Master of Applied Business Analytics
Employers face a vast shortage of deep analytical talent, as well as managers qualified
to make data-informed decisions.
Move beyond conventional methods of data discovery. Summarize and present data in
ways that can be understood and acted upon.
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Apply for this Degree Program 
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.
Two Program Options
A full-time degree program, and a part-time program for working professionals.
Courses and Schedule
What coursework is required for this degree?
Just the Facts
How Much? How Long?
Who can enroll?
How Do I Enroll?
Admission to Walton College masters programs is selective. Enrollment in each program is limited.
Enterprise Systems
Enterprise Systems at Walton College are comprised of five major hubs and support systems, along with access to large, real-world datasets.
- IBM z15 Mainframe Server
- Microsoft SQL Server 2016
- Teradata Intelliflex Database Server
- SAP Enterprise Resource Planning Software
- Statistical Software – SAS VIYA, SAS Enterprise Guide & SAS Enterprise Miner
Enterprise systems platforms integrate business processes and align IT to support business strategy.
Flexible Course Schedule
Full-Time Schedule
Students who choose the full-time program option finish their degree in one year.
Part-Time Schedule
Working professionals can complete the part-time schedule in less than two years.
The Department of Information Systems and the Graduate School of Business have structured this program to meet the needs of working professionals as well as traditional full-time students. Do you have questions about your schedule options? Contact us.
Just the Facts: Master of Applied Business Analytics
Program Length
1 - 2 Years
The full-time program can be completed in one year. The "professional" part-time program can be completed in less than two years.
Start Date
Program Specific
The full-time program begins in mid-May. The part-time program begins in the Fall Semester.
Admissions Info
Do I Qualify to Enroll?
Complete your undergraduate degree and meet additional requirements. View Requirements
Required Test
GMAT or GRE
For 2022 admissions, a GMAT/GRE is optional. Contact gsb@walton.uark.edu to learn more.
A GMAT/GRE waiver is available for select candidates with quality work experience and a strong prior academic record.
Application Deadline
Professional, Part-Time
Early Decision: April 1
Final Deadline: July 1
Full-Time
Deadline: November 1
Class Profile
Current Students
View a listing of current Master of Applied Business Analytics Students.
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.
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 organizations wrote letters of support for offering the Master of Applied Business Analytics degree. These 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."
Career Development
Close ties with our corporate partners facilitate recruiting and networking opportunities, internships, and careers.
Students can participate in corporate internships, career counseling, and take advantage of all the Walton College Career Services has to offer.
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.
Full-Time Program Schedule
| Summer 6 credit hours |
|
| Fall 12 credit hours |
|
| Spring 12 credit hours |
|
Professional, Part-Time Course Schedule
| 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 |
|
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?
Two Degree Options
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.
Part-Time Program: 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.
Saturday Class Dates
| Spring 2022 |
Summer 2022 |
Fall 2022 |
Spring 2023 |
Summer 2023 |
| January 15 |
May 21 |
August 27 |
January 21 |
May 20 |
| February 12 |
June 11 (EMBA only) |
September 24 |
February 18 |
June 17 |
| March 5 |
June 18 (ISYS only) |
October 8 |
March 11 |
July 8 |
| April 2 |
July 9 |
October 29 |
April 1 |
July 29 |
| April 30 |
July 30 |
December 3 |
April 29 |
* Students admitted to the professional programs in the Walton College are required to attend a multi-day orientation prior to the start of scheduled courses. Dates to be determined. Please contact gsb@walton.uark.edu for more information.
The Northwest Arkansas Community
Join a supportive and engaging community located in the vibrant business network of Northwest Arkansas, with over 300 Fortune 500 companies with a presence in the region.
Business leaders and Walton alumni are closely connected to the college, not just during your studies, but throughout your career.
