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February 24, 2017

UCLA Anderson Launches New Master of Science in Business Analytics

Feb. 24 — UCLA Anderson School of Management unveiled today its newest academic degree program, the Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA). Through innovative curriculum designed specifically for the program, students will be prepared to extract business insights from the vast data available in the global marketplace.

“Today’s most innovative companies deal with a phenomenal amount of digital information that informs every aspect of an organization’s operations, from marketing and sales to customer base and market opportunities,” said Judy. D. Olian, dean of UCLA Anderson School of Management. “As a result, the demand for talent that can make sense of the data and extract insights and advantages is at a premium today.”

The 2017 Big Data Executive Survey by NewVantage Partners found that 85% of Fortune 500 companies have either launched big data projects or are planning to do so. McKinsey Global Institute estimates that by 2018, the U.S. could face a shortage of 140,000 to 190,000 workers with deep analytical skills, and a potential shortfall of 1.5 million “data-savvy” managers and analysts.

With such market demands as a backdrop, the UCLA Anderson MSBA program combines theory and application in a number of critical areas, beginning with deep understanding of mathematics, statistics, programming and data management, then moving on to specific applications of business analytics that include customer analytics, operations analytics and competitive analytics. Whether in health care, consumer products, sports and entertainment or information services, data analytics are a vital necessity to maintain market positions and to innovate.

Courses will be taught by members of Anderson’s world-renowned faculty and other experts, who will infuse the classroom experience with the latest research and with their own experience from consulting with industry. UCLA Anderson is also home to the Morrison Family Center for Marketing Studies and Data Analytics, which will support the new degree program.

“Our MSBA program provides students with a first-rate academic experience that meshes a technically focused and rigorous experience with action learning, internships and field study projects,” said Associate Professor of Decisions, Operations and Technology Management Felipe Caro, the faculty director of the new degree program. “Those who graduate from the program will be ready to take on the urgent challenges companies face when attempting to exploit the implications of their data.”

Located in Los Angeles, a global hub for innovation and home to Fortune 500 companies, thousands of startups and all manner of industry, the UCLA Anderson MSBA program will leverage this proximity to expose students to premier internship opportunities and interactions with innovators from local, domestic and international companies. Through its other master’s programs, Anderson has established close relationships with numerous tech and consumer companies. Graduates become part of UCLA Anderson’s global alumni network, which offers lifelong opportunities for networking, education and professional advancement.

About UCLA Anderson School of Management

UCLA Anderson School of Management is among the leading business schools in the world, with faculty members globally renowned for their teaching excellence and research in advancing management thinking. Located in Los Angeles, gateway to the economies of Latin America and Asia, UCLA Anderson’s MBA, Fully Employed MBA, Executive MBA, Global Executive MBA for Asia Pacific, Master of Financial Engineering, doctoral and executive education programs embody the school’s Think in the Next ethos. Here, some 1,800 students annually are trained to be global leaders seeking the business models and community solutions of tomorrow.


Source: UCLA Anderson

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