MBA in Business Analytics Degree - MBA Emphasis
The MBA in Business Analytics degree at Grand Canyon University (GCU) combines the foundational education of an MBA, including instruction on accounting, finance, organizational leadership, management, marketing and strategic planning, with skill development in business analytics.
Our Master of Business Administration with an Emphasis in Business Analytics offers two business analytics courses that address:
- The implementation of database functions in relation to performing data analytics.
- Techniques for extracting knowledge from large data sets. Emphasis is placed on hands-on application of key concepts.
Earn Your MBA in Business Analytics from GCU
In today’s competitive business world, the amount of available, diverse data is greater than ever. With intuitive research tools available at our fingertips, companies and organizations have new opportunities to use data to make significant and well-educated business decisions.
Students in GCU’s MBA in Business Analytics program develop core competencies in research and business analytics. Statistical modeling is used to analyze data to diagnose root causes of business problems and discover ways to improve business operations. Other key competencies that are learned in our business analytics program include:
- Strategic Management and Organizational Development: Evaluate internal structures and processes to create strategic plans to improve an organization’s competitive advantage.
- Critical Thinking and Decision Making: Use market and consumer data analysis to recommend sound financial decisions and capitalize on business opportunities.
- Professionalism and Ethics: Collect, use and report data ethically. Analyze the ethical implications of all business decisions.
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Learn Advanced Business Analytics Skills and Concepts During Your MBA in Business Analytics Degree Emphasis
At the completion of this advanced business analytics degree program, graduates are able to analyze and synthesize data, and draw relevant conclusions in order to solve complex and time-sensitive problems. Graduates are also equipped with:
- Leadership skills needed to help propel positive changes and growth within their organization.
- Skills in effective communication, necessary to interpret business messages and relay them clearly in various formats across diverse audiences.
- The ability to determine the international factors that drive business development in their industry as well as cultural diversity awareness skills used to successfully operate international businesses.
As a faith-based university, GCU understands that society as a whole depends on businesses to operate professionally, morally and ethically in order to make an impact on community development and economic progress. Graduates of the business analytics program are able to articulate the responsibilities of companies in a Christian context, specifically the commitment to the good of individuals and the community required of Christian business leaders and entrepreneurs.
Grow Your Career as a Business Analytics Professional With Your MBA Emphasis Degree
Graduates with an MBA in Business Analytics have opportunities to pursue careers in the growing field of data science. Business professionals with skills in managing and analyzing data are also well-suited for key areas of business, including accounting, finance, marketing and operations. There is a demand for business professionals who are skilled in data analysis, interpretation and application. In fact, as of September 2021, 124,400 new jobs are estimated to open for management analysts from 2020 to 2030.1 Some careers that business analytics graduates may pursue include:
- Management analysts
- Compensation, benefits and job analysts
- General and operations managers
- Chief executives
- Sales managers
- Logisticians
- Training and development managers
- Industrial production managers
MBA in Business Analytics Degree FAQs
MBA programs with an emphasis in business analytics are designed for students with business backgrounds who want to develop their skills in making better data-driven business decisions. MBA programs provide advanced coursework in business fundamentals including accounting, finance, marketing and strategy. A business analytics MBA emphasis also offers transferable skills and networking opportunities for professionals in a wide range of industries.
MS in Business Analytics programs are geared toward individuals with technical backgrounds who want to gain skills in data science techniques to solve business challenges. Master of Science in Business Analytics programs provide practical and theoretical courses dedicated to the study of business analytics. MS in Business Analytics degrees offer hands-on experiences using mathematics, computing skills and predictive modeling for effective business management.
Business analytics uses a data-driven approach to operating a business. Individuals who have a passion for blending statistics and big data modeling to implement new and improved business practices should consider taking business analytics courses.
Yes, tools used in financial analytics help businesses understand their current financial situation and uncover root issues and changes that should be addressed to optimize growth and future performance.
An MBA in Business Analytics offers transferrable skills that can be applied in many different industries and areas of business. Skills in data and statistical analysis give business professionals a competitive edge as companies increasingly prioritize data-driven performance and results. Earning an MBA emphasis in business analytics allows individuals with business experience to pursue management or executive positions in operations, sales, marketing, accounting, finance, human resources and logistics.
1COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 may be atypical compared to prior years. The pandemic may impact the predicted future workforce outcomes indicated by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics as well. Accordingly, data shown is based on September 2021, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Management Analysts
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 introduce students to the College of Business, key concepts of leadership, and an overview of how the science of organizational behavior contributes to effective leaders and managers.
Course Description
This course is designed for students who are preparing for more advanced coursework in business but who have not had accounting in undergraduate work. Topics covered include the principles and practices of financial accounting, including the fundamentals of revenue recognition, the components of the balance sheet, and financial statement analysis. ?The course explores accounting theories using publicly traded companies and case studies.
Course Description
This course is designed for individuals who are preparing for more advanced coursework in accounting and is designed for students who have not had finance in undergraduate work. Topics covered include financial analysis, financial planning, asset evaluation, capital structure, and working capital management.
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 microeconomic and macroeconomic concepts that are relevant to contemporary business. Emphasis is placed on using economic data for business decision making.
Course Description
This course is a study in the quantitative tools and techniques used to model business functions and applications. Emphasis is placed on how to set up models, and how to interpret and apply their results. Prerequisite: SYM-506.
Course Description
Management of the marketing function, market environmental analysis, and marketing planning, strategy, and control are fundamentals of marketing management. The course examines the marketing process, marketing research, product development innovation and diffusion, pricing strategy, distribution value drain, advertising and promotion, and strategic marketing issues. Emphasis is placed on case study analysis and current academic research with a marketing plan as a significant curriculum component.
Course Description
This course covers managerial accounting concepts and procedures for internal reporting, including the study of cost behavior, cost systems, budgeting, and performance evaluation. Coursework includes case studies, group projects, and class discussion. Prerequisite: ACC-502.
Course Description
Operations Management examines managerial concepts and strategies relating to the management of operations in both manufacturing and service environments. Emphasis is placed on methods to streamline and drive inefficiencies out of a firm’s internal processes to build a highly efficient organization. The course also focuses on external processes by examining ways to achieve greater supply chain integration with suppliers and customers. Quantitative and qualitative methods and tools are introduced and applied. Prerequisite: SYM-506.
Course Description
This course discusses elements of business financial decisions, including financial forecasting and development of proformas, management of working capital, capital budgeting, capital structure, and raising funds in capital markets. Prerequisite: FIN-504.
Course Description
This capstone course focuses on preparing and conducting a strategic analysis of a selected publicly traded firm to produce actionable intelligence used to formulate recommendations to promote the creation of a value-adding strategy. Based on the results of their strategic analysis, students are then required to prepare the framework of a strategic plan that creates significant value for the selected firm. Prerequisites: MGT-605, MKT-607, ACC-650, and FIN-650.
Course Description
This course introduces the role and value of data analytics in meeting the business needs of contemporary organizations. Students are introduced to selected foundational business and information technology topics that are relevant to analytics organizations.
Course Description
This course examines foundational analytics concepts with an emphasis on descriptive and diagnostic analytics. Students solve business problems by working with selected industry tools and methods for describing what happened and diagnosing root causes based on available business enterprise data. Prerequisite: MIS-615 or SYM-506.
Pursue a next-generation education with an online degree from Grand Canyon University. Earn your degree with convenience and flexibility with online courses that let you study anytime, anywhere.
Grand Canyon University’s evening programs cater to the demands of working professionals who prefer an in-person learning environment. Our night classes meet just once per week and offer the interaction and discussion of a typical college classroom.
* Please note that this list may contain programs and courses not presently offered, as availability may vary depending on class size, enrollment and other contributing factors. If you are interested in a program or course listed herein please first contact your University Counselor for the most current information regarding availability.
* Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Programs or courses subject to change.