New directions; Spears Business introduces new degree programs

Monday, June 9, 2025

Media Contact:
Stephen Howard | Director of Marketing & Communications | 405.744.4363 | [email protected]

As the business world changes, the Spears School of Business is expanding its curriculum
to fit industry needs.

The Department of Management Science and Information Systems now offers a data analytics
major, building on a long tradition of innovation in this field. The School of Hospitality
and Tourism Management, Department of Finance and Department of Economics are teaming
up to administer a degree in real estate and property management, an expansion of
a certificate program that continues to be offered.

Engage Magazine turned to the experts to learn more about these new majors.

Data Analytics with Dr. Rick Wilson, head of the Management Science and Information
Systems department, W. Paul Miller Professor of Business Administration.

Why was it important for Spears Business to add this major?

The Spears School of Business has a long history with the predecessor fields of data
analytics, such as management science and applied artificial intelligence. All of
Spears, whether marketing, accounting or information systems, is incorporating data
analytics in their classes as all fields use the data analytics skills now and their
importance will only increase in the future. 

We recognized the importance of having a data analytics focus over a decade ago when
we added a data science option within the MIS major. The next logical step was creating
our cross-disciplinary data analytics standalone major. Using U.S. Bureau of Labor
Statistics data, the typical starting occupations for graduates, data engineering
and data analyst job titles, remain among the top 10 fastest-growing occupations requiring
a college degree. As has always been the case, Spears and the MSIS Department are
ahead of the game in delivering relevant, state-of-the-art programs.

What types of careers are possible with a data analytics degree?

The data analyst analyzes data to identify trends, patterns and insights. Typical
tasks include extracting, transforming and loading data; conducting statistical analysis;
and creating visualizations. They possess good problem-solving skills, knowledge of
statistical and AI-based methods, a detailed understanding of data visualization tools
and strong communication skills as they tell stories with data. 

A data engineer focuses on the data infrastructure, ensuring data quality and reliability
and securing the data storage systems. We might think of them, using Cowboy terms,
as a data wrangler, and they will typically have strong SQL and Python programming
skills, knowledge of databases and experience with cloud computing platforms. Overall,
they help make organizational data accessible and usable.

Finally, a data scientist is a person who embodies not only the skill set the data
analysts and data engineers possess but also has a deeper understanding of the many
sophisticated tools that are used in practice today. This includes advanced machine
learning, classic optimization, neural computing and other rapidly evolving tools.
Often, a data scientist would have an advanced degree (which we also have in Spears,
the MS in business analytics and data science). 

What are some of the course topics specific to this major?

Key to the data side of the major will be learning Python, mastering database design
and SQL and then having an exposure to many different data manipulation tools in our
Data Wrangling class.

A data analytics student will build on their core Spears classes with the different
categories of analytics courses — descriptive analytics, advanced visualization skills,
predictive analytics, which includes machine learning and other AI-based approaches,
and then prescriptive analytics, where the student is exposed to optimization techniques
applicable to all businesses.

Students can also take analytics courses in other areas throughout Spears (HR analytics,
sports analytics, marketing analytics) and throughout OSU. Finally, all data analytics
majors are expected to have hands-on analytics experience, which might be a summer
internship or the applied company projects (for credit) that we uniquely offer every
semester.

How does a data analytics degree prepare students for the future of business?

Our degree is designed based on detailed input from our Industry Advisory Board and
other employers who hire our graduates. We focus on understanding the important concepts
of analytics and data engineering, realizing tools change rapidly, and the most important
skill is knowing how to problem solve and communicate results.

The jobs our incoming freshmen will have in 10 years may not yet be invented — but
we do know understanding data, analytics, AI and information technology will be a
key part of many such positions. Our graduates will be ready to become the next generation
of chief data officers or chief information officers.

Real estatate and property management with Dr. Brij Thapa, professor and head of the
School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, Carl and Marilynn Thoma Distinguished
Chair.

Why was it important for Spears Business to add this major?

Real estate, rental and leasing is a major industry sector that has experienced significant
expansion in the United States and globally. While the growth in hard infrastructure
is noteworthy, there is also a concurrent need to further develop the soft infrastructure
to manage and sustain growth. The demand for employees is evident as the U.S. Bureau
of Labor Statistics reports a projected increase in positions. This projected growth
of this industry, documented by the demand for skilled professionals, supports the
need for this degree. This degree will be a first of its kind in the state, especially
housed in a business school, as similar programs are not widely offered at major U.S.
academic institutions. This offers a unique opportunity for students to pursue a career
choice in the real estate, rental and leasing industry sector. 

What types of careers are possible with a real estate and property management degree?

Career opportunities are available in multiple areas, especially in the residential
and commercial sectors, such as property managers, real estate managers and community
association managers. The U.S. Department of Labor denotes that the following job
titles are prominent: property manager, real estate manager, resident manager, apartment
manager, community association manager, community manager, lease administration supervisor,
leasing manager, asset manager, corporate real estate manager, director and on-site
manager. 

How are HTM, Finance and Economics working together to offer this degree?

The specific focus is to ensure the development of skills needed to manage and maintain
real estate properties and assets owned by others in residential, commercial, industrial
and other business segments in a profitable manner. Successful property and real estate
managers have a diverse set of skills with fundamental core competencies that relate
to the following but are not limited to — customer service, sales and leasing, accounting,
finance, legal, real estate management, marketing analytics, facilities management
and human resource management. In addition, soft skills are also paramount to ensure
effective communication, conflict resolution, customer experience and relationship
management.

The degree is conceptualized within the foundation of the business core, along with
specialty courses that pertain to key competencies. The structural framework of the
degree is designed to ensure students gain competency in industry knowledge, develop
intellectual abilities and foster technical, interpersonal and professional skills.
More specifically, key areas of responsibilities are emphasized, such as managing
the physical property, team management, finances, marketing and leasing, and legal
and risk management.

How has donor support impacted this program’s development?

The impetus for the initial certificate program was due to the dire need for skilled
employees within this industry sector, as noted by Weidner Property Management, LLC.
This company is based in Seattle and has a national footprint, along with current
investments in the region — Oklahoma, Arkansas, Texas and Arizona. The company provided
a major financial gift to HTM for the initiation of an academic program. A significant
portion of the gift allowed for disbursement toward internship-based scholarships
and for students in the certificate program. Placement opportunities have been provided
by Weidner Property Management.

The success of the certificate propelled momentum in the natural expansion toward
a bachelor’s degree program. Spears Business is well-positioned to champion this degree
program and link within the various units based on built-in academic resources related
to the existing certificate.

Story by: Hallie Hart | Engage@Spears magazine
Photos by: Gary Lawson and Adam Luther