Wright State’s master’s in marketing analytics and insights designated as STEM degree

The master’s in marketing analytics and insights offered by Wright State University’s Raj Soin College of Business has been designated a STEM degree.

The designation qualifies international students for an additional two years of optional practical training (OPT) in the United States than non-STEM programs.

Thomas Traynor, Ph.D., the dean of the Raj Soin College of Business, said the landscape of business is changing, and the college continues to change with it.

“Employers are desperate for marketers who can combine data analytics skills with a keen understanding of marketing strategies and tactics,” he said. “The need is so great that a significant portion of this talent is coming from overseas. To help develop the talent that companies need and to create an optimal opportunity for our international students, our master’s in marketing analytics and insights program has been STEM-designated.”

The Master of Science in Marketing Analytics and Insights provides marketing and business professionals with a strong base in marketing strategy, consumer behavior, marketing analysis and insights. The program prepares students to interpret marketing data and generate ideas and recommendations for real-world business problems.

Kendall Goodrich, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Marketing and director of the Master of Science in Marketing Analytics and Insights Program, said the two additional years of OPT will give students an opportunity to hone their skills and find the highest and best use for their talents.

Prithvi Raj Kunapareddi, a first-year student in the master’s program, said there are very few business graduate-level programs in the United States that are STEM-designated.

“The few that exist are at Ivy League-level schools with tuition five times that of Wright State and the cost of living three times that of the Dayton area. For me, the choice was easy,” he said. “With the additional OPT, I am confident I will have the time necessary to optimize my career path post-graduation.”