UTA launches AI degree programs for business

Monday, Sep 14, 2026
• Brian Lopez :
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The University of Texas at Arlington’s College of Business has launched bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in artificial intelligence.

Artificial Intelligence for Business replaces Business Analytics, with a redesigned curriculum focused on using AI to drive business strategy, productivity and decision-making.

“The business analytics programs were originally designed to equip students with data analytics skills that support data-driven decision-making in business organizations,” said Radha Mahapatra, chair of the Department of Information Systems and Operations Management (ISOM). “Over the years, we made incremental changes to the curriculum by incorporating machine-learning technologies. With the recent advances in generative AI and agentic AI, the ISOM faculty felt the need to completely redesign the curricula.”

College of Business Dean Brian Klaas said that as artificial intelligence transforms the business world, it is critical that business schools prepare graduates who can make an impact in their organizations by leveraging AI effectively and responsibly.

“As AI continues to reshape industries and redefine the nature of work, business schools have a responsibility to ensure students understand both the opportunities and challenges associated with these technologies,” Dr. Klaas said. “This program positions our students to lead in a rapidly changing industry environment.”

Dr. Mahapatra said the goal of the degree changes is to prepare students for the realities of today’s workforce. The revised curriculum, he said, will help teach business students how to use the latest technology to streamline business operations, improve productivity and support business strategy and decision-making.

“I want our students to know that the ISOM department and the College of Business at UTA are committed to preparing them with the latest high-demand skills,” he said.

The curriculum updates include renaming and restructuring several courses to reflect the programs’ expanded focus on artificial intelligence and its business applications.

“This program focuses on the application of AI across all areas of business. Because of that emphasis, it is about far more than mastering a particular AI tool or learning how to build an agent,” Klaas said.

Changes also include an advanced cloud computing elective, as well as a seminar and capstone in AI for business.

Beyond the degree programs, the college is expanding opportunities for students and professionals to build AI skills through new certificate offerings. These expanded offerings give students and working professionals multiple ways to develop AI expertise based on their academic and career goals. Students can add an AI for Business certificate to another business discipline or pursue the major for a more in-depth focus, while working professionals can earn a graduate certificate to build their knowledge of AI and its business applications without committing to a full master’s degree.

—      Chloe Moore, College of Business

About The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA)

The University of Texas at Arlingtonis a growing public research university in the heart of Dallas-Fort Worth. With a student body of over42,700, UTAis the second-largest institution in theUniversity of Texas System, offering more than 180 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.Recognized as a Carnegie R-1 university, UTA stands among the nation’s top 5% of institutions for research activity. UTA and its 300,000 alumni generate an annual economic impact of $28.8 billion for the state. The University has received the Innovation and Economic Prosperity designation from the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities and has earned recognition for its focus on student access and success, considered key drivers to economic growth and social progress for North Texas and beyond.