Master of Science in Business Analytics, Master's
Overview
Prepare for a career that applies data analytics techniques to solve critical business challenges.
This 30 credit program can be completed full time in a little over one year or on a part time basis at your pace.
What Does a Business Analyst Do?
Business analysts, also called management analysts, evaluate how an organization operates, and recommend approaches to the management team that might improve productivity and reduce costs.
To do this, a business analyst gathers and examines data, uses that data to develop models, examines company financials, and researches customer habits. A business analyst uses this information to recommend ways to improve systems or processes to company leadership.
The business analyst job outlook is bright.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for management analysts as of May 2020 was $87,660. The BLS projects that demand for management analysts will increase by 11% between 2019 and 2029, which is much faster than average for all occupations. The BLS also highlights that competition for management analyst jobs will be strong due to the occupation’s high earnings potential.
Admissions Requirements
Admissions to the MS in Business Analytics program are on a rolling basis.
Apply Online
Deadline: Rolling
Application Checklist
- Current resume (our part-time program is geared toward working adults) or your LinkedIn url.
- Completed application
- 2 professional references/recommendation letters
- A personal statement explaining why you want to pursue this degree and what you feel you could bring to the classroom discussion/experience, etc.
- Official transcripts from all undergraduate institutions you attended
- An undergraduate GPA of a 3.0 or higher from an accredited institution. Exceptions to the GPA requirement will be made on a case-by-case basis.
Additional Required Information
International Students
English Competency Exam Required: TOEFL (minimum score of 90)
Transcript Evaluation Required: Yes
Certificate of Finances Required: Yes
Curriculum
Learning Outcomes
Upon graduation, students should be able to:
- Explain how descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive analytics and their associated methods can improve decisions throughout an organization’s value chain.
- Define business problems, and gather requirements, plan, organize, and execute the iterative processes necessary to solve them.
- Consolidate and prepare datasets for analysis and develop informative, relevant visualizations.
- Apply appropriate statistical and algorithmic calculations, tools, and tests in dataset analysis.
- Communicate business-relevant results effectively and tell persuasive data analytics stories in both written and spoken formats.
- Manage and govern datasets throughout the analytical process while considering legal, ethical, and social impacts for the organization.
Course Requirements
- CR508 Business Computing [Excel] – 3 credits
- BA501 Data Analytics & AI [Tableau] – 3 credits
- BA502 Database Management [Structured Query Language - SQL] – 3 credits
- IT553 Statistical Analysis and Predictive Modeling [Alteryx] – 3 credits
- MBE502 Analysis with Microsoft Power BI – 1 credit
- PM501 Project Management Essentials – 3 credits
- 2 Business Communications courses – 2 credits
- IT546 Ethical & Social Issues of Information Technology – 3 credits
- Choice of 2 functional electives – 6 credits
- AC503 Accounting Information Systems
- IT580 Healthcare Information Technology Management
- MK503 Marketing Research
- IT513 Data Mining and Visualization [R programming]
- IT562 Data Analytics [Python programming]
- BA510 Business Analytics Capstone – 3 credits
Facilities
The DeSales University Gambet Center includes state-of-the-art technology and equipment for Business education.
The second floor of the Center is home to the undergraduate business division and the MBA program. Through the Gambet Center, you'll have access to some of the most cutting-edge technologies and softwares, such as Financial Trading Systems (FTS):
- The Fainor Center for Financial Services boasts a live-ticker and trading simulation software.
- The Center for Data Analytics and Applied AI provides education and training, inclusive outreach, and applied projects for our stakeholder organizations.
The Gambet Center is a showcase of green architecture featuring environmentally advanced design consistent with the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification standards of the U.S. Green Building Council.
The Fainor Center for Financial Services is used by DeSales University business and finance students. State-of-the-art software simulates real-world market situations and portfolio management.
Careers & Internships
Every type of company can use business analysts to examine processes and data to drive stronger performance. Even the best-run companies can benefit from making their business processes more efficient.
Business analysts typically work at client sites or in their own offices. They interview employees, evaluate on-site processes and equipment, and examine financial data and employment reports. Their analyses may lead them to recommend new equipment, updated procedures or even a revamped organizational structure.
Tuition & Fees
Program Costs
- Tuition/credit hour: $915*
- Total Cost Graduate Certificate (12 credits): $10,980
- Total Cost (30 credits): $27,450**
- Graduation Fee: $120
- Returned Check Service: $30
*Tuition/credit hours listed are for 2023/2024 academic year. Tuition and fees are reviewed each academic year and are subject to change with notice..
**Does not include Foundation Courses.
View a comprehensive list of financial aid forms and graduate program information sheets
DeSales University participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program to aid in the education of our veterans.
Tuition Deferment
DeSales University offers graduate students the opportunity to defer payment of their tuition when they will be receiving reimbursement from their employer or when they are eligible to receive financial aid. A copy of your employer's tuition reimbursement policy must be forwarded to the Treasurer's Office and/or all necessary financial aid paperwork must be filed with the Financial Aid Office before tuition deferment is granted.
Tuition deferment is a privilege given to graduate students at DeSales and can be revoked if this privilege is abused. Please note that you, as the student, are responsible for payment of your tuition balance in the event that your financial aid/loans or employer reimbursement is not received by the Treasurer's Office.
Tuition Reimbursement
When a student is eligible for tuition reimbursement from his/her employer, written evidence of eligibility is required. The student is responsible for requesting this reimbursement from his/her employer. In cases where reimbursement is contingent upon successful completion of the course(s) and the student either withdraws or does not achieve a grade sufficient to warrant maximum reimbursement, the student is ultimately responsible for payment for the course(s).
Refund on Withdrawal
A refund of tuition payments will be made to a student who withdraws from a course. In all cases, credits will be calculated from the date the student completed the official withdrawal form, and the rebate will be based on the schedule shown listed below.
Refunds apply to tuition only. If a student is allowed to enroll by use of the deferred payment procedure, any funds due the University are immediately due and payable upon withdrawal.
Withdrawal during the add/drop period is 100% of tuition refunded. The schedule below is for withdrawal after the first class after the close of the add/drop period.
- Withdrawal after 1st class: 80% of tuition refunded
- Withdrawal after 2nd class: 65% of tuition refunded
- Withdrawal after 3rd class: 50% of tuition refunded
- Withdrawal after 4th class: 25% of tuition refunded
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Withdrawal after 5th class: No refund
Center for Data Analytics and Applied AI
Based at DeSales University in the Lehigh Valley in eastern Pennsylvania, the Center for Data Analytics and Applied AI provides education and training, inclusive outreach, and applied projects for our stakeholder organizations.
We prepare people for jobs as business analysts, data analysts, and data scientists — some of the most sought after careers in the US and abroad with high starting salaries.
