Program Overview
The MBA in Data Science will allow students to improve their business skills across a wide variety of disciplines while providing a deep examination of the growing field of data science.
Data science is an interdisciplinary field that uses scientific tools, processes, algorithms, and systems to extract knowledge and insights from data in various forms, both structured and unstructured. It combines mathematics, statistics, data analysis, machine learning, and computer science, focused on discovering patterns in large data sets and using that knowledge to make predictions and decisions. The data science major in the MBA provides a four-course (12 hours) concentration in this growing field. All courses in the major are delivered in an 8-week, online learning format.
The Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Data Science includes the in-demand IBM Data Science Professional Certificate.
Career Options
- Data Scientist
- Machine Learning Engineer
- Applications Architect
- Enterprise Architect
- Data Engineer
Program Summary
- 36 credit hours
- 24 core MBA course hours
- 12 data science concentration hours
Program Length
- Part-time students (6 credit hours per semester)
- Full-time students (9 credit hours per semester)
- Accelerated students (12 credit hours per semester)
Program Delivery
- Three semesters (Fall, Spring, Summer) per year, divided into two 8-week terms.
- Four week break in December.
- All courses available online, and most core-courses available face-to-face in Lakeland.
Entrance Requirements
Students are accepted into the MBA program based on evidence of their aptitude and motivation for graduate business education at Southeastern University, as well as their understanding of basic business principles and functions.
Below are the minimum basic requirements; however, admission acceptance is considered given the applicant’s entire application package:
- A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution, with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above. Applicants with a lower GPA may be considered if they prove proficiency in the foundational courses (outlined below).
- A sample writing assignment addressing the prompt: Why I want to pursue an MBA at Southeastern University. The essay should address how the MBA will help the student in his or her career and how he or she can integrate Christian faith into his or her professional life. The paper should include the student’s full name and be 300-600 words in length.
- Two recommendations: an academic or professional recommendation, and a personal or character recommendation, submitted by those providing references.
- Once you begin the program, there are a few obligations to meet: a pretest to determine your current incoming business knowledge, a tutorial and a test to clarify the definition and consequences of plagiarism, and an APA formatting online tutorial.
Provisional Admission to the MBA in Data Science
Should an applicant be admitted provisionally with a GPA below 3.0, he or she is required to earn a B- or better as prescribed by the MBA Program Director in their first two courses to transfer from provisional to full acceptance status.
Other Policies
Students are recommended to have access to a computer that is NOT a Mac, a surface, or a table for two of the core MBA courses: MBA Principles, and Problem Solving and Decision Making.
Satisfactory Progress
BUSI 5003 is a pre-requisite for most other courses in each track and must be completed with a B- or higher before continuing beyond the first semester. Unless provisional requirements bar concurrent courses, students may take other courses concurrent with BUSI 5003 in their first semester.
The minimum grade requirement for all MBA courses is a C-. Students can have no more than two courses in the C- range and are required to complete the degree program with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher upon graduation.
Total Program Hours – 36 Credit Hours
It is the responsibility of the student to read, review and fulfil the requirements and total hours of this degree audit for their applicable degree.
Professional Integration Requirement
Southeastern University has created its MBA curriculum to prioritize immediate professional application and high-level academic rigor. To maintain a fast-paced learning environment, the program does not utilize introductory “bridge” or prerequisite courses.
To ensure all students possess the necessary professional context and business vocabulary to succeed in our case-study-driven curriculum, we instead require all students actively work, and share their experiences through a series of interactive forums throughout the program.
Mandatory Professional Employment
All MBA students are required to maintain active employment throughout the duration of their enrollment. This requirement ensures that theoretical frameworks explored in the classroom are immediately integrated with real-world business environments.
International Students (CPT)
For international students on F-1 visas, this professional requirement is fulfilled through Curricular Practical Training (CPT). CPT is an essential and integrated component of the MBA program, providing the necessary practical application of advanced business theory in compliance with federal regulations.
Syllabus and Course Integration
Specific language regarding these expectations will be included in all course syllabi and MyFire modules. Students are expected to draw directly from their current professional roles to contribute to classroom discussions and advanced projects.
Exceptions and Alternate Assignments
Students who experience a change in employment status or are unable to secure a professional role must apply for a Formal Policy Exception through the MBA Office each semester. If granted, students will be required to complete an intensive alternate academic assignment to satisfy the practical application component of the curriculum.
For further information on maintaining compliance with this policy, please contact the MBA office at mba@seu.edu.
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