Master of Applied Business Analytics
Masters GMAT/GRE Option for 2021 Admissions
For 2021 Walton master's program admissions, the GMAT or GRE is optional. While not required, you have the option to submit your test scores as part of a holistic admissions review. Programs may still conduct an interview as part of the overall process. Doctoral programs will still require a valid GMAT or GRE test score as part of the application. Please contact gsb@walton.uark.edu for more information.
The need to effectively analyze data is growing at an amazing rate. At the same time, businesses are finding that they lack enough skilled professionals to fill those roles. Industry analysts predict that the United States will soon face a vast shortage of people with deep analytical skills as well as the managers and analysts qualified to make decisions based on that data.
What Story Does the Data Tell?
Program Overview
The Master of Applied Business Analytics degree will arm students with a solid knowledge of business analytics, data handling and management, machine learning methods, optimization, and computing.
Data skills, combined with knowledge of business application modeling and business problem solving, will enable students to identify, assess, and seize the opportunity for data-driven value creation in the private and public sectors.
Focus is given to answering questions such as:
- How do we get and transform data for use?
- How to we manage data?
- What are the data telling us?
- How can we put the data to work via modeling?
Students may choose from a variety of elective analytics courses focusing on business applications or a deeper dive into statistical theory. The program culminates with a multi-semester practicum experience where students work with industry data to complete an analytics project from beginning to end.
Master of Applied Business Analytics
Program Length: 1 Year
(Summer; Fall; Spring)
Program Start Date: Mid-May
Application deadline:
November 1
Curriculum Overview
View a Course Listing
Admissions Information
View Info and Requirements
Required Test: GMAT or GRE
A GMAT/GRE waiver is available for select candidates with quality work experience
and a strong prior academic record.
Program Cost
View Cost of Program
Program Designation:
This is a STEM designated program.
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Career Outlook
Prospective employers indicate a strong demand for graduates with a working knowledge of applied business analytics. Job titles associated with the knowledge and skills obtained from the program include:
- Business Analyst
- Data Scientist
- Management Analyst
- Data Analyst
- Operations Analyst
Expected starting salaries are in the range of $70,000 to $85,000. An average salary for these positions is $73,000, rising with experience. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, median pay in 2018 for a management analyst is $83,610 per year.
Program Highlights: Skills, Tools, Certifications
- STEM designated degree
- Graduate Certificate - Enterprise Systems Graduate Certificate in Business Analytics
- State-of-the-Art Software access – SAS, Tableau, SQL, Python, Power BI, etc.
- Data analytics and problem solving using real, “large-scale,” datasets
- Use of “industrial strength” systems – IBM, MS, Teradata, SAP, SAS, …
- Comprehensive multi-semester practicum for real-world business problems.
Jobs and Salaries
$83,610
National median pay for management analysts in 2018.
876,300
Number of people employed as management analysts in the United States in 2018.
+118,300
Projected numeric change in the number of employed economists from 2018 to 2028. (+14% change. The average growth rate for all occupations is +5%.)
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor
Industry Survey: Employer Feedback
Executives and managers from the multiple corporations wrote letters of support for offering the Master of Applied Business Analytics degree, include: Arkansas BlueCross BlueShield, Teradata, Dillard’s Inc., Tyson Foods Inc., Wal-Mart, and J.B. Hunt Transport Inc.
"Data driven decision-making permeates throughout our company. Consequently, analytics
has become very important in many roles, from operational to strategic decisions."
"Analytics has become a critical role within companies to make informed and advanced
decisions to improve and transform their business. This disciplinary focus exemplifies
courses and subject matter for training necessary to produce qualified professionals
toward advanced skills in analytics."
"Over the last few years the use of data to make decisions in our organization has
had great success with a great ROI. This program would be crucial in getting more
people in the organization the skills to use data more effectively."
Program Outline (Full-time MABA) – 1 year
| Summer 6 credit hours |
|
| Fall 12 credit hours |
|
| Spring 12 credit hours |
|
Saturday Class Dates
Saturday class dates are attended by Professional MABA (Part Time) students. However, students in the in the Full-Time program can enroll in Saturday
classes if desired.
| Spring 2020 |
Summer 2020 |
Fall 2020 |
Spring 2021 |
Summer 2021 |
| January 11 |
May 16 |
August 29 |
January 9 |
May 15 |
| February 1 |
June 13 |
September 26 |
February 6 |
June 12 |
| February 29 |
June 27 |
October 24 |
March 6 |
June 26 |
| March 21 |
July 25 |
November 7 |
April 3 |
July 24 |
| April 25 |
December 5 |
April 24 |
* Students admitted to the Walton MABA program are required to attend a three-day orientation in August prior to the start of scheduled courses. Dates to be determined. Please contact gsb@walton.uark.edu for more information.
Admissions Requirements and Prerequisites
The Master of Applied Business Analytics program is open to students who have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and who can present evidence of their ability to do graduate work (superior grade-point average, an acceptable test score on the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Exam (GRE), and recommendations with respect to ability for successful pursuit of graduate-level work). Other admissions criteria can be considered on a case by case basis.
The Master of Applied Business Analytics program considers work experience an integral part of the curriculum and recommends that students work/intern for up to one year in a position (or positions) which allow for the practical application of the theoretical principles taught in courses. The Master of Applied Business Analytics Degree is a non-thesis degree program.
International Students
International applicants and resident aliens must submit an acceptable TOEFL or IELTS score or complete the Intensive English Language Program (Spring International Language Center) and receive an English proficiency recommendation for admission.
Students who hold non-immigrant status in the United States in the F-1 or J-1 categories are responsible for coordinating any necessary authorization for employment with the Office of International Students and Scholars (ISS). F-1 and J-1 students are strongly advised to discuss training options with the Program Director and the ISS office early in their program, and to make themselves aware of limitations and restrictions related to F-1 or J-1 employment authorization benefits.
New & Noteworthy
Zach Steelman Recognized with International Honor
The Association for Information Systems honored Zach Steelman with the AIS Early Career Award for his contributions to information systems.
Jeff Mullins Presented AIS Doctoral Dissertation Award
The AIS Doctoral Dissertation Award was established in 1995 to recognize the best information systems dissertation among Ph.D. candidates within the past year.
Information Systems Professor Varun Grover Receives International Honor
The Association for Information Systems awarded Walton College professor Varun Grover the AIS LEO Award to recognize his global impact in information systems.
