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 request a report from any of the following evaluation companies, or any credential evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES): Educational Credential Evaluators (EP), Educational Perspectives (EP) or Slate Education Foundation (SEF). In addition, SEF will assist with credential authentication and degree equivalency using appropriate resources of World Education Service (WES) for admission into Benedictine University’s graduate programs by computing calculations such as GPA conversions and credit hours. Students completing the SEF evaluation seeking course waivers must supply Benedictine with the appropriate course syllabi. Transcript evaluations shall be performed by trained foreign credential evaluators at SEF. Students must request a course-by-course evaluation including a U.S equivalent cumulative GPA. Official reports are mailed or electronically sent directly to Benedictine Admissions (admissions@ben.edu) from a NACES member organization. Please contact the Enrollment Center (enrollmentprocessing@ben.edu) 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. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| MNGT 6201 | Organizational Development | 3 |
| MNGT 6202 | Groups and Team Building | 3 |
| MNGT 6203 | Organizational Development - Consulting Skills | 3 |
| Total Hours | 9 | |
TALENT MANAGEMENT
Provides students with knowledge and skills in human resource functions, exploring cutting-edge concepts in talent management, business intelligence and ethics. Appropriate for students or working professional in the Human Resources and Talent Management arena.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | |
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 five 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.
MESA (Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer Terms)
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