Preparing Leaders for What’s Next

McMurry Launches Two STEM-Designated Graduate Programs to Meet Texas Workforce Needs

This spring, McMurry’s Walter F. and Virginia Johnson School of Business announced two new STEM-designated graduate programs designed to meet growing workforce needs in Texas: a Master of Science in AI in Business and a Master of Science in Healthcare Administration. Both programs are pending approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and are accepting applications for spring 2027.

Across the nation, employers are seeking professionals who can navigate increasingly complex industries shaped by technology, data, and innovation. At the same time, demand continues to grow in fields such as artificial intelligence and healthcare administration.

Recognizing these trends, McMurry has developed programs designed to meet workforce demands.

Both programs can be completed in as little as one year and offer additional opportunities for veterans and international students. Designed for working professionals and recent graduates alike, they combine advanced coursework with practical application in rapidly growing fields.

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Master of Science in AI in Business

Artificial intelligence has rapidly transformed from an emerging technology into a critical business tool. Organizations across every sector, from healthcare and finance to manufacturing and marketing, are investing heavily in AI-driven solutions to improve efficiency, decision-making, and customer experiences.

McMurry’s new Master of Science in AI in Business was designed to prepare professionals to bridge the gap between technological innovation and business strategy. McMurry is the first university in Abilene to offer a master’s degree in AI in Business. It is among a relatively small number of universities in Texas with a graduate program specifically focused on this field.

The program combines business leadership principles with data analytics, artificial intelligence applications, and machine learning concepts. Students will learn how to evaluate emerging technologies, manage organizational change, and apply AI in business settings. The curriculum also emphasizes AI governance and ethics, preparing graduates to help organizations implement AI responsibly and communicate both its capabilities and limitations to leadership teams.

Employers increasingly seek leaders who can translate technical possibilities into practical business solutions.

Graduates may pursue careers such as an AI business consultant, a data analyst, a business intelligence manager, a technology strategist, or an innovation leader. The versatility of the degree allows graduates to work across industries, including finance, healthcare, retail, consulting, and technology, because AI skills are now relevant in virtually every sector of the economy.

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Master of Science in Healthcare Administration

While artificial intelligence is one of the fastest-growing areas of business innovation, healthcare remains one of the most essential and rapidly expanding industries in Texas.

The new Master of Science in Healthcare Administration addresses a growing need for skilled leaders who can manage healthcare organizations, improve operational efficiency, and navigate an increasingly complex healthcare landscape.

Healthcare systems today face challenges ranging from workforce shortages and regulatory changes to technological transformation and rising patient expectations.

With nearly 600 licensed hospitals and an extensive network of healthcare providers across Texas, the need for well-prepared healthcare leaders has never been greater.

McMurry’s program is designed to equip students with expertise in healthcare operations, financial management, organizational leadership, policy, and strategic planning. The program was developed in collaboration with faculty in nursing, kinesiology, and human health sciences, providing students with both operational business expertise and discipline-specific healthcare knowledge. One of its distinctive strengths is a focus on both rural and urban healthcare systems, preparing graduates to lead across the wide range of community settings that define Texas healthcare.

Graduates will be prepared to lead hospitals, manage clinic operations, oversee budgeting and reimbursement systems, improve patient flow, and lead organizational improvement initiatives, stepping into higher-responsibility roles faster because they leave with practical, applied experience.

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McMurry’s Approach

For alums who remember the close-knit classrooms and personal attention that defined their McMurry experience, these new graduate programs represent a continuation of that tradition. Graduate students will benefit from faculty mentorship, practical learning experiences, and an emphasis on ethical leadership.