‘Finish line’ in sight for inaugural class of data analytics grad students at WVU business school

Stories | WVU Today | West Virginia University

A year ago, students
from across the country and various walks of life took a leap into the new,
online Business Data Analytics graduate program at the West
Virginia University College
of Business and Economics.
After completing their final on-campus residency, and much course work over the
past 12 months, these students will cross the finish line August 4 with a
Master of Science in Business Data Analytics degree.

The inaugural
class of 18 students included an interesting mix of individuals; a majority of
the group had ties to West Virginia or WVU, but also included participants from
three different time zones. Students will have earned 30 credit hours in a year
through 10 courses, but with unique elements to the curriculum that encompassed
experiential learning objectives — such as the capstone projects that provided
students with real life assignments.

“WVU was one of
the first institutions to offer data analytics in a master’s program and in an
online format,” said Mark Gavin, associate dean for graduate programs, research
and executive education and a catalyst for the creation of the program. “This
is a program that definitely — and quite successfully — answered the industry’s
call. That call was for individuals who know how to use analytics and data
science to support business decisions and strategies. That’s the future model
of business.”

Gavin said the
final capstone project was a group project, delivering their work on
contemporary, real world projects to WVU’s partnering organizations.

“When the
College of Business and Economics was building this program, I really believe
the achievements we saw in these students — the incredible amount of knowledge
they have gained — is what we had in mind,” Gavin continued. “And the worldwide
demand for, and value of, these students in their respective industries will
confirm that.”

Virginia Kleist, Brad Price and Stephane Collignon, the architects of the program,
emphasized the importance of ...

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