LSU launches master’s program in analytics

Data analysts, sometimes called “data scientists” in the information age, are in short supply these days, LSU says, and that’s prompted the university to launch a Master of Science in Analytics program to meet the growing demand. “There is great competition for talented individuals who combine data analysis expertise with practical business skills,” says Kenneth Koonce, dean of the LSU College of Agriculture, which houses the Department of Experimental Statistics. “This degree puts LSU at the forefront of the effort to meet this critical workforce need.” LSU is partnering with SAS Analytics, a North Carolina-based business analytics software and services firm, to launch the master’s program. This year’s inaugural class has 20 students. LSU’s program closely mirrors the Master of Science in Analytics at North Carolina State University, which also partnered with SAS to launch the nation’s first analytics master’s degree. All 38 graduates of NCSU’s inaugural class of 2012 received offers before completing the program, SAS says, and more than half received at least three offers. Ninety-two percent had positions at graduation.