Professional Master of Applied Business Analytics
Learn to mine massive data sets that are too large or varied for conventional methods of discovery, and summarize and present data in a ways that can be understood and acted upon.
Businesses are finding they lack enough skilled professionals who are up for the challege, and analysts predict the United States will soon face a vast shortage of people with deep analytical skills as well as managers qualified to make data-informed decisions.
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?
The Master of Applied Business Analytics degree is offered in both a Part-time (5 semesters, 6 hours per semester) basis or a Full-time (1 year, 30 credit hours) basis.
Students in the part-time program begin by completing the Business Analytics Graduate Certificate program in their 1st and 2nd semesters.
Completion and success in the Business Analytics Graduate Certificate program can be used to provide “evidence of ability” and can be used to waive the requirement for an acceptable test score on the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Exam (GRE).
Professional Master of Applied Business Analytics
Program Length: 5 Semesters
(Fall; Spring; Summer; Fall; Spring)
Program Start Date: Fall
Application deadline:
Early Decision: April 1st
Final Deadline: July 1st
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
Request Information Apply Now
Designed for Working Professionals
The Walton Professional MABA is designed for working professionals. Once IS proficiency is demonstrated (Information Systems and Business Analytics Toolkit), the program can be completed by taking six hours a semester for five semesters (21 months). Courses are taught through a blended-delivery format with both face-to-face and online components, so students are in class only one Saturday per month. We work hard to simplify the logistics of returning to school, so that you can focus on learning. Additionally, many employers offer tuition reimbursement programs, so check with your HR department to see if this great benefit is available.
Professional MIS Saturday Class Dates
| Fall 2019 |
Spring 2020 |
Summer 2020 |
Fall 2020 |
Spring 2021 |
Summer 2021 |
| August 24 |
January 11 |
May 16 |
August 29 |
January 9 |
May 15 |
| September 28 |
February 1 |
June 13 |
September 26 |
February 6 |
June 12 |
| October 26 |
February 29 |
June 27 |
October 24 |
March 6 |
June 26 |
| November 16 |
March 21 |
July 25 |
November 7 |
April 3 |
July 24 |
| December 7 |
April 25 |
December 5 |
April 24 |
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."
Courses and Program Schedule
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.
| Fall: Year One 6 credit hours |
| Spring: Year One 6 credit hours |
| Summer - Year One 6 credit hours |
|
| Fall: Year Two 6 credit hours |
|
| Spring: Year Two 6 credit hours |
|
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
Three New Business Graduate Degrees Created to Meet Industry Demand
Walton College now offers three new graduate degrees: Master of Professional Accounting, Master of Applied Business Analytics and Master of Science in Supply Chain Management. Classes begin fall 2020.
Walton College to Host 2020 Women in IT Conference
Walton College is hosting the 2020 Women in IT Conference on April 8 at the University of Arkansas.
Blockchain in Business: What Do Companies’ 10-K Reports Say About DLT?
Three researchers from the Walton College at the University of Arkansas – Mary Lacity, Kris Allee and Yaping Zhu – looked at SEC-required reports to “examine companies’ propensity to discuss blockchains in their 10-Ks in order to measure the degree of their investment in this technology.”
