Fairfield Dolan Admits Second Cohort of MBA Students in Shanghai

The Data-Driven MBA: Dolan’s Online Analytics MBA Takes Off

The Online Analytics MBA was supposed to launch in fall 2021, “but once word got out we were quickly overwhelmed with early adopters,” said Program Co-Director Philip Maymin, PhD. “When applicants see this program, they get very excited because it’s a blend of analytics and datadriven decision-making combined with broad knowledge of all business areas, and it can be completed entirely online. That’s a powerful combination.”

Indeed it is. Today’s companies, regardless of the industry, rely on reams of data to drive outcomes. Graduates with the ability to manage people and processes – skills mastered in a traditional MBA – combined with the ability to interpret and use data to make strategic business decisions, are valuable assets for any company.

Dolan’s analytics graduates become proficient in using technical tools such as SQL, Tableau, and Python, often employing numerous programs in a single project. In addition to earning a master’s degree, graduates of the program are also awarded a graduate certificate in business intelligence.

“This type of degree and certification is very important for hiring managers in almost any field; they are always looking to bring in people who have good data fluency as well as business acumen, and our graduates will fill that need perfectly,” said Dr. Maymin.

As Dolan students, those enrolled in the Analytics MBA can take part in industry showcases and roundtable discussions with industry experts and Advisory Board members. They’re also eligible to apply for highly coveted, paid co-op positions with Dolan partners, The Hartford and Synchrony. Co-op positions offer students the opportunity to put their skills to work while offering valuable chances to network.

As for the decision to deliver the program entirely online, both students and faculty have become more comfortable with the virtual delivery of information, noted Mousumi Bose Godbole, PhD, associate professor of marketing and co-director of the program. And since the Dolan School’s traditional MBA is a hybrid curriculum comprised of a combination of online and on-campus courses, “offering an online-only option gives us a broader reach. We give students many different ways to earn a degree.”

While there is a large focus on analytics at the graduate level, Fairfield Dolan also emphasizes business analytics for undergraduates with the new addition of business analytics to Dolan’s Business Core Requirements. With a focus on the most relevant skills students need in order to succeed in today’s business landscape, it’s no surprise that 99 percent of undergraduates are employed or accepted to graduate school within six months of graduation. l D

“This type of degree and certification is very important for hiring managers in almost any field; they are always looking to bring in people who have good data fluency as well as business acumen, and our graduates will fill that need perfectly.”

Philip Maymin, PhD

Program Co-Director Fairfield Dolan MBA students in Shanghai.

FAIRFIELD DOLAN ADMITS SECOND COHORT OF MBA STUDENTS IN SHANGHAI

In partnership with Golden Education, Fairfield Dolan continues to bring its signature MBA program to Shanghai with 70 students now enrolled.

Last September, Fairfield Dolan admitted 35 students to its new MBA program in Shanghai. In partnership with Golden Education, one of the largest management training companies in China, Dolan implemented the same highquality MBA program for Chinese students. Led by Fairfield professors, the program allows students to continue in their professional careers while pursuing the degree in the evenings and on weekends. Dolan has now admitted 35 more students to the second cohort.

“We are so proud to have another cohort of exceptional students enroll in the Shanghai MBA program,” said Fairfield Dolan Assistant Dean of Graduate Programs Leanne De Los Santos. “These students are established in their careers and able to continue to achieve professional success while experiencing the quality of a Dolan School of Business graduate degree.”

On average, students enrolled in the Shanghai MBA program have 14 years of work experience. This year four executives from a leading mining machinery manufacturer, including the GM, CEO, CFO, and legal representative, will join the latest cohort of professionals. Students come from many industries including pharmaceuticals, accounting, wealth management, fashion, engineering, economics, and finance. Many students pursue the program because they are preparing to take over their family businesses.

The program is made up of 12 courses that run for one month each so students can complete the program in one calendar year. To date Dolan faculty have taught students online due to the pandemic. However, in the future, they plan to travel to Shanghai to teach in person. While the program has a focus on finance, students take the same marketing, management, and leadership classes that Fairfield MBA students take. The program concludes with the Wall Street Immersion course that is planned to take place on campus at Fairfield this fall. l D