Newswise — CLEVELAND—Data analysis and evidence-based decision making are becoming critical skills for management students seeking an edge in an increasingly competitive marketplace.

Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University is preparing a new advanced degree offering, the Master of Science in Management - Business Analytics (MSM-Business Analytics), a full-time program that can be completed in less than a year.

An application process is beginning now. Orientation for the MSM-Business Analytics program is planned for July 11, 2016, with classes starting two days later.The degree program will help students learn advanced analytics skills necessary to transform big data into insights that become the foundation for business decisions.

"We are delighted to be in a position to deliver a top education in business analytics, especially at a time when organizations across all sectors are grappling with the challenges and opportunities involved with big data," said Weatherhead School of Management Dean Robert Widing.

Unlike some other programs that emphasize a specific industry track, the Weatherhead MSM-Business Analytics program trains students to master analytical skills for application in operations and marketing. The program includes professional development to equip students to successfully handle managerial, consulting and analyst positions. MSM-Business Analytics is expected to attract students who are familiar with tools specific to analytics in various organizational roles and functions. New courses include Data Mining, Digital Analytics Optimization and Advanced Marketing Analytics.

“We expect to produce students who can act as a bridge between pure data scientists and mangers at all levels,” said Rakesh Niraj, an associate professor in Weatherhead’s Department of Design & Innovation and co-director of the new degree program.

To a certain degree, the ability to collect and analyze data and information has long been part of business education, Niraj said. “However, a traditional MBA is a broad degree. Exposure to all business functions necessarily limits the time students have to dig deeper into analytics training,” he said.

The MSM-Business Analytics is designed with three core areas. The Business Core provides students with a holistic understanding of the underlying business context for succeeding in any industry. The Analytics Core equips students with the general data handling, data presentation and analysis skills, and courses in Applied Business Analytics improve the students' ability to make evidence-based decisions.