Business Analytics
Program Overview
The Master of Science degree in Business Analytics provides students with a comprehensive knowledge of analytics that balances the technologies, analytical methods, and business expertise needed to glean useful information from data to make strategic business decisions. The language of business today is dependent on information and data management, and the emergence of advanced technologies for capturing, preparing, and analyzing data provides unprecedented opportunities for those with business analytics expertise that spans all industries and organizations.
Students in the Business Analytics major gain the technical, analytical, communication, decision-making, and leadership skills needed to be successful business analysts. The curriculum includes integrative capstone analysis projects, and there is an internship option for additional professional development through the on-site College of Business Administration’s Career Services Office.
Core Areas of Competency:
- Data Mining/Machine Learning
- Software Tools
- Applied Probability and Statistics
- Databases and Data Processing
- Quantitative Algorithms
- Business Acumen
Accreditation: This program is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International).
Program Structure
- 30 credit hours
- Graduate in as few as 12 months, full time
- Admission occurs during the fall semester only and is highly competitive. Applying early is recommended
- Students entering the program are expected to have the requisite backgrounds in statistics, mathematics, information systems, and business required for the program
- Students without the requisite backgrounds may be required to take additional prerequisite courses
- The GRE/GMAT may be waived for students with more than three years of related work experience
Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the program will be able to:
- Identify key characteristics of the business problem.
- Identify opportunities and constraints of various data analytical frameworks and tools.
- Formulate appropriate data analytic techniques to solve the business problem.
- Perform necessary data preparation steps (retrieve, clean and manipulate data).
- Demonstrate necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills to implement several data-analytic frameworks using different tools.
- Lead and work with teams to frame the business problem.
- Convey in writing the outcomes of analytics for stakeholders.
- Use visual outcomes of analytics to communicate orally effective messages for stakeholders.
Admissions Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university1
- Minimum 3.000 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
- Official transcript(s)
- GMAT/GRE scores no longer required
- Résumé
- Goal statement
- Two letters of recommendation
- English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions) by earning one of the following:
- Minimum 550 TOEFL PBT score (paper-based version)
- Minimum 79 TOEFL IBT score (Internet-based version)
- Minimum 77 MELAB score
- Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
- Minimum 58 PTE score
- Minimum 110 Duolingo Test score
1Students entering the program are expected to have the requisite backgrounds in statistics, mathematics, computers and business required for the program. At a minimum, students should have general knowledge of inferential statistics, adequate general business knowledge, basic knowledge of business information systems and technologies, and a solid understanding of algebra and general mathematics with some exposure to calculus. Students may fulfill deficiencies in these prerequisites by taking equivalent courses as applicable. The business analytics program director may consider concurrent enrollment according to the strength of the student’s baccalaureate curriculum and preparedness and the courses proposed to be taken concurrently with the prerequisites.
For more information about graduate admissions, please visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admission, visit the Office of Global Education’s admission website.
Courses
Courses for the online MS in Business Analytics cover a range of topics essential for professionals working in contemporary data-driven business roles. These include optimization and heuristic modeling, data mining, predictive analytics, machine learning, database management, and more. Students will also select 6 credit hours of elective courses that cover deeper dives into business analytics tools and techniques or their application in areas such as marketing and healthcare.
Tuition and Fees
Ohio Residents
| Per Credit Hour | Per 3-Credit Course | Approximate Tuition Cost |
| $571.90 | $1,715.70 | $17,200 part-time1 $12,500 full-time2 |
Non-Ohio Residents
| Per Credit Hour | Per 3-Credit Course | Approximate Tuition Cost |
| $581.90 | $1,745.70 | $17,500 part-time3 $12,600-$12,700 full-time4 |
1The $571.90 per-credit-hour tuition rate applies to part-time Ohio resident graduate students taking between 11-18 credit hours per semester.
2A flat-rate semester fee of $6,277.40 applies to full-time Ohio resident graduate students taking between 11-18 credit hours per semester.
3The $581.90 per-credit-hour tuition rate applies to part-time non-Ohio resident graduate students enrolled in a fully online degree program and taking fewer than 11 credit hours per semester, PLUS a surcharge of $10 per credit hour.
4The flat-rate semester fee of $6,277.40 applies to full-time non-Ohio resident graduate students enrolled in a fully online degree program taking between 11-18 credit hours PLUS a surcharge of $10 per credit hour of actual credits taken each semester (between 11-18 semester credits or $110-$180).
An additional Distance Learning fee for all students enrolled in a distance learning course is $15 per credit hour. Program tuition and costs are estimated and subject to change.
Actual tuition costs may vary based on a student’s chosen academic plan. For a complete listing of tuition rates for approved online programs please contact the One Stop for Student Services at 330-672-6000, or via our website Contact Us link.
The total program costs are estimates and are not final or binding. Program costs are based on standard fees, but fees may vary based on the actual classes taken. Kent State University disclaims any liability arising from the use of or reliance upon these program cost estimates by any person. Program costs are subject to change without notice.
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