Western Illinois University next spring will offer a new master of science graduate program in applied statistics and decision analytics.

The Macomb, Illinois-based school announced Tuesday that the Illinois Board of Higher Education has approved the program.

The degree program requires 36 semester hours. It is designed to provide students with a foundation of statistical analysis and modeling which are commonly used in education, science, technology, health care, government, business or social science research.

University officials say the program is intended for graduates of programs in quantitative and biological sciences, mathematics, sociology, psychology, business, computer sciences and physics.

Working professionals could also benefit from the program.

Western also offers a post-graduate certificate in business analytics and a master of arts in economics.