This is the preliminary (or launch) version of the 2024-2025 VCU Bulletin. Courses that expose students to cutting-edge content and transformative learning may be added and notification of additional program approvals may be received prior to finalization. General education program content is also subject to change. The final edition and full PDF version will include these updates and will be available in August prior to the beginning of the fall semester.
Advanced study in business administration and decision analytics is available through a dual degree program sponsored by the School of Business.
The dual degree Master of Business Administration and Master of Decision Analytics program allows students to earn two degrees with a minimum of 63 graduate credits rather than the 75 graduate credits necessary if the two degrees were pursued separately. This efficiency lowers the overall cost of tuition while also reducing time to earning both degrees.
Prerequisite and/or foundation courses may effectively increase the number of credits needed to earn the degrees.
Program goals
The objectives of this dual degree program are to:
- Prepare individuals to be effective leaders and managers in today’s data-driven world
- Equip individuals with tools and techniques that optimize managerial decisions
- Provide the ability to organize and analyze data for decision-making as it relates to achieving strategic organizational goals and data-driven decision analytics systems for decision-making and effective governance throughout the organization
- Development of interpersonal and professional skills critical to business, including communication and presentation skills, leadership and management, and situational awareness, among others
Among the many benefits offered by participation in the dual degree program are the following:
- Complementing the general management skills obtained in the M.B.A. with a solid specialization in data analytics for managerial decision-making
- Acquiring a high degree of competency with specialized knowledge unique to data management and decision analytics
- Enhanced ability to effectively compete for managerial positions across a wide spectrum of levels in today’s organizations where increasing emphasis is on data-driven decisions
- Enhanced job prospects — particularly for candidates intending to switch careers or striving to move up within their organizations
- The ability to effectively complete both degrees within a shorter time frame with considerable time and tuition savings through the 12 shared credits
The diplomas for this dual degree program may be awarded sequentially or simultaneously. Students are not required to begin both programs in the same semester, but must be enrolled in both degrees for at least one semester prior to graduation from either program for credits to be shared across programs.
Student learning outcomes
See each degree program page for student learning outcomes.
Other information
Advising
A program manager will serve as an adviser and administrative liaison for students. The assigned program manager will assist in developing a plan of study to meet the curriculum requirements of both programs. A faculty adviser from the Department of Supply Chain Management and Analytics will help students consider electives that will best serve their professional goals.
Admission requirements
Students must officially apply and be admitted to each degree program separately before the pursuit of the dual degree program may begin. It is not required to begin both programs in the same semester. View the application requirements for each program for additional details.
Degree requirements
Students must complete a minimum of 63 total credits to earn the Master of Business Administration and Master of Decision Analytics. Students without sufficient background in analytics may be required to first complete prerequisite course work.
A total of 12 credits may be counted toward both programs:
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| INFO 601 | Database Management (core requirement for M.D.A.; satisfies M.B.A. elective) | 3 |
| SCMA 632 | Statistical Analysis and Modeling (core requirement for M.D.A.; satisfies M.B.A. elective) | 3 |
| SCMA 642 | Decision and Risk Analytics (core requirement for M.D.A.; satisfies M.B.A. elective) | 3 |
| SCMA 675 | Operations Management (core requirement for M.B.A.; satisfies M.D.A. elective) | 3 |
The diplomas for this dual degree program may be awarded sequentially or simultaneously.
Curriculum requirements for the dual degree
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| M.B.A. requirements | ||
| • Required courses | ||
| ACCT 507 | Fundamentals of Accounting | 3 |
| ACCT 608 | Managerial Accounting Concepts | 3 |
| ECON 610 | Managerial Economics | 3 |
| FIRE 520 | Financial Concepts of Management | 3 |
| FIRE 623 | Financial Management | 3 |
| INFO 661 | Information Systems for Managers | 3 |
| INFO 664 | Information Systems for Business Intelligence | 3 |
| MGMT 641 | Leading People and Organizations | 3 |
| MGMT 642 | Business Policy and Strategy | 3 |
| MKTG 671 | Marketing Management | 3 |
| SCMA 524 | Statistical Fundamentals for Business Management | 3 |
| SCMA 675 | Operations Management (satisfies M.D.A. elective) | 3 |
| • Electives | ||
| Satisfied by INFO 601, SCMA 632 and SCMA 642 | 9 | |
| M.D.A. requirements | ||
| • Required courses | ||
| INFO 601 | Database Management | 3 |
| INFO 645 | Prescriptive Analytics | 3 |
| INFO 648 | Business Data Analytics | 3 |
| SCMA 632 | Statistical Analysis and Modeling | 3 |
| SCMA 642 | Decision and Risk Analytics (satisfies M.B.A. elective) | 3 |
| • Approved electives | 15 | |
| (SCMA 675 satisfies three credits) | ||
| Select an additional 12 credits from the following: | ||
| Econometrics | ||
| Mathematical Economics | ||
| Financial Markets | ||
| Econometric Time-series Analysis | ||
| Panel and Nonlinear Methods in Econometrics | ||
| Financial Analytics | ||
| Financial Modeling and Analysis | ||
| Cases in Real Estate | ||
| Investments and Security Analysis | ||
| Data Reengineering | ||
| Business Process Reengineering | ||
| Data-centric Analysis/Planning | ||
| Information Systems for Business Intelligence | ||
| Business Policy and Strategy | ||
| Marketing Research | ||
| Marketing Analytics | ||
| Global Supply Chain Management | ||
| SAP ERP and Supply Chain Management | ||
| Supply Chain Innovation | ||
| Quality Management and Six Sigma | ||
| Topics in Supply Chain Management and Analytics | ||
| Guided Study in Supply Chain Management | ||
| Design and Analysis of Experiments I | ||
| Applied Linear Regression | ||
| Design and Analysis of Response Surface Experiments | ||
| Total Hours | 63 | |
The minimum number of graduate credit hours required for this dual degree is 63.
Sample plan of study
What follows is an example plan that meets the prescribed requirements. Students may work with their adviser to consider an individual enrollment plan that best meets their goals. Part-time enrollment and summer courses may be considered.
| Year one | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall semester | Hours | |
| ACCT 507 | Fundamentals of Accounting | 3 |
| FIRE 520 | Financial Concepts of Management | 3 |
| INFO 664 | Information Systems for Business Intelligence | 3 |
| SCMA 524 | Statistical Fundamentals for Business Management | 3 |
| Term Hours: | 12 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| ECON 610 | Managerial Economics | 3 |
| INFO 661 | Information Systems for Managers | 3 |
| MGMT 641 | Leading People and Organizations | 3 |
| SCMA 675 | Operations Management (satisfies M.D.A. elective) | 3 |
| Term Hours: | 12 | |
| Year two | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| ACCT 608 | Managerial Accounting Concepts | 3 |
| FIRE 623 | Financial Management | 3 |
| MGMT 642 | Business Policy and Strategy | 3 |
| MKTG 671 | Marketing Management | 3 |
| Term Hours: | 12 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| INFO 645 | Prescriptive Analytics | 3 |
| SCMA 642 | Decision and Risk Analytics (satisfies M.B.A. elective) | 3 |
| M.D.A. elective | 3 | |
| M.D.A. elective | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 12 | |
| Year three | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| INFO 601 | Database Management (satisfies M.B.A. elective) | 3 |
| INFO 648 | Business Data Analytics | 3 |
| SCMA 632 | Statistical Analysis and Modeling (satisfies M.B.A. elective) | 3 |
| M.D.A. elective | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 12 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| M.D.A. elective | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 3 | |
| Total Hours: | 63 | |
The minimum number of graduate credit hours required for this dual degree is 63.
Contact
Austen Gouldman
gouldmana@vcu.edu
(804) 828-4622
Additional contact
Graduate Studies in Business
gsib@vcu.edu
(804) 828-4622
Program website: business.vcu.edu/academics/mba-options