Program Overview

Master of Science in Business Analytics

The Paul Merage School of Business offers a Master of Science in Business Analytics, a self-supporting full-time degree targeted at a mix of individuals with and without work experience in four or five quarters. The Master of Science in Business Analytics program equips students with advanced statistical and analytical skills to derive strategic value from large data sets. As data-driven decision-making becomes crucial across industries, the demand for professionals with business analytics expertise far exceeds the current supply.

Program Overview

Recognizing the significance of big data and analytics as essential production factors alongside labor and capital, this one-year, full-time, self-supporting degree caters to individuals with diverse work experience. The program trains students to manage extensive data sets and apply sophisticated analytical methods to derive business insights tailored to specific contexts.

Admission

Applicants apply directly to the Paul Merage School of Business. Prospective applicants must ensure all prerequisite requirements are fulfilled by the time of matriculation into the program. Admission to graduate-level standing is granted to individuals who hold an undergraduate degree with a satisfactory academic record from a recognized institution. Applicants with a quantitative background, particularly those holding degrees in mathematics, computer science, economics, statistics, engineering, or physics, are encouraged to apply.

Admission Criteria

Applicants for admission will be evaluated on their academic record and potential for leadership, as demonstrated by the materials submitted in the application. These materials must include:

• Official university transcripts
• Two letters of recommendations
• Two essays
• A resume
• A personal interview (by invitation only) The GMAT or GRE are not required but strongly recommended. While these tests are not required, the admissions team is looking for evidence of strong verbal and quantitative skills.

Language Requirements

If the applicant received their undergraduate degree from a foreign country and their primary language is not English, they will be responsible for taking the TOEFL exam with a minimum score of 80 on the internet-based test. A Pearson Test of English (PTE) may be substituted for the TOEFL. The minimum score for the PTE is 53.

Curriculum

The curriculum explores three essential areas of training: data management, analytics methods, and business context. Students learn how to handle large data sets, and apply a range of analytics methods including data analytics, marketing analytics, and operation analytics to gain business insights relevant to a specific business context.

Course Requirements

The program consists of 10 core courses (32 units) and five elective courses (20 units), for a total of 52 units to be completed in four or five quarters. The required courses are as follows:

• BANA 200 | Foundations of Business Analytics
• BANA 201A | Statistics for Data Science
• BANA 201B | Management Science for Analytics
• BANA 205 | Foundations of Marketing
• BANA 211 | MSBA ProSeminar (four quarters)
• BANA 212 | Data and Programming for Analytics
• BANA 273 | Machine Learning for Analytics
• BANA 277 | Customer and Social Analytics
• BANA 298A | Business Analytics Capstone Prep
• BANA 298B | Business Analytics Capstone Project
  • Select five BANA or other Merage graduate program elective course offerings.