Master of Science in Business Analytics
Overview
Become an Expert in Business Analytics and Data
The Master of Science in Business Analytics program prepares students for a career in business analytics with a focus on using big data to help organizations make tactical and strategic decisions. This MS in business analytics degree program is developed for students who already have a business background and practical industry experience. The masters in business analytics program serves as an advanced academic pathway for you to pursue a career in the fast-paced, growing data analytics business environment.
You will engage in and acquire skills in the following core competencies:
- Data Analytics: Ability to frame questions and objectively apply appropriate analytical methods with supporting models to help solve specific business needs.
- Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: Ability to apply critical thinking skills to solve business needs using innovative, analytical approaches; ability to communicate findings in a clear, compelling and usable manner to all stakeholders.
The Master of Science in Business Analytics concludes with an applied capstone project designed to build upon the techniques and tools learned throughout the program. Your project will concentrate on a specific area of analytics within an organization. You will engage in critical thinking skills to frame analytics problems, develop and apply appropriate analytics models and communicate relevant findings within a business setting.
Degree Outcomes
Gain Analytics Knowledge with a Christian Worldview
Graduates of the masters in business analytics online program will be able to articulate the transformative power of analytics to improve the human condition across a variety of facets of human society. You will consider how analytics professionals can help protect and regenerate communities through innovative and ethical practices, as well as how to personally apply analytics with honesty and integrity within your given profession.
What You Will Learn
Acquire Skills to Address Business Needs
You will examine concepts and build working knowledge related to databases with a focus on statistical language, data mining, data visualization, ethical aspects of using data, and descriptive, predictive and prescriptive analytics. The learning experience emphasizes hands-on application using industry tools. You will engage in practical, project-based learning requiring a collection of critical thinking, mathematics and computer skills.
Specific course topics include:
- Applied Business Probability and Statistics
- Applied Analytics for Business
- Introduction to Databases and Intermediate Database Applications
- Performing Analytics Using a Statistical Language
- Prescriptive Analytics and Advanced Topics
Career Outcomes
Impact the Business Data Analytics Field
Graduates of this Master of Science in Business Analytics degree program are equipped to pursue a career as a business analyst, business intelligence analyst, data analyst, business analytics manager or business intelligence manager.
Course List
Program Core Courses
Course Description
This course is designed to prepare students for the graduate learning experience at Grand Canyon University. Students have opportunities to develop and strengthen the skills necessary to succeed as graduate students in the College of Business. Emphasis is placed on utilizing the tools for graduate success.
Course Description
The purpose of this course is to prepare students in mathematical, probability, and statistical concepts for their upcoming studies in quantitative methods. The course is intended for those students who have not had any prior statistical education, although students who have had statistics should also consider taking the course as a refresher.
Course Description
This course introduces the role and value of data analytics in meeting the business needs of contemporary organizations. Students are introduced to central issues related to data storage and handling and the stages in the analytics process. Students also study the role of ethics and security in information management and learn skills for managing analytics projects.
Course Description
This course introduces the basic role and uses of databases within business enterprises. Students examine database design types, development, staging, production environments, and maintenance of a database structure. Emphasis is on appropriate application and implementation of database functions in relation to performing data analytics.
Course Description
This course covers complex characteristics of databases and their practical application in a business environment. The course examines the main principles and relative advantages of object-oriented and object-relational databases. Students gain working knowledge of object-relational features as implemented in standard SQL database management systems within a practice environment. Prerequisite: MIS-605.
Course Description
In this course students perform analytics using a statistical language. Key topics include working with data, charting data, and building statistical models within a business environment. Prerequisites: MIS-610, and SYM-506 or equivalent.
Course Description
This course introduces techniques for extracting patterns and knowledge from large data sets. Students utilize intelligent inferential techniques to interpret patterns in the collected information and translate them into actionable items intended to solve specific business problems. Prerequisite: MIS-650.
Course Description
This course examines foundational analytics concepts with an emphasis on descriptive and predictive analytics. Students work with selected industry tools and methods for describing, summarizing, and presenting data and make predictions using statistical analysis. There is also emphasis on interpreting business requirements in the design of analytical models and effective communication of findings through data visualization. Prerequisite: MIS-655.
Course Description
In this course students perform prescriptive analytics and other advanced analytics techniques to extract meaning from organizational data for the purpose of identifying and recommending solutions for specific business needs. Effective and persuasive communication of data and decision options to drive organizational change is also covered. Prerequisite: MIS-660.
Course Description
This course builds upon the techniques and tools presented in prior courses in the program. Students undertake an applied project focused on a specific area of analytics within an organization. Students use critical thinking skills to frame analytics problems, build and apply appropriate analytics models, and communicate relevant findings within a business setting. Prerequisite: MIS-665.
Program Locations
Online
Evening
* 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 graduated between 7/1 – 6/30 of the preceding year. The On-Time Completion rate is determined by the number of students in the cohort who completed the program within the published program length divided by the number of students in the cohort who graduated.
Online and Evening program disclosures (20 month program)* Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Program subject to change.