McCombs M.S. Programs Get New Names

10-month graduate programs renamed to highlight technical rigor and AI integration

The McCombs School of Business announced today that two of its most technology-focused graduate programs are getting new names that acknowledge the central role of emerging technologies in the curriculum.

Starting this academic year, the Master of Science in Business Analytics will be renamed the Master of Science in Business Analytics and Artificial Intelligence; the Master of Science in Information Technology and Management will be renamed the Master of Science in Business Technology and Artificial Intelligence. The changes will be reflected on diplomas for the Class of 2028. For both programs, applications open Aug. 26.

“Organizations increasingly need professionals who can bridge business strategy and technology to create value,” McCombs Dean Bradley R. Staats said. “These technically rigorous graduate programs develop AI amplifiers, who can pair business judgment with emerging technologies to drive outcomes beyond what people or AI could achieve alone. These new names recognize what’s already happening in our classrooms.”

In 2026, U.S. News & World Report ranked McCombs No. 1 among Best Information Systems Master’s Programs. The Master of Science in Business Analytics program ranked No. 1 in Big Data Management by Eduniversal and No. 7 in both The Financial Engineer Times and QS World University.

“The names are changing, but our approach to curriculum is not,” said Jade DeKinder, associate dean for Master of Science Programs at McCombs. “Like the technologies themselves, our curriculum constantly evolves to keep pace with what our students need to know in the current environment. As our graduates prepare to lead in the AI era, the new names clearly communicate what they learn here and the types of roles they’re pursuing.”

The new names were approved by William Inboden, UT Austin executive vice president and provost, and received final approval from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

The decision to rename comes after a year of research and analysis by program leaders, with input from the programs’ alumni, faculty members, industry advisers, and McCombs’ leadership teams. “Our stakeholders agreed that the new names capture the breadth and depth of what our students are learning and the value they bring to the workplace,” DeKinder said.

The 10-month graduate programs layer an intensely technical curriculum with instruction in business strategy, rooted in critical thinking. The M.S. in Business Technology and AI prepares students to integrate and implement the technologies that enable AI across the enterprise. Graduates typically pursue careers in technology consulting, product management, and AI implementation.

The M.S. in Business Analytics and AI is focused on developing and building AI models and advanced analytics that drive smart business decisions. Alumni forge careers as analysts, business consultants, and data scientists.

“We’re excited about our next chapter,” DeKinder said. “Our alumni have shaped the reputation of these programs by applying deep technical expertise to business challenges across industries. We look forward to drawing on that strong foundation as we prepare future generations to lead at the intersection of business and technology.”

Story by Judie Kinonen