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KENT, OHIO - FEBRUARY 9, 2016

�鶹ӰԺ’s College of Business Administration’s Department of Economics has created a new minor in Data Analytics.

The program will focus on training students to use data to inform decision-making and create solutions. Students will learn to acquire and collect raw data in various formats, convert raw data to usable formats and then understand how to appropriately analyze the data to draw accurate and useful conclusions.

“I am thrilled the COBA has added this new minor because it is a growing field that is in demand by organizations,” said Elizabeth A. Sinclair, assistant dean of Undergraduate Programs and assessment at the College of Business Administration. “Organizations want people who can manage and analyze large sets of data so they have more precise informati

on about trends, for example, that can influence their future decisions about growth and investment.”

Data analysis is one of the fastest growing areas of need among employers. Data is increasingly being gathered in large quantities in both the private sector as well as in government and not-for-profit sectors. Employers need workers who not only understand how to collect and organize information and analyze and interpret the data, but also what should be done to draw appropriate conclusions.

The program draws on several existing courses in statistics, computer programming and applied data analysis. It also includes new courses focused on more advanced topics in data analysis and the data acquisition path, from collection of raw information through data preparation for final analysis and a minimum of 3 credit hours of elective coursework.

“This minor grew out of comments from our alumni who wished they had had more training in econometrics and data analysis as undergrads, since that is what they do in their jobs,” said Donald R. Williams, professor and chairperson in the Economics Department. “The minor is an innovative mixture of statistical analysis and computer programming with an emphasis on hands-on application, making it beneficial to students with good quantitative skills in a variety of majors from across the university.”

The program is also designed to be of interest to students outside of the College of Business Administration, such as Computer Science, Digital Sciences and Mathematics. Given that the program is focused on the use of data to make decisions in many areas, it will likely be attractive to students from science and social science programs that utilize data.

�鶹ӰԺ’s College of Business Administration is fully accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSB) and one of the largest colleges of business in Ohio.  The college has more than 4,300 students representing 50 countries with over 89 full-time faculty from16 countries.
The college grants undergraduate through graduate degrees, and is one of only three colleges in Ohio with a comprehensive Ph.D. program.  The MBA program is offered with nine concentrations and five dual degree options. The Executive MBA program offer two tracks: one targeting corporate professionals and the other healthcare executives.  The M.S. in Accounting and M.A. in Economics are specialized master’s degrees for those seeking advanced study in these disciplines.  The college boasts nine undergraduate majors, 12 minors and a Professional Sales Certificate program.

The college is listed as a Best Business School by Princeton Review, ranked as a Best Business College by U.S. News and World Report, one of only 23 accounting programs worldwide to beendorsed by the IMA (Institute of Management Accountants), ranked Top-Tier for Executive Education in North America by CEO Magazine and ranked fourth by the SEF (Sales Education Foundation) in Ohio for Professional Sales Education.

The college boasts an onsite Career Services Center and International Programs Office dedicated to business students, and operates the Global Management Center, the Center for Information Systems and the Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation all propelling scholarly research, establishing innovative industry partnerships and providing outreach to Northeast Ohio and beyond.

Media Contacts:

Michelle Parrish Manning, Director of Marketing Communications, 330-672-2717, mparris3@kent.edu

Bri Figley, Marketing Communications Specialist, 330-672-1279, bfigley2@kent.edu