Business Analytics MS
UMass Boston's MS in Business Analytics (MSBA) is a STEM-designated 10-course, 30-credit degree program. To receive the MSBA, students must complete a minimum of 10 courses: Analytical Core, MSBA Electives, and the MSBA Capstone. One (1) prerequisite course must be satisfied or waived through prior relevant coursework, based on a review of transcripts.*
The MSBA program is designed to prepare students for utilizing analytical techniques, methods, and applications for data-driven practices in diverse organizations and enterprises of all sizes.
As businesses become more and more reliant on data-driven strategies, the needs and opportunities for graduates in Business Analytics have grown rapidly. Breakthroughs in data collection, storage, and analysis to uncover and capture business value have fueled this growth, and post-recession companies have recognized this potential and increasingly emphasize data-driven decision-making in their business strategies. The current annual rate of job growth in this area is approximately 11.8%, a rate that is only expected to accelerate in the future.
This program covers theories of powerful techniques and quantitative methods in Business Analytics and how they are applied in the real world. The program focuses on using current software tools to study effective techniques of problem formulation, developing solutions with mathematical and algorithmic techniques, and methods for implementing those solutions with technology.
The MSBA program offers students a choice of two specializations, Big Data Analytics and Supply Chain Analytics. Each includes a core of analytical courses, elective courses in that specialization, and a capstone course.
Big Data Analytics
The Big Data Analytics specialization focuses on data mining and analytical techniques, big data management, storage, and modeling. The objectives consist of enabling students to process big data in an effective and efficient way, discover knowledge patterns in big data, build predictive models, and use big data to answer business questions.
Supply Chain Analytics
The Supply Chain Analytics specialization focuses on data analytics and decision-making in the context of a major functional area in businesses-- supply chains. The specialization offers courses on analytics in-service operation. The objective is to use data and data modeling to optimize activities within the supply chain and consequently maximize the organization’s competitive advantage.
The MSBA program consists of 10 courses and 30 credits, and the program can be completed either full-time or part-time. Scheduling is highly flexible, with most classes meeting once per week that is primarily in the evening, late afternoon, or online.
*Prerequisite Requirement: Students will need to have completed a statistics course, either Statistics MSIS 111 or MBAMS 630 Statistical Analysis for Managers, or an equivalent course within the last five years. Otherwise, students are required to take MBAMS 630 Statistical Analysis as part of their first semester. This course would be in addition to the required 10 courses for the degree.
Applications to start in the fall are due by May 1. Applications to start in the spring are due by November 15. For more details, please contact us directly by emailing gradcm@umb.edu.
The GRE/GMAT is required. View our waiver policy to learn if you qualify.
Requirements
MS, Business Analytics (MSBA) 10 Courses; 30 Credits
The MSBA is a 10-course, 30-credit degree program. To receive the MSBA, students must complete a minimum of 10 courses: Analytical Core, MSBA Electives, and the MSBA Capstone. One (1) prerequisite course must be satisfied or waived through prior relevant coursework, based on a review of transcripts.*
Analytical Core (required) courses (5 Courses; 15 Credits):
MSIS 670 Enterprise Business Intelligence
MSIS 642 Multivariate Statistics and Regression Analysis
MSIS 672 Enterprise Data Mining and Predictive Analytics
MBA MS 638 Management Decision Models
MSIS 630 Project and Change Management
Required Track Electives (5 courses each Track; 15 Credits):
[Course scheduling is subject to change by semester]
Track A: Big Data Analytics
MSIS 618 Database Management Systems (Required if not taken previously)
MSIS 671 Enterprise Data Warehousing
MSIS 680 Advanced Data Mining and Predictive Modeling
MSIS 656 Information Storage Management
MSIS 685 Architect, Build and Manage Big Data Applications
MSIS 615 Object-Oriented Information Systems
Track B: Supply Chain Analytics
MBAMS 635 Operations Management (Required if not taken previously)
MSIS 652 Lean & Six Sigma
MSIS 631 Operational Risk Management
MSIS 617 Supply Chain Management
MSIS 680 Advanced Data Mining and Predictive Modeling
MSIS 682 Linear Optimization
MSIS 643 Decision and Risk Analysis
Note: Students may also choose MSIS 690/699 Master's Thesis Option, MSIS 697 Special Topics, and MBA MGT 698 Practicum (Internship class, students must have a relevant internship).
View the GMAT/GRE Waiver Policy for admission criteria.
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*MSBA Pre/core requisite course
MBAMS 630 Statistical Analysis for Managers
*Eligible Course Waivers
Students who complete equivalent coursework may be eligible to waive some of these courses.
A minimum of 30 credits (10 courses) are required to meet University degree completion criteria. Waiving multiple courses may require the completion of additional elective courses to meet the 30-credit minimum requirement.