COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Arts (MA) in Economics and Quantitative Analysis at Wichita State University with a Data Analytics concentration is a 30-credit-hour graduate program designed to combine strong economic theory with advanced quantitative and data-driven business skills. The program is structured around a 18-credit-hour core that builds foundational expertise in microeconomics, macroeconomics, econometrics, forecasting, and behavioral economic decision-making. Core courses include ECON 704 (Behavioral Economics and Managerial Decisions), ECON 722 (Topics in Microeconomics), ECON 731 (Applied Econometrics), ECON 801 (Macroeconomic Analysis), ECON 803 (Quantitative Analysis of Business Conditions and Forecasting), and a required independent research project, ECON 893, which allows students to apply analytical and empirical methods to real-world economic or business problems under faculty supervision. To specialize in Data Analytics, students complete an additional 12 credit hours focused on applied computing, statistical analysis, and business intelligence tools. This includes selecting courses such as MIS 600 (Database Management Systems) or MIS 884 (Database Planning & Management), BSAN 775 (Introduction to Business Analytics), BSAN 875 (Prescriptive Analytics with Python), MIS 750 (Data Visualization), and either MGMT 803 (Business Decision Making and Analysis) or MKT 803 (Marketing Research), along with one additional approved elective from economics, statistics, business, or engineering disciplines. The program requires that at least 70 percent of coursework be at the 700–800 level to ensure advanced academic rigor, and all study plans must be approved by the graduate coordinator or department chair to maintain academic coherence. Overall, this concentration integrates economic modeling with modern data analytics tools, preparing graduates for careers in business intelligence, economic consulting, financial analysis, policy research, and data science roles, while also providing a strong foundation for doctoral-level study in economics or quantitative fields.