In the modern age of business, decisions must be made backed by data. As technology expands and AI becomes even more prevalent, data analysis in the workplace has never been more critical. Clemson has been at the forefront of understanding this educational need, having developed the MBA in Business Analytics concentration.
The MBA in Business Analytics Comes to Life
In 2015, Clemson’s MBA Program met with managers from businesses across different industries to better understand the challenges they were experiencing in making data-driven decisions. What started as conversations with a few local companies ended with focus groups involving over 30 leaders of Fortune 500 companies, including Michelin and BMW. The consensus from the conversations was clear: companies wanted their business leaders to possess strong skills in data analysis. Because of this substantial business support, Clemson’s MBA Program launched the innovative MBA in Business Analytics.
Program Launches
Clemson welcomed the first business analytics cohort of 25 students to the program in the fall of 2016. This concentration was delivered through hybrid-style classes and designed after the highly successful MBA in Entrepreneurship & Innovation program. Students would take online courses and two residency weekends per semester in Greenville. This structure allowed for not only a highly engaging style of learning but also the ability for a cohort with a diverse set of professional backgrounds to learn from each other. After two years, the first cohort graduated in May of 2018.
Program Design
Since 2016, the program has evolved with the ever-changing landscape of data analysis in business. The curriculum was designed for students to become better data managers, leveraging data to maximize effective decision-making for their companies. Classes incorporate hands-on learning with the most recent analytics software, including R, Power BI, Python, and Tableau. Combined with the core curriculum of a traditional MBA, this concentration enhanced a student’s ability to make better data-informed decisions.
The Future of Business Analytics
With the ever-increasing use of AI, the future of data analysis is fluid. Classes continue to be taught by faculty with real-world experience that can help students translate data into decision information. Princeton Review ranked the Business Analytics concentration as the #17 ranked Hybrid/Online MBA Business Analytics Program in the country. Graduates can be assured they possess the most up-to-date tools and techniques to make better decisions in an ever-changing business environment.
To learn more about Clemson’s MBA in Business Analytics click here.
