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 intake once a year (Fall Quarter, September start)
Deferments are generally not permitted
Two years of professional work experience recommended, but not required
An interview is required
Applicants also must have successfully completed the following areas prior to enrollment:
Two (2) courses in level calculus
One (1) course in college level statistics
Applicants must complete and submit the following items before the Admissions Committee will render an admissions decision:
Submit an online application form and $148 application fee paid by
credit card
Resume
Business Essays
Academic Records and Transcripts*
Official GMAT or GRE exam results
Official TOEFL exam results. If your first language is not English,
submit your official TOEFL (preferred) or IELTS test score. TOEFL is waived(if the Verbal section of the GMAT or GRE is above the 50% mark.
Two (2) Letters of Recommendation
Online application fees must be paid by credit card and submitted electronically.
Applicants must have their official GMAT or GRE score reports sent directly to the Graduate Business Admissions Committee. Applicants whose first language is not English must either achieve a minimum score of 100 on the TOEFL (internet-based test) or a 7 on the IELTS.
Foreign-born admitted students requesting student visas must submit a current financial statement (no more than 90 days old) showing adequate funds for tuition, fees, and living expenses for the first year of study, and they must be enrolled in at least 8 units each quarter. Santa Clara University is authorized under federal law to enroll nonimmigrant students.
Applicants are responsible for the appropriate submission of all application materials, including:
Application form, resume, fee, and essay responses submitted online
Recommendation letters and transcripts
GMAT/GRE and TOEFL/IELTS/PTE scores sent directly from the test
center to the MSBA Admissions Committee
The MSBA Admissions Committee will not review applications until all materials have been received.
* Undergraduate degrees conferred outside of the US are required to be evaluated by WES using their ICAP, course-by-course evaluation.
Please refer to [https://www.scu.edu/business/ms-business-analytics/ for additional information.
Academic Information
The MSBA program requires 48 units to complete the degree.
Below are the required courses and their corresponding units. -
- MKTG 2500 Marketing Principles (2 units)
- FNCE 2501 Finance Principles (2 units)
- FNCE 2502 Math for Finance and Analytics (4 units)
- ECON 2504 Microeconomics with Econometric Applications (4 units)
- OMIS 2506 R Programming (2 units)
- MSIS 2507 Data Analytics - Python (4 units)
- MKTG 2505 Marketing Analytics (4 units)
- MSIS 2503 Database Management Systems - Fundamentals of SQL (2 units)
- MSIS 2508 Data Science & Machine Learning (4 units)
- ECON 2509 Econometrics (2 units)
- 6 units of practicum/capstone
Students can then choose at least 12 additional elective units to complete their degree. A sample of the electives offered are as follows:
- MSIS 2513 Database Management Systems - Design, Development & Administration (2 units)
- ECON 2523 Analytics of Optimal Pricing (4 units)
- FNCE 2524 Time-Series Analysis (2 units)
- FNCE 2525 Analytics of Finance (2 units)
- FNCE 2526 FinTech (4 units)
- MSIS 2527 Big Data Modeling and Analytics (4 units)\
- MSIS 2528 Applied The Business of Cloud Computing (2 units)\
- MSIS 2529 Dashboards (2 units)
- MSIS 2533 Mobile Payments & Blockchain (2 units)
- MSIS 2534 - Internet of Things (2 units)
- MSIS 2536 Deep Learning (2 units)
- MSIS 2537 Reinforcement Learning (2 units)
- MSIS 2538 Cloud Computing Architectures (4 units)
- MSIS 2539 Data Visualization (2 units)
Note: Please refer to Chapter 14 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.
Students who receive an F in a required course are eligible for immediate dismissal based on the availability of the course and its requirement as a prerequisite for other courses.
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.