In the age of Big Data, the importance of business analytics knows no bounds, and students are trying to stay above the tide in a competitive business landscape.
Overflowing access to data insights and information enables global institutions to outsmart their competitors, to prepare for upcoming industry trends and to make informed decisions that drive organisational success.
With an influx of business analytics opportunities surrounding this valuable data, many are seeking Master’s programmes that will equip them with both technical skills and business strategies needed to make effective strategic recommendations for companies.
Global data analytics and advisory firm, Quantzig, delivers actionable analytics solutions to resolve complex business problems and recently released the top reasons behind the growing importance of business analytics they believe everyone should know.
“It helps in understanding the available primary and secondary data more comprehensively, which, in turn, affects the operational efficiency of several departments in the organisation. It helps in having a competitive edge, and it incorporates the data available with several thought models to enhance business decisions.
“In addition, it converts available data into valuable information and helps in attaining the desired outcome and positive results for the organisation,” they note.
Noting that the subject area is extremely important for the economy, especially for those who want to take part in shaping some of the most popular products in today’s business landscape, Quantzig knows that interest in business analytics is booming, and the field is ideal for aspiring industry innovators.
Bringing out the best skills, technologies and practices for continuous iterative exploration, business analytics not only allow companies to develop their outreach and scope, but it also expands learners’ professional outlook and personal development.
The bridge that connects business to insight, business analytics provide valuable knowledge from data through decision-making techniques, machine learning, algorithms for big data and natural language techniques for social media analytics.
Here are four universities that bring practical business analytics courses to aspiring data professionals…
ORFALEA COLLEGE OF BUSINESS, CALIFORNIA POLYTECHNIC STATE UNIVERSITY (CAL POLY)
The Orfalea College of Business at Cal Poly offers a Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) that integrates data science with business strategy to transform students into data-savvy leaders for in-demand analytics careers.
In keeping with the university’s Learn by Doing philosophy, MSBA students engage in the analysis of real-world problems and data provided by the college’s industry partners.
Three projects provide students with valuable teamwork experience, client exposure and proven business successes to add to their professional portfolio.
In a recent discussion of the employment prospects of an MBSA on the Oracle Analytics Advantage Podcast, Director of Business Analytics Graduate Programs at the Cal Poly Orfalea College of Business, Kyle Hofer-Mora explains how rewarding it has been to see graduates advance in a variety of careers.
“A great thing about the analytics skillset is the applications of analytics across every industry, which allows students with these specialised skills to find an industry they are passionate about, or a functional domain in which they have an interest such as marketing analytics, or HR/people analytics,” Hofer-Mora says.
That’s why, in 2017, the university was ranked the 14th most recruited school by Silicon Valley tech firms and why 75 percent of the companies that have sponsored projects at Cal Poly over the past three years have hired at least one student from the MBSA.
The proximity of, and connections to, the Silicon Valley, with curricula shaped by industry professionals, makes Orfalea’s MSBA an ideal choice for aspiring business leaders.
GRAHAM SCHOOL OF CONTINUING LIBERAL AND PROFESSIONAL STUDIES, UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
Embracing the prospects of today’s business landscape, Graham School of Continuing Liberal and Professional Studies at the University of Chicago is dedicated to curating rich content for a broader set of learners in ever more innovative ways.
Building on a core in applied statistics, the Master of Science in Analytics (MScA) at Graham School provides advanced analytical training and develops the ability to draw insights from big data and build automated artificial intelligence systems.
Through this analytics degree, students will acquire advanced proficiency in applying state-of-the-art data engineering and software skills to support a variety of analytics application, heighten their understanding of data collection and gain an in-depth understanding of established statistical modelling, machine learning and various artificial intelligence techniques.
“The shortage of qualified analytics talent is magnified by our field’s rapid development. Big data and the rapid expansion in different kinds of data structures demand that data scientists work with larger and more complex data sets to answer more challenging questions…Students of data science must master not only the traditional analytical theory and practice but also learn emerging new technologies,” the school explains.
So, if you want to grasp the leading edge over competition through a degree in data science to draw insights and solve problems, check out the admissions process at Graham School today.
STERN SCHOOL OF BUSINESS, NEW YORK UNIVERSITY
Helping students define their career in data, Stern School of Business at New York University (NYU) deepens learners’ understanding of the role data plays in decision making.
Motivating the next generation of data professionals via the Master of Science in Business Analytics, graduates of this course will be equipped to drive better business results by gaining the ability to transform data into a powerful and predictive strategic asset.
Connecting students to a global network of more than 105,000 Stern alumni, participants of this MSBA programme learn best practices among business leaders in the growing field of business analytics.
“The programme was overall above expectations…I met some of the brightest people that I’ve met in my career. We were more collaborative than competitive and I learned to approach problems from different angles.
“Data science for business opened a world to me and other subjects gave that wow factor to techniques that we should be applying for problem-solving,” says MBSA graduate, Lola Alarcon Tomas.
Critical in preparing organisations to solve 21st-century business challenges, business analytics degrees at NYU are more than career-boosting.
W.P. CAREY SCHOOL OF BUSINESS, ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY
Welcoming diversity and inspiring global thinking, W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University delivers high quality tuition and offers valuable courses to data-driven students.
By attaining a W.P. Carey Master of Science in Business Analytics (MS-BA), learners deepen their quantitative and analytical skills and discover how to derive value from data and modelling, lead data-driven analyses and learn how to create a business advantage across markets and industries.
“Your learning unfolds in the state-of-the-art McCord Hall, which features innovative team rooms as well as student lounges, where you can take a break and grab a bite to eat. Classes for the 9-month Master of Science in Business Analytics (MS‑BA) programme are offered in a full-time day format,” the school explains.
This STEM-certified MS-BA also grants eligible graduates on student visas access to an Optional Practical Training (OPT) extension for up to 36 months, which may help international students gain additional real-world skills and experience in the US.
Plus, a recent investment by the W. P. Carey Foundation allocated US$15 million to career services, meaning better access to employers, job postings, career coaching and more.
*Some of the institutions featured in this article are commercial partners of Study International