QU Launches Business Analytics Degree Program
Next Fall 2021, Quincy University will debut a new Business Analytics major featuring a dedicated lab with the latest specialized software and technology. Students interested in the new major are invited to complete the prerequisite courses by enrolling at QU this year.
The business analytics major is an applied business and science degree. The degree and major are a cross-functional business degree, not computer science, nor a data science degree. The focus is on assisting senior management in the three primary analytic areas of descriptive analytics, predictive analytics, and prescriptive analytics.
“Business analytics expands the ability for corporations and nonprofits to solve complex problems and optimize operations,” said Dana Walker, D. Mgt., associate professor of business. “This degree expands the QU School of Business offerings to meet the growing demand for graduates who have skills in applied business analytics.”
Walker is creating the new curriculum and supervising the design of the lab for the new program. Last summer, Walker attended the University of Missouri in St. Louis, earning a computer education and training center level III proficiency using the teaching Tableau Business Analytics software. This qualified Walker to obtain Tableau Creator Desktop educational licenses for 32 seats in the Business Computer Lab in Francis Hall from the Tableau software at no cost to the university.
Alumni who have graduated in the last five years will have the opportunity to obtain a second degree in business analytics. They also will need to demonstrate their understanding of the business domain by having an existing degree in accounting, marketing, management, or finance.
“Market analysis has demonstrated that employers place a 10-15% salary premium with professionals obtaining both a business degree with a second degree in business analytics over employees with a combination of a bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business,” said Walker. “By offering the business analytics degree to professionals with an existing QU business degree, alumni can return and obtain the second bachelor’s degree in as few as 27 additional semester hours.”
Applied business analytics is used by for-profit organizations, non-profits, and government entities. The specific fields of operations, supply-chain management, healthcare, marketing, and accounting have a high demand for expertise in business analytics.
“The technology has grown more sophisticated and easier to use. However, expertise is needed for the selection of appropriate analytic tools and the use of appropriate data and results need to be aligned with a business problem,” said Walker.
This requires the skills and talents of someone who understands the business context of the problem as well as the underlying concepts and assumptions and the analytics tools available. This specific major and degree are designed to develop and produce the graduate who has those skills and expertise.
New students seeking the business analytics degree have the same degree requirements (120 semester hours) as QU’s accounting, finance, management, or marketing major, except for the courses specific to their major. The business analytics degree, as all degrees from Quincy University, includes the Bonaventure Program courses and content to reflect and teach Franciscan values.
Development of the business analytics curriculum has been made possible in part by a grant from the U.S. Dept. of Education Title III-A Strengthening Institutions program. The $2.25 million grant was awarded to QU in fall 2018. The approved grant proposal, “Expanding Student Access to STEM,” was the result of extensive consultation with area educators and business leaders, who identified business analytics as an area of critical strategic need, both locally and nationally.
After twenty-five years of service, Walker retired from the IBM Corporation as a Consulting Partner in the IBM Software Group and began teaching. As a Consulting Partner, Walker worked with several Fortune 500 corporations and public sector clients on adopting new and innovative technology, such as IBM Watson. He holds a Doctor of Management degree from Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville and a Bachelor of Science in Business from Emporia State University in Kansas.
For more information, contact the Office of Admissions at admissions@quincy.edu or 217-222-8020.
Founded in 1860 by Franciscan friars, Quincy University (www.quincy.edu) is celebrating 160 years as a Catholic, co-educational, liberal arts, residential university. Quincy University offers undergraduate, graduate, and adult education programs that integrate liberal arts, active learning, practical experience, and Franciscan values. Faculty and advisors work with each student to design a customized success plan to help them graduate on time, find their passion and prepare them for life. Quincy University’s intercollegiate sports are members of the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Valley Conference for men and women. For more information, please contact the Quincy University Office of Community Relations by calling (217) 228-5275. Quincy University. Success by Design.