Business Intelligence & Analytics MS

Goal 1:  Students will demonstrate understanding of the value of decision and systems technologies and be able to create business models for forecasting and business analysis. This requires the understanding of organizational flows of information and control and the impacts that these flows have on operations. 

Goal 2: Students will demonstrate critical thinking skills, that is, the process of conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information as the basis for solving problems and making decisions. 

Goal 3:  Students will demonstrate the ability to correspond effectively and persuasively in a business format.  This includes communicating quantitative information using both a technical and non-technical terms, with individuals and within teams. 

Goal 4: Students will be able to apply ethical decision making in the area of business intelligence and analytics and to understand the relationship between data, ethics, and the organizational framework.

Goal 5: Students will demonstrate the principles of a structured programming language and be able to describe, design, implement, and test programming code using current data analysis techniques and methodology to support business decision-making. 

The MS degree requires completion of 30 credits with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better in courses taken at SJU. Prerequisites or co-requisites are required for courses listed below and are met through the scheduled course sequence.

SAS Certificate

The SAS Institute has endorsed the Master of Science in Business Intelligence & Analytics Program within the Haub School of Business and presents those who completed its program with a Business Intelligence Certificate, certified by SAS. This certificate will be issued to students who graduate from the MSBIA Program after January 2011 and successfully complete DSS 660 and DSS 680.

Student may choose one of the following advising tracks:

Cyber Analytics

The Cyber Analytics track is focused on the application of analytics to data in order to draw conclusions and detect patterns in cyber-data applications. It can be viewed as situated at the intersection of Big Data, Cyber Security, and Decision Management. Cyber analytics can be used to support computer security, computer or network administration, auditing, and many other application areas.  This track provides students with an exposure to analytics of cyber-physical systems, which are ubiquitous in business/industry contexts.

Data Analytics

The Data Analytics track is designed to prepare students to apply data analytics techniques to large data sets to support data-driven decisions across application domains. The courses are designed for learners with a quantitative background who want to advance their skills.  Students will learn statistical and scientific methods for data analysis as preparation to make sound, evidence-based decisions that drive business performance in any function.

Data Science

In the Data Science track, students will learn about closed source and open source programming languages and apply then to machine learning methodology, which is highly used in the field of business intelligence and analytics. Within business intelligence field, an understanding of at least one programming language makes an impressive addition to any resume. 

Managerial Business Intelligence and Analytics

The Managerial BIA track prepares professionals to drive organizational performance in all function areas (analytics, database support, programming, decision making, data visualization, etc.)  This track gives students well rounded skills to prepare them to become leaders within their teams, departments and organizations.