The Master of Science in Decision Making and Applied Analytics (MDA) and certificate programs are designed around three core areas:
Systems Thinking and Management Science:
Analyze complexity, evaluate trade-offs, and design more effective processes.
Data Analytics and Predictive Modeling:
Harness the power of data and AI to make informed, impactful decisions.
Applied Decision-Making:
Bridge decision science theory and practice with projects that address real-world challenges.
At every step, you’ll gain decision frameworks you can immediately apply—whether managing a team, launching a venture, or solving problems in your field.
The MDA is an online, part-time program typically completed in 21 months. The curriculum is organized into three academic units:
Six practical courses that sharpen creative and critical thinking, as well as communication skills.
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.
For those seeking a shorter pathway, we offer the Certificate in Decision Making and Applied Analytics.
The program’s interdisciplinary design and applied projects allow you to tailor your studies to your field—whether business, science, education, entrepreneurship, or sustainability.
AI Fluency: Harness Technology, Strengthen Judgment
How AI Fluency Integrates into the Curriculum:
Systems Thinking & Management Science
Use AI to model complex systems, identify gaps in processes, and simulate outcomes. AI becomes a synthetic debater that challenges assumptions and highlights trade-offs, helping you make more robust decisions.
Data Analytics & Interpretation
Leverage AI to accelerate data cleaning, exploratory analysis, and visualizations, while learning to discern when automated insights are trustworthy—and when human oversight is critical. AI helps you test hypotheses faster, spot patterns, and generate scenario analyses, all while strengthening your analytical judgment.
Applied Decision-Making
AI tools support real-world projects, from drafting problem characterizations to exploring creative solutions for organizational challenges. Students practice the discipline of choosing when AI can enhance their work—and when it should be set aside—so that each decision benefits from both machine efficiency and human insight.
Student Perspective
Since Minerva's curriculum is based on the science of learning, it is designed in a way that, with a constant input of work every day, you can achieve unbelievable results. At the end of the MDA program, I was astonished by how much knowledge I gained, how many skills I learned, and how much I grew over those two years, personally and professionally.
MDA Class of 2022
Required Courses
Electives (Select One)
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Apply Your Learnings in a Novel Thesis Project
By the end of the program, you will:
Conduct in-depth research and analysis.
Develop and defend an original argument.
Apply the decision-making frameworks and analytical tools gained from coursework.
Produce a thesis of roughly 35 pages.
Present and defend your findings before a panel of Minerva Graduate School faculty.
The program’s interdisciplinary design and applied projects allow you to tailor your studies to your field—whether business, science, education, entrepreneurship, or sustainability.
Learning Format
The MDA and Certificate in Decision Making and Applied Analytics are built to fit your life—challenging you with rigorous, interactive coursework while giving you the flexibility to balance personal and professional commitments.
Modular Courses
You’ll move through the program in a modular format, completing one course unit every two to three weekends. Most courses span three weekends, adding up to 22 weekends of live learning for the MDA (over 17 months) or 16 weekends for the Certificate program (over 12 months).
Class Schedule
Your classes take place in live, synchronous sessions of 2.5 hours on Fridays through Sundays and 1.5 hr small group sessions on Saturday and Sunday. You’ll join a set group section time, and choose between small group session times.
Workload Expectations
Expect to dedicate about 20 hours each weekend to class and coursework. Between modules, you’ll spend an additional 3–7 hours on preparation, assignments, and group projects. Assignments are typically due the week after a module, ensuring you continue applying and building on what you’ve learned.
