In response to the changing needs of employers, Brock University’s Goodman School of Business will offer two new Master of Business Administration specializations in Fall 2014.

Don Cyr, dean of the Goodman School of Business, said the MBA specializations in business analytics and operations management will give students technical expertise and critical judgment skills needed to work these in-demand areas.

Business analytics, which uses data and statistics to help predict customer behaviour or improve business processes, has become a priority field as companies get access to increasing consumer information gained through customer loyalty programs, e-commerce transactions, even sensory data from machines.

The importance of operations management to manufacturers and service companies has also increased along with changes in information technology, greater access to global markets and higher consumer expectations for quality and efficiency. The field includes a focus on project management, quality management, logistics and supply chain management.

Cyr said there is a scarcity of master-level programs in either of the disciplines.

“Goodman is being strategic with these new specializations,” said Cyr. “In business analytics, companies need MBA grads with proactive decision-making capabilities who can deliver insights collected from data. Meanwhile, in the operations management field, the demand for graduates in this area has increased due to the central role that operations play in creating global and efficient organizations.”

The Goodman School of Business Master of Business Administration (MBA) also includes specializations in accounting, finance, human resource management and marketing. The MBA is available as a full-time, part-time or as an International Student Pathway (ISP) program.