MS Business Analytics Online

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The School of Business and Leadership (SBL) offers an online Master of Science Degree in Business Analytics that relies heavily upon the theory and applications of computer programming, economics, finance, information management, marketing, statistics and operations research to integrate business strategy with various aspects of data science. It is through the integration of these disciplines that students acquire the necessary skill sets to enable them to engage in optimal business decision making by employing rigorous analysis of complex data from both the public and private sectors.

This program provides students with a level of analytical insight into the economic behaviors of individuals and organizations, which enhances the business' reach in terms of strategy, marketing and positioning. The program features a strong curriculum that emphasizes theory, application, financial modeling and trends in financial data analytics.

Students completing the program will have acquired essential data-analytic skills for conducting advanced-level analysis and interpretation of data that is generated by various sectors of the economy.

Program Goals

Provide professionals with advanced level skills in management science, econometrics, data analysis and business optimization
Provide graduates with an understanding of both theory and applications of advanced data analytics that are being employed across various organizations in both the public and private sectors
Provide students with knowledge of business information systems

Program Delivery

The 30-credit hour program consists of 10 online courses. The program can be completed in less than two years for students attending classes during the fall, spring and summer semesters.

Master of Science in Business Analytics degree plan and course descriptions

Courses

The following are the courses that make up the MS in Business Analytics degree program:

Mathematics for Finance and Business Analytics
Marketing Analytics
Data Analytics with Python
Optimal Pricing and New Product Decisions
Data Science and Machine Learning
Data Analytics and Finance
Microeconomics with Econometric Applications
Database Management Systems
Capstone Course in Business Analytics
Dashboards, Scorecards and Visualizations

Faculty

Students will be instructed by faculty members who posses extensive knowledge in industry, teaching and scholarship. Such experiences allow faculty members to expose students to real-world applications of the course content. The business faculty also represent various countries, which adds to the enhanced academic inquiry from a global perspective.

Leveling Courses

Students with non-business degrees and students with business degrees who received their degrees more than five years prior to the application deadline are required to take the following leveling courses:

Business Math and Statistics
Operations Management
Principles of Marketing

The leveling courses can be waived for the following groups:

Business majors who graduated less than five years ago
Non-business majors who graduated with less than five years ago and passed a related course with a B or better grade
At least one year of experience in a relevant position (e.g., one year of experience in a marketing-related position is enough to waive the "Principles of Marketing" leveling course).

Admission Requirements

All candidates for admission to any graduate program must fulfill the following general admission requirements:

An earned baccalaureate degree in a related discipline from a regionally accredited institution
A grade point average of 2.50 for all undergraduate work or 3.00 for the last 60 semester hours of undergraduate work
English proficiency: Applicants educated in a primary language other than English must present a TOEFL score of at least 550 on the paper test or 213 on the computer-based test, or 79 on the Internet-based test (iBT). Score reports cannot be more than two years old, and official score reports must be sent directly to OLLU from ETS. Contact international admissions at international@ollusa.edu for alternatives to the TOEFL.

In addition to the requirements for graduate admission to OLLU, applicants will provide:

A personal statement of one to two, double-spaced pages describing long-range professional and scholarly interests
Three letters of reference from persons knowledgeable about the applicant's professional and academic background
Resume highlighting educational and professional backgrounds

After a review of the completed admissions files, selected applicants will be invited to a face-to-face or Skype interview with the program head and/or the committee that allows the applicant to share his/her passion for the field, accomplishments and enthusiasm for the school.

Conditional acceptance is granted on the merits of each case. In some circumstances, applicants who do not meet all the requirements for regular admission may be admitted conditionally, providing they fulfill the conditions listed in their letters of conditional acceptance within the period of specified time.
If conditional acceptance is given because of missing official credentials, the period to provide those documents will not extend beyond the first term of acceptance.
The decision of the committee regarding conditional admission acceptance cannot be appealed.
Students who do not have sufficient background knowledge in business are required to take certain leveling courses. These leveling courses will allow students to integrate into the program earlier and will help to improve their learning experience. If conditionally admitted, students must complete these leveling courses before starting the program.

Courses taken at other institutions do not transfer toward the completion of the master's program. If a student has taken and completed a course as an elective or non-degree at OLLU, those courses can be transferred toward the completion of the master's degree provided the student is admitted to the program.