This fall, the Marilyn Davies College of Business is launching Bachelor of Business Administration degrees, one of which will equip students with the skills needed to thrive in a data-driven world.  

The BBA in Business Intelligence reflects a growing demand for professionals who can interpret data, leverage analytics tools, and make informed strategic decisions across industries. 

Dr. Steve Zhou, General Business, Marketing, & Supply Chain Management chair, and Dr. Jonathan Davis, former department chair and current interim senior vice president for Academic Affairs and provost, first discussed how to address the increasing importance of big data and analytics in business back in 2020.  However, program development was temporarily paused during the COVID-19 pandemic. When Drs. Zhou and Davis resumed their efforts to create a new degree, the landscape had shifted significantly due to leaps in artificial intelligence technology.  

“Now what we need from business professionals is the ability to tell AI to do what we need it to do. At the same time, when AI gives you results, you have the challenge of interpreting the data” said Dr. Zhou. “In other words, we need storytellers.”  

This need for workers who can leverage existing tools and data led MDCOB faculty to focus coursework on practical applications, rather than technical programming or software development.  

UHD first launched the BI program at the graduate level as an MBA concentration and certificate in 2024 before expanding it into an undergraduate degree. The undergraduate program features six core BI courses—all of which will be available as virtual classes—and an additional 12 hours of electives. The electives can be taken in any discipline offered by the university, allowing students to tailor their education to their interests. So, a student could complement Business Intelligence with courses in the arts, healthcare, public and government policy, or other specialized fields. 

As the first program of its kind in the Houston area, UHD’s Business Intelligence degrees position the university at the forefront of business and technology education. With its blend of flexibility, practical focus, and industry relevance, the program offers students a strong pathway into the job market.

Interested in learning more about the new BBA in Business Intelligence? Click HERE.

Tune in next week to learn about the Entrepreneurship & Family Business degree! Click HERE to learn more about the BBA in Entreprenuership & Family Business.