Master of Science (M.S.) in Business Analytics
College: Daniel L. Goodwin College of Business
Department: Business
Student Type: Graduate Semester
Degree: Master of Science (M.S.)
Campus: Lisle Campus
Overview
The Master of Science Program in Business Analytics (M.S. in Business Analytics) at Benedictine University leverages our decades-long expertise in preparing professionals for rapid advances in technology, intense global competition, and more complex business environments.
Our curriculum covers the major areas of business analytics: databases and data warehouses, descriptive analytics, predictive analytics, prescriptive analytics, as well as organizational considerations.
Specifically, our business analytics program focuses on the skills, technologies, applications, and practices for iterative exploration and investigation of past business performance to gain insight and drive business planning. It makes extensive use of data, statistical and quantitative analysis, explanatory and predictive modeling, and fact-based management to drive decision-making. Data-driven companies treat their data as a corporate asset and leverage it for competitive advantage.
Examples of business analytics uses include:
- Exploring data to find new patterns and relationships
- Explaining why a certain result occurred
- Simulating business decisions to facilitate business planning and execution
- Forecasting future results
The graduate program in business analytics is appropriate for students in functional business units as well as information technology because it leverages information technology and business thinking to turn data into actionable intelligence. The program is designed for students who have an interest in quantitative methods, exploring and uncovering relationships through data analysis, using data to solve business problems, and who want to enter or advance in a career in business analytics.
Our program’s commitment to individual development is the basis for the professional achievements of its graduates. This approach gives students a unique opportunity to interact with graduate students in all our graduate business and management programs. The exposure to other students with different talents, experiences, and job responsibilities is a key element in each student’s development of business analytics skills.
The educational approach of the program emphasizes practical application of technical tools and management theories to a variety of hypothetical and real-life data problems. Students gain an appreciation for the complexity of challenges associated with business analytics through group interaction, comprehensive projects, case analysis, research, and active participation in the sharing of individual experiences. This variety of teaching methods prepares students to be leaders in the 21st century.
Our graduate business analytics program is a STEM-designated program, with CIP code 52.1399 Management Science and Quantitative Methods, Other.
The program’s classes are ideal for those who seek flexibility in their course schedules and plan to register as either a full- or part-time student. Courses are taught in eight-week terms and are held one evening per week (Monday through Thursday), two weekends (Friday evening, all day Saturday and Sunday), or on several Saturdays. Some courses are also available online. Please consult MyBenU for exact times and locations.
Learning Goals for the M.S. in Business Analytics Program
Students will be expected to:
- Demonstrate leadership and ethical decision-making in situations that may be structured, unstructured, and/or ambiguous.
- Demonstrate quantitative and qualitative skills in analyzing business problems.
- Integrate information technologies with data science methods to extract value from data.
- Communicate results of analysis in written, oral, and visual ways to a variety of audiences: technical and non-technical.
4+1 M.S. in Business Analytics Program
Well-qualified Benedictine University students who complete a B.B.A. or B.S. degree may be eligible to complete the master’s degree in Business Analytics in approximately one additional year of full-time graduate study. Students in other majors are encouraged to discuss curricular options with the program director. The full-time 4+1 Program is developed specifically for recent college graduates. Admission to the program is not automatic and an application must be completed during the student's senior year of undergraduate coursework.
Student Type: Graduate Quarter
Campus: Lisle Campus
Students may not enter the M.S. in Business Analytics program on quarters after the Spring 2021 term. Where possible, existing quarter M.S. in Business Analytics students were converted to semester M.S. in Business Analytics students as of Summer 2021.
Existing students should refer to original catalog of entry for appropriate academic requirements. College of Business academic advisors can clarify appropriate quarter to semester course requirements. Quarter credits convert at a 3 quarter credits to 2 semester credits ratio. Required courses and earned credits will be applied at the 3:2 ratio. Partial credits are not rounded up.
Requirements
Application for graduate admission
- $40 non-refundable application fee
- Official transcripts from all universities/colleges attended. Official electronic transcripts can be emailed to e-transcripts@ben.edu
- Official copy of GRE or GMAT test scores or completed test waiver form
- Two letters of reference from individuals familiar with the applicant’s professional or academic work, excluding family or personal friends
- A one- to two-page essay addressing educational and career goals
- Current résumé listing chronological work history
- Personal interview may be required prior to an admission decision
- Students who have completed any foreign postsecondary education (college, university, etc.) are required to submit an official credit evaluation. Students may submit a detailed evaluation from Educational Perspectives at edperspectives.org/benedictine or a course-by-course evaluation from Education Credential Evaluators (ECE) at ece.org. Official reports must be mailed directly to Benedictine from Educational Perspectives or ECE or submitted electronically directly to Benedictine from Educational Perspectives or ECE. Please contact the Enrollment Center for more information.
Semester Curriculum
The M.S. in Business Analytics program requires 33 semester credit hours of Core coursework as well as nine semester credit hours of Foundation coursework.
Our courses are scheduled so that a student may complete the program in approximately two years by taking two courses per semester.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Business Analytics Foundations 1 | ||
| BALT 5101 | Analytical Tools for Management Decisions | 3 |
| MNGT 5101 | Organizational Behavior | 3 |
| ACCT 5100 | Accounting for Non-Financial Managers | 3 |
| Business Analytics Core | ||
| BALT 5201 | Programming for Analytics | 3 |
| BALT 6102 | Business Analytics I: Predictive Analytics | 3 |
| BALT 6103 | Business Analytics II: Prescriptive Analytics | 3 |
| BALT 6201 | Databases and Data Warehousing | 3 |
| BALT 6301 | Machine Learning | 3 |
| BALT 6401 | Analytics for Big Data | 3 |
| BALT 6501 | Data Visualization | 3 |
| BALT 6801 | Business Analytics Capstone | 3 |
| MNGT 6401 | Leadership and Ethics in a Global Environment | 3 |
| MNGT 6601 | Project Management | 3 |
| MNGT 6701 | Business Intelligence | 3 |
| Business Analytics Electives 2 | ||
| BALT 6901 | Independent Study in Business Analytics | 1-3 |
| BALT 6902 | Internship in Business Analytics | 1-3 |
| BALT 6903 | Special Topics in Business Analytics | 1-3 |
- 1
May be waived.
- 2
Offered as needed and by permission of the department chair/program.
Optional Concentrations
Project Management
Project management is an in-demand skill set, spanning all industries and sectors of business. Project management leadership is a highly sought-after skill as intense global competition demands that new projects and business development be completed on time and within budget. Courses offer the student an understanding of organizational behavior as it relates to the individual, effective team-building skills, conflict management and resolution, as well as skills to effectively manage the financial side of projects.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| MNGT 6101 | Organizational Behavior: Theory and Contemporary Practice | 3 |
| or MNGT 5101 | Organizational Behavior | |
| MNGT 6601 | Project Management | 3 |
| MNGT 6602 | Project Cost and Scheduling | 3 |
| Optional Course | ||
| PMP Preparation | ||
| Total Hours | 9 | |
DIGITAL MARKETING
Digital marketing uses social media platforms to engage your audience—customers, clients, stakeholders—to build your brand. Increased web traffic leads to increased sales. Advertising on various social media platforms is analyzed. Publishing content on social media platforms is considered. Listening to your audience is also examined.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| MKTG 6101 | Brand and Marketing Management | 3 |
| MKTG 6102 | Advanced Search and Social Media Marketing | 3 |
| MKTG 6103 | Advanced Content Marketing, Automation, and Google Analytics | 3 |
| Total Hours | 9 | |
Change Management
A recent Future of Jobs Report projected that jobs leveraging “human” skills such as training and development, and Organization Development specialists to increase. This concentration in Change Management will provide knowledge to prepare adults for the world of change. Exposure to the role of consulting, the ability to work and improve teams, and understanding the role of the organization development practitioner will be explored.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required courses (each course is 3 credits) | ||
| MNGT 6201 | Organizational Development | 3 |
| MNGT 6202 | Groups and Team Building | 3 |
| MNGT 6203 | Organizational Development - Consulting Skills | 3 |
| Total Hours | 9 | |
TALENT MANAGEMENT
The three-course concentration provides students with knowledge and skills in human resource functions, exploring cutting-edge concepts in talent management, business intelligence and ethics. This concentration is appropriate for students or working professional in the Human Resources and Talent Management arena.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required courses (each course is 3 credits) | ||
| MNGT 6301 | Human Resources and Talent Management | 3 |
| MNGT 6401 | Leadership and Ethics in a Global Environment | 3 |
| MNGT 6701 | Business Intelligence | 3 |
| Total Hours | 9 | |
Quarter Curriculum
The M.S. in Business Analytics program requires 64 quarter credit hours, integrating 12 quarter credit hours of foundations courses, 40 quarter credit hours of core courses, as well as 12 quarter credit hours of electives or courses in one of several concentrations: Business Administration, Forensic Accounting, Health Care, Management Information Systems, Marketing, and Professional Internship.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Business Analytics Foundations | ||
| MBA 5541 | Analytical Tools for Management Decisions | 4 |
| MBA 6520 | Leadership & Business Ethics in the Global Environment | 4 |
| MGMT 6530 | Organizational Behavior | 4 |
| Business Analytics Core | ||
| MSBA 6641 | Optimization Techniques for Management Decisions | 4 |
| MSBA 6659 | Business Analytics | 4 |
| MSBA 6663 | Machine Learning | 4 |
| MIS 6674 | Database Management Systems | 4 |
| MIS 6677 | Decision Support and Knowledge-based Systems | 4 |
| MBA 6669 | Project Management | 4 |
| MSBA 6685 | Data Visualization | 4 |
| MSBA 6686 | Analytics for Big Data | 4 |
| MSBA 6687 | Data Warehousing | 4 |
| MSBA 6689 | Business Analytics Capstone | 4 |
| Business Analytics Electives or Concentrations | ||
| Select one of the following: | 12 | |
| Total Hours | 64 | |
Business Analytics Electives or Concentrations
Business Analytics Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MSBA 6600 | Independent Study | 1-4 |
| MSBA 6690 | Business Analytics Internship | 1-6 |
| MSBA 6691 | Business Analytics Lecture Series | 1-4 |
| Total Hours | 3-14 | |
Business Administration
This concentration provides exposure to the major business functions of accounting and finance along with operations management and supply chain management. It is most appropriate for those students who have or expect to have significant interaction with these areas of an organization. It is also appropriate for those students who are considering an M.B.A. degree as a dual degree.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select three of the following: | 12 | |
| Economics | ||
| Financial Accounting | ||
| Managerial Accounting | ||
| Managerial Economics | ||
| Operations Management | ||
| Financial Management | ||
| Total Hours | 12 | |
Forensic Accounting
The concentration in Forensic Accounting is intended for students with a background in accounting and are interested in additional coursework necessary to prepare for the CPA exam or CFE exam.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select three of the following: | 12 | |
| Forensic Accounting | ||
| Fraud Examination | ||
| Fraud and the Legal Environment | ||
| Computer Fraud | ||
| Information System Auditing | ||
| Total Hours | 12 | |
Health Care
This concentration lays a foundation for a graduate degree in Business Analytics with an emphasis on health care. It is important for business analytics and health care professionals to effectively manage and apply appropriate tools to solve problems specific to health care. This concentration is also appropriate for students considering an M.P.H. degree as a dual degree.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select three of the following: | 12 | |
| Behavioral and Social Aspects of Public Health | ||
| Public Health System (required) | ||
| Epidemiology | ||
| Environmental Health | ||
| Methods of Research in Public Health | ||
| Health Policy | ||
| Biological Aspects of Public Health | ||
| Management of Health Services Organizations | ||
| The Business of Healthcare | ||
| Community Health Analysis | ||
| MPH Internship/Capstone | ||
| Total Hours | 12 | |
Management Information Systems
The current competitive environment in business, health care and other settings relies on information resources to manage day-to-day operations as well as to plan long-term strategies. For many organizations, substantive competitive advantage is directly associated with the creative application of information technology.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select three of the following: | 12 | |
| Systems Analysis and Design | ||
| Computer and Network Systems Security | ||
| Information Systems Security | ||
| E-Commerce | ||
| Total Hours | 12 | |
Professional Internship
Our full-time internship concentration is developed specifically for recent college graduates and offers a professional internship experience. Students complete 64 quarter credit hours in business analytics courses including 12 quarter credit hours in internship courses. The goal of the internship experience is to prepare students without significant professional career experience for their future roles and responsibilities in the workplace.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MSBA 6690 | Business Analytics Internship | 12 |
| Total Hours | 12 | |
Project Management
Project management is one of the world’s most in-demand skill sets, spanning all industries and sectors of business. Project management leadership is a highly sought-after skill as intense global competition demands that new projects and business development be completed on time and within budget. Courses offer the student an understanding of organizational behavior as it relates to the individual, effective team-building skills, conflict management and resolution, as well as skills to effectively manage the financial side of projects.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select three of the following: | 12 | |
| Group Dynamics | ||
| Team Building | ||
| Conflict Management | ||
| Strategy, Structure, and Decision Making (required) | ||
| Financial Management (required) | ||
| Total Hours | 12 | |
Course Substitutions and Waivers
Course substitutions and waivers for 5000-level courses may be determined by the M.S. in Business Analytics program director on a case-by-case basis. Students with a relevant graduate degree or a professional or industry certificate/licensure (e.g. Certified Public Accountant, Project Management Professional, etc.) may be eligible for a course substitution/waiver. Students with extensive undergraduate equivalent coursework completed at a 3.000/4.000 or higher GPA taken within seven years from the date of application to the M.S. in Business Analytics program may be eligible for a course substitution/waiver. Course substitutions/waivers cannot be awarded for professional work/life experience.
Students in the Master of Science in Business Analytics program will achieve the following student learning outcomes (SLO):
Student Learning Outcome 1: Demonstrate leadership and ethical decision-making in situations that may be structured, unstructured, and/or ambiguous.
• University SLO: 7. Civic Engagement and Social Responsibility; 9. Personal Development
Student Learning Outcome 2: Demonstrate quantitative and qualitative skills in analyzing business problems.
• University SLO: 1. Disciplinary Competence and Skills; 5. Analytical Skills
Student Learning Outcome 3: Integrate information technologies with data science methods to extract value from data
• University SLO: 1. disciplinary competence and skills; 2. Critical and Creative Thinking Skills
Student Learning Outcome 4: Communicate results of analysis in written, oral, and visual ways to a variety of audiences: technical and non-technical.
• University SLO: 2. Critical and Creative Thinking Skills; 3. Communication Skills; 4. Information Fluency