Program Overview

Introduction to the Master of Science in Business Analytics

The Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) degree is a program designed to address the growing skills shortage in the field of business analytics. This program stands on its own and overlaps with the traditional Master of Business Administration (MBA) in several regards. The MSBA degree is a response to the increasing demand for data analytics, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence in the business world.

Program Overview

The MSBA program is a one- to two-year program that blends an overview of practical business methodology with advanced modeling, statistics, machine learning, and programming skills. This program is designed for professionals and recent graduates with technical backgrounds, such as a bachelor's in computer science, information technology (IT), or engineering. However, business and economics majors who have acquired some coding skills may also benefit from a data-driven perspective of finance and organization.

Key Features of the MSBA Program

• The program builds on the shift in graduate business school degrees that started over two decades ago with the Master of Science in Management program.
• It diversifies degree offerings to address skills shortages in the field of business analytics.
• The program combines an overview of practical business methodology with advanced technical skills, including:
  • Advanced modeling
  • Statistics
  • Machine learning
  • Programming skills

Career Opportunities and Benefits

• The MSBA program is designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in a career in business analytics.
• Professionals who earn an MSBA degree often experience a salary boost in the workplace.
• The program is angled towards professionals and recent graduates with technical backgrounds, but may also be beneficial for business and economics majors with some coding skills.

Comparison with the MBA Program

The MSBA program is distinct from the traditional MBA program, although there are some similarities between the two. The MBA program is a broader degree that focuses on management and leadership, while the MSBA program is a more specialized degree that focuses on business analytics. Some business schools, including Wake Forest, have developed a business analytics concentration within their MBA programs to introduce students to the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in this field.

Key Differences between the MSBA and MBA Programs

• The MSBA program is a more technical degree that requires candidates to be well-versed in programming languages, data quality management, data mining, statistics, and modeling.
• The MBA program is a broader degree that focuses on management and leadership, although it may include some coursework in business analytics.
• The MSBA program is designed for professionals and recent graduates with technical backgrounds, while the MBA program is designed for a broader range of students.