The Mendoza College of Business just launched its Minor in AI Analytics in Business, which aims to prepare students to apply AI in real-world business environments. Entry into the minor is preceded by an application process and is open to the Class of 2028 and beyond. For the first cohort of students, there were 94 applicants, 62 of which were admitted to MAIB.
The minor consists of nine elective credit hours and two required courses: Analytics Workflows with Power BI and AI in Business. Electives within the minor include Predictive Analytics, Society and Networks, AI & ML for Urban Analytics and AI Auditing & Governance, among others.
Joe Ke, director of undergraduate studies in IT, analytics and operations; Martin Barron, associate teaching professor in IT, analytics and operations; and Corey Angst, department chair of IT, analytics and operations, said in a joint interview with The Observer that Mendoza plans to debut a second AI-focused program, the Minor in AI Essentials in Business, this upcoming fall. “MAIB is open to select Mendoza students for now, and MAEB will be open to the entire University,” Ke said.
The administrators and professors of program said that the MAIB program offers a more intensive analytical focus, while MAEB will highlight broader AI literacy. As of April 17, applications had not yet opened for MAEB.
“MAEB will introduce foundational AI knowledge while focusing on ethical considerations and leadership skills,” Ke said.
MAEB will consist of three core courses: Applied AI for Business Professionals, AI and Global Business and Ethics of AI and Data Analytics. Electives for MAEB consist of similar classes to the MAIB, which must add up to 7.5 credit hours. There are also several unique electives, including Project Management and Intelligent Processes & SCM, with more pending.
The administrators and professor said the programs are aimed to help students leave Notre Dame ready to make a difference in their careers.
“Students can come in ready to compete, ready to go and be experts of their company from day one,” Barron said.
The faculty expects that the MAEB program will be selective, accepting approximately 60 students per year.
Both minors highlight Notre Dame’s emphasis on integrating technological innovation in its business curriculum. “AI has become a core business function,” Angst said. “It is something that our students are going to be interacting with for years after they make it to the workforce.” With a focus on developing both practical and technical skills, the minor gives students a unique insight into the process of incorporating new technologies within organizations.
Ke, Barron and Angst said these courses are becoming increasingly relevant in today’s business world.
“What we’ve seen over the last couple years is rapid AI adoption across businesses,” Barron said. “It’s massively changing how they conduct themselves and do their work across a range of different functions.”
These programs are expected to make students more competitive in professional settings. “We wanted to meet that demand we were seeing from our students and prepare them for the current workforce,” Barron said.
Martijn Cremers, Mendoza College of Business dean, explained in a written statement that these minors are important to the University’s dedication to multidisciplinary learning. In previous years, business courses were not widely available to non-business students.
“Expanding access to our courses through these minors has been an important step forward for the College,” Cremers wrote. “Today, these minors provide meaningful access to business education, equipping students with practical skills that complement their primary field of study.”
