credentials for the third consecutive year. Lerner grads see real results, 97% of 2023 graduates were employed and reported an average salary increase of $16,000.