نظرة عامة على البرنامج

Introduction to the Master of Science in Analytics Program

The Master of Science in Analytics (MSA) is a uniquely designed program that equips students with the skills to derive and effectively communicate actionable insights from a vast quantity and variety of data. It is an intensive 10-month degree with a strong practical orientation focused on the tools and methods used by data scientists.

Program Overview

• The program is a fully integrated course of study taught exclusively to MSA students and designed to produce well-rounded professionals.
• Student teams tackle genuine problems with data provided by industry and government sponsors.
• The program is designed for full-time students only.

Master’s Degree Requirements

• Students complete 30 credit hours of defined coursework in a period of ten months beginning in Summer Session II and ending the following Spring semester.
• The integrated curriculum is designed to provide a focused education in the software tools, methods, and applications of data analytics.

Program Schedule

Summer II

• Start date: June 23, 2025
• Census date: June 25, 2025
• End date: July 25, 2025
• Communication Training (required): July 28 - August 8, 2025
• Courses: AA 500 and AA 501

Fall

• Start date: August 14, 2025
• Census date: August 29, 2025
• End date: November 25, 2025
• Practicum project work, midpoint presentations, career and professional development activities (required): December 1-12, 2025
• Courses: AA 502 and AA 504

Spring

• Start date: January 12, 2026
• Census date: January 26, 2026
• End date: April 30, 2026
• Spring Commencement: May 9, 2026
• Courses: AA 503 and AA 505

Admission Requirements

• Admission to the MSA program is highly competitive.
• The best-qualified applicants will be accepted up to the limited number of seats available for students each year.
• The admissions committee evaluates candidates on criteria such as:
  • Overall academic record and grade point average
  • Academic performance in analytical/quantitative subjects
  • Relevant employment experience and potential to succeed in the profession
  • Leadership potential, integrity, and other personal character traits

Applicant Information

• Delivery Method: On Campus
• Entrance Exam: None
• Interview Required: Yes

Degrees

• Analytics (MS)

Faculty

Full Professors

• Christopher G. Healey
• Michael A. Rappa

Practice/Research/Teaching Professors

• Susan Jeanne Simmons
• Aric David LaBarr
• Christopher West
• Andrea Villanes Arellano
• Sarah Egan Warren

Courses

• AA 500: Analytics Tools and Techniques (3 credit hours)
  • This course equips the student with basic and advanced computer programming skills needed to use industry-standard analytics tools for data analysis.
  • Restricted to AA majors.
  • Corequisite: AA 501
  • Typically offered in Summer only
• AA 501: Analytics Foundations (3 credit hours)
  • This course equips the student with basic knowledge of statistics required for further study in analytics.
  • Restricted to AA major.
  • Corequisite: AA 500
  • Typically offered in Summer only
• AA 502: Analytics Methods and Applications I (6 credit hours)
  • This course equips the students with the methods and applications of advanced analytics.
  • Restricted to AA major.
  • Prerequisite: AA 500 and AA 501; Corequisite: AA 504
  • Typically offered in Fall only
• AA 503: Analytics Methods and Applications II (6 credit hours)
  • This course equips the student with the methods and applications of advanced analytics.
  • Restricted to AA major.
  • Prerequisite: AA 502; Corequisite: AA 505
  • Typically offered in Spring only
• AA 504: Analytics Practicum I (6 credit hours)
  • This course equips the student with the knowledge and skills needed to conduct and present large-scale studies based on advanced analytics.
  • Restricted to AA major.
  • Prerequisite: AA 500 and AA 501; Corequisite: AA 502
  • Typically offered in Fall only
• AA 505: Analytics Practicum II (6 credit hours)
  • A continuation of AA 504, this course equips the student with the knowledge and skills needed to conduct and present large-scale studies based on advanced analytics.
  • Restricted to AA majors.
  • Prerequisite: AA 504; Corequisite: AA 503
  • Typically offered in Spring only
• AA 591: Special Topics in Advanced Analytics (1-6 credit hours)
  • Special Topics in Advanced Analytics
• AA 691: Special Topics in Advanced Analytics (1-6 credit hours)
  • Special Topics in Advanced Analytics

Additional Information

• The Institute welcomes applications from highly motivated individuals of exceptional talent regardless of undergraduate major.
• Applicants without prior coursework in statistics and/or experience with computer programming would need to complete a set of prerequisite courses before qualifying as a candidate for admission.