University News

Four New Academic Options Announced at WIU-QC

July 12, 2017

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MOLINE, IL - - Western Illinois University-Quad Cities has announced four new academic options within the College of Business and Technology.

WIU-QC will now offer a master's degree in applied statistics and decision analytics; a post-baccalaureate certificate in business analytics; a minor in economics, which can be completed online; and a minor in human resource management. The options, which are offered at the main campus in Macomb, will now also be available for WIU-QC students beginning Fall 2017.

"We are excited about these new additions that respond to regional needs, and that continue Western's commitment to recruiting and retaining residents," said Joe Rives, vice president for the Quad Cities and planning.

The master's degree in applied statistics and decision analytics is a multidisciplinary, 36-hour graduate program designed to provide students with a firm foundation in the statistical analysis and modeling commonly used in many fields, including education, science, technology, healthcare, government, business or social science research, explained Tej Kaul, professor and chair of WIU's Department of Economics and Decision Sciences.

"With three Fortune 100 companies in the region -- John Deere, Caterpillar and State Farm -- the degree program is designed to address strong regional needs, as well as a shortage of graduates in the fields of applied sciences and decision analytics. The need for skilled data professionals is growing," Kaul added.

According to a study by the McKinsey Global Institute, the U.S. could face a shortage of as many as 190,000 workers with deep analytical skills by 2018. Due to that shortage, WIU-QC is responding to that demand for skilled workers in the U.S. and Illinois and Iowa job markets, Kaul said.

"With the minor in economics now being fully available online, current and prospective WIU-QC students -- many of whom are working professionals, or other adults returning to further their educations -- have a new, convenient option," said Kathy Neumann, interim provost and academic vice president. "As part of the recently launched President's Executive Institute, one of our strategic goals is to enhance the University's educational opportunities."

For more information on undergraduate and graduate programs at WIU-QC, visit wiu.edu/qc/academics or call (309)762-1495.

Posted By: Alison McGaughey (AR-McGaughey@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing