Why UTRGV’s new business analytics degree program could have a big impact on the region’s economy

EDINBURG, TEXAS – A Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Business Analytics has just started at UT-Rio Grande Valley and it is the first of its kind in the region.

To learn more about the degree program, the Rio Grande Guardian secured an in-depth interview with both Giorgio Gotti, Ph.D., dean of the Robert C. Vackar College of Business & Entrepreneurship, and Jerald Hughes, Ph. D., associate dean for undergraduate studies and an associate professor at the Vackar College.

Gotti said the program is designed to provide students with essential skills to develop strategic business insights and enhance decision-making processes across different industries.

“Offering an approved BBA. in Business Analytics reflects positively on the university’s reputation and academic standing,” Gotti said. “A specialized program can attract students interested in data science and analytics who otherwise would go elsewhere.”

Gotti said the degree aligns with industry needs, enhancing the region’s workforce and fostering regional economic growth.

“Graduates contribute to the local workforce, potentially attracting businesses seeking data-driven professionals to drive innovation and economic growth in the region,” Gotti said. “This approval from the THECB ensures that the curriculum aligns with industry demands and fosters collaboration with businesses.”

Hughes agreed. In the interview, Hughes said he expects the program to have a big impact on the Valley economy.

Hughes pointed out that the new degree program was approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, an organization that serves to develop and implement innovative higher education services throughout the state of Texas.

Hughes said THECB approval ensures the program meets rigorous academic standards, enhancing education quality, credibility and employability for UTRGV students.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, which was cited in the UTRGV program proposal, job growth in a variety of fields is projected to be significant by 2031, including:

         •       108,400 new management analyst jobs.

         •       24,200 new operations research analyst jobs.

         •       40,500 new data scientist jobs.

Hughes said the projected growth – which indicates an increase from 11 percent to 36 percent in business analytics positions – motivated the university to develop the degree program.

Hughes said the BBA undergraduate program complements current degrees offered within the Vackar college and utilizes current coursework with the addition of three new courses. 

He said the new curriculum empowers students with the ability to extract valuable insights from vast datasets to drive strategic decision-making, and covers:

         •       Statistical analysis.

         •       Descriptive analytics.

         •       Business intelligence.

         •       Data mining.

         •       Machine learning.

         •       And predictive modeling.

Program graduates will be prepared to enter a field of business analytics, or to continue their education in the field, Hughes added.

Editor’s Note: Here is an audio recording of the Guardian’s in-depth interview with Gotti and Hughes. A word of warning, for 15 minutes or so, Hughes veers off into a fascinating discussion about the impact of artificial intelligence on business analytics.

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