Both Iowa State University and the University of Iowa plan to offer master’s degrees in business data analytics beginning this fall, aimed in part at working professionals.

ISU’s master of business analytics program will blend online and face-to-face learning. It will cover data analytics project management, statistical and predictive modeling, consumer sentiment analysis, knowledge discovery, analytical reporting, segmentation analysis and data visualization.

The program will have a customized capstone project that will allow for focused training in areas such as fraud detection, risk management, text mining and process improvement, depending on specific interests of the student teams.

“We have learned from our partners in the business world that we need to prepare our students and those already in the workplace to effectively collect and analyze data so they can make intelligent business decisions and develop innovative products and services,” said David Spalding, the Raisbeck Endowed Dean of the Iowa State College of Business.

The program will comprise cohorts of students, primarily working professionals, who will progress together. The program requires 30 credits of graduate-level courses and 21 months of study. Students will start the program with a week on campus, and will return for a midprogram visit before a final stretch to finish and graduate. The rest of the time, they will study online. Read more

U of I’s Tippie College of Business will offer the master of science in business analytics at its Cedar Rapids facility. 

The university already offers a bachelor’s degree, master’s of business administration and a certificate. The new program will help students manage what many would call Big Data. 

It will serve working professionals through part-time classes available in the evenings. The classes eventually will be offered in Iowa City, Davenport/Quad Cities, and Des Moines. Read more