RU Adds M.S. in Business Intelligence and Analytics Degree

The Helzberg School of Management at Rockhurst University has added a new degree to its portfolio of programs, helping Kansas City meet the national need for more data-savvy professionals: a Master of Science in Business Intelligence and Analytics (BIA).

“The new degree builds upon our already strong data science certificate programs,” said Cheryl McConnell, Ph.D., dean of the Helzberg School. “Timing couldn’t be better. It’s easy to feel the tech buzz in Kansas City with the onslaught of entrepreneurs, investors and, of course, techies.”

And that buzz isn’t going anywhere, says McConnell.

“We are becoming more and more of a data-driven economy, with Kansas City serving as a hub for many of these types of jobs,” she said. “A skillset in data analytics is an important asset to companies locally and nationwide.”

According to a recent survey by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), data analytics is the third-highest job function for recent business school graduates in the U.S., Europe and Latin America. GMAC also reports that 51 percent of companies surveyed plan to hire business graduates to fill data analytics roles in 2015.

A recent analysis by the McKinsey Institute further reveals the demand, indicating a need for an additional 1.5 million data-savvy managers by 2018.

 “This new degree, along with our data science certificate programs, offers Kansas City professionals a way to become part of the national big-data movement,” said McConnell.

The M.S. in business intelligence and analytics degree is designed for working professionals, and can be completed in two years at the part-time level. It consists of 30 credit hours — 26 core and four electives.

“The degree offers students the chance to build skills in data science, statistical modeling, computer science and more, but also provides them with the business skills they need to be successful in a corporate environment, such as implementation, clear communication and the ability to think strategically,” said McConnell.

The Helzberg School also recently unveiled a new data analytics lab, offering easy access to its Data Analytics Cloud — a virtual playground loaded with the latest data analytics software, an abundance of unique data sets to play with, tutorials, course recordings and more. The lab is set up in pods, each with its own retractable 50-inch TV monitor that allows for increased collaboration.

Learn more at rockhurst.edu/helzberg/msbia.

Contact Jennifer Knobel at 816-501-4890 or jennifer.knobel@rockhurst.edu with questions or to set up an interview with Cheryl McConnell, dean of the Helzberg School of Management.