The Master of Decision Analytics (M.D.A.) Evening Format equips students with the statistical, mathematical and technical skills to apply advanced methods of data analysis to business decision-making.
Students gain hands-on experience with SQL, Python, R and Excel while building an understanding of the math behind AI and applying these skills across the analytics project life cycle: data management, statistical analysis, machine learning, optimization, simulation and presentation.
On this page:
Where analytics meets business
This 30-credit program, built around Richmond’s corporate corridor, helps you develop advanced analytical skills and make smarter, more confident business decisions — without putting your career on hold.
Program Length
30 credit hours — 10 classes (5 core/5 elective)
Weekday evenings
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree
(all majors welcome)
Calculus and statistics*
Student-to-Faculty Ratio
20:1
Application Deadlines
Fall: July 1
Spring: Nov. 1
Summer: March 1
*Calculus (SCMA 212 or MATH 200) and statistics (SCMA 301) may be completed during the first semester after admission.
Learn about the curriculum, student experience and career opportunities.
Discover how VCU’s Master of Decision Analytics prepares you to lead in today’s increasingly data-driven landscape.
VCU Master of Decision Analytics students come from a range of undergraduate backgrounds — including business, engineering, statistics and computer science — united by a drive to master the technical tools behind smarter business decisions.
Our students include:
VCU Graduate School gave me a place to grow, learn and gain the confidence to blossom both academically and in my career. The opportunities and experiences I’ve had throughout the program have had a meaningful impact on my professional growth. I’m incredibly grateful that I chose VCU and for the person and professional I’ve become through the experience.
Full-time
Part-time
Fall and spring:
Summer:
Mix of on-campus, online and hybrid courses
We also offer the M.D.A. degree in a convenient weekend format.
Learn SQL, Python, R, Excel and the math behind artificial intelligence (AI) by using them. The M.D.A. Evening Format runs you through the full analytics project life cycle, from data management and statistical analysis to machine learning, optimization, simulation and presentation.
This concentration equips students with the tools to turn complex accounting data into meaningful insights. Students learn to analyze, interpret and present financial information in ways that support decision-making in accounting and auditing contexts.
Designed for those interested in working with big, unstructured data, this concentration focuses on collecting, managing and analyzing data from diverse sources. Students learn to uncover trends and craft data-driven stories that support strategic business decisions.
Ideal for students looking to work in finance or investment analysis, this concentration emphasizes using data to evaluate firm performance and investment portfolios. Students gain analytical skills to support informed financial decision-making.
This concentration helps students leverage data to better understand consumers, campaigns and market trends. Students learn how to evaluate marketing performance and uncover strategic insights that drive results.
Focusing on efficiency and performance, this concentration prepares students to optimize operations. Students learn to analyze data related to production systems, supply chains and logistics to improve business processes.
The department offers qualified undergraduate students the opportunity to earn both undergraduate and graduate degrees in as few as five years by completing approved graduate courses during their senior year.
See details about the accelerated B.S. and M.D.A. program on the VCU Bulletin.
The VCU School of Business also offers a 12-credit Graduate Certificate in Decision Analytics. Credits earned through the certificate may be applied toward the Master of Decision Analytics if you choose to continue your graduate studies.
What stood out to me most about the program was the combination of lectures and hands-on work. There would almost always be a real-world demonstration of what we were learning in the classroom, which helped me better understand what I was learning.
— Christian Yeates, M.D.A. '26
Our M.D.A. program offers competitive tuition that covers not only coursework but also the resources and experiences that enrich your education. Federal financial aid is available to eligible students.
The 2026–27 academic year estimate of tuition and fees is listed below. View the full tuition and fees breakdown on our admissions page.
Many graduate students find part-time employment in the School of Business or with other units across campus. A master’s student employee typically enrolls in at least nine credit hours per semester and may be required to provide up to 20 hours of service per week to the hiring department, office or faculty member. Compensation is typically an hourly wage that does not include tuition support.
Student positions are posted in Handshake throughout the year, with the highest volume of postings as the fall semester approaches. You will be able to create your profile and apply the day after you enroll in your first semester courses. Be sure to check back often for new opportunities.
The Office of Financial Aid at VCU can connect you with federal, state, university and private resources to help make graduate education more affordable. Traditional financial aid is available through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Graduate students may borrow up to $20,500 per academic year through federal unsubsidized loans.
Eligible students may divide their semester balance into four interest-free payments (available for fall and spring semesters).
VCU’s Military Student Services helps veterans, active duty service members, spouses and dependents transition from service to academics — offering counseling, GI Bill® guidance and connection to resources.
Many students secure partial or full sponsorship from their employers to help finance their studies.
Prerequisites for the Master of Decision Analytics Evening program can be seen here, and for the Graduate Certificate in Decision Analytics here. Please keep in mind that completion of prerequisites are not required to apply and be accepted into this degree program.
Typically, prerequisites are determined at the time of admission. If it is determined an applicant needs prerequisites, those can be worked into the student’s overall curriculum plan.
If you have specific questions about what prerequisites you may need prior to applying, you can connect with us here.
The Master of Decision Analytics Evening program is 30 credits, 10 courses (pending prerequisites). This program offers a flexible pace, with the option to enroll full-time (3-4 courses/9-12 credits) or part-time (1-2 courses/3-6 credits) each semester. Each semester, students determine their course load to accommodate work/life balance. If attending full-time, this program is typically completed over 1 year/3 semesters. If attending part-time, this program is typically completed over 2 years/6 semesters.
Both the Graduate Certificate and Master of Decision Analytics are designed to build skills in data analysis and decision making. The 12-credit Graduate Certificate is always completed part-time, and is designed for those seeking a shorter, skill-intensive experience. Students who complete the certificate program may choose to continue into the comprehensive, 30-credit Master of Decision Analytics Evening program, with all certificate courses counting toward the degree.
Yes, students may pursue this program without living within commuting distance of campus as core courses and most electives are offered at least once per academic year in an online or hybrid flexible format. However, it is vital that students attend the virtual weeknight class meetings on Eastern time.
Classes are held on weekday evenings, Monday through Thursday. Most courses meet once a week from 7 to 9:40 p.m., while fewer meet twice a week from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. We do not offer daytime courses for this program.
Yes! Our Master of Decision Analytics program holds STEM designation.
Yes! Each semester, students determine their course load to accommodate work/life balance. With courses offered on weekday evenings, the day is open for working professionals to continue to remain employed while enrolled in our graduate program.
Yes! The Master of Decision Analytics Evening program offers five concentrations including accounting analytics, data science in business, financial analytics, marketing analytics and production and operations analytics. Each of these concentrations provides a list of approved electives that you can take to better align the degree with your career goals.
You are also able to complete the degree without a concentration allowing you to customize your elective choices even further.
Yes, we have a recruitment team that is happy to meet with you via zoom, over the phone or by appointment in our office located in Snead Hall. Schedule a meeting here.
We're here to help you explore if the program is the right fit for your goals. There are several ways to connect with us — choose the option that works best for you.
Complete our inquiry form, and a member of our team will contact you with more information about the program.
Schedule a one-on-one meeting for personalized guidance and answers to your questions. You can also find our direct contact information below.
VCU School of Business Graduate Studies
Snead Hall, Suite B3102
Graduate Studies team
(804) 828-4622
GSIB@vcu.edu
Dr. Ben Marlin
Faculty Advisor
Faculty profile
bjmarlin@vcu.edu