Organizations are swimming in data, but often lack the talent and expertise to use it effectively for making decisions, revealing insights, and making predictions. Business analytics experts are changing that. The full-time Master of Science program in business analytics puts students on the leading edge of a burgeoning industry hungry for top notch talent.
Students learn the skills and techniques necessary to turn raw data into actionable insights. Descriptive and diagnostic analytics are just starting points in the program. The skills learned develop students into decision-makers and data scientists adept at using predictive and prescriptive analytics to solve business problems.
The full-time science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) designated program is located in Iowa City. The plan of study spans three semesters and includes core courses, internships, and electives. Students have the opportunity to enroll in a combined degree program with an MS in finance, and current University of Iowa undergraduate students may apply to a combined undergraduate degree/MS graduate degree program. See "Combined Programs" in this section of the catalog for details.
Learning Outcomes
Graduates will exhibit knowledge and skills relevant to data and its applications in business. They will demonstrate competence in the subareas of:
- descriptive analytics;
- predictive analytics; and
- prescriptive analytics.
Graduates will create and communicate solutions to data-related business problems that impact their organizations and communities. They will:
- approach, address, and solve a loosely defined business problem requiring the use, exploration, and analysis of data; and
- communicate effectively through oral, written, and visual forms.
Graduates will understand and explore ethical and privacy issues related to the use of data in the modern world. They will:
- contemplate ethical and privacy issues arising in their own work; and
- express a working knowledge of the major ethical and privacy issues facing the business-analytics profession, supported with examples from current events.
Graduates will demonstrate the ability to be effective team members in a diverse and complex world. They will:
- engage in effective team processes; and
- lead and support others to achieve collective goals.
The full-time Master of Science program in business analytics requires a minimum of 40 s.h. of graduate credit. Transfer credit may be accepted with approval from the program. A major grade-point average (GPA) and a cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 is required in all coursework.
The MS with a major in business analytics requires the following coursework.
Requirements Summary
| Requirements |
Hours |
| Core Courses |
19 |
| Experience Course/Project |
3 |
| Electives |
18 |
Core Courses
Course List
| Course # |
Title |
Hours |
| |
| BAIS:6040 | Data Programming in Python | 3 |
| BAIS:6050 | Data Management and Visual Analytics | 3 |
| BAIS:6070 | Data Science | 3 |
| BAIS:8130 | Business Communication (taken fall and spring semester for 1 s.h. each) | 2 |
| BAIS:9100 | Data and Decisions | 3 |
| BAIS:9110 | Advanced Analytics | 3 |
| BAIS:9400 | Professional Development and Business Acumen (taken fall and spring semester for 1 s.h. each) | 2 |
Experience Course/Project
The experience course consists of a group project that solves a semester-long business problem.
Course List
| Course # |
Title |
Hours |
| |
| BAIS:6120 | Analytics Experience | 3 |
Electives
Elective coursework allows students to deepen or broaden their skills. Additional electives may be available for credit but must be preapproved.
Undergraduate Degree/MS
Students working on an undergraduate degree program at the University of Iowa who are interested in earning an MS in business analytics may apply to a combined undergraduate degree/MS graduate degree program. The Undergraduate to Graduate (U2G) program enables students to begin work on an MS as they complete their baccalaureate degree. Combined degree programs enable students to earn both degrees in less time than it would take to earn the two degrees separately.
Separate application to each degree program is required. Applicants must be admitted to both programs before they may be admitted to the combined degree program. Visit the MS in business analytics Undergraduate to Graduate page on the Tippie College of Business website for more information.
MS/JD
The combined Master of Science in business analytics (career subprogram)/Juris Doctor allows students to pursue two degrees simultaneously, earning both more quickly than they would if the degrees were pursued separately. The Department of Business Analytics collaborates with the College of Law to offer the combined program.
Separate application to each degree program is required. Applicants must be admitted to both programs before they may be admitted to the combined program. For more information, see the Juris Doctor, JD (College of Law) in the catalog.
MS/MS in Finance
The combined Master of Science in business analytics (career subprogram)/Master of Science in finance allows students to pursue two degrees simultaneously, earning both more quickly than they would if the degrees were pursued separately. The Department of Business Analytics collaborates with the Department of Finance to offer the combined program.
A single admission application is available for the combined degree program. For more information, see the MS in finance in the catalog.
Applicants must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate College; see the Manual of Rules and Regulations on the Graduate College website.
Applicants must:
- have earned a bachelor's degree from a U.S. college or university, or have earned an equivalent degree from another country;
- submit unofficial transcripts with their application and official transcripts for admission;
- have earned a minimum grade-point average of at least 3.00 or the international equivalent;
- submit a current résumé that includes information about employment (if applicable), education, extracurricular activities, and community involvement; and
- submit a statement of purpose with a maximum length of 500 words.
Applicants whose first language is not English must submit official test scores to verify English proficiency. They can verify English proficiency by submitting official test scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or the Duolingo English Test (DET). Applicants who use the IELTS or DET are required to take the on-campus English Proficiency Examination.
Application deadlines are as follows.
- Priority deadline: Dec. 15.
- International student deadline: March 15.
- Domestic student deadline: June 15.
Visit the MS in business analytics Admissions page on the Tippie College of Business website for full admission details.
The Graduate Career Services team offers multiple resources to help students find internships and jobs. Visit Graduate Career Services on the Tippie College of Business website for details.
Sample Plan of Study
Sample plans represent one way to complete a program of study. Actual course selection and sequence will vary and should be discussed with an academic advisor. For additional sample plans, see MyUI.
Business Analytics (career), MS
Plan of Study Grid (Manual)
| Academic Career |
|---|
| Any Semester |
|---|
| a |
|
|
|
| | Hours | 0 |
| First Year |
|---|
| Any Semester |
|---|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | Hours | 0 |
| Fall |
|---|
| BAIS:6050 |
Data Management and Visual Analytics |
3 |
| BAIS:6040 |
Data Programming in Python |
3 |
| BAIS:9100 |
Data and Decisions |
3 |
| BAIS:9400 |
Professional Development and Business Acumen b |
1 |
| c |
3 |
|
|
| | Hours | 13 |
| Spring |
|---|
| BAIS:6070 |
Data Science |
3 |
| BAIS:9110 |
Advanced Analytics |
3 |
| BAIS:9400 |
Professional Development and Business Acumen b |
1 |
| BAIS:8130 |
Business Communication d |
1 |
| c |
3 |
| c |
3 |
|
|
| | Hours | 14 |
| Summer |
|---|
| e |
|
| e |
|
| | Hours | 0 |
| Second Year |
|---|
| Any Semester |
|---|
|
|
|
|
| | Hours | 0 |
| Fall |
|---|
| BAIS:6120 |
Analytics Experience |
3 |
| BAIS:8130 |
Business Communication d |
1 |
| c |
3 |
| c |
3 |
| c |
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | Hours | 13 |
| | Total Hours | 40 |
