Business Analytics (M.S.)
https://paulcollege.unh.edu/program/ms/business-analytics
The Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA), offered by the Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics, prepares students for careers related to data analytics and quantitative decision making in modern organizations. Graduates from the MSBA program will be armed with skills in data storing/pre-processing/visualization, in building prediction/forecasting models, and in formulating/solving optimal business decision problems when faced with limited resources. The MSBA program places heavy emphasis on building both the theoretical fundamentals and the practical applications of business analytics supported by relevant and modern programming skills. In addition, the MSBA curriculum is designed to foster teamwork and presentation skills that will help students to seamlessly transition into relevant corporate roles.
The MSBA is a STEM-designated program and consists of required and elective coursework. Courses follow an 8-week-long term. The program can be completed in 9 months (taking three courses per term), or 12 months (taking two to three courses per term). Submitting a GMAT or GRE test score is optional for admission. College level math such as Finite Math and/or Calculus 1,2 are required. Applicants with more of the following courses/skills tend to be more competitive for admission to the program: Linear Algebra (basic matrix operations), familiarity with basic statistics (descriptive and inferential) and at least one programming language (e.g., C++, Python, R, Java, SQL). Students lacking these fundamentals will have access to resources to gain the necessary background before joining the program. International students are also required to submit a TOEFL score (waivers will be considered on a case-by-case basis).
The field of Business Analytics has grown rapidly over the last few years due to technological advancements and the ease of access to data for decision making in organizations ranging from small to large. Every firm is interested in hiring and training individuals with analytical capabilities to sustain competitive advantage in the marketplace. A list of examples of careers in business analytics is as follows:
- Business Analytics & Optimization Consultant
- Business Case Modeling Analyst/Consultant
- Business Intelligence Analyst
- Decision Science Analyst
- Analyst & Planner (Six Sigma)
- Internal Quantitative Marketing Strategy Consultant
- Manager of Modeling and Analytics
- Pricing & Revenue Optimization Analyst
- Project Manager/Promotion Response Analytics
- Quantitative Analyst – Asset Allocation
- Quantitative Analyst – Insurance Risk
- Quantitative Marketing Solutions Director & Manager
- Quantitative Modeler
- Quantitative Research Analyst
The MSBA program requires students to take 12 courses (a total of 36 credit hours), from which 10 are required core courses and 2 are electives. A listing of core courses is below. Full-time students take two or three courses per term.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| The Foundation | ||
| Mathematics for Business Analytics (Online Module) 1 | 0 | |
| Core Courses | ||
| DS 801 | Business Intelligence | 3 |
| DS 802 | Probability and Simulation | 3 |
| DS 803 | Fundamentals of Statistical Analysis | 3 |
| DS 804 | Exploration and Communication of Data | 3 |
| DS 805 | Statistical Learning | 3 |
| DS 806 | Optimization Methods I | 3 |
| DS 807 | Modeling Unstructured Data | 3 |
| DS 808 | Optimization Methods II | 3 |
| DS 809 | Time Series Analysis | 3 |
| DS 810 | Big Data and AI: Strategy and Analytics (Capstone) | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| Select two (2) Approved Electives from the below list of courses. 2 | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 36 | |
- 1
The online module acts as a refresher for the mathematical background needed for the program and is designed to prepare students for the MSBA program.
- 2
Below is a list of suggested elective courses from the MSBA program. Other courses from other UNH graduate programs may be substituted with a petition.
Depending on the availability, students can take the below courses in a face-to-face format or in an online format.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Approved Electives | ||
| DS 815 | Programming for Business Analytics | 3 |
| DS 816 | Tools for Business Analytics | 3 |
| ADMN 829 | Corporate Financial Strategy | 3 |
| ADMN 830 | Investments | 3 |
| ADMN 834 | Private Equity/Venture Capital | 3 |
| ADMN 846 | International Financial Management | 3 |
| ADMN 852 | Marketing Research | 3 |
| ADMN 863 | Marketing Analytics | 3 |
| ADMN 864 | New Product Development | 3 |
| ADMN 912 | Managing Yourself & Leading Others | 3 |
| ADMN 839 | Applied Financial Modeling and Analytics | 3 |
| ADMN 842 | Project Management | 3 |
| ADMN 845 | Supply Chain Management | 3 |
| ADMN 865 | Digital Marketing | 3 |
| ADMN 919 | Accounting/Financial Reporting, Budgeting, and Analysis | 3 |
| ADMN 926 | Leveraging Technology for Competitive Advantage | 3 |
| ADMN 930 | Financial Management/Raising and Investing Money | 3 |
| ADMN 940 | Managing Operations | 3 |
| ADMN 960 | Marketing/Building Customer Value | 3 |
| ADMN 970 | Economics of Competition | 3 |
Accelerated Master's Overview
Accelerated Master’s programs offer qualified University of New Hampshire undergraduate students the opportunity to begin graduate coursework in select graduate programs while completing a bachelor’s degree. Accelerated master's programs are designed to provide students with an efficient and cost-effective pathway to earn both a bachelor's and master's degree or graduate certificate, enhancing career opportunities and long-term earning potential.
Accelerated Master's Highlights
- Begin studying advanced topics while an undergraduate student with the opportunity to complete a master’s degree or graduate certificate early.
- Master’s degree program students: Earn up to 12* graduate (800-level) course credits while completing a bachelor’s degree. This coursework will count as dual-credit toward both the bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
- Graduate certificate program students: Earn up to 8* graduate (800-level) course credits while completing a bachelor’s degree. This coursework will count as dual-credit toward both the bachelor’s degree and the graduate certificate.
- Students complete the bachelor’s degree, and then officially matriculate into the master’s or graduate certificate program to complete the remaining required graduate-level coursework.
*Some exceptions apply.
Accelerated Master's Admission Requirements
- A minimum 3.2 cumulative GPA is required.*
- A minimum of 90 undergraduate credits must be completed prior to enrolling in graduate (800-level) courses.
- Streamlined Graduate School Application (two letters of recommendation; most standardized tests and application fee are waived).*
*Some exceptions apply.
Accelerated Master's Requirements
- Students must attend a mandatory orientation session.
- Students must submit a special registration form each semester for dual-credit courses and note any DegreeWorks exceptions.
- Students may defer graduate matriculation for up to one year after earning their bachelor’s degree in most programs.
- See the Accelerated Master’s Catalog Policy and Accelerated Master’s Website for additional information and a list of programs. Note that some programs have additional requirements (e.g. higher-grade expectations) compared to the general policy.
Business Analytics (M.S.) Accelerated Option
This graduate degree program is approved to be taken on an accelerated basis in articulation with the following undergraduate program(s):
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration (B.S.) | ||
| Students select from the following approved 800-level courses that can be completed in the undergraduate senior year for dual credit | ||
| DS 872 | Predictive Analytics and Modeling | 3 |
| DS 874 | E-Business | 3 |
Additional Information
Students may complete up to 6 graduate (800-level) course credits while completing a bachelor's degree. This coursework will count as dual-credit toward both the bachelor's and master's degrees.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate knowledge of content areas of business analytics.
- Students will demonstrate the ability to solve complex business problems.
- Students will demonstrate effective oral communication behaviors.
- Students will demonstrate effective written communication behaviors.
- Students will demonstrate ability to cleanse, aggregate and visualize data.
- Students will demonstrate ability to apply statistical inference techniques to business and societal problems.
- Students will effectively develop and interpret optimization and simulation software output to inform business or policy decision making.