UI expands business analytics program to Des Moines

The University of Iowa will begin offering a new certificate program in business analytics in Des Moines starting this fall, providing an opportunity for advanced study in a rapidly growing field.

The new program is one of several the university’s Tippie College of Business is rolling out in response to the economy’s growing demand for experts in business analytics.

“Many of the businesses that are most in need of experts in analytics are in fields like insurance, financial services, and health care,” says Nick Street, professor and departmental executive officer of management sciences in the Tippie College of Business who developed and oversees the two offerings. “Those fields are also at the heart of the Des Moines economy, so this program will respond to a growing need among employers in the region.”

Des Moines business leaders agree, and say the certificate program is vitally needed in the area.

“We have tons and tons of data gathered over more than 100 years and we needed people to take that data and make sense of it and turn it into information that we can use to create the financial products that our customers need,” says Terry Lillis, executive vice president and chief financial officer of the Principal Financial Group. “I know a lot of our employees at the Principal could benefit from a program like this, and Des Moines has a huge need for it.” (full article...)

BY TOM SNEE, IowaNow, June 9, 2015.