Graduate Certificate in Business Analytics
Earn Your Business Analytics Certificate at Governors State University
The Graduate Certificate in Business Analytics at Governors State University is designed to equip students with essential analytical skills to interpret data and support business decision-making. The program focuses on core concepts such as data analysis, statistical methods, and business intelligence tools, enabling students to transform raw data into meaningful insights.
This certificate is ideal for professionals and students seeking to enhance their analytical capabilities without committing to a full degree program. It complements various business and technical backgrounds and provides practical, hands-on experience with real-world data, preparing graduates for roles in data-driven environments across industries.
As a stackable credential, graduates may apply their certificate credits toward an MBA degree through GovState's AACSB-accredited College of Business.
Curriculum
The Certificate in Business Analytics program includes only 12 hours of required courses and, depending on your academic preparation, 12 hours of prerequisites. To learn more details regarding the program, visit the Certificate in Business Analytics catalog to familiarize yourself with the application and certificate requirements, as well as a list of all prerequisites and required courses.
For full program details, including application requirements, prerequisites, and a complete list of required courses, visit the Certificate in Business Analytics section of the GovState academic catalog.
Certificate Program Prerequisites (12 Hours)
| STATISTICS COURSE (3) | Descriptive and inferential statistics, including hypothesis testing, normal distribution theory, regression analysis |
| BASIC PROGRAMMING (3) | Variables, syntax, objects, libraries/modules/packages |
| BASIC SPREADSHEET ANALYSIS (3) | Formulas, charts, pivot tables |
| BASIC DATABASE SKILLS (3) | Descriptive and inferential statistics, including hypothesis testing, normal distribution theory, regression analysis |
*Prerequisites may be waived if the student is able to demonstrate proficiency through equivalent coursework, work experience, or certifications.
Required Courses (12 Hours)
| FOUNDATIONS OF BUSINESS FOR ANALYTICS (3) | Business concepts, decision making frameworks, simulations, and skills assignments in python, SQL, and spreadsheet software |
| BUSINESS ANALYTICS (3) | Applied data analytics cases and data sets for descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive analytics, including SAP Predictive Analytics |
| DATA VISUALIZATION (3) | Story telling with data using tools including Tableau |
| PREDICTIVE ANALYTICS (3) | Predictive data modeling using advanced data analytics tools including R |
*In order to receive the Business Analytics Certificate, students must complete each required course with a grade of "B" or better and submit the application for award of certificate to their advisor.
Once you have achieved your AACSB accredited certificate, you can use it to stack on top of our Master of Science in Business Analytics.
What You'll Study
Business Analytics prepares students to use data, software, and analytical tools to support stronger business decisions. Students in the Certificate in Business Analytics study key areas such as data analysis, data visualization, data mining, and predictive modeling while learning how to transform data into meaningful insights.
The certificate is open to students from a variety of work and educational backgrounds, including technology, business, and people-focused fields. The coursework helps students build practical skills in data interpretation, decision making, communication, and the use of analytics tools to help organizations identify trends, solve problems, and improve performance.
As a stackable certificate, students may choose to apply their certificate coursework toward the Master of Science in Business Analytics degree through Governors State University’s AACSB-accredited College of Business.
How to Apply
To apply for the Certificate in Business Analytics, submit the following materials:
- The applicant’s transcript should document completion of a bachelor’s degree in an area such as business analytics, computer science, engineering, information technology, management information systems, math, or a closely related area. Applicants without one of the above related undergraduate degrees may be required to demonstrate technical knowledge via work experience or a technical proficiency skills assessment. A GPA of 3.0 or higher. This G.P.A. requirement may be waived if the applicant has completed a master's degree or other post-baccalaureate certificates from a regionally accredited institution.
- A one-page, double spaced statement of intent which discusses personal goals and reasons for pursuing a certificate in business analytics and how the certificate is going to help reach those goals. The statement of intent offers applicants the opportunity to demonstrate writing and communication skills.
- A professional resume
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.
Accreditations
AACSB accreditation is known, worldwide, as the longest-standing, most recognized form of specialized accreditation that an institution and its business programs can earn. Accreditation is a voluntary, nongovernmental process that includes a rigorous external review of a school's mission, faculty qualifications, curricula, and ability to provide the highest-quality programs. AACSB's accreditation processes are ISO 9001:2015 certified.
Highlighted Faculty
Carlos Ferran, PhD
Full Professor
Robert Garcia, PhD
Assistant Professor
Jeffrey Alfano
University Lecturer Senior Status
Contact Us
- Karen Blackman
- Manager of Recruitment, Marketing, and External Relations, College of Business
- Office: G Building 277
- 708.235.7485
- Kwilliams10@govst.edu