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The online MBA with business analytics emphasis at GCU is designed to provide working professionals with an MBA education while balancing professional obligations and personal commitments. Our business analytics courses are available online or on campus in the evening for those who prefer to attend classes in person.
You will have the opportunity to take management-level courses in core business areas, including accounting, finance, marketing, research and business operations, and develop business analytics skills in various courses.
Throughout the program, you will have access to knowledgeable professionals in various business fields as well as networking opportunities with peers across different industries. This online MBA with a business analytics emphasis requires 54 credits for completion, with most online courses being eight weeks in length.
The Master of Business Administration with an Emphasis in Business Analytics degree at Grand Canyon University 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.
This program offers business analytics courses that address:
Students in GCU’s MBA business analytics emphasis program have the opportunity to 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 taught include:
Strategic Management and Organizational Development
You will have the opportunity to evaluate internal structures and processes to create strategic plans to improve an organization’s competitive advantage.
Critical Thinking and Decision Making
You will be taught to use market and consumer data analysis to recommend sound financial decisions and capitalize on business opportunities.
Professionalism and Ethics
You can learn to collect, use and report data ethically. You will also be taught to analyze the ethical implications of all business decisions.
1 COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 and 2021 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 effective September 2022, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Management Analysts, retrieved on July 21, 2023.
2 The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (“BLS”), Management Analysts as of May 2021, retrieved on July 21, 2023. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 and 2021 may be atypical compared to prior years. The pandemic may also impact the predicted future workforce outcomes indicated by the BLS. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers from across the country with varying levels of education and experience and does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as management analysts. It does not reflect earnings of workers in one city or region of the country. It also does not reflect a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. You may also wish to compare median salaries if you are considering more than one career path. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, and accept employment from, determines salary not only based on education, but also individual characteristics and skills and fit to that organization (among other categories) against a pool of candidates.
Graduates with an MBA with a business analytics emphasis may have opportunities to pursue careers in the growing field of data science. Business professionals with skills in managing and analyzing data may also be well-suited for key areas of business, including accounting, finance, marketing and operations. There is a need for business professionals who are skilled in data analysis, interpretation and application.
Some careers that graduates may pursue include:
Management analysts
Compensation, benefits and job analysts
General and operations managers
Sales managers
Logisticians
Training and development managers
Industrial production managers
Estimated number of new jobs to open for management analysts from 2021 to 20311
Median annual wage of management analysts in May 20212
Up to 12 credits or 1/3 of the total program requirements in transfer (whichever is less)
Credits: Fill out the Lopes Eval to find out what will transfer
Admission Requirements (Master's)
OR 2.5+ Unweighted GPA and
Admission requirements may differ based on degree level, program and modality, or transfer status. Some programs of study may require a higher GPA and/or other qualifying criteria for admission. Please review full admission and program requirements in the University Policy Handbook.
* Degree must be from an accredited college or program that has been approved by GCU.
** Combined verbal/quantitative, after August 2011 (1,000 combined verbal and quantitative, prior to August 2011).
At the completion of this advanced business program, you will have been taught to analyze and synthesize data and draw relevant conclusions in order to solve complex and time-sensitive problems.
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 program are taught 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.
You may also acquire:
Discover additional emphasis options that can help you find the right path for your academic and career aspirations.
GCU offers accredited programs through the Colangelo College of Business. GCU is an institutionally accredited university, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1968. Accreditation status speaks to the quality of our academic programs, acknowledging that they meet a set criteria and standards.
To learn more about earning your MBA with a business analytics emphasis, read through some frequently asked questions and start planning your next degree.
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. An MBA with a business analytics 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. These programs provide practical and theoretical courses dedicated to the study of relevant business topics. While completing your program, you can gain hands-on experiences using mathematics, computing skills and predictive modeling for 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 with an Emphasis in Business Analytics offers transferrable skills that can be applied in many different industries and areas of business. Skills in data and statistical analysis are needed in a variety of companies as they increasingly prioritize data-driven performance and results. Earning this degree may help individuals with business experience to position themselves for possible career advancement in operations, sales, marketing, accounting, finance, human resources and logistics.
Completing your degree may help you position yourself for possible advancement in your career by furthering your knowledge and teaching you valuable business analytical skills and concepts. Additionally, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, management analysts had a median annual wage of $93,000 in May 2021.2
You will need a previous bachelor’s degree to be eligible to earn your MBA. To learn more about the program and your eligibility, and to take the first steps in applying, fill out the form on this page to speak with a university counselor and begin the enrollment process.
If you’re interested in pursuing your MBA with an emphasis in business analytics, fill out the form on this page to get in contact with a university counselor.