Bachelor of Science in Applied Business Analytics
Overview
Apply Business Knowledge and Analytic Skills
The Bachelor of Science in Applied Business Analytics is oriented toward students who have a business mindset and propensity for data and analytics. Acquire data skills that relate to working with datasets to find meaning, along with analytics skills that comprise of defining and implementing models to gain insight into predicting what might happen or recommending a course of action(s).
Through this transfer-friendly business analytics degree program, you examine the fundamentals of database structures, data mining and analytics modeling. You also observe the role of governance and ethics within information technology with specific emphasis on preparing for an audit, complying with government regulations and understanding data-privacy issues. Since analytics and technology are often intertwined, information technology project management is also addressed in the program.
This BS in business analytics program is specifically targeted toward the emerging business analytics profession for students who have an existing foundation in selected areas of business, such as accounting, finance, marketing and management. Emphasis is placed on a combined mix of database and analytical skills. You learn to leverage core business knowledge and analytic skills to help gain insight into and/or solve business problems using an analytics approach.
Degree Outcomes
Drive Business Decisions with Business Analytics Expertise
In this program, you have exposure to technological tools, gain computer knowledge, engage with databases and learn foundational analytics concepts. The curriculum is designed to tap into and enhance your problem-solving and critical thinking skills. Graduates of this applied business analytics degree program are prepared to extract, analyze and interpret data to help support effective decision-making within data-driven business environments.
Learn to effectively communicate analytics-related information to multiple stakeholders and follow industry-specific laws, regulations and ethical practices. Key competencies include applying analytics techniques to make tactical business decisions, data mining to extract meaningful information, assessing data collection techniques, project management and effectively communicating complex analytics-derived information to stakeholders. Upon graduation, you will have the ability to apply statistical analysis and modeling to extract and transform data from large databases to enable effective business decision- making.
What You Will Learn
Advance Your Analytics Skills to Solve Business Problems
Course topics include:
- Introduction to computer technology
- Business statistics
- Databases
- Data mining
- IT project management
- IT ethics
- Introduction and advanced business analytics
Career Outcomes
Find Your Purpose in Business Analytics
The BS in business analytics program prepares you for career opportunities as a business analyst, business intelligence analyst, data analyst, business analytics manager or business intelligence manager. This program also prepares you with skills and attributes highly valued by employers in the field, such as analytics acumen, use of key industry tools, critical thinking, strong work ethic, problem solving and solid computer technical skills.
General Education Requirements
General Education coursework prepares Grand Canyon University graduates to think critically, communicate clearly, live responsibly in a diverse world, and thoughtfully integrate their faith and ethical convictions into all dimensions of life. These competencies, essential to an effective and satisfying life, are outlined in the General Education Learner Outcomes. General Education courses embody the breadth of human understanding and creativity contained in the liberal arts and sciences tradition. Students take an array of foundational knowledge courses that promote expanded knowledge, insight, and the outcomes identified in the University's General Education Competencies. The knowledge and skills students acquire through these courses serve as a foundation for successful careers and lifelong journeys of growing understanding and wisdom.
Requirements
Upon completion of the Grand Canyon University's University Foundation experience, students will be able to demonstrate competency in the areas of academic skills and self-leadership. They will be able to articulate the range of resources available to assist them, explore career options related to their area of study, and have knowledge of Grand Canyon's community. Students will be able to demonstrate foundational academic success skills, explore GCU resources (CLA, Library, Career Center, ADA office, etc), articulate strategies of self-leadership and management and recognize opportunities to engage in the GCU community.
Course Options
- UNV-112, Success in Science, Engineering and Technology & Lab: 4 credits
- UNV-103, University Success: 4 credits
- UNV-303, University Success: 4 credits
- UNV-108, University Success in the College of Education: 4 credits
Requirements
Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to construct rhetorically effective communications appropriate to diverse audiences, purposes, and occasions (English composition, communication, critical reading, foreign language, sign language, etc.). Students are required to take 3 credits of English grammar or composition.
Course Options
- UNV-104, 21st Century Skills: Communication and Information Literacy: 4 credits
- ENG-105, English Composition I: 4 credits
- ENG-106, English Composition II: 4 credits
Requirements
Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to express aspects of Christian heritage and worldview. Students are required to take CWV-101/CWV-301.
Course Options
- CWV-101, Christian Worldview: 4 credits
- CWV-301, Christian Worldview: 4 credits
Requirements
Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to use various analytic and problem-solving skills to examine, evaluate, and/or challenge ideas and arguments (mathematics, biology, chemistry, physics, geology, astronomy, physical geography, ecology, economics, theology, logic, philosophy, technology, statistics, accounting, etc.). Students are required to take 3 credits of intermediate algebra or higher.
Course Options
- MAT-154, Applications of College Algebra: 4 credits
- MAT-144, College Mathematics: 4 credits
- PHI-105, 21st Century Skills: Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: 4 credits
- BIO-220, Environmental Science: 4 credits
Requirements
Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to demonstrate awareness and appreciation of and empathy for differences in arts and culture, values, experiences, historical perspectives, and other aspects of life (psychology, sociology, government, Christian studies, Bible, geography, anthropology, economics, political science, child and family studies, law, ethics, crosscultural studies, history, art, music, dance, theater, applied arts, literature, health, etc.). If the predefined course is a part of the major, students need to take an additional course.
Course Options
- HIS-144, U.S. History Themes: 4 credits
- PSY-100, Psychology in Everyday Life: 4 credits
- SOC-100, Everyday Sociology: 4 credits
Program Core Courses
Course Description
This course provides the foundation of core knowledge within the field of information technology. Topics include technology-centric organizations, the type and role of fundamental information technology systems, data management to include privacy and security, e-business and m-business, hardware, software, and computer networks.
Course Description
This course provides an introduction to the practical application of descriptive and inferential statistics in business. Topics include probability, probability distributions, the central limit theorem, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, correlation, and regression. Prerequisite: MAT-134, MAT-144 or MAT-154.
Course Description
This course examines the design, development, implementation, and maintenance of relational database structures. Emphasis is on appropriate application and implementation. Prerequisite: BIT-200 or CST-110 or CST-111.
Course Description
This course covers the characteristics of object-relational databases and their application in business. The course also focuses on the main principles of object-oriented and object-relational databases, and their relative advantages. Students gain working knowledge of object-relational features as implemented in standard SQL database management systems. Students also learn to manage unstructured and semi-structured data with XML. Prerequisite: SYM-400.
Course Description
This course examines current business intelligence practices and tools. Topics include creating an intelligent data-driven company, the role of decision-management tools, information silo busting, and design techniques for information dashboards. This course also introduces the key aspects of conducting business analytics using Microsoft Excel's Advanced features. Students examine real-world case studies. Prerequisites: BIT-200 and BUS-352.
Course Description
This writing intensive course examines the role of governance and ethics within information technology. Topics include understanding and satisfying Sarbanes/Oxley, preparing for an information technology audit, complying with government regulations such as HIPAA, and understanding data-privacy issues. Students examine real-world case studies. Prerequisite: BIT-200 or CST-110 or CST-111.
Course Description
This course examines information technology project management. Topics include the reasons why IT projects fail, the business cost of IT failure, managing IT teams, outsourcing, virtual teams, scope definition, project scheduling, risk mitigation, and leading successful projects. Additional topics focus on using project management to build an analytics organization. Prerequisite: BIT-200 or CST-110 or CST-111.
Course Description
This course covers key concepts related to predictive and prescriptive analytics by combining information technologies and statistical techniques to extract meaning from organizational data. Students apply predictive and prescriptive analytics techniques in order to understand the business environment and guide business-related decisions. Use of selected industry tools to apply predictive and prescriptive analytics techniques is also addressed. Prerequisite: BIT-430.
Course Description
This course covers basic concepts and techniques related to data mining. A key goal of the course is evaluating data in order to make business-related decisions. Use of selected industry tools to perform data mining is also addressed. Prerequisites: BUS-352 and SYM-408.
Course Description
This course builds upon the techniques and tools presented in prior courses in the program and focuses on how analytics are applied in contemporary organizations. Students use critical thinking skills to frame analytics problems, build and apply appropriate analytics models, and communicate relevant findings. Prerequisites: BIT-415, BIT-417, and BIT-435.
Campus
Online
* Please note that this list may contain programs that are not presently offered as program availability may vary depending on class size, enrollment and other contributing factors. If you are interested in a program listed herein please first contact your University Counselor for the most current information regarding availability of the program.
* The Department of Education defines how an institution must calculate a program's On-Time Completion rate for federal disclosure purposes. The On-Time Completion rate is based on a program's published required number of months to complete all degree requirements as provided in the institution's catalog. Completion statistics are updated every January and are based on the cohort of students who started the program in the same year and then graduated within the published program length.
On-campus program disclosures (48 months) Online and Evening program disclosures (48 months)* Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Program subject to change.