Master of Science in Applied Business Analytics
The goal of this Master of Science in Applied Business Analytics (MS ABA) program is to address the growing demand for analytical capabilities in solving business problems that are demanded by a variety of employers within the United States. Research results from public and private sectors show that there are substantially fewer experts in the field of business analytics than there are opportunities for them.
This program prepares students not only to be able to analyze and interpret data, but also to translate this into effective decision-making for complex business problems. The program is a unique combination of one functional area of business and a breadth of courses in business analytics capped by a Master’s thesis. In the Master's thesis, students are expected to study a research problem in depth and solve the problem and write an academic or scholarly paper or develop a teaching instrument such as case or game based on the research.
The Master of Science in Applied Business Analytics (M.S. ABA) degree can be earned by completing a minimum of 24 semester hours of required coursework at the 6000- level and a 6 credit hour Master’s thesis in the College of Business and Innovation meeting the program requirements. Additional coursework at the 5000 level, of up to 12 hours, may be required to satisfy prerequisites. This is a STEM program.
The admission decision will be based on a composite profile of the applicant including test scores, academic background, grades, work experience, letters of reference, and also the statement of purpose. The typical admitted student in the M.S. program has at least a 2.8 undergraduate GPA and 500 on the GMAT or equivalent score in the GRE (minimum of 25 in verbal and 28 in quantitative reasoning is expected). Additional requirements include proficiency in spreadsheets and a programming language and a calculus course with C or better, both of which may be met by taking courses if necessary after a provisional admission. The following documents are required for admission to the program:
1. Official transcripts from each post-secondary institution attended.
2. Official GMAT scores sent directly from the Graduate Management Admissions Council (GMAC) or GRE score sent directly by educational testing service to the College of Graduate Studies. The minimum GMAT score is 500 (equivalent score in the GRE), must be no more than five years old.
3. Exceptionally qualified applicants who meet at least one of the following criteria may apply for a GMAT waiver. The decision on waiver is made by evaluating each applicant individually based on the following criteria:
- Very high Undergraduate or graduate GPA
- Recent graduates or post-graduates (3 years or less) with high GPA
- Possess significant, relevant work experience (deemed acceptable to the Program Chair for the applied business analytics)
4. Most recent resume or curriculum vitae including contact information for two references (name, title, place of employment, phone number and e-mail address).
5. A 400-word essay on statement of purpose.
In the case of students whose native language is not English, a score of 80 or above on the TOEFL IBT, PTE equal to 58 or above, Duolingo equal to 105 or above, or a 6.5 or above on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is mandatory.
Applications for admission are considered on a rolling basis. However, students are encouraged to submit their applications by the following dates:
Domestic students:
| Semester | Date |
|---|---|
| Fall Semesters | August 1st |
| Spring Semesters | November 15th |
| Summer Semesters | April 15th |
International students:
| Semester | Date |
|---|---|
| Fall Semesters | May 1st |
| Spring Semesters | October 1st |
| Summer Semesters | March 1st |
Final admissions decisions will be withheld until the application for admission is complete. No materials submitted to the University will be returned to the applicant. The MS admits students to the program on a rolling admissions basis.
Required core
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| INFS 6150 | Business Intelligence Management | 3 |
| INFS 6450 | Data Mining | 3 |
| OSCM 6250 | Essentials of Business Analytics | 3 |
| OSCM 6350 | Prescriptive Analytics | 3 |
| OSCM 6550 | Business Analytics and Cases | 03 |
required electives
Choose three courses (9 credit hours) from the same functional area of business (ACCT, FINA, INFS, MKTG, OSCM). If the BUAD course is taken, it must be in the same functional area of business as the other three electives chosen.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ACCT functional area | ||
| BUAD 6100 | Accounting For Decision Making | 3 |
| ACCT 6130 | Advanced Financial Accounting | 3 |
| ACCT 6190 | Contemporary Accounting Problems | 3 |
| ACCT 6210 | 3 | |
| ACCT 6250 | Corporate Taxation | 3 |
| ACCT 6330 | AIS Process, Technology, and Analytics | 3 |
| ACCT 6430 | Business Valuation And Analysis | 3 |
| ACCT 6600 | Data Analytics for Accountants | 3 |
| FINA functional area | ||
| BUAD 6200 | Corporate Finance (FINA 5310 is a prerequisite) | 3 |
| FINA 6130 | Advanced Corporate Finance | 3 |
| FINA 6140 | Investments And Security Analysis | 3 |
| FINA 6150 | Financial Institutions And Markets | 3 |
| FINA 6340 | Derivative Securities | 3 |
| FINA 6750 | Research In Finance Instructor permission only | 3 |
| INFS functional area | ||
| BUAD 6800 | Information Technology And E-Business | 3 |
| INFS 6560 | Systems Analysis And Design | 3 |
| INFS 6610 | Information Integration and Data Management | 3 |
| INFS 6710 | Management of Information Systems Security | 3 |
| INFS 6790 | ERP Systems Configuration and Integration | 3 |
| INFS 6930 | Contemporary Topics Seminar | 3 |
| INFS 6810 | Network Communications | 3 |
| MKTG functional area | ||
| BUAD 6300 | Strategic Marketing And Analysis | 3 |
| MKTG 6140 | Customer Relationship Marketing | 3 |
| MKTG 6220 | Integrated Marketing Communications | 3 |
| MKTG 6230 | Digital Marketing Processes and Virtual Value Networks | 3 |
| MKTG 6240 | Sales Force Leadership and Strategy | 3 |
| MKTG 6250 | Global Sales and Strategic Customer Management | 3 |
| MKTG 6310 | Managing Innovation and Product Commercialization | 3 |
| MKTG 6320 | Strategic Brand Management | 3 |
| MKTG 6980 | Special Topics | 3 |
| OSCM functional area | ||
| BUAD 6600 | Supply Chain Management | 3 |
| OSCM 6270 | Simulation and Waiting Lines | 3 |
| OSCM 6680 | Quality Management and Six Sigma | 3 |
| OSCM 6690 | Supply Chain Resources Management | 3 |
| OSCM 6780 | ERP Systems Process Management | 3 |
Required thesis
The program is capped by a required 6 credit hour Master's thesis.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| OSCM 6960 | Masters Thesis | 1-6 |
2. Mastery of one area of applied business area.
3. Produce new knowledge by applying the tools and techniques of predictive and prescriptive analytics in the solving a business problem as codified in a Master’s thesis.