Category: Interviews

De Liu, Associate Professor & 3M Fellow in Business Analytics from the University of Minnesota, joins us today to discuss their Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) program.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, is a public research university in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, Minnesota. The Twin Cities campus comprises locations in Minneapolis and St. Paul approximately 3 miles apart, and the St. Paul location is in neighboring Falcon Heights.

1. Can you tell us about the business analytics program offered at the University of Minnesota? *

The Carlson School Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) program is one of the leading MSBA programs in the world. It teaches students how to extract insights from data in order to create real value for today’s businesses. Students will graduate with data science skills, business acumen, and professional skills to be leaders in an increasingly data-driven world.

2. Is the GMAT & GRE required for acceptance into the program? Do international students have the same requirement? *

Yes, the GMAT or GRE General Test is required for admission to the MS in Business Analytics program and should be less than five years old at the time of application.

3. How long does a typical business analytics program take at the University of Minnesota? What is the maximum and minimum time of completion? *

One Year. Students start the program in the beginning of June and graduate in May of the following year.

4. What do you think makes the University of Minnesota business analytics program stand out from other programs offered by similar schools in your region? *

The program is known for its rigorous, forward-looking curriculum and world-class faculty. We believe that next-generation business analytics professionals need a robust combination of technical expertise, business acumen, and professional skills. Building on our vision of the “house of analytics,” the program not only imparts strong technical expertise (exploratory, predictive, causal, and prescriptive analytics) and foundation knowledge (data engineering, programming, and statistics) to our students, it also helps students develop strong business acumen and professional skills in the areas of critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, ethics, and teamwork by immersing them in real-world experiential learning projects throughout the program.

5. How important would you say accreditation is when choosing a business analytics program? *

Accreditation ensures the program meets the education standard but it does differentiate between the also-runs and the very best. I think students should go for the accredited business analytics programs, but they also need to look for other signs of excellence (e.g. curriculum, faculty, and placement) when choosing a business analytics program.

6. What are the advantages of earning a business analytics degree in general and where are you seeing employer demand with this degree? *

Data is the oil of the 21st century. Machine intelligence combined with the explosion of data transforms nearly every industry and organization, giving rise to unprecedented demand for data science professionals who can work with data to deliver value and insights. The advantage of a business analytics degree lies in its high demand and wide applicability to numerous industries (finance, retail, technology, manufacturing, etc).

7. Does the University of Minnesota offer job placement for students who graduate with a business analytics degree? *

Our Graduate Business Career Center helps MSBA students with all aspects of their career development. Please find details about the career services resources on our website (https://carlsonschool.umn.edu/degrees/master-science-in-business-analytics/advance-your-career-in-business-analytics).

8. What type of financial aid packages are available for students in business analytics? Are there any fellowships, grants, and scholarships available? *

Our program offers a limited number of academic merit-based scholarships. The Master of Science in Business Analytics program will automatically consider applicants for all scholarships for which they are eligible. No special application is required for these scholarships.

9. Do you have any advice for students enrolling in a business analytics program at your University of Minnesota? *

While the program trains students to use a wide range of tools (techniques, models, and algorithms), it is important for enrolled students to develop a value focus instead of a tool focus. Moreover, business analytics is a wide field; identifying and leveraging one’s strengths and interests are important for developing a rewarding and successful career in analytics.

10. What do you enjoy most about your position at the University of Minnesota? *

It is exciting to be an academic director of a degree program in such great demand. It is also a huge bonus and pleasure to work with a group of highly competent and professional faculty, staff, and students.

For more information on the business analytics programs offered at the University of Minnesota, visit them online.

Thank you for sharing and participating in this piece.

That concludes our interview!

Philip Maymin, Professor of Analytics and Director of the Master of Science in Business Analytics at Fairfield University, joins us today to discuss their analytics degree program.

Fairfield University is a private university located in beautiful Fairfield, Connecticut which is now offering this program Online in the Fall of 2020.

1. Can you tell us about the business analytics program offered at Fairfield University?*

It is a ten-course STEM-certified program, with two additional preparatory courses: one in basic Python and one in basic probability and statistics. Each of those preparatory courses can either be taken online in the summer right before the start of the program, or passed out of with an online test. The final course is a capstone culminating in a research project supervised by one of our faculty members and further assessed by an external subject matter expert.

Starting Fall 2020, we will be offering both our award-winning on-campus courses as well as a new parallel online offering. The online curriculum is exactly the same and taught by the same professors but is more convenient for those who are working or travel often or are not within commuting distance. Mixing and matching between on campus and online is also possible.

The ten courses include three electives, which can be essentially any advanced graduate course offered at our top-ranked Fairfield University Dolan School of Business. For certain combinations of electives, you can earn an additional specialization. We currently have specializations in accounting, healthcare, marketing analytics, and artificial intelligence.

Upon completion of the program, you will have taken at least three courses in Python and also been exposed to R, Tableau, SQL, Wolfram Language, Excel, and various other tools. You will have learned time series forecasting, machine learning, business intelligence, databases, and more. We also offer advanced seminar topics courses on topics such as sports analytics, deep learning, big data, and heuristic search.

2. Is the GMAT & GRE required for acceptance into the program? Do international students have the same requirement?*

The GMAT and GRE requirement can be waived for those with work experience or sufficiently good undergraduate GPA’s. Students from non-English speaking countries are required to submit a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score report.

3. How long does a typical business analytics program take at Fairfield University? What is the maximum and minimum time of completion?*

Our full-time students complete the program in one year. Part-time students typically complete it in two years.

4. What do you think makes Fairfield University analytics program stand out from other programs offered by similar schools in your region?*

Our faculty. We may be the only business analytics program in the world where our full-time award-winning tenure and tenure-track research faculty not only teach all the core business analytics courses, but are also active in applied analytics and programming on a daily basis. This faculty advantage allows us to offer intensely hands-on courses. Students have extended their capstone research projects into competitive academic and practitioner conference presentations, including winning prestigious awards.

5. How important would you say accreditation is when choosing a business analytics program?*

As a student, the quality of the faculty and the breadth and depth of the curriculum are probably more important than any administrative label, but we are also of course accredited by the AACSB, which represents the highest standard of achievement for business schools worldwide. As they put it: “Less than 5 percent of the more than 16,000 schools worldwide granting business degrees have earned AACSB Accreditation. AACSB-accredited schools produce graduates who are highly skilled and more desirable to employers than other non-accredited schools. AACSB-accredited schools have the highest-quality faculty, deliver relevant and challenging curriculum, and provide educational and career opportunities that are not found at other business schools.”

6. What are the advantages of earning a business analytics degree in general and where are you seeing employer demand with this degree?*

In talking with top Fortune 500 firms both in the US and internationally, the biggest challenge executives and board members face is in the disconnect between those with domain and business knowledge and those with data science skills. It is not uncommon for a large firm to have hundreds of data scientists and analysts who are highly technically proficient but lack the business knowledge to know which avenues are worth considering and which do not make business sense. Finding qualified people who can speak both the technical and the business language, and engage comfortably in both roles, is their top priority. A business analytics degree is a signal that you are the right person for this increasingly highly demanded role.

7. Does the Fairfield University offer job placement for students who graduate with a business analytics degree?*

Yes. One hundred percent of our MSBA graduates are employed within six months of graduation, as Analysts, Senior Analysts, Project Managers, Program Coordinators, Allocation Managers, and more, at firms including the Big Four accounting firms and multinational manufacturing, software, technology, and telecommunications corporations.

8. What type of financial aid packages are available for students in business analytics? Are there any fellowships, grants, and scholarships available?*

There are some fellowships, grants, and scholarships available, as well as opportunities to be a graduate assistant in one of various departments. Please see our website for the most up-to-date information.

9. Do you have any advice for students enrolling in a business analytics program at Fairfield University*

Be open-minded. The people you meet here, both the faculty and your fellow students, may be very helpful to you for years to come. Bring your passions and your energy, but also listen to what others are interested in. You may find some common projects.

Be skeptical. Analytics is perhaps the most dynamic field of study that has ever existed. It changes frequently and substantially. So it is particularly important that you question everything you learn and accept nothing at blind faith.

Be experimental. The best way to answer virtually any analytics question is with a well-designed, well-executed experiment. Sometimes that might mean coding up a simulation, or breaking down some data in a unique way, or just trying something that no one has ever tried before, just to see what happens.

10. What do you enjoy most about your position at Fairfield University?*

The students and faculty are a joy. Our campus is probably the most mindful campus I’ve ever been on. When people are here, they’re really here. Students and faculty play basketball together, go on trips together, and hang out together. It’s a unique environment of trust, community, support, and friendship.

For more information on the business analytics programs offered at Fairfield University, visit them online.

Thank you for sharing and participating in this piece. That concludes our interview!

Valerie Schwartz, Head of Admissions, Institute for Advanced Analytics at North Carolina State University, joins us today to discuss their analytics degree program.

The Head of Admissions offers a fantastic insight into their Master of Science in Analytics (MSA) degree program.

1. Can you tell us about the business analytics program offered at North Carolina State University?*

NC State University’s Institute for Advanced Analytics, home to the nation’s first Master of Science in Analytics (MSA), prepares data-savvy individuals for leadership in a digital world. Our mission is to produce the world’s finest analytical practitioners — data scientists, analysts, and consultants — who have mastered complex methods for large-scale data modeling, who have a passion for solving challenging problems through teamwork, who are guided by intellectual curiosity, honesty and integrity, and who strive to attain the highest level of professionalism through continuous self-improvement.

2. Is the GMAT & GRE required for acceptance into the program? Do international students have the same requirement?*

GRE/GMAT scores are not required of any applicant, nor will they be considered as part of the admissions process. We have found that there is no correlation between students’ scores on these exams and their success in our program. Most international applicants are required to provide official TOEFL or IELTS scores. (Please refer to the English proficiency requirement for details: https://go.ncsu.edu/msa-english.)

3. How long does a typical business analytics program take at North Carolina State University? What is the maximum and minimum time of completion?*

NC State’s MSA is an intensive, 10-month, cohort-based learning experience offered only as a full-time program on campus. MSA students complete a 2.5-year degree in 10 months (late June – early May) because they’re here learning and working from 9 am – 5 pm every weekday, plus spending time studying during evenings and weekends. This full immersion in the material allows students to soak in more information at a quicker pace than a traditional graduate program.

4. What do you think makes the North Carolina State University analytics program stand out from other programs offered by similar schools in your region?*

NC State’s MSA was founded in 2007, with our first cohort graduating in 2008. Representatives from many universities nationwide have come to us for insight when developing their own analytics and data science degrees. Ours is distinctive in its fully integrated — and continuously evolving — curriculum, which is a carefully calibrated mix of applied mathematics, statistics, computer science, and business disciplines. Our MSA is housed not within a particular school/college but in the university’s Institute for Advanced Analytics, which allows our program to be both truly interdisciplinary and nimble in its ability to meet industry needs. The MSA is a cohort-based learning experience structured entirely around teamwork, with personalized coaching and communications training to improve performance. Our students learn by tackling real-world analytics problems with data provided (under confidentiality) by industry and government sponsors. Our students’ job placement rates have exceeded 90% at graduation in each of the last twelve consecutive years.

5. How important would you say accreditation is when choosing a business analytics program?*

While accreditation is an important criterion to consider when exploring graduate programs, it is one of many factors. Your first consideration when researching a program should be its structure and curriculum. If a full-time, residential program is simply not an option for you given financial or other personal circumstances, then an online program might be a better fit. Take a look at the classes and material taught within the program to better understand what skills you can expect to acquire/refine. Once you’ve narrowed your preferences in terms of a program’s format and content, consider factors such as student body composition and return on investment. How selective is the program in admitting students? Are the program’s published graduate outcomes (job placements, starting salaries, etc.) worth the time and money you’ll spend completing it?

6. What are the advantages of earning a business analytics degree in general and where are you seeing employer demand with this degree?*

The advantages of earning a master’s degree in analytics or data science include increased depth and breadth of knowledge, access to the program’s professional/alumni networks, and increased employability and earning potential. We at NC State’s Institute for Advanced Analytics believe in the fundamental importance of understanding the job market when making a decision to pursue graduate education. To that end, we carefully and continuously monitor the local and national job markets for data scientists and provide this information publicly to aid prospective applicants in making a data-driven decision about enrolling in an analytics or data science degree program. For insight into industry’s demand for data scientists, visit the live data science job tracker on our website: http://go.ncsu.edu/data-jobs.

7. Does the North Carolina State University offer job placement for students who graduate with a business analytics degree?*

Yes. NC State’s Institute for Advanced Analytics benefits from having cultivated longstanding relationships with many companies interested in hiring our graduates, as well as from a robust network of alumni (which will be nearly 1,000 members strong when our current cohort graduates in May 2020) who are eager to hire fellow MSA grads. We provide dedicated career services to all MSA students throughout the program, including extensive resume review, interview coaching, exposure to dozens of companies through guest lectures and networking receptions, and on-site interviews with 40+ companies annually. Nearly all of our students secure employment by graduation and the handful who don’t typically secure jobs within 1-2 months of graduation. Of course, we always remind students that the fewer restrictions they place on their job search, the more opportunities they are likely to yield.

8. What type of financial aid packages are available for students in business analytics? Are there any fellowships, grants, and scholarships available?*

NC State’s MSA students are typically self-financed through personal savings or educational loans. We encourage students to apply for federal subsidized and unsubsidized direct loans, and if qualified, for fellowships and other awards offered through NC State’s Graduate School (see https://grad.ncsu.edu/admissions/financial-support). As a 10-month intensive program, the tuition and fees (see https://go.ncsu.edu/msa-tuition) for the MSA are considerably lower than master’s degrees requiring registration for four or more semesters. High starting salaries, modest tuition, and short time-to-completion translates into a 23-month average payback period for MSA students — that is half the average of what is realized in comparable two-year professional degree programs. For more information about the return on investment of the MSA, see http://go.ncsu.edu/msa_roi.

9. Do you have any advice for students enrolling in a business analytics program at North Carolina State University?*

We ask our incoming MSA students to keep open minds and trust the process. While the rigorous nature of the MSA can be stressful, the program was designed with our students’ success in mind. Those who are receptive to constructive feedback and seize the opportunity to learn as much as they can in the classroom and from everyone with whom they interact (faculty, staff, peers, alumni and other industry professionals, etc.) throughout the program will see positive results.

10. What do you enjoy most about your position at North Carolina State University?*

I’m fortunate to have an incredibly interesting and rewarding position on a high-performing team of people who walk the talk and are passionate about the work we all do. As Head of Admissions, I get to shape each cohort of MSA students on the front end and then watch from the sidelines as they progress through the 10-month program and emerge as successful graduates. One of the highlights of my role is when alumni volunteer to come back and assist in the recruitment and selection of future MSA students. They’re excited to speak about their experiences during and after the program, and there’s no better or more authentic spokesperson than someone who’s seen the MSA and its outcomes firsthand.

For more information on the Master of Science in Analytics (MSA) program offered at North Carolina State University, visit them online.

Thank you for sharing and participating in this piece.

That concludes our interview!

Michael Weber, Dean of the Graduate School of Business at the University of Maine, joins us today to discuss their analytics degree program.

The Dean offers a fantastic insight into their Business Analytics for the MBA at the University of Maine.

1. Can you tell us about the business analytics program offered at the University of Maine? *

We offer a 12 credit concentration in Business Analytics for the MBA, and a 15 credit Graduate Certificate in Business Analytics.

2. Is the GMAT & GRE required for acceptance into the program? Do international students have the same requirement? *

Yes. and Yes.

3. How long does a typical business analytics program take at the University of Maine? What is the maximum and minimum time of completion? *

The program can take between 1 and 3 years

4. What do you think makes the University of Maine analytics program stand out from other programs offered by similar schools in your region*

We focus on decision making skills

5. How important would you say accreditation is when choosing a business analytics program? *

Very important! Accreditation is a metric for assessing quality.

6. What are the advantages of earning a business analytics degree in general and where are you seeing employer demand with this degree? *

We see a very strong market for employees with Business Analytics skills. We estimate that there are 5 jobs for every applicant.

7. Does the University of Maine offer job placement for students who graduate with a business analytics degree? *

Yes!

8. What type of financial aid packages are available for students in business analytics? Are there any fellowships, grants, and scholarships available? *

Yes, we offer competitive and need-based grants and scholarships

9. Do you have any advice for students enrolling in a business analytics program at the University of Maine? *

Get ready for a career that is intellectually and financially rewarding!

10. What do you enjoy most about your position at the University of Maine? *

Working with students and delivering on our 95% placement rate.

For more information on the business analytics programs offered at the University of Maine, visit them online.

Thank you for sharing and participating in this piece.

That concludes our interview!

Francis E. Raymond, Interim Dean, MBA Director, Bellarmine University located in Louisville, Kentucky, joins us today to discuss their analytics degree program.

The Interim Dean offers a fantastic insight into ways students can learn analytics at Bellarmine University.

1. Can you tell us about the business analytics program offered at Bellarmine University? *

We offer several ways to learn analytics at our university.

We offer (1) a Concentration in Applied Business Analytics as part of our MBA Program, (2) a Certificate in Applied Business Analytics, (3) an undergraduate minor in business analytics (fall 2020).

2. Is the GMAT & GRE required for acceptance into the program? Do international students have the same requirement? *

GMAT is required for anyone who does not have at least 6 years of full-time work experience. International students may not have to take the GMAT if their TOEFL score is at least 83 and they have sufficient work or academic experience as determined by the MBA Director.

3. How long does a typical business analytics program take at Bellarmine University? What is the maximum and minimum time of completion? *

Depending on the track, the MBA can be completed in 12. 16 or 24 months. The undergraduate curriculum requires 120 credit hours for the Bachelor’s. The Business Analytics minor requires 24 credit hours of coursework including prerequisites.

4. What do you think makes the Bellarmine University analytics program stand out from other programs offered by similar schools in your region*

The MBA Concentration in Applied Business Analytics provides managers (with or without previous analytics experience) with a working knowledge of the most ubiquitous tools in analytics in a condensed sequence of coursework. The undergraduate minor is connected to our business core and sits inside a Data Science major (managed by computer science department).

5. How important would you say accreditation is when choosing a business analytics program? *

Very

6. What are the advantages of earning a business analytics degree in general and where are you seeing employer demand with this degree? *

Analytics will become as essential to business education as accounting or organizational behavior. It will soon be something in which all managers will need to have basic competency in order to understand the data generated by their businesses.

7. Does the Bellarmine University offer job placement for students who graduate with a business analytics degree? *

We work with employers to secure internships or jobs for all our students, regardless of their specific concentrations or majors.

8. What type of financial aid packages are available for students in business analytics? Are there any fellowships, grants, and scholarships available? *

We have nothing specific to Business Analytics, but other scholarships exist.

9. Do you have any advice for students enrolling in a business analytics program at Bellarmine University? *

Come with a good attitude and ready to work.

10. What do you enjoy most about your position at Bellarmine University? *

The student Interaction

For more information on the business analytics programs offered at Bellarmine University, visit them online.

Thank you for sharing and participating in this piece.

That concludes our interview!

Greg Moody, Lee Professor of Information Systems, University of Nevada Las Vegas, joins us today to discuss their analytics degree programs.

The professor offers a fantastic insight into the ways to learn analytics at the University of Nevada Las Vegas.

1. Can you tell us about the business analytics program offered at the University of Nevada Las Vegas? *

We offer several ways to learn analytics at our university.

The first option is a joint degree offered by the management information systems (business technology) and economics. The program’s statistical background is calculus-based and instructed by economics. It is heavily focused on econometric modeling, forecasting, time-series panels, and all basic elements of statistics.

The second option is the business analytics focus within our management information systems program. We offer several courses that allow our students to specialize in more generalized and business-focused analytics. It is meant to be versatile and does not require any mathematical background to enter.

The third option is the MS Data Analytics program, which will start in about 2022. It is a collaboration between computer science, management information systems, and mathematics departments. It spans most of the colleges at the university and is meant to provide a robust platform for analytics within any field. The field specialization is then completed through the elective route at your hosting college (Health, Business, Math, Engineering, Liberal Arts). This is a more intensive program than option 2 and will advance one’s knowledge quite well into a career in analytics in a variety of fields.

Option 4, is the undergraduate program, offered as a BSBA Information Management. Across the required major courses, students will learn analytics as the main career trajectory of this program. All other options are in-person graduate programs.

2. Is the GMAT & GRE required for acceptance into the program? Do international students have the same requirement? *

Yes, for all of the listed programs, GRE is a requirement, GMAT is also accepted for the business-school focused programs.

3. How long does a typical online business analytics program take at the University of Nevada Las Vegas? What is the maximum and minimum time of completion? *

Two years is our normal program length, but it is four years for an undergrad unless you transfer in with the credentials to meet the general electives.

4. What do you think makes the University of Nevada Las Vegas analytics program stand out from other programs offered by similar schools in your region*

We are the most prominent university in our region. Further, our programs are based off of multiple disciplines, enabling our university to provide the best techniques from different fields to give you the edge when it comes to your career.

5. How important would you say accreditation is when choosing a business analytics program? *

Entirely so. It gives you an expectation that the program has a certain level of rigor and quality that will not be guaranteed at a school/college/university that is not accredited.

AACSB is by far the highest level of accreditation that one can find in a business-focused degree.

6. What are the advantages of earning a business analytics degree in general and where are you seeing employer demand with this degree? *

This is one of the most in-demand jobs that we get from our employers and from our students. They are quite versatile, and most careers require individuals to deal with data, and the problem-solving skills taught for this degree are valuable for any career.

7. Does the University of Nevada Las Vegas offer job placement for students who graduate with a business analytics degree? *

Yes, we have a job placement organization within our business school.

8. What type of financial aid packages are available for students in business analytics? Are there any fellowships, grants, and scholarships available? *

The business school offers scholarships, and we also offer graduate assistantships to the most competitive (academically) students to encourage them to attend our university.

9. Do you have any advice for students enrolling in a business analytics program at the University of Nevada Las Vegas? *

Be ready now to start a good career.

10. What do you enjoy most about your position at the University of Nevada Las Vegas? *

The ability to work with students and change their lives for the better.

For more information on the business analytics programs offered at the University of Nevada Las Vegas, visit them online.

Thank you Greg Moody for sharing and participating in this piece.

That concludes our interview!

Dr. Ashley Bush, Program Director, Master of Science in Business Analytics (MS-BA) Chair, Department of Business Analytics, Information Systems & Supply Chain, Sprint Professor of MIS at Florida State University College of Business, joins us today to discuss their Master of Science in Business Analytics (MS-BA) degree program.

The director offers fantastic insight into the Florida State University College of Business Master of Science in Business Analytics (MS-BA) degree program.

1. Can you tell us about the business analytics program offered at the Florida State University College of Business? *

We launched our Master of Science in Business Analytics (MS-BA) in 2018 to meet expanding industry demand for a new type of business school graduate, one equipped with the skills to not only transform raw data into trusted analysis but also to leverage that analysis into sound business strategy. Our intensive year starts with a deep dive into Python programming, quantitative methods and machine learning, then eventually culminates with capstone projects that allow students to apply their new skills to solving challenges provided by real companies.

2. Is the GMAT & GRE required for acceptance into the program? Do international students have the same requirement? *

Yes, the GMAT/GRE is a university requirement for all applicants but may be waived for highly qualified individuals with significant work experience. Our admission decisions are based on a portfolio of qualifications, including prior academic performance, work experience, GMAT/GRE scores and letters of recommendation. Additionally, international applicants without native English skills will need to meet certain marks on the TOEFL or IELTS.

3. How long does a typical online business analytics program take at the Florida State University College of Business? What is the maximum and minimum time of completion? *

Our business analytics master’s degree is a lock-step program on campus that starts each May and runs for one full calendar year. Our graduates say learning and progressing with a cohort of fellow students results in close-knit professional relationships that they carry into their careers.

4. What do you think makes the Florida State University College of Business analytics program stand out from other programs offered by similar schools in your region*

Although we have offered a highly ranked online master’s degree in Management Information Systems for many years, we intentionally set out to build our new Business Analytics program from the ground up instead of developing an offshoot or modification of our existing degree program. We also made sure it could pass the muster of STEM designation, which signals that our graduates are equipped with the priority technical and analytical skills employers are seeking to stay relevant and competitive.

SEE ALSO: Best Online Master’s in Business Data Analytics Degree Rankings

5. How important would you say accreditation is when choosing a business analytics program? *

Checking out a school’s accreditation credentials is the best way to ensure you’re choosing a quality program that will give you an excellent return on your investment. Florida State’s College of Business is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International). Based on an arduous peer review, AACSB accreditation is achieved by fewer than 5 percent of business schools worldwide.

6. What are the advantages of earning a business analytics degree in general and where are you seeing employer demand with this degree? *

Today’s businesses know that having skilled data analysts is just as crucial as having a financial manager. That means business data analytics positions are plentiful and available in most industries, and their presence will only increase as our technological world generates more data. Demand is high, which means starting salaries are, too.

7. Does the Florida State University College of Business offer job placement for students who graduate with a business analytics degree? *

Our faculty actively works to connect students with internship and networking opportunities, and the college provides professional development activities that prepare students for the job market. Additionally, the college has a very active advisory board of highly successful business alumni and friends of the college who advocate for our students. To my knowledge, all of our MS-BA graduates thus far are thriving in analytics careers at a vast range of companies, such as The Home Depot, Naval Air Systems Command, Duke Energy Corporation, and ReliaQuest.

8. What type of financial aid packages are available for students in business analytics? Are there any fellowships, grants, and scholarships available? *

Our program offers competitive graduate assistantships that provide financial assistance to a select number of students in each admissions cycle. Graduate assistants receive a stipend and a tuition waiver for nine credit hours (at the in-state tuition rate) for each of the three semesters. In return, they work 10 hours per week with a faculty member, assisting with academic research.

9. Do you have any advice for students enrolling in a business analytics program at the Florida State University College of Business? *

Apply early to be considered for financial assistance. Know that our program is designed for students who are already comfortable with quantitative tasks. If you hate math or fear statistics, then it’s probably not the best fit for you.

10. What do you enjoy most about your position at the Florida State University College of Business? *

It’s very rewarding to watch our students become more confident in their analytical skills over the course of the year. They enter hoping to take their strong quantitative skills to even higher levels, but even they are surprised at how comfortable they become with extrapolating business solutions from immense amounts of data.

For more information on the business analytics program offered at Florida State University College of Business, visit them online.

Thank you for sharing and participating in this piece.

That concludes our interview!

Curtis Penrod, Senior Coordinator of Business Programs at Northwestern State University of Louisiana, joins us today to discuss their BS in Business Administration program with a concentration in Business Analytics and a post-baccalaureate certification in Business Analytics.

1. Can you tell us about the business analytics program offered at the Northwestern State University of Louisiana? *

We offer two different areas of business analytics. First, within our undergraduate BS in Business Administration program, we offer a concentration of Business Analytics. This concentration allows students to take a specific set of courses allowing them have to a more specialized focus within the overall degree program.

We also offer a post-baccalaureate certification in Business Analytics. This 18 credit hour program is for students who already hold a baccalaureate degree to come back to the university and get additional knowledge in the area of business analytics. Students may need to take additional prerequisite courses depending on the area and content of their baccalaureate degree.

2. Is the GMAT & GRE required for acceptance into the program? Do international students have the same requirement? *

The GMAT and GRE are not required for acceptance into either program. International students are not required to have the GMAT or GRE either.

3. How long does a typical business analytics program take at the Northwestern State University of Louisiana? What is the maximum and minimum time of completion?*

For the BS in Business Administration with a concentration in Business Analytics, the desired completion time is four years. However, students can complete in about three years if they take a higher course load. With a lower course load, students may take up to eight years.

For the PBC in Business Analytics, the program can be completed in one year if a student has all of the required prerequisites. If a student only takes one class per semester, the student would take about two years to complete the program.

4. What do you think makes the Northwestern State University of Louisiana business analytics program stand out from other programs offered by similar schools in your region*

I think there are two main reasons the program stands out from similar schools in our region. First, our business analytics program is a combination of technical and business concepts related to analytics. Not all programs offer both of these areas.

Additionally, our program is offered online allowing working adults to complete the program while still maintaining their employment.

5. How important would you say accreditation is when choosing a business analytics program? *

I think accreditation is very important. We are accredited by AACSB which we believe is a reflection of the quality of our programs.

6. What are the advantages of earning a business analytics degree in general and where are you seeing employer demand with this degree? *

Analytics is a growing area nationally and locally. With the growth of data and the ability to analyze that data, companies must embrace analytics to gain knowledge and competitive advantage over their competitors.

Employers are really looking for analytical skills in almost all their hires. While companies certainly hire positions such as business analysts, process analysts, systems analysts, etc., most hiring managers would like to see the ability to conduct business analytics in all their professional staff.

7. Does the Northwestern State University of Louisiana offer job placement for students who graduate with a business analytics degree? *

The university has a Career Services center that assists all students at the university, including students in business analytics.

8. What type of financial aid packages are available for students in business analytics? Are there any fellowships, grants, and scholarships available? *

Students can apply for the same financial aid packages that are available to all students through the federal government, state government, institution, and NSU Foundation/Alumni Association. While there are no specific grants or scholarships allocated to business analytics, they would be eligible for grants or scholarships allocated to the larger business area.

9. Do you have any advice for students enrolling in a business analytics program at the Northwestern State University of Louisiana? *

Depending on the program, make sure you know what is expected in those programs. The PBC in Business Analytics requires certain prerequisites so you want to make sure you have met those prerequisites before starting the program if possible.

Once they start the program, I would just urge them to really try to grasp the materials and gain the knowledge they need to succeed in the workforce.

10. What do you enjoy most about your position at the Northwestern State University of Louisiana? *

For me, I love seeing my students obtain student employment, go to graduate school, or meet whatever goal they are trying to obtain. When I see them accomplish their goals, I feel like we have done our jobs in preparing those students for the future.

For more information on the business analytics programs offered at the Northwestern State University of Louisiana, visit them online.

Thank you for sharing and participating in this piece.

That concludes our interview!

Michael L. Kamen, Ph.D., Director of Graduate Programs at the University of Michigan-Dearborn joins us today to discuss their Master of Science in Business Analytics degree program.

The director offers a fantastic insight into the University of Michigan-Dearborn’s accredited data analytics master’s program.

1. Can you tell us about the business analytics program offered at the University of Michigan-Dearborn?

The Master of Science in Business Analytics trains students how to carry out sophisticated forms of data analysis, then apply that knowledge to real-world business problems. Students specialize in one of five areas: finance, human resources management, information systems. marketing, or supply chain management. The degree is open to all students who have a mind for math and statistics, regardless of their undergraduate majors. The program requires 30 credit hours.

2. Is the GMAT & GRE required for acceptance into the program? Do international students have the same requirement?

International and domestic applicants who have three years of professional work experience, a degree in business or engineering, or other credentials may be eligible to waive the GMAT and GRE admission requirement. Full details are available on our website.

3. How long does a typical business analytics program take at the University of Michigan-Dearborn? What is the maximum and minimum time of completion?

Our typical business analytics student attends full-time and completes the program in 12-16 months, depending on course load and internship placement. Students may attend on a part-time basis, however. Regardless, the entire program can be completed in evening courses on campus, while some of the courses are also offered online and during the daytime.

4. What do you think makes the University of Michigan-Dearborn business analytics program stand out from other programs offered by similar schools in your region?

In addition to offering a University of Michigan degree, we offer a unique capstone course in which we place business analytics students in semester-long projects with major corporations, such as Ford Motor Company and DTE Engery. Students solve a real-world problem for their corporate clients by using the data analytics skills gained in the program.

5. How important would you say accreditation is when choosing a business analytics program?

Accreditation is valued in the marketplace. The College of Business at the University of Michigan-Dearborn is one of only about 5% of business schools worldwide to have earned AACSB accreditation.

6. What are the advantages of earning a business analytics degree in general and where are you seeing employer demand with this degree?

The field of business data analytics continues to be in high demand, as corporations large and small across the US seek to use more and more sophisticated forms of data analysis to make business decisions. There is strong demand for this area of expertise in Michigan, which is the worldwide headquarters of the automotive/mobility industry and boasts numerous multinational and national corporations in a variety of non-automotive industries.

7. Does the University of Michigan-Dearborn offer job placement for students who graduate with a business analytics degree?

The College of Business hosts its own, in-house career management center, which offers assistance with internship and full-time placements, opportunities to network with corporate recruiters, a variety of career-development workshops, and one-on-one career development assistance.

8. What type of financial aid packages are available for students in business analytics? Are there any fellowships, grants, and scholarships available?

The College of Business offers generous admission scholarships to a small number of highly-qualified applicants each semester. Occasionally we also offer positions for tutors, research assistants, and similar campus-based positions.

9. Do you have any advice for students enrolling in a business analytics program at your University of Michigan-Dearborn?

The admissions committee conducts a holistic review of each application. There is no formula to define who will make a successful applicant, but the faculty are especially interested in evidence of strong quantitative skills, strong academic performance overall, and a brief but clear statement of purpose.

10. What do you enjoy most about your position at the University of Michigan-Dearborn?

I enjoy being a part of the University of Michigan, and I enjoy playing a part in the transformational difference a degree in higher education can create in a student’s life.

For more information on the business analytics program offered at the University of Michigan, visit them online. Thank you for sharing and participating in this piece.

That concludes our interview!