Business Data Analytics, M.S.
The Master of Science in Business Data Analytics (MSBDA) is an 11-course curriculum (33-semester credit), STEM-designated, inter-disciplinary program grounded in the practice of business data analytics (e.g., knowledge, applications, and tools) in various organizational settings. NLU graduates will be ready to enact data-driven decisions and analysis strategies using an ethical, effective, efficient, and compelling approach in their organizations and communities.
The MSBDA prepares graduate business students for in-demand data analytics positions. The MSBDA program builds competencies around techniques and tools used by business data analytic practitioners to make informed business decisions using data. Students will build industry-relevant skills as they learn to use software and data analysis tools and techniques while strengthening their ability to make decisions with relevant business data and present compelling data narratives to stakeholders.
The audience for the MSBDA includes early to mid-career professionals, managers, and leaders in current business positions seeking the opportunity for career advancement or a new career trajectory. Students will build skills via exposure to relevant industry, sector, or organizational data-driven decision-making. The MSBDA will expose students to analytics in various contexts (e.g., human resources, health care, banking, finance and marketing) relevant to the ever-changing global market. Students will learn the fundamentals of business analytics, statistics for business data analytics decision making, big data management, operations analytics, predictive analytics, marketing analytics, business intelligence, and project management.
Graduates of the Master of Science in Business Data Analytics program will have a solid foundation of knowledge, insights, and skillsets to impact optimal solutions to improve organizational performance.
Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)
Upon completion of the Master of Science in Business Data Analytics program, students will be able to:
PLO 1 Articulate the value of business data analytics in informed decision-making to achieve organizational goals.
PLO 2 Apply ethical business data analytics practices in operational and managerial decision- making.
PLO 3 Assess analytic strategies for data-informed decision-making across varied business contexts to build data literacy skills.
PLO 4 Apply analytical methodologies to gather insights via data access, production transparency, and analytical transparency to inform decision-making.
PLO 5 Apply quantitative reasoning using descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive analytics, forecasting, and statistical methods to identify organizational opportunities or solve problems.
PLO 6 Communicate actionable insights to inform stakeholder decision-making via a compelling narrative.
PLO 7 Produce solutions or strategies using accepted analytics practices and relevant tools to improve organizational performance.
In addition to the Graduate School of Business and Leadership Admission Requirements, program requires:
- A written statement of academic and professional goals. This statement is one of the criteria used to evaluate a person’s application. The applicant should present reasons for selecting the program. Reasons should include career goals and specific indications of how the program of study will help them realize these goals.
- At least two letters of recommendation
- Faculty review which can result in full admission, decline, or a 2-course review
Program Details:
- Requires 33 semester hours for completion
- Requires to maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0 or higher
- Students who earn a grade below a “C” in any course must retake the course. It is recommended that the course be retaken the next time it is available to remove the continued negative impact on the student’s GPA.
Required Courses
Foundational Courses
| BDA 500 | Introduction to Business Data Analytics | 3 |
| BDA 502 | Statistics for Business Data Analytics | 3 |
| RES 510 | Research Methodology and Writing | 3 |
Core Courses
| BDA 505 | Security and Ethics for Business Data Analytics | 3 |
| BDA 506 | Big Data Management and Databases | 3 |
| BDA 507 | Data-Driven Decisions and Strategy | 3 |
| BDA 508 | Predictive Analytics and Forecasting | 3 |
| BDA 509 | Data Visualization and Communication in Business Analytics | 3 |
| BDA 510 | Emerging Topics in Business Data Analytics I | 3 |
| BDA 511 | Emerging Topics in Business Data Analytics II | 3 |
Capstone Course
| BDA 550 | Business Analytics Capstone | 3 |