Every student completes an individual capstone for a real-world client
A board of industry expert advisors informs our curriculum
Master of Science in Business Analytics Program Snapshot
Academic Term
10-week quarters
Entry Points
Fall quarter (September)
Spring quarter (March)
Program Length
As little as 12 months with part-time options available
STEM designation
This is a STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) degree according to the Department of Homeland Security. With this designation, F-1 international students may apply for a 24-month extension for Optional Practical Training (OPT).
Contact Us
Alicia Lucero
Assistant Director, Graduate Admissions
Reach out to Alicia any time if you have questions about the MSBA or the admissions process.
303.871.3416
daniels@du.edu
Connect with a current student
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Master of Science in Business Analytics Tuition
Base tuition (2024–2025): $70,702 | Typical scholarship range (% of tuition): 10-70%*
* Scholarships are based on academic record, testing and employment credentials, and are not guaranteed. Contact daniels@du.edu or 303-871-3416 for more information.
Curriculum
Business analytics is built on three equal pillars—data management, analytic modeling and business decision making—and the MS in Business Analytics provides a balanced education in all three. As an MS graduate, you’ll be prepared to use data to advise organizations and drive decisions. We will challenge you to make sure you ask the right questions.
We also offer a unique experiential component through our Capstone Program, where all of our students perform individual, real-time analytic consulting with live data and current business challenges with a Capstone Partner from our network of over 500 organizations.
Students have access to the most advanced tools in analytics through Daniels partnerships with IBM/SPSS, Tableau, Amazon, JMP, Microsoft and other leading technology vendors. We stay ahead of the curve by using the top technologies to solve complex analytic problems.
Applications used
The program is taught using Python, R and Microsoft SQL Server. Students also use Excel, AWS, Tableau, PowerBI and a dedicated Hadoop cluster.
Dual degrees
Students have the option to combine the Master of Science in Business Analytics with another master’s degree, including earning an MBA with a concentration in business analytics.
Hear from a student why they chose the MS in business analytics at Daniels.
“The flexibility of the MSBA program allowed me to complete the degree while working full time and going to school in the evenings. The program gave me the necessary tools to apply what I learned in the classroom directly into my daily job.”
— Federica Bologna, MSBA 2022
Program at a Glance
Program Start Dates
Daniels operates on a quarter system, meaning that we have four terms (fall, winter, spring and summer) that each span 10 weeks (9 for summer).
The MSBA program has two entry terms per year:
- Fall quarter begins in mid-September.
- Spring quarter begins in mid-to-late March.
Part-time vs. Full-time enrollment
The MSBA program can be completed in four quarters (11.5 months) for full-time students. The standard part-time program is 2 years, but we offer flexible part-time options designed to accommodate most working professionals.
Timeframe to complete the program
The MSBA program consists of 15 courses, which are sequenced to build on previous material, although there is some flexibility in the sequence of courses.
Courses are offered every two quarters (fall/spring or winter/summer) to accommodate student schedules. Students have completed the program in anywhere from 4 to 18 quarters.
Class Times
Classes are usually offered on Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday in 2-hour increments from 4-10 p.m. The MSBA allows working professionals to complete the program through evening coursework. When classes are scheduled before 4 p.m., there is also an evening option for the same course.
Business Analytics Capstone Program
Students work individually with a Capstone Partner from our network of over 500 organizations to solve a current business problem with live data. Capstones are guided by an individual faculty advisor and overseen by the Center for Analytics and Innovation With Data. Students showcase their talents in their final quarters in Capstone Briefings to our partners, faculty and their peers.
Courses and Electives
The Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) is a 58-credit program that can be completed in as little as 12 months, or you can earn your degree part time with a more flexible schedule.
The program consists of core courses in statistics, data management and mining, and business analytics. It culminates with a capstone project that gives students the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills they learned to a real-world problem submitted by a business partner.
Core Courses
- INFO 4000 Introduction to Business | 4 Credit Hours
- INFO 4100 Business Intelligence | 4 Credit Hour
- INFO 4140 Business Databases | 4 Credit Hour
- INFO 4120 Python | 4 Credit Hours
- STAT 4610 Business Statistics | 4 Credit Hours
- INFO 4590 Optimization | 4 Credit Hours
- INFO 4200 Capstone Planning | 2 Credit Hours
- INFO 4240 Data Warehousing | 4 Credit Hours
- INFO 4260 Data Management Platforms | 4 Credit Hours
- INFO 4280 Project Management | 2 Credit Hours
- INFO 4300 Predictive Analytics | 4 Credit Hours
- INFO 4340 Data Mining & Visualization | 4 Credit Hours
- INFO 4360 Complex Data Analytics | 4 Credit Hours
- INFO 4380 Decision Processes | 2 Credit Hours
- INFO 4390 Advanced Predictive Modeling in R | 4 Credit Hours
- INFO 4400 Capstone | 4 Credit Hours
Concentrations & Dual Degrees
We offer unique opportunities for MSBA students to simultaneously earn two master-level degrees or to pursue an MBA with a concentration in business analytics. With the guidance and approval of a program manager, you can also customize your degree to your career interests and goals.
For more information about any of these options, please contact the Office of Graduate Admissions.
“Strategus turned to the Business Analytics Capstone Program and presented an opportunity to partner in solving for the industry’s next generation of products and solutions. The engagement and its delegate were so successful, upon graduation from the program he joined the company to lead our data science practice. He currently owns its architecture, its analysis and its implementation across the entire ecosystem.”
— Todd A. Porch, President, Strategus
Experiential Learning
Learning at Daniels gets you out of the classroom and into the field interacting with business leaders, solving real business problems and using your business skills when the stakes are real. You’ll emerge from Daniels business sharp, field tested and ready to lead—adaptable to new situations and well-versed in both big-picture strategic thinking and cross-functional intricacies.
GAIN REAL–WORLD EXPERIENCE
At Daniels, our deep connections around the world create ample opportunities for you to meet and learn from the top professionals in your industry of interest.
- Business Analytics Capstone Program: Students work individually with a Capstone Partner from our network of over 500 organizations, guided by an individual faculty advisor, to solve a current business problem with live data. Students showcase their talents in their final quarters in Capstone Briefings to our partners, faculty, and their peers.
- Voices of Experience: Dynamic presentations and discussions from executive business leaders on the challenges and opportunities in today’s business world.
- Executive and Alumni Mentoring: Gain insight from an executive and/or alumni mentor in your field of interest.
COMPETE AGAINST THE BEST
Case competitions provide you with a chance to showcase your critical-thinking, problem-solving and presentation skills—experiencing firsthand the challenges of the business world.
- Race & Case: Daniels’ signature event that combines an ethics case competition with a ski race.
- Inclusive Excellence Business Case Competition: Daniels is proud to host one of the country’s few business case competitions focused on diversity. Students tackle a current issue around inclusive excellence, which is a strategic imperative for a participating company.
- Cable Apprentice Challenge: This unique combination of education and networking with the best and the brightest in the business is a challenge to develop research and analysis tactics to help Comcast Colorado.
- Analytics Challenge: Students can bring their classroom knowledge into the real world by applying critical thinking and innovative practices to assist decision makers by offering solutions to a practical, current data analytics problems. Teams will submit their graphic and a brief description of their work and can work individually or in teams of up to four members.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT RESOURCES
- Our International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) department works closely with our graduate students to help make the most of their Optional Practical Training (OPT) and Curricular Practical Training (CPT) time.
- The MSBA is STEM-designated, making it possible for your OPT to extend up to 29 months.
- We offer flexibility in our MSBA program that can enable you to maximize your stay in the U.S.
Career Opportunities with a MS in Business Analytics
As an analytics professional you’ll make extensive use of data modeling, statistical techniques, and scenarios to use data to find meaning, explain causation and make predictions. You can use these skills to work in many areas, including process optimization, marketing analytics, customer relationship management, finance and HR.
The degree allows you the flexibility to move through an organization either on the organizational side to be a director or on the technical side to be a data architect.
Our alumni typically move into roles including visualization, dashboarding, modeling and machine learning, data engineering, and consulting. Common job titles for graduates are: analyst, data analyst, business data analyst, consultant, business intelligence developer and analytics manager.
Companies That Hired Recent MS in Business Analytics Graduates
Alumna profile
Stephanie Gerber, MS 2018
Data Analyst, Nordstrom Card Services
Ever since an internship early in her career, Stephanie knew that she was fascinated by analytics. She chose Daniels’ program because it would teach her more than information management—it would teach her to use data to drive decisions.
How to Apply for the Master of Science in Business Analytics
The MSBA welcomes applicants from all professional backgrounds and academic disciplines. No prior work experience—or background in business—is required.
To apply, you must submit:
- Official college transcript(s)
- Professional resume
- Essays
- $100 application fee
GMAT or GRE scores are optional. If you determine that your application will be stronger with GMAT or GRE scores, please submit them when you apply.
All accepted students are automatically considered for scholarships. No additional application is needed.
Visit our graduate admissions page for more information about application requirements.
Start With a Graduate Certificate
Do you want to build your skills but aren’t ready to commit to a master’s degree? You can start by taking courses toward a 4- or 6-course certificate in Business Analytics. If you decide you want to continue on and earn your master’s, you can apply the credits you’ve already earned. Learn more about graduate certificates.
FAQs for the MS in Business Analytics
What is a Master’s in Business Analytics degree?
A Master of Science in Business Analytics is a specialized degree that connects business and data science, teaching students how to synthesize and transform data into business insights to make informed decisions. Students learn how to use the power of data to inform companies how to improve financial performance, operational efficiency and strategic management.
How does the capstone project work?
You’ll receive a live data set from a company during the third quarter of your program. With the guidance of the director of the business analytics program and a paired faculty member, you’ll create analytics models and dashboards and offer your client insights so they can make an informed decision about their business situation.
Do I need to have programming language experience?
While it’s helpful to bring any prior programming knowledge (formal or informal) into the program, this isn’t a prerequisite for admission.
Do I need a STEM academic or professional background to be considered for this program?
We have students from a wide array of industry backgrounds taking this degree. No specialized academic or professional background is required.
What programs and technical skills are taught in this master’s program?
The program consists of core courses in statistics, data management and mining, and business analytics. It culminates with a capstone project that gives students the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills they learned to a real-world problem submitted by a business partner. You will gain experience with the following languages while in this program: Python, SQL, Excel, Power BI (or Tableau), R, Pyomo and Hadoop (through Linux).
What type of computer should I get?
Though it’s possible to use an Apple computer for the program, we advise you to have a PC. A PC will work most compatibly with the applications you’ll use throughout the degree.
Do students have free access to all programming/coding software?
Students are given licenses to access SQL Server, Visio, Power BI (or Tableau) and SPSS Modeler. Python and R, which are used in the program, are available for free, as is the Microsoft Office suite.
Have other questions? Contact the Office of Graduate Admissions at daniels@du.edu or 303-871-3416.
“The MSBA program at DU gave me every tool I needed to find a great job and excel in my role as a forecast analyst with Philips. DU’s reputation of excellence is attractive to employers, and the capstone project set me apart from any other candidate during the interview process. The capstone allowed me to work on high-profile analysis that had an immediate impact to the company I partnered with, and having this work on my resume was more important than any of my previous 10+ years of experience.”
— Steven Curry, MSBA 2021
Connect with a Student
Our graduate student ambassadors are happy to share their personal experiences about Daniels and Denver with you. Feel free to email an ambassador with your questions or to arrange a time to come to the beautiful University of Denver campus and meet them.