The Virginia Commonwealth University School of Business is expanding its Master of Decision Analytics (M.D.A.) Weekend Program, broadening a degree for working professionals with new coursework in artificial intelligence, modern data platforms and leadership.

The revised curriculum will debut with the fall 2026 cohort, but the structure of the program will remain the same: a 33-credit, cohort-based degree completed over 20 months in a hybrid weekend format.

For years, the program has served professionals seeking deeper analytics and decision-making skills without interrupting their careers. The STEM-designated program keeps that focus in place while adding coursework tied to the way data and AI are being used across business settings.

The revised program includes updated sequences in statistics, computing and modeling as part of its core analytics curriculum. New courses will cover production-grade AI workflows, visualization in business intelligence tools and governance of modern cloud data platforms. The program is also adding leadership courses based on Agile principles in product, project and program management for data and AI initiatives.

Concepts from existing courses have been incorporated into the broader curriculum to streamline the program and allow more time for machine learning, natural language process and simulation methods. Practicum capstone projects with organizational partners will remain part of the program.

“From day one, our M.D.A. Weekend Program has been about bridging the gap between data expertise and business acumen, fostering leaders who can deliver tangible results,” said Mark Wensell, Ph.D., faculty director of the M.D.A. Weekend Program. “These updates honor that foundation by infusing cutting-edge AI and leadership elements that reflect how analytics is evolving the real world.”

The expansion comes at a time when employers are asking more professionals, not just technical specialists, to understand how AI tools, data systems and cross-functional teams work together. At VCU, the revised curriculum is meant to address that need while keeping the format that has made the program workable for busy professionals.

The program will continue with in-person and HyFlex sessions held two weekends per month. No prior programming or analytics experience is required.