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Program Length
As little as 12 months with part-time options available
Academic Term
10-week quarters
Entry Points
Fall quarter (September)
Spring quarter (March)
STEM designation
With this designation, F-1 international students may apply for a 24-month extension for Optional Practical Training (OPT).
In This Department
Lead the Algorithms, Not the Other Way Around.
AI can generate an answer in seconds. Organizations still need people who know which questions to ask, which answers to trust and how to turn both into decisions. The one-year MS in Business Analytics builds that person.
Half of our courses integrate AI, and a dedicated course on AI in analytics teaches you to put it to work responsibly. You'll graduate ready to lead AI in organizations large and small, whether that's a growing startup or a global enterprise.
Every student completes an individual capstone for a real-world client
Half of all courses integrate AI, and we dedicate a course to AI in analytics.
A board of industry expert advisors informs our curriculum
Evening classes let you earn your degree while you work.
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94% of students are employed full time within 6 months of graduation
95% of graduates say the degree helped prepare them for their job
2022-2024 graduates
Curriculum
Business analytics is built on three equal pillars: data management, analytic modeling and business decision making. AI now runs through all three, and so does our degree.
AI is integrated into half of your courses, and a dedicated course on AI in analytics goes deeper. You'll learn to use AI tools well, test what they produce and recognize when the call needs human judgment. As an MS graduate, you'll be prepared to use data and AI to advise organizations and drive decisions.
AI generates answers. Analytics asks the right questions.
Every student also completes a real consulting engagement through our Capstone Program. You'll work one-on-one with a partner company, using its live data to solve a current business challenge. Since the program began in 2012, students have completed more than 500 consulting projects with a network of more than 750 partner organizations.
Applications used
The program is taught using Python, R and Microsoft SQL Server. Students also use Excel, AWS, Tableau, PowerBI and the AI platforms organizations are adopting now.
Dual degrees
You can combine the Master of Science in Business Analytics with another master’s degree, including earning an MBA with a concentration in business analytics.
Contact Us
Hannah Hansard
Associate Director, Admissions and Enrollment
Reach out to Hannah any time if you have questions about the MSBA or the admissions process.
303-871-3416 | Contact Hannah
Connect with a Student
Our graduate student ambassadors are happy to share their personal experiences with Daniels and Denver. Email an ambassador with your questions or set up a time to meet them.
Master of Science in Business Analytics Tuition
“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. ”
— Todd A. Porch, President, Strategus
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 is built for working professionals. Full-time students can finish in four quarters (11.5 months). The standard part-time path takes two years, and flexible part-time options let you keep your job while you earn your degree.
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 meet Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday in two-hour blocks between 4 and 10 p.m., so you can keep working full time. When a course is scheduled before 4 p.m., an evening section is also offered.
Business Analytics Capstone Program
Every student completes an individual consulting project for a real company. You'll work with a Capstone Partner from our network of more than 750 organizations to solve a current business problem with live data, joining more than 500 projects students have delivered since 2012.
A faculty advisor guides each project, and the Center for Analytics and Innovation With Data oversees the program.
In your final quarters, you'll present your findings at Capstone Briefings to partners, faculty and peers.
International student resources
At Daniels we are dedicated to creating an environment of inclusive excellence for all of our students.
- 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, so F-1 international students may apply for a 24-month extension of their Optional Practical Training (OPT).
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.
Hear from a student why they chose the MS in business analytics at Daniels.
Our graduates lead analytics and AI work in technology, consulting, healthcare, education, financial services and more.
“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
FAQs for the MS in Business Analytics
How is AI built into the program?
AI is integrated into half of the courses in the MSBA, and a dedicated course on AI in analytics goes deeper. You'll use AI platforms alongside Python, R and SQL. You'll also learn how to judge AI output, where it falls short and how to lead AI adoption in organizations large and small. AI changes the tools, but analytics still defines the decisions.
Can I work while I earn this degree?
Yes. Most classes meet in the evening, between 4 and 10 p.m. When a course runs earlier in the day, an evening section is also offered. Part-time students typically finish in two years, and flexible options let you set a pace that fits your job.
What jobs do graduates get?
94% of 2022–2024 graduates were employed full time within six months of graduation. Graduates work in technology, consulting, healthcare, education, financial services and more, at companies like DaVita, Amazon, Deloitte, KPMG and Lockheed Martin.
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.
Since 2012, students have completed more than 500 of these consulting projects with more than 750 partner organizations.
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).
Half of the courses also integrate AI, and a dedicated course covers AI in analytics.
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.
Ready to Apply?
Have other questions?
Contact the Office of Graduate Admissions online or call 303-871-3416.