{"id":14438,"date":"2021-07-06T12:41:50","date_gmt":"2021-07-06T17:41:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/academics\/?post_type=program&#038;p=14438"},"modified":"2026-05-21T12:18:08","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T17:18:08","slug":"mba-data","status":"publish","type":"program","link":"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/academics\/program\/mba-data\/","title":{"rendered":"Master of Business Administration with Data Analytics Emphasis"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Transform raw data into strategic assets. The\u00a0<strong>MBA with a Data Analytics Emphasis<\/strong>\u00a0at Southern Arkansas University bridges the gap between technical data science and executive decision-making. This program is designed for professionals who want to master the tools of the modern economy\u2014Big Data, visualization, and predictive modeling.<\/p>\n<h3>Program Format &amp; Flexibility<\/h3>\n<p>We understand the demands of today\u2019s workforce. Our\u00a0MBA with Data Analytics\u00a0Emphasis\u00a0is\u00a0built for versatility:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Online<\/strong>:\u00a0Access 100% of your coursework from anywhere in the world.<\/li>\n<li><strong>On-Campus<\/strong>:\u00a0Join us in Magnolia for evening classes that facilitate face-to-face networking.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Hybrid<\/strong>:\u00a0Mix and match formats to create a schedule that works for you.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Program Duration &amp; Start Dates<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Duration<\/strong>:\u00a0Can be completed in as little as 12\u201324 months depending on course load.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Start Dates<\/strong>:\u00a0Rolling admissions with intakes for Fall, Spring, Summer<\/li>\n<li><strong>Deadlines<\/strong>:\u00a0* Fall: July 20 | Spring: December 1\u00a0 | Summer I: April 1 | Summer II: June 1<\/li>\n<li><strong>Accelerated Master\u2019s Option<\/strong>:\u00a0SAU undergraduates can fast-track their education by starting\u00a0MBA with Data Analytics Emphasis\u00a0courses during their senior year.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Why Choose\u00a0SAU for your MBA with a\u00a0Data Analytics\u00a0Emphasis?<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>High Demand<\/strong>:\u00a0Data analytics is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the global job market.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Tech-Forward Curriculum<\/strong>:\u00a0Gain hands-on experience with industry-standard software and data mining techniques.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Elite Accreditation<\/strong>:\u00a0AACSB accreditation ensures your skills meet the highest global standards for business education.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Skills You Will Gain<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Data Mining &amp; Visualization<\/strong>:\u00a0Learn to uncover patterns and present insights that drive business growth.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Predictive Analytics<\/strong>:\u00a0Master the statistical methods used to forecast market trends and consumer behavior.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Business Intelligence<\/strong>:\u00a0Understand how to integrate data into\u00a0broader organizational strategy.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Managerial Finance &amp; Economics<\/strong>:\u00a0Core MBA competencies viewed through an analytical lens.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Faculty &amp; Learning Environment<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Learn from experts who understand both the &#8220;bits&#8221; and the &#8220;business.&#8221;<\/li>\n<li><strong>Qualified Mentors<\/strong>:\u00a0Our faculty hold PhDs and possess deep expertise in quantitative methods and information systems.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Practical Application<\/strong>:\u00a0Work with real datasets and solve actual business problems through simulations and projects.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Small Class Sizes<\/strong>:\u00a0Benefit from a personalized learning environment where faculty know your name and career goals.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Transform raw data into strategic assets. The\u00a0MBA with a Data Analytics Emphasis\u00a0at Southern Arkansas University bridges the gap between technical data science and executive decision-making. This program is designed for professionals who want to master the tools of the modern economy\u2014Big Data, visualization, and predictive modeling. Program Format &amp; Flexibility We understand the demands of&#8230; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/academics\/program\/mba-data\/\"> Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":14482,"menu_order":0,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":"","_genesis_title":"","_genesis_description":"","_genesis_noindex":"","_genesis_nofollow":"","_genesis_noarchive":"","_genesis_canonical_uri":"","_open_graph_title":"","_open_graph_description":"","_twitter_title":"","_twitter_description":"","_social_image_url":"","_social_image_id":"","redirect":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"college_department":[71766,18307],"delivery":[28836,255,28834],"types":[28851],"class_list":["post-14438","program","type-program","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","college_department-college-of-business","college_department-school-of-graduate-studies","delivery-hybrid","delivery-on-campus","delivery-online","types-graduate","entry"],"acf":{"page_layout":"standard","landing_page_url":"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/mba","department_college":"<a href=\"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/business\/\">Rankin College of Business<\/a>","badge_text":"","Number_of_Hours":"33 (24 core + 9 emphasis)","tuition_instate":"$329\/credit hour","tuition_outstate":"$516\/credit hour","estimated_total_tuition":"~$9,870 (In-State) to ~$15,480 (Out-of-State)","start_dates":"Rolling admissions (Fall, Spring, and Summer)","duration":"As little as 12\u201324 months","Degree Plans":"<a href=\"https:\/\/catalog.saumag.edu\/preview_program.php?catoid=9&amp;poid=2121&amp;returnto=344\">2025-2026<\/a>","Program_Contact_Info":"[dirswitch contacts=\"mead-esther\"]","Catalog Entry":"<h4><strong>Core Courses (24 Hours)<\/strong><\/h4>\r\nACCT 6003 \u2013 Accounting for Decision Making\r\nECON 6003 \u2013 Managerial Economics\r\nFIN 6003 \u2013 Managerial Finance\r\nMGMT 6003 \u2013 Strategic Planning &amp; Analysis\r\nMGMT 6013 \u2013 Human Behavior in Organizations\r\nMGMT 6043 \u2013 Business Analytics\r\nMKTG 6023 \u2013 Strategic Marketing\r\nSCM 6003 \u2013 Enterprise Resource Planning\r\n<h4>Data Analytics Emphasis Courses (9 Hours)<\/h4>\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Select 9 hours from the following:<\/span>\r\n\r\nIS 5313 \u2013 Data Visualization\r\nIS 5323 \u2013 Information Systems Analysis\r\nIS 6023 \u2013 IS Research Project\r\nMCIS 6263 \u2013 Big Data\r\nMCIS 6273 \u2013 Data Mining\r\nMCIS 6283 \u2013 Machine Learning\r\nMGMT 6053 \u2013 International Business\r\nMGMT 6101 \/ MGMT 6102 \u2013 International Studies &amp; Field Experience\r\nSCM 6063 \u2013 Supply Chain Management","minor_requirements":"","Admission Requirements or Deadlines":"<ol>\r\n \t<li><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Online Application:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0Start by submitting the\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/apply.saumag.edu\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Graduate Studies Application<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Transcripts:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0Send official transcripts from all previously attended colleges or universities.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">GPA Requirement:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0Minimum\u00a0cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 (Conditional admission may be available).<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<strong>Prerequisites:\u00a0<\/strong>\r\n\r\nBachelor\u2019s degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university regardless of the undergraduate field of study.\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Undergraduate degree other than business, prerequisites would include:<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Six hours Principles of Accounting (or three hours of Survey of Accounting)<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Three hours of upper-level Business Finance or Financial Management<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Three hours of upper-level Statistics<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Three hours of upper-level Microeconomics<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","careers":"Graduates with\u00a0an\u00a0MBA with a\u00a0Data Analytics emphasis\u00a0are highly sought after for roles including:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Data Scientist \/ Business Analyst<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Business Intelligence Manager<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Operations Research Analyst<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Market Research Director<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Supply Chain Strategist<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<strong>Industry Insight<\/strong>:\u00a0Data-driven roles often command higher starting salaries. According to recent industry reports, professionals with an MBA in Data Analytics\u00a0Emphasis\u00a0can see significantly higher median earnings compared to general management roles.","faq":[{"faq_question":"Do I need a computer science background? ","faq_answer":"No. While a comfort with numbers is helpful, this program is designed to teach you the analytical tools you need starting from foundational principles. "},{"faq_question":"Is the GMAT required? ","faq_answer":"No GMAT required. "},{"faq_question":"How many hours are specific to Data Analytics? ","faq_answer":"In addition to the MBA core, you will complete 9 credit hours specifically focused on Data Analytics and Business Intelligence. "},{"faq_question":"Can I work full-time while in this program? ","faq_answer":"Absolutely. Most of our students are working professionals; the online and evening options are specifically designed to accommodate full-time careers. "},{"faq_question":"Can I transfer credits? ","faq_answer":"Yes, you can transfer up to 9 credit hours (with a grade of B or higher) from an accredited MBA program. "},{"faq_question":"Are there internship opportunities?  ","faq_answer":"Field-based projects apply classroom learning to real operations. Talk to the Director for more options.  "},{"faq_question":"Is there financial support available?  ","faq_answer":"Graduate assistantships are available. These assistantships are awarded competitively based on factors such as GPA, test scores, applicant skills, departmental needs, and application timing. Application can be found here - https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/graduate\/forms\/ga\/ "}],"Accreditations":"<a href=\"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/academics\/files\/2015\/03\/aacsb-e1506099670767.jpg\" data-featherlight=\"image\"><img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-11384\" src=\"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/academics\/files\/2015\/03\/aacsb-300x101.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"264\" height=\"89\" \/><\/a>\r\n\r\nThe MBA in Data Analytics is offered by the Rankin College of Business at SAU and is fully accredited by AACSB International, the premier accrediting body for colleges and schools of business. Fewer than 5% of all business programs worldwide are accredited by AACSB, which indicates the quality of our program.","Testimonials":"","student_information":"","Advisors":"","rankings":"","keywords":"chief, technology, officer, cto, computer, consultant, information, systems, manager, financial, health, technology, director, investment, banker\r\n","custom_tab_title":"","custom_tab_text":"","rfi_shortcode":"[gf_embed site=\"1\" id=\"88\" prog=\"MBA Data Analytics\" type=\"Graduate\" comments=\"true\" notify_emails=\"elmead@saumag.edu\"]"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/programs\/14438","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/programs"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/program"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/programs\/14438\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17789,"href":"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/programs\/14438\/revisions\/17789"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14482"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14438"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"college_department","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/college_department?post=14438"},{"taxonomy":"delivery","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/delivery?post=14438"},{"taxonomy":"types","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types?post=14438"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}