Master of Science in Business Analytics

Curriculum

Employers need skilled individuals who can translate big data into recommendations for profitable actions. A study conducted by Gallup reports that, by 2021, 69 percent of employers expect job candidates to have data science and analytics skills, but at the same time colleges report there are far fewer graduates learning these skills. Another study by McKinsey Global Institute predicted a workforce gap of 1.5 million managers and analysts with the knowledge to decipher and translate data patterns for decision making. These shortages mean more opportunities for students who are capable of managing and analyzing data.

The Master of Science in Business Analytics degree consists of a set of core courses and a set of electives organized into tracks: Accounting Analytics, Data Science, Decision and Operations Analytics, Financial Analytics, Healthcare Analytics, IT for Analytics and Marketing Analytics. In addition to teaching the core analytics concepts, the degree covers tools like SAS, R, Python, Hadoop, Stata and Tableau. This is a STEM designated program.

For students who are unable to attend on-campus classes, the program is available online to engage students anywhere focusing on data science. In this program, the Data Science track is offered in an online format.

Cohort options are also available to help build a collaborative experience in which students take all courses together as a cohort. Students can select a cohort track in data science or accounting analytics.

A flex program is also available to allow students the flexibility to complete the program at their own pace. It also allows students the flexibility to choose courses and gain knowledge to pursue opportunities in several specializations in business analytics.

Career Options

Graduates of the program seek positions such as: data scientist, data engineer, data analyst, business intelligence analyst, business intelligence engineer, business intelligence consultant, big data engineer, risk analyst, fraud analyst, pricing analyst, strategic business analyst and marketing analyst.

Application Requirements

Degree requirements: A bachelor's degree from an institution in the United States, or its equivalent (all majors are considered).

GPA: Students must maintain a 3.0 grade-point average (GPA) in both business core courses and in aggregate courses to qualify for the MS degree.

Test score required: Yes

Competitive GMAT (GRE also accepted) performance based on a score that is less than five years old.

International applicants must submit a TOEFL score of at least 80 on the Internet-based test that is less than two years old.

Letters of recommendation: Minimum of one

All master's programs will require at least one letter of recommendation which can be either academic or professional.

Resume required: Yes

Admissions essay required: Yes

Personal essay outlining academic interests and goals.

Deadlines: University deadlines apply.