From insights to impact
Breadcrumb
Credit hours: 30
Full-time, part-time
Online and evening class options
12:1 student-faculty ratio
Start terms: fall, spring
YOU are the next big data-driven decision maker.
Your degree in business analytics can be the competitive edge your organization needs to make strategically sound decisions. Your Master of Science in Business Analytics degree will help you decipher data to apply it with effective recommendations. By working with datasets from actual businesses, you’ll graduate with real-world experience and take the next step in your career.
Along with other programming languages
Real-world class projects
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Classes offered in
the evening and online
STEM OPT eligibility
Our MS in Business Analytics program offers an in-depth program that gives YOU the technical skills and knowledge to make sound business decisions. Through consulting work, internships, and a practicum, you’ll have several experiential learning opportunities to apply what you’re learning in the classroom to today’s business problems. This program allows working professionals to continue their careers as they enter graduate school with evening and online class offerings. Program benefits include:
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Convenience and flexibility with online and evening class options to allow professionals to continue their careers or complete an internship
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Comprehensive technical and business training so you'll be able to model problems and find actionable business solutions
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Downtown Denver location gives you access to business leaders and experiences
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Career and professional development opportunities available every week through guest speakers, panel events, and career fairs
You’ll understand data using the most popular programming languages and software. Through a grant with Simio, you can learn through unique simulation opportunities as a part of your coursework. Various classes will give you the choice of learning what languages and software are most relevant for you. Programming languages and software used in our courses include:
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Programming languages: Python, R, AMPL, SQL
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Software: SAS, Simio, Tableau, Excel
As a graduate of the program, international students are able to apply for Optional Practice Training (OPT) and stay in the US for an additional 24 months.
As a graduate of the program, international students are able to apply for Optional Practice Training (OPT) and stay in the US for an additional 24 months.
The MS in Business Analytics program consists of 30 credit hours total, broken down into core I, core II, and electives. Designed to be completed in two years, our classes have an emphasis on project-based work, where you’ll have the flexibility to choose projects related to your career interests.
Core I (9 hours)
Topics covered will give you a strong foundation for more advanced data analysis. Course topics include:
- Statistics
- Computing for Business Analytics
- Prescriptive Analytics with Optimization
Core II (9 hours)
You’ll choose three courses that are most relevant to your career interests. Course topics include:
- Time-series forecasting
- Decision analysis
- Predictive analytics
- Simulation modeling
Electives (12 hours)
Additional coursework can be tailored to your interests and include special topics. Course topics include:
- Project management
- Predictive modeling
- Text data analytics
- Network modeling
- Data visualization
- Supply chain management
- VBA for business analytics
MS Business Analytics
Value 1: Leverage data, technology, and mathematical models
Outcome: Students will apply data, technology, and mathematical models to produce evidence-based information for business and government decision-makers.
- Propose appropriate models or solution methods;
- Design a solution option to meet organizational or program requirements;
- Evaluate the solution option in light of organizational goals and/or structure;
- Communicate the solution option to decision-makers.
Value 2: Analyze Critically
Outcome: Students will master the analytical and programming skills necessary to adapt to ever-changing software, methodologies, technologies, and techniques.
- Use current software to access and manipulate data;
- Gain fundamental knowledge of data structures, functions, and programming logic that facilitates self-learning of other software and programming skills.
These objectives are assessed in relevant courses across the curriculum using quizzes, projects, and case studies.
Business Analytics Careers
Business Analytics is a growing field. A talent gap for qualified people is being created by the challenges presented by big data. Companies have a lot of data and are continuously collecting more. They need data scientists and business analytics professionals to make sense of it.
Business Analytics Job Titles
- Business Analyst
- Data Analyst
- Business Process Analyst
- Business Intelligence Analyst
- Data Scientist
- Data Engineer
- Consultant/Analyst
Visit our Careers page for more detailed information on the resources available.
Tuition
The cost of tuition is different for in-state and out-of-state students.
Residents of western states may qualify for in-state tuition if they are pursuing the MS Business Analytics degree. The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) requires that students maintain current residency of WRGP state until degree completion.
Scholarships
Scholarships are available for students. The Business School offers a recurring scholarship opportunity for applicants based on merit at the time of admission.
As a current student, you can apply for additional scholarships every semester. Some awards are based on program and course enrollment. Certain specializations including risk management and insurance, commodities, and entrepreneurship have additional scholarship opportunities.
Prospective students (not yet admitted):
Newly Admitted and Continuing Students:
You can apply for additional scholarships every semester of enrollment. Some awards may be specific to individual programs or enrollment in specific courses. Certain specializations including risk management and insurance, commodities, and entrepreneurship have additional scholarship opportunities.
We admit students for a fall and spring start. Admissions are made on a rolling basis, meaning decisions are made as applications are completed.
Please note: Quantitative skills are important for Business Analytics. Applicants can demonstrate these skills with their GMAT Quantitative score and GMAT Integrated Reasoning score.
Application Checklist
$50 domestic, $75 international application fee
Online application
Official transcripts from each college or university attended
Essay responses
Resume
GMAT/GRE score if required
English language proficiency—international applicants only
Application Process
Applicants are required to submit all application materials. Interviews are not a part of the admission process. To receive priority admission, we must have received your online application and all other required materials, including transcripts and GMAT/GRE scores (if required by the program) by the deadline.
You can check your admission status online through the account you created for the online application. You will receive a final decision by email within two to three weeks from the submission of all materials.
Admission Requirements
- Applicants must have completed an undergraduate program at an accredited United States college or its equivalent in another country.
- No work experience or formal business education is required for admission; however, you may have to provide a GMAT or GRE score if you do not have enough work experience, see below.
The GMAT/GRE is not required for this program
The MS Business Analytics program does not require GMAT or GRE scores for their degree program as part of the graduate admissions requirements. The requirements are a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or better from a US-accredited four-year undergraduate institution or the successful completion of a graduate degree, and five or more years of full-time relevant professional work experience.
However, if you received your bachelor’s degree with a grade point average of less than 3.25 or have less than 5 years of relevant professional work experience, you will be asked to submit a statement that outlines other indicators of exceptional motivation, such as solid upper-division performance, GMAT or GRE scores, and other relevant professional experience. The MS Business Analytics admissions committee may require a minimum GMAT or GRE score for students that do not automatically qualify by GPA and prior work.
How Decisions Are Made
The admissions committee considers each candidate’s entire record of achievement. This is demonstrated through:
- Academic transcripts
- Essay responses
- Work experience
- Extracurricular and community activities
- Letters of recommendation if applicable
- GMAT/GRE scores if applicable
No work experience or formal business education is required for admission. However, professional experience strengthens your application. Candidates with less work experience can show potential through academic and experiential success.
For any questions, please contact our admissions team at bschool.admissions@ucdenver.edu or call 303-315-8200.
International Students
International graduate applicants must have their academic credentials evaluated by either Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) or World Education Services (WES). If you have already had an international credential evaluation from another company, please contact CU Denver International Admissions at intldocuments@ucdenver.edu to determine whether it meets our requirements.
To meet the English Language Proficiency (ELP) criteria, you must either showcase your proficiency through past education in English instruction or an English Language Proficiency test. If you are a citizen of a country whose official language is English, you do not have to prove proficiency. See below for a listing of accepted countries.
To claim proficiency, you must complete one of the following criteria. Please note that test scores are valid for two years.
- Submit a TOEFL score that meets the minimum requirements of 83 (IBT) or 560 (PBT).
The minimum IBT sub-scores for each section are:- Reading: 18
- Listening: 17
- Speaking: 20
- Writing: 17
- Submit an IELTS score of at least 6.5 The minimum IELTS sub scores for the reading, listening, speaking, and writing sections are 5.5.
- Submit a copy of completion from the CU Denver ESL Academy.
- Be a citizen of a country whose official language is English. International applicants holding a citizenship from the following countries do not need to prove their English language proficiency for admission to CU Denver: Antigua & Barbuda, Australia, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Dominica, Granada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Malta, New Zealand, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, The Bahamas, Trinidad & Tobago, United Kingdom.
- International applicants may meet the English language proficiency requirement through any of the options below for previous coursework completed. Options for previous coursework completed which will satisfy admissions ELP requirements:
- Earn an associate or bachelor's degree in the US
- Earn a post-secondary credential (comparable to a US associate or bachelor's degree) in any of the exempt countries listed above
- Earn a post-secondary credential (comparable to a US associate or bachelor's degree) at an exempt-country-accredited school located in a non-exempt country
- Earned 12 or more credit hours in a master or doctoral degree program in the United States, an exempt country, or at an exempt-country-accredited school in a non-exempt country AND earned an overall college-level GPA of 3.0 or higher.
To be eligible for scholarships you must apply by the priority deadlines. Plan to submit materials early to expedite processing. Deadlines apply to all required documents. Please note that if you apply by the final deadlines many classes may be full.
Specialized Dual Degree Option
Many students pursue the dual degree option of pairing an MS in Business Analytics with an MS in Information Systems (Business Intelligence Specialization). These two degree options offer complementary courses and can be completed together efficiently. Speak with a graduate advisor for more details.
Additional Dual Degree Options
Dual degree options for Master of Science programs include all of our MBA programs and all Business School Master of Science programs. We design a specific degree plan so you get through both programs as quickly and cost-effectively as possible. The amount of credits in each dual degree depends on the amount of overlap between degree programs. Eligible Master of Science programs include:
- MS Accounting
- MS Business Analytics
- MS Finance and Risk Management
- MS Global Energy Management
- MS Information Systems
- MS International Business
- MS Management
- MS Marketing
If you are applying for both degrees, you will only need to submit one online application and pay one application fee. Be aware that you must meet specific admission standards for each degree. For more information about dual degree options and the application process, please contact BSchool.Admissions@ucdenver.edu.
Plan to submit materials early to expedite processing. Deadlines apply to all required documents.
Fall
Domestic Applications
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Priority: April 15
- Final: July 15
International Applications
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Priority: March 15
- Final: May 15
Spring
Domestic Applications
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Priority: October 15
- Final: December 15
International Applications
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Priority: September 15
- Final: October 15
“Today there is wonderful software available to assist in the transformation of stored data into useful information. Our students become very good at using the type of software that is used in leading companies. We operate a very applied program that speaks to the needs of the business community.”
– Gary Kochenberger
Co-Director of Business Analytics program
of employers plan to place
graduates in data analytics roles,
GMAC 2018
Our students intern at top companies:
- Visa
- Arrow Electronics
- National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL)
- Denver International Airport
- Centura Health
Transamerica partnership brings Business Analytics experts to CU Denver Business School
The Distinguished Speaker Series in Business Analytics and Data Sciences, in partnership with Transamerica
Request More Information
Attend a graduate open house, online or in-person information session, or a GMAT test prep workshop. Visit our events page for all upcoming events.