Master's

Built for Working Professionals

The MDA is a part-time, fully online degree designed for professionals who want to advance their careers without stepping away from them.

Unlike many online programs, the MDA is built around live, synchronous seminars that emphasize discussion, collaboration, and active learning.

Over 21 months, you will:

Strengthen your decision-making and analytical skills

Learn to apply data and AI in real-world contexts

Build leadership capabilities across complex environments

Collaborate with a global cohort of experienced professionals

Whether you are advancing in your current role, transitioning to a new field, or launching a venture, the program is designed to support your next step.

Learn Differently

Minerva’s approach is built around active learning and real-world application.

Every course follows a structured learning cycle:

Prepare

Engage with concepts independently before class

Engage

Participate in live, discussion-based seminars in small groups

Apply

Work on projects that reflect real organizational and societal challenges

Impact

Extend your learning through collaboration and global perspectives

Rather than relying on passive lectures, the program emphasizes active participation, structured discussion, and applied problem-solving across professional contexts. Students continuously strengthen transferable skills like critical thinking, decision-making, communication, and systems thinking through Minerva’s Habits of Mind and Foundational Concepts (HCs).

AI Fluency: Harness Technology, Strengthen Judgment

AI fluency at Minerva is more than learning tools—it’s about thinking critically with AI as a partner, challenger, and accelerator. Throughout the Master of Science in Decision Making and Applied Analytics (MDA), you’ll engage with AI across contexts to enhance problem solving, evidence-based decision making, and professional judgment.

How AI Fluency Integrates into the Curriculum:

By graduating with AI fluency, you’re not just learning a set of tools, you’re developing the discernment to integrate AI into complex workflows, amplify your analysis, and make smarter, more confident decisions.

Curriculum & Structure

The curriculum is built around three core areas:

Systems Thinking and Management Science

Analyze complexity, evaluate trade-offs, and design effective processes

Data Analytics and Predictive Modeling

Use data and AI to inform decisions and identify patterns

Applied Decision-Making

Bridge theory and practice through real-world problem solving

Program Structure

The MDA is an online, part-time program typically completed in 21 months. The curriculum is organized into three academic units:

Six applied courses that strengthen students’ ability to think critically and creatively, lead effectively, and use data & evidence to make better decisions in complex contexts.

Two analytical courses that strengthen data analysis, causal inference, and research design capabilities.

A master’s thesis, completed independently with faculty guidance, demonstrating deep expertise in your chosen area of interest.

The interdisciplinary structure allows students to apply their learning across fields including business, technology, healthcare, education, public policy, and sustainability.

Required Coursework

The MDA includes a set of required courses that develop analytical reasoning, evidence-based decision-making, systems thinking, and applied research skills across professional contexts.

Research Methods Across Contexts

Students also complete an advanced research methods course aligned with their professional interests and goals.

Immediate Impact

What you learn is designed to be applied immediately.

Students regularly:

Apply course frameworks to challenges in their current roles

Use projects to address real organizational problems

Test ideas and approaches in real time

This ensures your education creates impact throughout the program, not just after graduation.

Bring It All Together

The Master’s Thesis is the culmination of your learning.

You will:

Conduct in-depth research and analysis

Develop and defend an original argument

Apply decision-making frameworks and analytical tools

Address a real-world challenge relevant to your work or interests

Students produce a substantial thesis and present their work to faculty and industry advisors.

Immersion Weeks

Optional, in-person experiences in global cities allow you to apply your learning in real-world environments, connect with local leaders, and engage with new perspectives firsthand.

Each Immersion Week Includes: