Program Overview
Program at a Glance
Business Analytics, MS
Format: Online, Hybrid, On Campus Total Units: 36 Requirements: No GMAT or GRE Required Fall '25 Early Application Deadline: July 13
Program Overview
Big Data for Big Business
Data Analytics is a field of explosive growth and burgeoning opportunity. As organizations scramble to find qualified employees, savvy professionals are looking to cash in on the demand by establishing themselves in the field. Golden Gate University's Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) program opens the door to this lucrative world by providing courses that are designed for application of analytics to address real-world business challenges.
Admission Requirements
- Applicants should hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or the equivalent from a recognized foreign institution (outside the United States), and provide official transcripts.
- All applicants will need to submit a Statement of Purpose (SOP) and a resume.
- For applicants with a GPA under 3.0, the Statement of Purpose should address the circumstances that led to the applicant's academic performance, what has changed, and why they think they'll be more successful now.
- Applicants whose native language is not English must meet the English Language Proficiency Admission Requirements.
Proficiency Requirements
Math Proficiency
Intermediate Algebra (Math 20); See Graduate Mathematics Proficiency Requirement for more information.
Writing Proficiency
Students are expected to possess proficiency in writing to ensure they can be successful in their course of study. Students may meet this requirement by satisfying one of the screening criteria listed under Graduate Writing Proficiency Requirement.
Curriculum
The Master of Science in Business Analytics requires completion of 36 units in the graduate program and a 3-unit graduate statistics course. Foundation program courses may be waived in accordance with university policy regarding course waivers. The foundation program must be met before starting any degree courses, except MSBA 300.
Foundation Program — 3 Units (Not Included in Total Units)
The foundation program provides the groundwork for the advanced program courses and concentration courses.
- BUS 240: Data Analysis for Managers – 3 unit(s)
- (Must earn a “B” or better before starting advanced program courses.)
Advanced Program — 18 Units
Core Courses — 15 Units
- MSBA 300: Foundations of Business Analytics – 3 unit(s)
- MSBA 301: Enterprise Data and Performance Management – 3 unit(s)
- ITM 304: Managing Data Structures – 3 unit(s)
- MSBA 305: Business Intelligence and Decision Support – 3 unit(s)
- MSBA 320: Advanced Data Analytics with Python – 3 unit(s)
Required Course — 3 Units
- MSBA 395: Business Analytics Capstone – 3 unit(s)
Elective Courses — 18 Units
Students may select any six of the following courses:
- MSBA 307: AI for Data Security, Integrity, and Risk Mitigation – 3 unit(s)
- MSBA 321: Big Data Ecosystems – 3 unit(s)
- MSBA 324: Data and Social Media Analytics – 3 unit(s)
- MSBA 326: Machine Learning for Predictive Analytics – 3 unit(s)
- MSBA 327: Natural Language Processing – 3 unit(s)
- MSBA 328: Visualization and Communication – 3 unit(s)
- MSBA 329: Prescriptive Analytics and Optimization – 3 unit(s)
- MSBA 330: Self-Service Analytics with Artificial Intelligence – 3 unit(s)
- MSBA 340: Artificial Intelligence in Business – 3 unit(s)
Graduate Tuition
The tuition for most graduate degree programs at Golden Gate University is $1,090 per unit, covering the cost of high-quality, career-focused education led by experienced faculty. This investment supports essential resources, including personalized academic advising, state-of-the-art technology, and student services designed to help adult learners succeed.
Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the Master of Science in Business Analytics degree program will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Explain the differences between structured and unstructured data, aligning each with appropriate business applications.
- Articulate and align with corporate performance, the complexities of data management, including organizational structures, data policy, data governance, data ownership, and data strategies.
- Explain and give examples of the three analytic disciplines of descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive (optimization).
- Identify the different kinds of tools used in optimization and simulation and explain their appropriate usage in the work environment.
- Identify and explain the steps of the CRISP-DM process model.
- Anticipate challenges to data security, privacy, and ethics, recommending reasonable solutions to issues when they occur.
- Recognize the challenges of Big Data and describe the use of supporting technologies.
- Use visual outcomes of analytics to communicate effective messages to members of the business community.
- Describe the different approaches to machine learning, demonstrating application of the most common algorithms.
- Explain Natural Language Processing, identifying potential uses and challenges.
- Interpret and analyze individual business problems, selecting the best analytic approach and appropriate tools for extracting value from the data.
- Promote data quality by effectively acquiring, cleansing, and organizing data for analysis.
- Plan and implement the use of self-service analytics in the workplace, addressing the challenges of stand-alone implementations.
- Explain the influence that AI has on business processes and execution.
Golden Gate University
Overview:
Golden Gate University (GGU) is a private, non-profit university located in downtown San Francisco, California. Founded in 1901, GGU has a long history of providing flexible and career-focused degree programs for working adults. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degrees, as well as certificates, in various fields.
Services Offered:
GGU provides a comprehensive range of services to its students, including:
Registrar's Office:
Handles student records, registration, and graduation.Libraries:
Offers access to a vast collection of resources, including books, journals, and databases.Student Services:
Provides support for academic success, personal well-being, and career development.Student Life:
Organizes events and activities to foster a sense of community and engagement.Veteran Services:
Offers specialized support and resources for veterans and their families.Student Life and Campus Experience:
Key Reasons to Study There:
Career-Focused Programs:
GGU's programs are designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in their chosen fields.Flexible Learning Options:
The university offers online, hybrid, and on-campus programs to accommodate the needs of working adults.Experienced Faculty:
GGU's faculty members are experts in their fields and bring real-world experience to the classroom.Location:
Situated in the heart of San Francisco, GGU provides students with access to a vibrant city and a wealth of career opportunities.Academic Programs:
GGU offers a wide range of academic programs, including:
Associate Degrees:
In various fields, including business, accounting, and technology.Bachelor's Degrees:
In business, accounting, law, psychology, and more.Master's Degrees:
In business administration, taxation, accounting, law, and other fields.Certificates:
In specialized areas, such as accounting, taxation, and business.Other:
GGU is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). The university has a strong alumni network with over 68,000 graduates worldwide. GGU also offers a variety of student resources, including career services, financial aid, and student clubs.