William Woods establishes a new Online Master of Business Analytics degree, its first-ever STEM-based graduate program

In the latest example of the expansion of online degree programs at William Woods University (WWU), today the University announced the establishment of a new Online Master of Science in Business Analytics, which is now being offered this Fall for the first time. The new degree is the first STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Math) - based graduate program in WWU history.

The Master of Business Analytics is comprised of a curriculum that combines data analytics with business concepts and impactful communication to produce graduates who are ready to become successful analysts, with excellent potential for professional growth.

"Data analytics, machine learning and artificial intelligence will be some of the most in-demand skills by employers in the very near future," said Dr. Miriam O'Callaghan, Associate Dean of Research and Scholarship at WWU. "As data and technology disruptions are transforming businesses at an exponential rate, the need for workers well-versed in data analytics and related fields will rise significantly. A skill-oriented degree program like our Master of Business Analytics can help graduates to 'future-proof' their careers."

An eight-week term that is 100% online, the Master of Business Analytics is designed to provide graduates with skills to collect, process and analyze data; build statistical and machine learning models; conduct data mining; create data visualizations; use artificial intelligence to support decision-making; use essential analytics tools such as spreadsheets and develop and present analytical reports in written, graphic and oral forms.

The addition of the Masters of Business Analytics comes as The Woods significantly increased its online course offerings in the past year under an initiative called William Woods Global. Launched one year ago, Woods Global is designed to help the University to better serve working adults by increasing overall access to online programs.

The increased offerings of WWU's online degree programs comes just one month after the University began its Fall semester with a major increase in its traditional, on-campus undergraduate enrollment. The incoming undergraduate class of 456 students, including 298 residential and 158 online students, is the largest incoming class in WWU's 153-year history.