What Sets Minerva’s MDA Program Apart

Minerva’s Master in Decision Making and Applied Analytics (MDA) program stands out against other academic offerings because it applies the science of decision-making to real life. Students develop the critical skills needed to make consequential decisions and lead with confidence, deepening problem-solving and data interpretation skills. Yet, every student pinpoints distinct aspects of the program that resonate most with their individual goals and experiences.

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For some, like Junya Suzuki, Minerva’s international student body has reshaped how they see even the most familiar issues. “It’s a fantastic opportunity for me,” Junya says, “because I get to learn about the science behind decision-making from different angles—psychology, statistics, and technology.” This multidisciplinary foundation has empowered him to make thoughtful, data-informed choices in his role leading a department in Japan. “My goal is to make decisions that are faster and simpler, yet thoughtful enough to maximize both employee satisfaction and their professional growth,” he adds.

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Other students, such as Hailey Bixler, appreciate how Minerva’s project-based format closes the gap between academic theory and professional practice. “At Minerva, it seems like they encourage you to connect both,” she explains, highlighting how many traditional institutions fail to prepare students for the real challenges they will face on the job. Hailey is also thrilled by the diversity of her cohort: “I spoke to a woman in San Francisco, where I’ll be located for my job. Now, we’ve planned on co-working and studying together, which is awesome.” Being part of a global network makes the MDA experience that much more enriching.

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Meanwhile, those passionate about innovation and societal impact discover that the MDA curriculum helps them build a toolkit enabling them to tackle  complex endeavors. Jinhyeok Bang, aiming to integrate AI into journalism, appreciates Minerva’s “innovative educational approach and Forum’s active learning aspect” in giving him the skills and resources he needs to dismantle biases and restore objectivity in media. Students like him see immediate applications of concepts taught in class to pressing issues—whether revolutionizing biomolecular research or improving public trust in news outlets.

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Likewise, the program’s emphasis on transferring skills across multiple fields resonates with many. For instance, Claudia González Leal admires the creative spark she has gained by constantly encountering new perspectives and contexts. “It was beyond exciting to see the diversity of applications the same tool can provide,” she says, recalling how classmates tackled thesis topics ranging from education to technology. This flexibility allowed her—and her peers—to shape their work around passions and professional goals, all while drawing on shared foundational concepts.

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Students also highlight the importance of Minerva’s Habits of Mind and Foundational Concepts (HCs). According to Rayyan Chanda, “HCs are what I feel like were lacking the most in my other educational experiences.” By identifying and teaching these core skills and techniques, Minerva helps students intentionally apply them across various contexts. Rayyan stresses how the program’s structure goes beyond academia, as each seminar forces students to sharpen their analytical thinking in real time.
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Finally, many see Minerva’s approach to active learning as the perfect antidote to the memorization-heavy models of conventional education. “It is not about teaching knowledge,” says Haishuo Lee, “it is about teaching a framework of thinking and decision-making.” The program’s flipped-classroom setup and focus on evidence-based reasoning ensure that students emerge prepared to make unbiased, data-oriented choices—an invaluable skill in any industry, from research to entrepreneurship.
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What unites these stories is a common theme of the transformative power of the MDA experience. By fostering a collaborative, diverse, and challenging environment, Minerva’s MDA provides a forum for students to develop the skills, mindset, and confidence to lead in an increasingly complex world. Current students and g graduates  commonly agree on their favorite thing about Minerva being how deeply and practically it equips them to make better decisions every day.