No. As an example, one of our current students, Michelle Lemieux, had a background in higher education administration and healthcare coordination. While she did not have a formal background in analytics, she was always seeking projects where she could use data to drive efficiency and decision-making. Data was impactful to her and made her feel more engaged in her work.
In an interview, she mentioned that she had some hesitation in applying for the program because she did not want to be behind her peers or lack the proper foundation for success. It was the 91㽶Ƶ faculty and curriculum that encouraged her apply – a key case of using the right information to make effective, data-driven decisions.
As Michelle states, “After reviewing the curriculum and speaking with others in the program, I realized that a strong interest in problem-solving and a willingness to learn were just as important as prior experience. Once I got started, I saw how the program was designed to support students from all kinds of backgrounds, including mine.”