Business Analytics Added to Ph.D. Program

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Posted on August 7, 2020

Lance Crawford

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The Alabama Commission on Higher Education has approved a request submitted by the University of South Alabama Mitchell College of Business (MCOB) to add a concentration in Business Analytics to the existing Ph.D. in Business Administration program. South will be the only public institution in the state of Alabama offering a Business Analytics Concentration at the doctoral level and the change has no budgetary impact to the program.

“Business analytics will continue to gain importance in all areas of the global economy.  The need to approach the data-driven decision-making process utilizing the optimal analytical model is of paramount importance,” said Dr. Bob Wood, dean of the Mitchell College of Business. “This program will not only give our students a thorough grounding in these methods, but more importantly, the ability to share these tools with others.”

The program’s core degree requirements remain the same, but four additional courses have been added. These courses will be taught by faculty with supplemental instruction offered by MCOB global scholars. Since its inception in 2013, South’s Ph.D. in business administration program has provided a high-quality research focused terminal business degree to students who were unable to complete a business doctorate in a traditional program.

According to Dr. Joe Hair, program director, “this additional Ph.D. concentration is unique in the southeast region and one of fewer than 20 similar Ph.D. programs in the U.S.”  

“Business analytics as an academic or industry career is one of the fastest growing opportunities for individuals seeking a career transition into a rapidly emerging field,” Hair said.

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