Business Analytics, M.S.
Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA)
The Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) program prepares students to become skilled professionals capable of transforming data into meaningful business insights. Designed for those interested in the intersection of data, technology, and strategic decision‑making, the program blends analytical techniques with real‑world application. Students learn to work with industry‑standard tools, interpret complex data, and communicate findings that support organizational goals.
Through a curriculum grounded in experiential learning, the MSBA program equips graduates with the technical proficiency and business acumen needed to excel in today’s data‑driven economy. Whether pursuing careers in data analysis, business intelligence, or related fields, students gain the knowledge and hands‑on experience required to make informed, impactful decisions across a variety of industries.
Organizations generate more data than they know how to use. The Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) at Governors State University prepares you to close that gap by turning raw data into decisions that improve performance, reduce cost, and shape strategy. Business analytics sits at the intersection of business and data science, and this program is built entirely around it rather than offered as a specialization within a general degree.
You'll learn to prepare, model, and visualize data with tools employers use today, including Python, SQL, Tableau, and enterprise platforms such as SAP, and you'll put generative AI to work as a partner in analysis from your first course through your capstone. The program ends with a client-based capstone in which student teams solve a real problem for a real organization using Agile project methods.
As a STEM-designated program, the MSBA allows international students on an F-1 visa to work in the United States for up to three years after graduation through Optional Practical Training (OPT). Courses are offered in hybrid and online formats, and no GMAT or GRE is required.
Career Outcomes
Graduates of the Master of Science in Business Analytics program are prepared for a wide range of high-demand roles across industries. Employers increasingly seek professionals who can analyze data, uncover insights, and guide strategic decision making, competencies at the core of the MSBA degree.
The demand for data science professionals reflects the field's growth. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of data scientists is projected to grow 34% from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations, with a median annual wage of $112,590 as of May 2024. U.S. News and World Report ranked data scientist among the top 10 in its 100 Best Jobs rankings, 4th in Best Technology Jobs, and 7th in Best STEM Jobs in 2024.
Common careers for MSBA graduates include:
- Data Scientist
- Business Analyst
- Data Analyst
- Financial Quantitative Analyst
- Market Research Analyst
AI in the MSBA Program
The MSBA curriculum blends technical training with real-world application, developing both the analytical skills and business understanding that employers seek. Students learn to transform data into meaningful insights that drive informed business decisions across a variety of organizational contexts.
Analytics with AI, not analytics about AI
Generative AI has changed how analysts work, and the GovState MSBA has changed with it. Beginning in your first course, BAN 6100, you'll use AI tools such as Claude as an active partner in framing business problems, exploring data, and drafting the reflective and analytical work that builds your judgment as an analyst. In MIS 7401, an AI-facilitated learning tool guides you through designing databases.
In BAN 7101, you'll move from using AI to building with it. Students develop working analytics applications and AI agents around problems they care about, from fantasy football dashboards that pull live data and recommend lineups to planning tools that manage a wedding's budget, vendors, and timeline. The topic is yours, and the skills are the same one's employers want, since you learn to scope a problem, connect data sources, direct an AI system to do useful work, and test whether what it produces can be trusted.
By the capstone, you'll use AI where a working analyst would, while knowing where it fails and how to verify its output. The goal is a graduate who can direct AI, evaluate its results, and take responsibility for the decision that follows.
What You'll Study
The 36-credit MSBA curriculum moves from business and statistical foundations through data management and modeling to a client-facing capstone.
Business and Statistical Foundations Build the managerial, statistical, and information-systems grounding that analytics work depends on (BAN 6100, MGMT 6700, MIS 7101).
Data Management and Enterprise Systems Design and query relational databases in MySQL and SQL, and work inside the ERP systems that generate enterprise data (MIS 7401, MIS 7700).
Analytics, Modeling, and Machine Learning Apply descriptive, predictive, and data-mining methods to business problems, including big data and business intelligence tools (BAN 7101, BAN 8101, CPSC 6730, CPSC 6790).
Data Visualization and Communication Turn results into dashboards, presentations, and written reports that non-technical decision-makers can act on (BAN 7201).
Project Management and the Capstone Lead analytics projects with Agile methods and deliver a full solution to a real client in the capstone (MIS 6201, BAN 8900).
How to Apply
Governors State University's MSBA program does not require GMAT or GRE scores for admission. To apply, submit the following materials:
Eligibility
Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree in business analytics, computer science, engineering, information technology, management information systems, mathematics, health informatics, or a closely related field. Applicants from other undergraduate majors may be required to demonstrate technical readiness or complete preparatory modules before beginning the program.
Required Application Materials
- Official transcripts confirming completion of an undergraduate degree
- Two letters of recommendation from professional or academic references, such as faculty members, supervisors, or community leaders
- A two-page statement of intent addressing short- and long-term career goals, reasons for pursuing the MSBA, why the program is the right fit, and examples of relevant leadership and professional experience
- A current resume outlining academic and professional background
Technical Preparation
Applicants must demonstrate foundational technical skills in spreadsheet applications, database systems, and basic programming. Preparation may be demonstrated through prior coursework, work experience, professional certifications, or completion of online preparatory modules.
After Admission
Once admitted, students must apply for candidacy after completing 9 to 12 graduate credit hours with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
Governors State University (GovState) offers a range of financial aid options to help students make their degree more affordable, including federal, state, institutional, and private funding. To get started, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) using GovState's school code (009145). The FAFSA determines eligibility for grants, loans, work-study programs, and many scholarship opportunities.
Grants and Loans
Grants, including the Federal Pell Grant and the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), are awarded based on financial need and do not require repayment. Federal Direct Loans provide borrowed funds that must be repaid with interest after graduation.
Scholarships
GovState offers merit-based and institutional scholarships for students at every stage of their academic journey. Incoming students may qualify for highly competitive awards, including the Presidential, Provost, and Dean's Scholarships. Current students can explore additional opportunities through Scholarship Universe and specialized awards such as the Earthrise Scholarship and others administered through the GovState Foundation.
Office of Financial Aid
The Office of Financial Aid is available year-round to help students navigate applications, review award offers, and plan financial support that aligns with their academic goals.
Support and opportunity
- STEM-designated with three years of OPT eligibility for F-1 students
- Graduate assistantships and on-campus employment through the Center for Student Engagement and Intercultural Programs (CSEIP), the Office of International Services, and other offices
- A campus community with rich cultural programming, including South Asian cultural events through CSEIP
Get Involved
The College of Business offers academic credit internships approved by the Division Chair and supported by College of Business faculty. Internships provide hands-on, on-the-job learning where students apply field-specific technology skills and professional terminology while adapting to real workplace environments.
Practical experience gained through an internship strengthens a resume and gives students a competitive edge in the job market. For many students, an internship is one of the most effective paths to a full-time position in their chosen career field.
Accreditations
AACSB International accreditation is recognized worldwide as the most prestigious and longest-standing form of specialized accreditation available to business schools and their programs. The accreditation process is voluntary and nongovernmental, requiring a rigorous external review of an institution's mission, faculty qualifications, curricula, and capacity to deliver high-quality programs. AACSB's accreditation processes are ISO 9001:2015 certified.
Highlighted Faculty
Dr. Katherine Carl
Program Coordinator
Dr. Junyao Yang
Program Faculty
Dr. Robert Garcia
Program Faculty
Contact Us
- Karen Williams-Blackman
- College of Business
- 1 University Parkway University Park, Ill 60443
- 708.235.7485
- kwilliams10@govst.edu