The Master of Science in Business Analytics is an interdisciplinary graduate business program that provides students with specialized skills for managing large volumes of unstructured data. Using well established information technology, statistical approaches, and up-to-date software applications, students learn to analyze huge data files and make data-informed decisions. Such skills can be applied not only to businesses, but also to government agencies, educational institutions, and non-profits. This graduate program best serves students with a solid quantitative background (i.e., science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and business) and those seeking entry to mid-level positions as business professionals whose job duty requires performing or understanding data analysis.
Program Features:
- Business decision making
- Quantitative tools
- Interdisciplinary
- Industry centered projects
Program Requirements
All students applying to the Master of Science in Business Analytics program must have fulfilled the University requirements for admission to graduate study.
Additionally, the following requirements need to be satisfied:
- A baccalaureate GPA of 2.75 or higher,
- *Completion of Introduction to Statistics with a grade of C or better
- Relevant work experience in business analytics. Volunteer work and internships are also acceptable
- Two letters of recommendation.
- All prospective students must complete the departmental application in Section 4 of Cal State Apply.
*International students: If completed Introduction to Statistics at a pre-college or college level may share the transcript to have the pre-requisite waived.
Curriculum
Core Courses
To successfully complete the Master of Science in Business Analytics program, a total of 33 units—30 units of coursework and a culminating project (additional 3 units) are required. Students must fulfill all University requirements for graduation.
Course Description: Foundation to Business Analytics, using case studies and hands-on exercises that cover various business domains.
Credit Hours: 3 lecture hour(s)
Course Description: Students learn about Visual Analytics; performing data analysis using BI visualization tools; applying principles of data visualization; best practices of data presentation and storytelling; dashboard creation techniques; hands-on experience building dashboards in BI.
Credit Hours: 3 lecture hour(s)
Course Description: Modeling tools and methods for predictive analytics for decision-making in business and economics. Some sections may be technologically mediated.
Credit Hours: 3 lecture hour(s)
Course Description: Application of optimization and simulation models in decision-making in a variety of business fields, such as management, marketing, accounting, and finance.
Credit Hours: 3 lecture hour(s)
Course Description: Critical investigation of quantitative marketing research methodology focusing on developing, collecting, analyzing, and reporting marketing decision based data derived from survey data analyzed with electronic research software such as SPSS. Some sections may be technologically mediated.
Credit Hours: 3 lecture hour(s)
Course Description: Investigates and analyzes Big Data electronic databases via electronic software to create marketing information to enable informed marketing tactical and strategic plans.
Credit Hours: 3 lecture hour(s)
Please visit the University Catalog for more information on the above courses.
Elective Courses (12 units)
12 units of elective courses are required. For more information on the list of elective courses, please visit the University Catalog.