Rollins College of Business Programs Provide Career Development Edge

Angela Foster

Graduate business degrees in data analytics, management and accounting are among the many offerings boosting careers and broadening horizons for students at the Gary W. Rollins College of Business at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC). The degrees feature online options and flexible timelines to help students meet their personal, professional and academic goals.

UTC’s Data-Driven Programs

Aaron Sears had earned a bachelor’s degree with a concentration in Data Analytics from the Rollins College of Business, but he wanted to keep building his expertise and sharpening his skills.

“The Master of Science in Data Analytics (MSDA) program was a natural place for me,” Sears says.

Angela Foster

Sears was about a semester into graduate school in Chattanooga when he made a connection in class that led to a job as a business intelligence analyst at insurance provider Unum. He attended graduate school full time and worked full time for nearly two years, and quickly saw the benefits of the graduate degree when he completed his studies.

“I earned a promotion immediately after completing the graduate degree,” Sears says. “I think it raises my ceiling and gives me not only skills in what I currently do but also makes me well-versed in work adjacent to the finance department in terms of artificial intelligence and machine leaning.”

In fact, as part of his graduate degree studies, Sears had the opportunity to work with a professor in researching a scholarly article on artificial intelligence.

“I can’t speak more highly of the faculty and their support for students,” Sears says.

Management Material

Faculty members who put students first is a hallmark of the Rollins College of Business at UTC, says Katherine Karl, department head of management and Henry Hart professor of management.

Angela Foster

“We have people who have national reputations for research, but they’re here primarily because they love to teach and they’re great teachers,” Karl says.

They also share a commitment to evolving to meet the changing demands of the business world, where specialization in graduate education is gaining traction. An expert in human resources management and organizational behavior, Karl points to the value of the master of science in management (MSM) degree in particular in preparing a wide range of people for leadership and management roles. 

“Our program focuses on soft skills, and regardless of how fast technology is growing in the workplace, the human element is always going to be there,” Karl says. “They’re called soft skills but they’re really hard to acquire and become good at.”

The MSM degree program can be completed online in one year for more traditional students who want to attend full time. Mid-career professionals looking to move into leadership roles can attend part time while remaining in the workforce.

Angela Foster

Accounting Ambitions

J.D. Cooper was finishing an undergraduate accounting degree at the Rollins College of Business when he learned about a graduate assistantship in the master of accountancy (MAcc) program. He jumped right into studying for both the advanced degree and the daunting tests he would need to take to become a certified public accountant. It was a challenging year, but Cooper says he had the support he needed every step of the way.

“I’m super grateful for all the professors,” Cooper says. “They work so hard to help the students and return the value to them they’re putting into the degree.”

Now working as an accountant in financial reporting at Alterra Mountain Co. in Colorado, Cooper has managed to combine his passion for snowboarding with an accounting career he enjoys.

“I’m so grateful I could go through the program to get more in depth in the field and make me more knowledgeable and bolster my resume,” Cooper says.

Angela Foster

Many Paths to Success

With a student population of about 2,000 undergraduate students and 360 graduate students, the Rollins College of Business at UTC offers nine majors, eight minors, four graduate degrees and one graduate-level certificate.

• Students can earn a bachelor’s degree through nine undergraduate programs: accounting, business analytics, economics, entrepreneurship, finance (business), finance (investments), human resource management, marketing and management. The college also offers a 100% online undergraduate degree in management.
• At the graduate level, the Rollins College of Business offers master’s degree programs in data analytics, management, accountancy and business administration. The master of accountancy and master of science in management programs are 100% online, while the master of business administration and master of science in data analytics are flexible programs that can be completed online or as a combination of on-campus and online classes.
• For students who want to learn more about business analytics without committing to a full degree program, the graduate certificate in business analytics is a great path. The abbreviated program is ideal for aspiring data analysts and those in management roles aiming to integrate data analytics into decision-making.

Learn more about the Gary W. Rollins College of Business at utc.edu/business.