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AcademicsSupply Chain Management and AnalyticsMaster of Decision Analytics (M.D.A.) – professional track

Enhance your analytics skills without interrupting your career.

Prepare for high-demand careers in big data through VCU’s M.D.A. professional track. You’ll gain an in-depth understanding of how to solve complex problems and maximize usable intelligence to make better decisions.

Whatever your industry or discipline, having advanced knowledge, quantitative skills and practical experience will make you more qualified, more marketable and more valuable.

Kathleen Sink, Class of 2017

I originally chose the Decision Analytics program, specifically the Professional Track, because it gave me incredible opportunities to network and work with groups of people from a range of professional backgrounds. That exposes me to so many new ways of thinking and problem solving that I would never have had access to. The class schedule allows me to maintain my work schedule — it really lets me balance my time and makes the program possible.

 

Request a meeting Attend an event Steps to apply

At a glance

  • The decision analytics professional track offers the same degree as our full-time decision analytics program with the flexibility of an alternating weekend schedule. Request a brochure
  • Program length: 20 months
    Schedule: Every other Friday and Saturday
    Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree; 3+ years' work experience, Harvard online statistics course
    Average class size: 25 to 35 students
    Application deadline: June 15
The Experience

  • Student snapshot

    The VCU decision analytics professional track introduces you to a lifelong network of business leaders, peers and colleagues. Our students:

    • Demonstrate strong mathematical and statistical abilities
    • Are naturally curious
    • Are born problem-solvers who enjoy puzzles and logic games
    • Like to work with people and be part of a team
    • Are driven to make an impact through their work

  • The curriculum

    Prepare for positions in advanced analytics functions and gain an understanding of database structure, data query, statistical analysis, data mining, forecasting and more. We emphasize communicating analytics results to nonquantitative audiences, data visualization and effective teamwork skills.

    Other opportunities

     

    Program and degree requirements

     

Visit

Master of Decision Analytics Webinar

Master of Decision Analytics Webinar

Date: Tuesday, May 22
Time: 12:45 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.
Open to:Business community Prospective graduate students
Details »Register »
Master of Decision Analytics Webinar

Master of Decision Analytics Webinar

Date: Tuesday, June 5
Time: 12:45 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.
Open to:Business community Prospective graduate students
Details »Register »
Master of Decision Analytics Lunchtime Info Session

Master of Decision Analytics Lunchtime Info Session

Date: Friday, June 8
Time: 11:45 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.
Open to:Business community Prospective graduate students
Details »Register »

Schedule an appointment

Can’t make it to one of our events? We’re happy to meet with you one-on-one.

Request a meeting

Admissions and cost

  • Apply now

    We make it easy to get started — just view our application checklist for everything you’ll need, including transcripts and references.

    View checklist

  • Tuition and aid

    We offer a competitive, all-inclusive tuition of $43,000. See our Class of 2020 billing schedule for details. For billing and payment questions, visit VCU Student Accounting.

    Financial aid

    Federal loans are available to most DAPT students. Visit VCU Financial Aid for information.

    For questions about billing, tuition or financial aid, contact Stacey Sokol at (804) 827-7405 or sasokol@vcu.edu.

    What’s included

    All-inclusive tuition covers:

    • Textbooks, course materials and software
    • Parking
    • Catered meals
    • Networking events

Class schedule

Fridays 12:30-8 p.m. | Saturdays 8 a.m-3:30 p.m.

You'll attend classes every other Friday and Saturday, and a weekend conference is slated near the beginning of your second year.
Summer and winter breaks are included.

Class of 2020 calendar

Advisory board

We’ve partnered with executives from local organizations and members of the VCU College of Humanities and Science faculty to form an Analytics Advisory Board. The Master of Decision Analytics Professional Track program was created with the board’s direct involvement and consent.

Meet the board

  • Elliot Becker
    McKesson Medical-Surgical
  • Karen Bernhard
    Liberty Mutual
  • Michael Bland
    B&B Printing
  • Christine Chmura
    Chmura Economics & Analytics
  • Simeon Chow
    Altria
  • Ann-Rivers Forcke
    IBM
  • Scott Hicks
    Snagajob
  • Tu Le
    SunTrust
  • Bruce Neidle
    Altria
  • Craig Snodgrass
    Cardlytics
  • Wesley Strom
    IBM
  • Robert Thomas
    Dominion Resources
  • Ward Thomas
    Havas Discovery
  • Ellie Venafro
    Bon Secours Virginia Health System
  • Mervyn Wright
    Altria

Contact us

Get your questions answered and start receiving emails about program details, updates, event invites and more.

Steve Custer
DAPT program director

Rachel Kaeser
DAPT program manager

Snead Hall, Suite B3106
(804) 828-7036

Contact Us