
Breadcrumb
Credit hours: 120
Full-time, part-time, most classes have online options
Start terms: fall, spring, summer
The next leader in data-driven business and AI innovation looks like YOU
Build the skills to turn data into action and AI into impact. The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Business Intelligence and AI equips you with technical expertise, analytical thinking, and business insight to solve real-world problems. You’ll learn how to apply AI responsibly, translate complex data into decisions, and drive innovation across organizations.
in Colorado and #40 nationally for our Business Analytics program, TFE Times 2026
Real-world class projects
Our program connects business leaders in the technology sector here in Denver with our students. We are a technology hub and collaborate with partners through a range of events and organizations. Opportunities include:
- The annual tech-smart panel event
- Become a Business Leader with an Edge event
- Information Systems Student Association
- Transamerica Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics Student Club
The CU Denver BSBA in Business Intelligence and AI program prepares students to apply data and AI in practical business contexts. Through a combination of technical training and business application, you’ll learn how to analyze data, develop AI-driven solutions, and support decision-making across organizations.
By the time you graduate, you’ll be able to translate complex data into clear insights, apply AI tools in business settings, and evaluate their impact with an understanding of ethical considerations.
Topics covered include:
- Data governance, ethics, and AI accountability
- Database management and data systems
- Python programming for business applications
- AI-driven decision-making
- Business analytics processes
- Data visualization and AI applications
Students gain experience through both individual and team-based work, strengthening critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills.
You'll have full access to our Business Career Center team for life. With over 10 years of recruiting and advising experience, they'll help you navigate your way through the corporate recruiting process. Our connections to over 300 business partners provide exclusive opportunities to network with industry leaders. Their services include:
- Career workshops – perfect your resume, LinkedIn profile, and job search process
- Individual appointments – explore what your personal career path looks like, review your resume, or schedule a mock interview
- Career events – hone your networking skills and meet hiring managers from top companies
- Job announcements – monthly emails with the latest job and internship opportunities specific to your degree
As graduates of the program, international students can apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) and remain in the US for an additional 24 months.
The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration curriculum consists of 120 hours, comprising business and liberal arts classes, to give you a well-rounded education.
CU Denver core (34 hours)
Hone your knowledge with coursework in English, math, behavioral and social science, humanities, international perspectives, and cultural diversity.
General non-business courses (12 hours)
These courses are taken outside the Business School but foster a stronger awareness of disciplines relevant to business studies. Course topics include:
- Professional speaking
- Microeconomics
- Business writing
- Experiential learning
Business core (36 hours)
Making an impact looks like YOU! Apply your education directly to a problem facing businesses today. Choose from an internship, a project-based course, or study abroad for your experiential learning experience. Your business classes will take you through the hard and soft skills necessary to succeed in business. You will also gain an international business perspective through the required international course.
Your business classes will take you through the hard and soft skills necessary to succeed in business. You will also gain an international perspective of business through the required international course. Course topics include:
- Career and professional development
- Business statistics
- Business problem solving
- Managerial accounting
- Business law and ethics
- Operations management
- Marketing
- Business policy and strategy management
- Managing of individuals and teams
Major classes
When you choose Business Intelligence and AI as your primary core specialty, you gain specialized training in data analytics, artificial intelligence, and business intelligence applications. These courses focus on building technical skills, analytical thinking, and the ability to translate data into business insights. Course list:
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ISMG 3110: Data Governance, Ethics, and AI Accountability
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ISMG 3500: Business Data and Database Management
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ISMG 4400: Programming Fundamentals with Python
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ISMG 4730: The Fundamentals of AI-driven Business Decisions
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BANA 4110: Business Analytics Process
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BANA 4130: Data Visualization and AI Application
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BANA 4140: Business Analytics and AI for Decision-Making
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Upper-division BANA or ISMG elective
Electives and/or foreign language proficiency
Foreign language courses may be satisfied if you’ve taken a certain number of classes in high school. These electives give you the freedom to dive deeper into topics or courses that interest you.
Core Courses (November 13, 2019)
Value 1: Foundational Business Knowledge
Outcome: Explain foundational concepts associated with core business disciplines, including accounting, economics, finance, business statistics, operations management, business law, organizational behavior, marketing, information technology, and global strategy.
Value 2: Critical Thinking
Outcome: Analyze business problems using appropriate analytical and critical thinking skills.
Value 3: Ethical Practice
Outcome: Make ethical decisions, translating ethical principles into business practice.
Value 4: Effective Communication
Outcome: Effectively communicate a business message.
Value 5: International Perspectives
Outcome: Explain the impact of international perspectives on business strategy and operations.
Value 6: Business Technology
Outcome: Use appropriate business-related technologies to address business problems.
To demonstrate understanding of Business Concepts undergraduate business students take the ETS® Exam which contains 120 multiple-choice questions designed to measure a student’s subject knowledge in Accounting, Economics, Management, Quantitative Business Analysis, Information Systems, Finance, Marketing, Legal and Social Environment, and International Issues. More information.
Other objectives are assessed in individual courses using relevant projects, presentations or exam questions.
Tuition
The cost of tuition for the BS in business administration degree is different for in-state and out-of-state students.
Residents of Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) states may qualify for reduced tuition rates. The Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) program requires students to maintain current residency of WICHE state until degree completion.
Learn more about the WUE program
Scholarships
If you’re worried about financing your education, the Business School offers scholarships for incoming students. Each scholarship looks at a number of different factors from academic performance to community involvement. You will automatically be considered for these scholarships when you submit your application.
$2,000 scholarship ($1000/semester for the first 2 fall semesters) is open to incoming transfer students with at least 24 transfer credits and a 3.0 college GPA.
$4,000 scholarship ($1000/semester for 4 semesters) open to incoming freshmen who have demonstrated superior high school performance and community service. Minimum 3.5 HS GPA.
Varying amounts and scholarships are available. Students in the FaM program can apply for these scholarships. A FaM application must be submitted before students can apply for the scholarships. More information on FaM can be found here.
We also offer additional scholarship opportunities for current students every semester. Scholarship opportunities are based on program and course enrollment.
In just five years, you can earn your Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees. You’ll apply for the Master of Science (MS) program at the end of your third undergraduate year, and take two graduate courses in your final undergraduate year. Your timeline may look different as a transfer student, so speak with an undergraduate advisor early on. If you are interested in the BSBA/MS 4+1 program, you must meet with your undergraduate academic advisor about planning ahead for your Master of Science degree.
Double Major
Many students utilize the flexibility of the degree to major in two separate disciplines. With careful planning, you may be able to add a double major without extending your graduation date. Major requirements could overlap depending on which majors you decide on.
Discover other BSBA majors that might interest you.
Certificates
You can add an undergraduate for-credit certificate to enhance your degree or explore a new area of interest to you.
Application Checklist
Online application
$50 domestic, $75 international application fee
SAT and ACT optional
High school transcript or GED score
College or community college transcript – transfer applicants only
English language proficiency —international applicants only
Admission Requirements
If you are an incoming freshman to CU Denver, you can apply through either the Common Application or the Milo Application. Transfer students and international students will need to submit the Milo Application.
Incoming first-year students
CU Denver requires that students complete the Colorado Higher Education Admission Requirements (HEAR). You will not have to meet all Minimum Academic Preparation Standards (MAPS) for admission, but you will need to be completed through CU Denver coursework by graduation.
Transfer Students
We have strong connections with other four-year and community colleges. If you have completed more than 24 hours of transferable coursework, you will be evaluated for admission on the basis of your college GPA without regard to your high school performance. If you have fewer than 24 hours, you will be evaluated based on both your high school and college GPAs. For more information and to plan your transfer, see transfer admissions in the admissions office.
International Students
You will need to begin your application through the Office of International Affairs. They will help you manage your application process.
Spring
Domestic Applications
January 1
International Applications
Priority: September 15
Final: October 15
Summer
Domestic Applications
May 15
International Applications
Priority: January 15
Final: March 15
Fall
Domestic Applications
August 1
International Applications
Priority: March 15
Final: May 15
See yourself at CU Denver
Follow your passion
No matter your background, you’ll have access to a career and professional development course as a Business School student. Through this course, you’ll be introduced to all of the resources available to you as a student including:
- Career events
- Student organizations
- Resume and personal branding training
- Career planning
Find your people
Our students bring their passions outside of the classroom. We offer a number of clubs that give you an opportunity to build your resume and relationships with your peers at the same time.
- Beta Gamma Sigma
- Business Student Ambassador Committee
- Student Center for the Public Trust
- Information Systems Association
See your future
“I was particularly drawn toward the focus on providing a well-rounded business foundation to every student, regardless of their chosen major.”
– Huda Hussain, ‘21, BSBA in Information Systems
Major in what matters
A career team dedicated to you
In the heart of downtown Denver, you have easy access to hundreds of employers. Our career team has developed close relationships with quality employers and regularly brings them in for career fairs and panel events. It’s no surprise that employers have told us they prefer CU Denver students, because they know how motivated our students are to succeed.
Take the first step of many towards your future career. Our career team offers a number of services that help you:
- Gain confidence to interview and network with employers
- Find opportunities to land an internship or job of your dreams
- Create your personal brand—online and in-person
- Introduce you to business etiquette and corporate culture
Employers know we produce work-ready graduates
“CU Denver students have real-world experience and are ready to talk about their jobs. There’s a reason we keep coming back.” – S&P Global
“When I see a name tag with ‘CU Denver Business’ on it, I know that I’m talking to a high-quality candidate.” – TIAA
“Every single student has shown up excited about why we’re here. I’ve been really impressed with students’ knowledge, their preparedness, and what they are bringing to the table. It has upped the game tremendously for new hires.” – Marketo
