M.A. in Nonprofit Leadership
The M.A. in Nonprofit Leadership at OCU is a 36-credit-hour program that can be complet...
Masters of Business Administration - Data Analytics
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
INTAKE: Jan, May & Aug
Program Overview
The MBA with a Data Analytics concentration at OCU is a 30-credit-hour accelerated program, making it one of the quickest routes to an accredited graduate business degree. It's offered with significant flexibility, including a fully online format, catering to working professionals seeking to upskill or reskill without interrupting their careers. The program focuses on providing a solid foundation in data analytics, enabling graduates to apply data analysis, visualization, and artificial intelligence prediction tools to unlock new market opportunities and maximize organizational value.
STEM-Designated: A key advantage of OCU's MBA in Data Analytics program is its STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) designation. This is particularly beneficial for international students, as it extends their Optional Practical Training (OPT) period in the U.S. by an additional 24 months, for a total of up to 36 months of work authorization after graduation. This extended period provides invaluable opportunities for practical experience and career development in the U.S. data analytics industry, making the program highly attractive globally.
AACSB Accredited: Oklahoma City University's Meinders School of Business, which houses the MBA program, holds the prestigious AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) accreditation. This is a hallmark of excellence in business education, attained by less than 5% of business schools worldwide. AACSB accreditation signifies that the program meets rigorous standards for curriculum quality, faculty expertise, student learning outcomes, and continuous improvement, assuring students and employers of the high caliber of the education received.
Curriculum: The curriculum is a comprehensive blend of core MBA business knowledge and specialized data analytics skills. Core MBA courses typically include "Effective Leadership & Communication," "Accounting for Business Decision Making," "Business Strategy for Creating Value," "Managing at the Crossroads: The Global Economic Environment," "Strategic Marketing Decisions for Creating Value," "Financial Strategy and Decision Making," and "Ethical, Societal and Legal Environment of Business." The Data Analytics concentration delves into specialized topics such as "Data Analysis for Business Decisions," "Advanced Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence," and "Database and SQL Programming." The program emphasizes experiential learning, utilizing spreadsheet, statistical, and simulation software.
Research Focus: Oklahoma City University's Meinders School of Business has a strong applied research focus, particularly within the realm of data analytics and artificial intelligence. The school is home to the Ronnie K. Irani Center for Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence, indicating a dedicated commitment to this field. Faculty members, who often have both academic and industry experience, engage in research interests including health information technology, population health, social media analytics, human-AI interaction, AI aversion, and economic forecasting. This strong research environment directly informs the curriculum, ensuring students are exposed to cutting-edge tools, techniques, and real-world applications of data science and AI.
Industry Engagement: Oklahoma City University places a high priority on industry engagement, ensuring its MBA in Data Analytics program is highly relevant to the demands of the modern workforce. The faculty often consists of industry professionals who bring real-world expertise and current trends into the classroom. The Meinders School of Business is committed to providing active learning experiences, such as the Bloomberg Finance Lab, and opportunities for engagement with local business leaders through various institutes and advisory boards. The program's design, which emphasizes practical application and collaboration with industry, ensures graduates are well-prepared to apply their skills in diverse business environments.
Global Perspective: The MBA with Data Analytics at Oklahoma City University integrates a global perspective by addressing how economic principles operate at the global level and how data analysis can inform decisions in an international context. Courses like "Managing at the Crossroads: The Global Economic Environment" emphasize the perspective of managers operating in a globalized economy. Furthermore, the program's STEM designation makes it highly attractive to international students, fostering a diverse student body that naturally brings varied global viewpoints and experiences to classroom discussions and collaborative projects, preparing graduates to navigate data challenges and opportunities on an international scale.
Location
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
USD 14190
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Academic Qualifications: Applicants for postgraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 70% or above in their bachelor's degree.
English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS: Overall band score of 6.5 or 7.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
- TOEFL: Overall score of 83 or higher.
- PTE: Overall score of 53 or higher.
- DET (Duolingo English Test): Minimum score of 105.
Oklahoma City University (OCU) offers a variety of scholarship opportunities designed to attract and support talented international students. These scholarships help reduce the financial burden of studying abroad and reward academic excellence, leadership, and artistic achievement.
Merit-Based Scholarships: OCU provides merit-based scholarships to international students who demonstrate outstanding academic records, leadership potential, and community involvement. These scholarships are automatically considered during the admission process, and amounts vary based on academic achievement and program of study.
Performance and Talent Scholarships: Students applying to OCU’s renowned performing arts programs, including music, dance, and theater, may be eligible for performance-based scholarships. These awards recognize exceptional artistic ability and provide financial support to help students pursue their creative passions at a professional level.
Transfer Student Scholarships: International students transferring from other accredited institutions may qualify for transfer scholarships. These awards acknowledge previous academic success and help make the transition to OCU more affordable.
Graduate Scholarships and Assistantships: Graduate students, especially those in business, law, and healthcare fields, can access scholarships and assistantships that offer tuition remission and stipends in exchange for teaching or research support. These opportunities provide valuable experience and financial relief.
Oklahoma City University's MBA with a Data Analytics concentration provides graduates with a highly sought-after blend of business strategy and advanced analytical skills. The program's STEM designation, coupled with AACSB accreditation, significantly enhances career prospects, particularly for international students seeking extended work opportunities in the U.S. Graduates are prepared to translate complex data into actionable business insights, driving value and innovation across diverse industries.
Business Intelligence (BI) Manager/Analyst: This role involves gathering, analyzing, and presenting data to help organizations make informed strategic decisions. Graduates will be adept at creating reports, dashboards, and visualizations that provide clear, actionable insights to executives.
Data Scientist: Leveraging statistical modeling, machine learning algorithms, and programming languages (like Python or R), Data Scientists extract deep insights from large, complex datasets. They build predictive models and automate decision-making processes to solve critical business problems.
Data Analyst: Collects, cleans, analyzes, and interprets data to identify trends, patterns, and insights. Data Analysts support various departments by providing data-driven recommendations for improving operations, marketing, sales, and more.
Analytics Consultant: Advises various organizations on how to effectively utilize data analytics to enhance business performance. This includes diagnosing problems, recommending data-driven solutions, and assisting with the implementation of analytical tools and strategies.
Marketing Analyst: Focuses on analyzing marketing campaign performance, customer behavior, and market trends to optimize marketing strategies and maximize return on investment (ROI). They use data to inform pricing, product development, and customer targeting.
Financial Analyst (with Data Analytics Focus): Applies data analysis techniques to financial statements, market trends, and investment portfolios for risk assessment, forecasting, and informed financial decision-making within corporations or financial institutions.
Operations Analyst: Uses data analytics to identify inefficiencies and optimize internal processes within an organization's operations. This can involve analyzing supply chain data, production efficiency, or resource allocation to drive cost savings and improved performance.
Predictive Modeler: Develops and deploys statistical and machine learning models to forecast future outcomes, predict consumer behavior, and identify trends. This specialized role is crucial for proactive strategic planning and risk management.
Chief Data Officer (CDO): An executive-level role responsible for an organization's overall data strategy, governance, and utilization. Graduates with an MBA in Data Analytics are well-positioned to lead data initiatives at the highest level, ensuring data assets drive business value.
Data Engineer: Designs, builds, and maintains the systems and infrastructure for collecting, storing, processing, and analyzing large datasets. While more technical, the MBA provides the strategic context for building robust data pipelines that serve business needs.
