Two new high-demand degree programs added for fall semester

Beginning this fall, undergraduate students at Lenoir-Rhyne University will be able to major in business analytics and digital marketing. These latest offerings join five other high-growth majors introduced in fall 2022: computer science with cybersecurity concentration, human resource management, professional sales, project management and supply chain management.

“We are excited to add these two new majors to our curriculum,” said Fred Whitt, Ed.D., president of Lenoir-Rhyne University. “The demand for business analytics and digital marketing skills is growing rapidly, and these new majors will prepare our students for successful careers in these fields.”

The business analytics major will focus on the collection, analysis and interpretation of data. Students in the major will learn how to use data to solve problems, make decisions and improve business performance. The digital marketing major will focus on the use of digital channels to reach and engage customers. Students will learn how to create and manage websites, develop social media campaigns and use search engine optimization (SEO) and marketing (SEM) to drive traffic to websites.

“These new majors are a great fit for Lenoir-Rhyne,” said Jennifer Burris, Ph.D., provost and vice president for academic affairs. “We have a strong track record of preparing students for careers in business and technology, and these new majors will further enhance our ability to do so.”

These seven new bachelor’s degree programs are offered through a university partnership with RIZE Education and the Lower Cost Models for Independent Colleges (LCMC) Consortium. LCMC helps private colleges and universities like Lenoir-Rhyne expand educational opportunities for students while streamlining and lowering institutional costs.

New Degree Programs

Business Analytics

Although much of the world economy is data-driven, data on its own is little more than a vast collection of numbers. In order to make data meaningful and useful, companies turn to analysts who take the raw numbers, analyze them and draw conclusions based on patterns in the numerical evidence. In the business analytics major, students will learn through experience with data collection and analysis, including programming languages, structured queries and other tools and techniques that will make them indispensable resources for employers.

Digital Marketing

Digital platforms have made goods and services available from nearly anywhere. Digital marketing connects an infinite range of products with buyers through social media, email, content marketing, search engines, websites, mobile apps and more. Students in the program learn to create marketing content that gets noticed and how to deploy marketing strategies to fit target audiences and consumer needs. Majors also learn how to adapt strategies across digital media for optimal engagement and sales.

Computer Science with Cybersecurity Concentration

Expanding on the university’s current computer science program, the new cybersecurity concentration offers students the opportunity to go beyond coding and into network management, encryption, traffic monitoring, intrusion detection and incident response management. The expanded program equips students with the technical and business knowledge needed to secure high-paying jobs with room for advancement in an ever-evolving field.

Human Resource Management

Human resource professionals shape company and workplace culture to create the kind of work environment that helps people feel supported and excel in their jobs while helping organizations gain competitive advantages in complex business environments. The human resource management major curriculum is fully updated for the modern workplace, including changing work environment trends such as remote work practices, work/life balance needs and human resource management technologies that power the way we work.

Professional Sales

In our increasingly solutions-driven economy, connecting consumers and companies with the products and services they need to stay competitive is a fast-growing field for professionals excited to make connections and create lasting value for customers. The professional sales major curriculum provides valuable sales management strategies needed for business success in building business relationships, negotiating sales terms and ultimately closing the business deals needed for companies to succeed now and in the future in both Fortune 500 companies and fast-growing technology firms.

Project Management

As the global economy has become more project-oriented, the practice of project management expands across many industries, including health care, information technology, construction, government, non-profits and professional services. There is a high demand for project managers who can lead complex projects and possess skills in decision-making, problem-solving and leadership to successfully lead both people and projects to achieve cost-effective results for businesses and organizations.

Supply Chain Management

Supply chains encompass all the activities from the delivery of the sources of materials to the manufacturer to the delivery to the end consumer. The supply chain management major brings together concepts from finance, economics and logistics and provides students with the skills and knowledge to quantitatively forecast inventory needs, build logistics plans and integrate operations to meet consumer demands.

For more information about these new Lenoir-Rhyne University majors and other degree programs, visit lr.edu/degree-programs.