UVA’s Business Schools Launch Master of Science in Business Analytics Degree

Case Study
University of Virginia Business School

UVA needed to assess the viability of a new degree, garner internal support and demonstrate the need to the state accrediting body for the program.

The Challenge: Determine if a New MBA Program Was a Fit for a New Campus

The University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business and the McIntire School of Commerce provide practical business knowledge for students, with many graduates going on to work for top employers like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon. As the use of big data and business analytics grows across industries, UVA’s Darden and McIntire schools were considering whether to launch a new Master of Science in Business Analytics at UVA’s new facilities in the Washington, D.C. area. Before launching the program, the schools wanted to assess the viability of the degree to garner internal support and demonstrate the need to the state accrediting body for the program.

Research Questions

What does the competitive landscape look like for business analytics programs in the D.C. region and at the top 20 business schools?
What is the labor market demand for business analytics-related occupations?
Is there student demand for business analytics programs in Washington, D.C.?
What are students looking for in a business analytics program?

The Solution: Comprehensive Market Analysis

Hanover addressed the Darden and McIntire Schools’ research questions through two methodologies: a market analysis study drawing on secondary research that assessed the competitive landscape, as well as student and labor market demand trends, and a survey of prospective students to verify student interest and understand more about student preferences.

The Impact: A New Program Backed by Market Data

As a result of Hanover’s Market Analysis, Darden and McIntire:

Confirmed prospective student interest in a Master of Science in Business Analytics Program
Provided a data-driven case for the program to internal and external stakeholders
Launched the Master of Science in Business Analytics Program in Washington, D.C.

“Establishing a satellite campus in D.C. for our Master of Science in Business Analytics program was an important decision for us. We suspected it would be a very beneficial move for Darden and McIntire, but we needed evidence to back that up. Hanover proved to us, and the state accrediting body, that we were making a sound decision.”
Maureen Wellen
Executive Director, Faculty Advancement at UVA’s Darden School

THE INSTITUTION

University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business and McIntire School of Commerce

INSTITUTION TYPE

State University

LOCATION

Washington, D.C. area

HANOVER SOLUTION

Market analysis, competitive landscape review, labor market trends, survey

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