Master of Science (M.S.) in Business Analytics
Program Details
Why Xavier’s Business Analytics Master’s Degree Program?
Housed within Xavier’s Williams College of Business, our Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) program offers:
- Full- and part-time enrollment options, providing flexible pathways to advanced education.
- The curriculum consists of 30 credit hours of coursework designed to enhance your critical thinking and technical programming skills in data analytics.
- The program offers hybrid courses, with 70% in-person and 30% online instruction.
Upon graduation, MSBA students will be equipped with the expertise to leverage data-driven insights, empowering them to make more informed, strategic business decisions. The MSBA program also emphasizes professional development, a deep understanding of emerging technologies, and the University’s Jesuit values, ensuring you are well-prepared for today’s business world.
Nationally Recognized for Excellence
The MSBA program is taught by distinguished faculty from the Business Analytics Information Systems and Marketing departments within the Williams College of Business—both of which have earned national recognition. As a graduate student in Xavier’s MSBA program, you’ll benefit from a cutting-edge education, equipping you to tackle new professional challenges and achieve your full potential.A STEM-Certified Data Analytics Master’s Degree
Xavier’s MSBA program is classified as STEM-eligible. This designation allows international students to extend their Optional Practical Training (OPT)* for up to three years (compared to the standard one-year duration), providing them with greater opportunities to advance their careers and gain valuable professional experience in the U.S. Learn more about Xavier’s international admission.
*Note: OPT is degree-specific. If an individual has already completed OPT for a U.S. master’s degree, they are not eligible for another OPT.
Leverage Real-World Experience
Xavier cultivates strong connections with local business leaders, offering MSBA students invaluable hands-on experience in data-driven business environments. By working directly with real-world data, students gain the practical skills and expertise essential for thriving in today’s data-centric world. Our robust industry partnerships further enrich the learning experience, enabling students to tackle real-world challenges and effectively convey the strategic value of complex data sets.
Admission
Admission to Xavier’s Master of Science in Business Analytics is selective. This degree program offers both full-time and part-time tracks, with classes starting in the Fall semester each academic year. While there are no formal application deadlines, we recommend applying by August 1 to ensure timely processing of your application and course registration.
To be considered for admission into the Master of Science in Business Analytics program, please submit the following materials:
- Completed application.
- A current résumé documenting your work experience, uploaded with the application.
- Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended sent directly from the institution; electronic transcripts are also accepted.
- Two letters of recommendation are requested and submitted through the application system.
- GMAT/GRE test score (optional)
Please have all application materials sent directly to:
Xavier University
ATTN: Admission Processing Center
3800 Victory Parkway
Cincinnati, OH 45207-3221
Once the Admission Committee receives all your application materials, their review begins.
Read more about our international graduate student admission requirements and processes.
Curriculum
Designed to empower business leaders as informed problem solvers, the Master of Science in Business Analytics curriculum consists of 30 credit hours of graduate coursework, providing a comprehensive understanding of how to turn data into actionable insights, make data-driven business decisions, and communicate results effectively.
All graduate students benefit from a flexible, trend-driven curriculum. The M.S. in Business Analytics program offers hybrid courses, with 70% in-person and 30% online instruction. Additionally, students can choose between full-time and part-time tracks, with classes starting each Fall semester.
Through rigorous coursework, you will gain essential technical skills, including data mining, database management, and data visualization and storytelling. You’ll also explore advanced topics in marketing research, statistics, and category management, while the curriculum incorporates classes on professional development, emerging technologies, and ethics in business analytics.
Fall Semester
- MSBA 660: Data Wrangling
- MSBA 674: Database for Analytics
- MSBA 689: Data Visualization and Storytelling
- MSBA 602: Marketing Research or Approved Elective
- MSBA 695: Ethics in Data Analytics
Spring Semester
- MSBA 680: Data Mining and Predictive Analytics
- MSBA 665: Optimization and Prescriptive Analytics
- MSBA 640: Consumer-Centric Category Management or Approved Elective
- MSBA 664: Consumer Behavior or Approved Elective
- MSBA 695: Professional Development
Summer Semester
- MSBA 610: Analytics Practicum / or Internship
- MSBA 695: Emerging Technology in Data Analytics
Year 1: Fall Semester
- MSBA 660: Data Wrangling
- MSBA 689: Data Visualization and Storytelling
- MSBA 695: Ethics in Data Analytics
Year 1: Spring Semester
- MSBA 680: Data Mining and Predictive Analytics
- MSBA 640: Consumer-Centric Category Management or Approved Elective
- MSBA 695: Professional Development
Year 1: Summer Semester
- MSBA 695: Emerging Technology in Data Analytics
Year 2: Fall Semester
- MSBA 674: Database for Analytics
- MSBA 602: Marketing Research or Approved Elective
Year 2: Spring Semester
- MSBA 665: Optimization and Prescriptive Analytics
- MSBA 664: Consumer Behavior or Approved Elective
Year 2: Summer Semester
- MSBA 610: Analytics Practicum / or Internship
Sample Courses
- MSBA 660: Data Wrangling - Besides learning and applying statistical functions, you will receive a comprehensive introduction to the data wrangling process, including harvesting, cleaning, transforming, manipulating, visualizing, and modeling, as well as using data from various structured and unstructured sources.
- MSBA 680: Data Mining and Predictive Analytics- This introductory course familiarizes you with popular data mining methods for extracting knowledge from data. The class covers principles of data mining while you acquire hands-on experience using state-of-the-art data mining software. The course takes a technological and management/marketing perspective.
- MSBA 689: Data Visualization and Storytelling- In this hands-on introduction to data visualization, you explore the fundamental design principles and techniques for interactively visualizing data. This course helps you understand how visual representations can help in the analysis and understanding of complex data, how to design compelling visualizations, how to create interactive dashboards, and how to storyboard and effectively communicate using visualization.
- MSBA 640: Consumer-Centric Category Management - Category Management is a discipline that maximizes a retailer's and manufacturer's partnership. This course gives an overview of consumer insight metrics and their use in the sales and marketing processes. Additionally, a sizable online consumer panel reinforces classroom instruction and provides consumer understanding in launching a new product.
Tuition and Fees
At Xavier, we endeavor to make graduate education accessible to all by providing access to various financial aid resources and offering competitive tuition rates.
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Request InformationForge Business Connections
Wherever your post-graduation journey takes you, Xavier's support endures. As a business analytics graduate, you become part of a dynamic network of over 16,000+ alumni with advanced business degrees. Through this expansive community, you can create impactful connections to professionals worldwide.
Faculty Expertise
Our program is taught by renowned faculty like Professor Richie Liu, who brings a wealth of real-world experience to the classroom. After working in public accounting and banking, he transitioned into academia where he could share his knowledge and passion for marketing and business with the next generation of leaders.
Meet A Mentor
Graduate school can present new challenges and opportunities to grow. To ensure your success through our graduate program, we assign you a faculty mentor when you enroll. With the mentorship you receive, you benefit from their industry insight, gain access to crucial networking opportunities and foster meaningful working relationships.
Career Outlook for Data Scientists
With the growing integration of data and market research in the corporate world, the demand for data scientists is rapidly increasing, creating abundant opportunities for professional growth.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 36% growth in data scientist employment over the next decade, with approximately 20,800 new job openings each year. This growth rate exceeds the national average for all occupations. Furthermore, the field offers strong earning potential, with a median annual salary of $108,020.
Xavier’s analytics alumni have secured jobs at distinguished companies, including:
Master of Science (M.S.) in Business Analytics Program at Xavier University
As the digital landscape continues to expand, the demand for business leaders who are both data-driven and solution-focused is rapidly increasing. By earning your Master’s in Business Analytics at Xavier, you'll engage in a rigorous curriculum designed to sharpen your skills, deepen your expertise in emerging technologies, and enhance your problem-solving abilities. Prepare for a successful career while expanding your professional network in Xavier’s MSBA program. Apply today!
Xavier University's Williams College of Business is accredited by the AACSB. AACSB-accredited schools offer students a relevant and challenging curriculum, the highest quality faculty and career opportunities that are not found at other business schools.
Xavier University is a private university located in Cincinnati, Ohio, providing a liberal arts education in the Jesuit Catholic tradition. Founded in 1831, the University is the sixth-oldest Catholic university in the nation. It has been ranked among the top 10 master's-level universities in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report for the past two decades. The Princeton Review names it one of the "Best 385 Colleges in America."