MBA in Data Analytics

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One of the most popular higher education programs is the Master of Business Administration, which has a focus on management skills and leadership opportunities within all departments of business, such as finance, marketing, supply chain, information technology, and more. These degrees can be very customizable with a number of universities offering areas of emphasis or the ability to select electives that meet career advancement needs.

Many colleges allow you to select a concentration track, such as the MBA in Data Analytics or the MBA in Analytics, to focus your studies on data science and analytics.

Master of Business Administration in Analytics

As business continue to rely on big data to gain an edge in competition or to optimize their own workplace, there are a number of program opportunities that have some form of analytical concentration. Examples include:

It is important to look at the curriculum to determine if the education is right for the career path - schools may define certain terminology differently or lump multiple topics into courses.

Online Masters Programs focused on MBA in Analytics

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Ohio University Master of Business Administration - Business Analytics

The online MBA in Business Analytics program at Ohio University can be completed in just two years with all coursework being offered 100 percent online. Its concentration in Business Analytics provides the following courses: Prescriptive Analytics, Predictive Analytics, and Business Intelligence. These classes will give students the ability to predict outcomes based on historical data sets and over-viewing how data management impacts various aspects of the business process. It is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and the Higher Learning Commission.

In order to be considered for the program, prospective students must have a Bachelor's degree with a 3.0 cumulative GPA. At least two years of work experience is necessary, and when applying, students will need to submit an updated resume, personal statement, and three letters of recommendation. There is no GRE or GMAT scores required to be reviewed. 80 percent of students that have taken this program have seen career advancement.

Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi Master of Business Administration - Data Analytics

Another fully available degree online is through Texas A&M-CC, which divides courses up into seven-week segments and students can be administered into a program at multiple points in the year. Topics that are covered in the curriculum include database management, information systems management, and data mining, which provides the skills needed to make the best decisions for the company. Graduates will be comfortable when it comes to analyzing data and creating reports and presentations to inform other aspects of the company. The curriculum is accredited by the AACSB.

Admission requirements for the program include a Bachelor's degree with at least a 2.5 GPA over the last 60 hours of coursework, and the submission of GRE or GMAT scores (unless students have at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA), updated resume, official transcripts, and personal statement with career goals. Students that have graduated from this program have gone on to job positions as corporate strategists, data analytics consultants, and operations managers.

University of Nebraska Master of Business Administration - Business Analytics

This online MBA has a focus on Business Analytics, which covers topics such as data mining, database marketing, and econometrics. The latter subject involves quantitative methods when forecasting based on the data available. Some of the specific courses within the curriculum include Managerial Economics, Applied Organizational Behavior, and electives in Survey Analysis and Design and Advanced Marketing Analysis. The curriculum is accredited by the AACSB.

Students have the flexibility to complete coursework at any time of the day with no requirements to meet in live classrooms. Assignments will have specific timeframes to be completed and some courses may require class discussion participation in chat rooms or message boards. In order to get into the program, students must hold a Bachelor's degree with a 3.0 GPA or higher, have at least one year of work experience, and submit official transcripts, three letters of reference, an updated resume, and GRE or GMAT scores.

University of North Carolina Wilmington Master of Business Administration - Business Analytics

The Cameron School of Business offers an online MBA with an area of emphasis in Business Analytics. Similar to other programs on this list, courses are offered in an accelerated format and can be completed within seven weeks. The entire curriculum has 12 courses in it, meaning the full program can be finished in one calendar year. Skills gained from this degree include building algorithms for machine learning, optimizing these processes within the organization, and creating applications.

In order to be administered into the program, students will need two years of professional experience and a Bachelor's degree with a cumulative 3.0 GPA or better. Those that have over a 3.2 GPA will not need to submit their GRE or GMAT scores. Other requirements include the submission of a resume, cover letter, official transcripts, two letters of recommendation, and a personal statement. This program, like the others on this list, is accredited by the AACSB.

Sample courses you may take within the MBA in Analytics

The curriculum for a Master of Business Administration with an emphasis in analytics are nearly the same at all universities, with the differences coming in the variety of electives available. Foundational statistical topics will explore topics such as inference, multivariate analysis, and Bayesian probability.

Statistical Interference

Coursework within statistical inference will consist of an overview of strategies involved in developing theories and generating randomized samples to come toward a conclusion. Propositions include a point estimate and interval estimate, and classifying specific data into groups.

Quantitative Methods

In quantitative methods, students analyze and interpret statistical analysis through the use of mathematics, sampling, theories, and hypotheses. These methods focus on the collection of data and the creation of models that depict the data that is found. This is in contrast to qualitative methods, which attempts to find the reasoning behind why the data is represented or trending a certain way.

Business Intelligence

Business intelligence courses focus on activities to optimize the organization and help it run more efficiently. This includes mining and analyzing data, attempting to fix any problems or incomplete segments within their processes. By doing these tasks, they will be able to create thorough and more accurate reports and presentations. When companies have large amounts of unstructured data, it is helpful to have the skills needed to parse the information and identify the important source points.

Predictive Analytics

Predictive analytics is one of the many topics within business intelligence that will have an entire course. Skills gained in these classes for analysts are to study trends within the data accumulated and determine how this will impact the organization in the future. They will be able to manipulate the information based on potential moves, such as acquiring another business or implementing new software into the company.

How to Begin a Career in Business Administration

Education is the the first step for a career in business administration and analytics. Becoming an accountant or working in human resources does not always require a college degree to get into, but it can help separate candidates due to proven knowledge and working with real-life scenarios. After gaining professional experience, it is possible to work up to some managerial or administrative roles after many years with the company, but executive level and higher management positions are typically gained by those with some kind of higher education degree.

A Bachelor’s degree is typically completed in four years, but there are some accelerated options within business administration that only require three years to complete. Some students can increase their coursework load during the term or in the summer, or they can take college-level courses that count for credit in high school. A graduate certificate is perfect for those that have completed an undergraduate program, but are looking for a career change or advancement in job position. In many cases, credit from a certification can be used toward a Master’s degree program.

There are many varieties of Master’s degrees for those that are looking for various administrative roles in business. The traditional MBA is typically geared for working professionals, so classes are offered at night or weekends, or completely online to fit any work schedule. An executive MBA provides a curriculum that is tailored toward the highest-level positions within an organization. One of the most common joint degrees available is an MBA and Juris Doctor, which is an ideal degree for corporate attorneys that handle the legal aspects of mergers and acquisitions between companies.

Important Organizations and Associations

American Management Association

The American Management Association is a nonprofit organization that was founded back 1923 and is based in New York City, but has numerous workshops throughout the country. Over 26 topics are covered within management, such as business analysis, Excel skills, human resource management, information technology management, and strategic planning. Most of their locations are based in large metropolitan areas such as Boston, Chicago, and San Francisco, but there are also many online lessons available.

One certification offered by AMA is the Certified Professional in Management. Receiving this certification sets a high standard of excellence for the manager, showing competence in a variety of categories, including analytical intelligence. Not only does it provide a bond between employees and management, but it makes the organization that employs the certified manager look successful and can attract superior candidates.

International Institute for Analytics

Another organization is the International Institute for Analytics, and a few of the five pillars they focus on are various analytical methods and the business impact that data analytics can have. One of the services they offer is an Analytics Maturity Assessment that gives an overview of how well the organization uses analytics to help optimize their processes and to limit as much money loss as possible. Companies can receive an analysis twice over the span of 15 months, or three analysis reports over two years.

Career Options

Human Resource Manager

The highest position in the HR department of an organization that works with executives to set plans and goals for the company. They will typically oversee the hiring process and can also handle the duties of recruiting new employees, interviewing candidates, and making the final decision on hiring and firing. When working with others in the department, they will act as consultants for any employee or client-related issues arise, and escalates them to the proper channels when needed or handles them directly. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the highest-paying HR managers are within scientific and technical services with an average salary of $127,690.

Market Research Analyst

Researchers that help determine what goods or services an organization should offer based on predictions of consumer reaction. They will gather and analyze various amounts of data available and determine what strategies should be used within specific locations and other demographics. Information is collected in multiple methods, such as sales reports, interviews, surveys, and social media, and the analyst must present this information in a clear way to other members of the company and stakeholders. According to BLS, there is 20 percent growth expected in this position between 2018-28.

Chief Executive Officer

Generally the highest overall executive at an organization that makes the final decisions in terms of company direction and growth. This position will set the tone of the organization by hiring other managers, overseeing other executives, and setting company goals. In some cases, they may have multiple executive roles, such as handling finances or managing the company’s data sources. While it is important to obtain higher education in order to get executive positions, it is recommended to also have at least five years of professional experience. Average salary for a CEO across the United States is just over $200,000 per year.

Masters of Data Science Degrees

Online MBA iN Data Analytics Programs

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University Program Online/State

Auburn University

Online Master of Business Administration with concentration in Business Analytics Online (Alabama)

Loras College

MBA - Business Analytics Online (Iowa)

New York University

MBA, Specialization in Business Analytics Online (New York)

Santa Clara University

MBA with concentration in Data Science and Business Analytics Online (California)

Southern New Hampshire University

MBA in Business Intelligence Online (New Hampshire)

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Professional MBA with Business Analytics Online (Tennessee)

University of Alabama

MBA with concentration in Business Analytics Online (Alabama)

University of Georgia

MBA with concentration in Business Analytics Online (Georgia)

University of Georgia

MBA with concentration in Business Analytics Online (Georgia)

University of Maryland

Online MBA - Specialization in Information Systems & Business Analytics Online (Maryland)

University of St Francis

MBA with a concentration in Business Analytics Online (Illinois)

Villanova University

Online Master of Business Administration Online (Pennsylvania)