Master of Science in Business Analytics
The Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) program is a full-time degree program that equips students with the business skills and practical experience to ready themselves for careers in data science and analytics. Program requirements are completed with classes that will also include students from the MBA and other M.S. programs. The MSBA program is taught by the same faculty as the MBA program, and has the same Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSB) accreditation. A new cohort is admitted once a year.
Admissions
Admissions requirements for the MSBA program are similar to those for the evening MBA program (please refer to the Admissions section, Chapter 3) with the following exceptions:
Only one admission intake a year
Deferments are generally not permitted
Two years of professional work experience recommended, but not required
An interview is required
Please refer to https://www.scu.edu/business/ms-business-analytics/ for additional information.
Academic Information
The MSBA program requires 45 units to complete the degree. Below is the required curriculum. All classes are 3 units unless noted otherwise:
- ECON 2401 Economics for Business Decisions
- FNCE 3452 Financial Management (4 units)
- FNCE 3490 Data Science and Business
- IDIS 2802 Data Science Analysis With Python
- MKTG 2551 Marketing Analysis & Decisions
- MSIS 2641 Information Technology: Ethics & Public Policy
- MKTG 3597 Marketing Analytics
- OMIS 2392 Econometrics with R (4 units)
- OMIS 3350 Decision Making & Analysis
- OMIS 3366 Database Management Systems Practicum (6 units)
- And 4 Required Electives: (MSIS 2629, MSIS 2627, FNCE 3484, ECON 380X, ECON 3430, FNCE 3489)
Note: Please refer to Chapter 13 for all course descriptions.
Course Waiver Policy
Due to the full-time nature of the MSBA program, a student requiring a leave of absence will be required to withdraw from the program. Alternatives to continuing his/her education should be discussed with the MS Program Director.
Program Withdrawal
Students who want to withdraw from the program and the university must notify the Graduate Business Programs Office of their intent in writing. Some portion of the tuition may be refunded and will be determined at time of withdrawal notification. Withdrawal from the university is not complete until the student clears obligations with the Bursar's Office.
Transferring into Another Graduate Business Program
Transferring into another graduate business program is possible if the student is in good academic standing and has a minimum GPA of 3.0. A transfer will be granted only once, by application, and is at the discretion of the director of admissions and the senior assistant dean.
Applications can be submitted between September 15th and March 15th of each academic year. Students wishing to apply for a transfer to another graduate business program will need to complete the following:
M.S. transfer application
A brief personal statement (1 page) advocating transfer
A recommendation from a SCU faculty member attesting to performance and supporting the transfer
The Faculty Director(s) and Senior Assistant Dean will review the application, personal statement, and recommendation in concert with the student's GRE/GMAT score and academic performance in the current M.S. program before making a decision on the request. A transfer back to the MSBA is not possible once the student is approved to transfer to another graduate business program.
For information regarding entrance into the MBA program after completion of the MSBA program, contact the Graduate Business Admissions Office, 116 Lucas Hall.
Academic Standing
To qualify for the MSBA degree, a student must maintain an overall grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 in all work taken in the Leavey School of Business. A grade of C- is considered a minimum passing grade in each course. A grade of F is considered a failing grade, and the units will not be counted toward graduation requirements.
If a student has a cumulative GPA below a 3.0, he/she will be placed on academic probation. A student then has one quarter to raise the GPA to a cumulative 3.0 or they will be dismissed from the program. Students failing required classes may be dismissed immediately if it is mathematically impossible to return to good standing and remain on track to graduate with his/her class.
The administration will contact faculty midway through the term to acquire a status update on academic performance to ensure students are aware of academic resources and tutoring in an attempt to resolve matters before they affect GPA.
If a student has a cumulative GPA below a 3.0 at the end of his/her final quarter and all course requirements have been satisfied, no degree will be awarded until the cumulative GPA is a 3.0 or better through completion of additional graduate course work in the Leavey School of Business.
Student Responsibility
Students enrolled in the MSBA program are required to follow the same policies and procedures as students in the evening MBA program. Each student is personally responsible for knowing all of the academic regulations of the graduate business school. This includes, but is not limited to: grading, honor code, leave of absence, withdrawal, and concurrent enrollment policies. Please refer to the Academic Information section, Chapter 5, for additional information.