M.Ed. in Special Education
The University of North Florida (UNF) in Jacksonville offers a Master of Education (M.E...
M.S. in Business Analytics
Jacksonville, Florida
INTAKE: Jan & Aug
Program Overview
The University of North Florida (UNF) in Jacksonville, Florida, offers a Master of Science (M.S.) in Business Analytics through its Coggin College of Business. This dynamic program stands at the intersection of business acumen and data science, designed to equip graduates with the essential skills to transform raw data into actionable business insights. Recognizing the escalating demand for data-driven leaders in today's fast-paced industries, the program empowers students to become pivotal problem solvers, adept at leveraging data to steer decision-making processes and spearhead business innovation. It's a 30-credit hour program, offered in both in-person and online formats, providing flexibility for working professionals and full-time students alike.
STEM-designated: Yes, the M.S. in Business Analytics at UNF is a STEM-designated program. This is a significant advantage, particularly for international students, as it allows for an extended Optional Practical Training (OPT) period in the U.S. after graduation, providing more opportunities for career development in this high-demand field.
AACSB-accredited: Yes, the Coggin College of Business at the University of North Florida is AACSB International (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) accredited. This accreditation signifies a high standard of quality in business education, a distinction held by less than 5% of the world's business programs. Earning a degree from an AACSB-accredited institution assures students and employers of the program's rigor, relevance, and commitment to excellence.
Curriculum: The 30-credit hour curriculum for the M.S. in Business Analytics at UNF is designed to provide a comprehensive and practical skill set. Core courses include "Data Analytics," "Programming for Data Science," "Management of IT," "Data Visualization," "Applications of Business Analytics," and "Making Decisions with Data." A significant component is a computing practicum, which involves hands-on experience. Students also select 9 credits of electives, allowing for specialization. Optional concentrations are available, including Econometrics, FinTech, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Marketing Analytics, and Sports Analytics. These concentrations enable students to tailor their studies to specific industry interests, integrating business knowledge with advanced analytical tools like Python, R, and SQL.
Research Focus: The M.S. in Business Analytics at UNF emphasizes an applied, research-informed approach to solving real-world business problems. While not a pure academic research degree, the program trains students to leverage data for strategic decision-making and innovation, which inherently involves research methodologies. Students learn to analyze empirical problems, utilize powerful data analysis software tools, and extract actionable insights from large datasets. The program includes hands-on experience and often partners with companies for applied industry projects, allowing students to tackle real-world data analytics issues and create dynamic solutions. This practical, project-based learning is a form of applied research, equipping graduates to conduct data-driven investigations in their careers.
Industry Engagement: The M.S. in Business Analytics at UNF demonstrates strong industry engagement, which is a cornerstone of the program's design. The curriculum is explicitly aligned with industry demands for graduate business analytics education and is strongly supported by local and regional employers. A key feature is the company projects component, where students partner with leading companies to work on applied industry projects as part of their coursework. This provides unique opportunities to learn real-world business analytics applications, build professional networks, and gain tangible experience. UNF's location in Jacksonville, a growing business hub, further facilitates these connections, ensuring graduates are well-prepared to influence decision-making and strategy directly within the business world.
Global Perspective: The M.S. in Business Analytics at UNF inherently incorporates a global perspective by addressing the universal challenges and opportunities presented by data in an interconnected global economy. Business analytics principles and technologies are applicable across industries and geographical boundaries. The program's focus on equipping students to leverage data for decision-making and innovation is relevant for multinational corporations and organizations operating in a global marketplace. While specific courses might not explicitly focus on international business analytics, the tools and methodologies learned are globally recognized and transferable. Graduates are prepared to navigate complex global data landscapes and contribute to data-driven strategies for businesses with a worldwide reach.
Location
Jacksonville, Florida
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
USD 18803
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Application Fee: $31
Academic Qualifications: Applicants for postgraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 70% or above in their bachelor's degree.
English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS: Overall band score of 6.5 or 7.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
- TOEFL: Overall score of 79 or higher.
- DET (Duolingo English Test): Minimum score of 110.
Standardized Test Requirements
- GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test): Minimum score of 550 required.
- GRE (Graduate Record Examinations): Minimum score of 304 required.
The University of North Florida (UNF) offers a variety of scholarships specifically designed to support international students in achieving their academic goals while easing the financial burden of studying in the United States. These scholarships recognize outstanding academic achievements, leadership potential, and community involvement.
Merit-Based Scholarships: UNF provides merit scholarships to international students based on their academic performance, standardized test scores, and extracurricular accomplishments. These scholarships can significantly reduce tuition costs and are awarded automatically to eligible applicants during the admissions process.
International Student Scholarships: Special scholarships are reserved exclusively for international students. Examples include the International Freshman Scholarship and the International Transfer Scholarship, which reward high-achieving students with financial aid packages that may cover partial to full tuition fees.
Need-Based Financial Aid: While limited for international students, some need-based financial aid options may be available through private organizations or partnerships coordinated by UNF’s financial aid office. International students are encouraged to explore external scholarship databases for additional funding opportunities.
Departmental Scholarships: Certain academic departments and colleges at UNF offer scholarships targeted to students enrolled in specific fields of study. International students can apply for these scholarships based on their major, research interests, or academic achievements within their discipline.
A Master of Science (M.S.) in Business Analytics from the University of North Florida (UNF) is a STEM-designated program offered through its AACSB-accredited Coggin College of Business. This 30-credit hour program, available in both in-person and online formats, is at the forefront of combining robust technical and analytical skills with strategic business insight.
Business Analyst: A foundational role that involves collecting, organizing, and analyzing historical data to identify trends, opportunities, and areas for improvement. They work across various sectors, communicating findings through reports and visualizations to inform business strategy.
Data Scientist: Converts data insights into actionable strategies. Data scientists develop and apply statistical models, machine learning algorithms, and programming languages to extract findings from large datasets, addressing complex business problems like sales forecasting or recommendation systems.
Business Intelligence (BI) Analyst: Sifts through an organization's data to develop recommendations for efficient data usage. BI analysts are critical in helping executives make data-driven decisions and are responsible for maintaining and updating BI systems.
Marketing Analyst: Specializes in analyzing marketing data to understand market dynamics, consumer behavior, and competition. They employ various research methodologies, including surveys and data mining, to identify market trends and optimize marketing strategies.
Financial Analyst: Leverages strong analytical skills to provide financial assistance and forecast future performance. With a business analytics background, they analyze financial data to help boost revenue and make informed investment decisions.
Operations Research Analyst: Focuses on optimizing business processes and improving operational efficiency. They analyze data to detect impediments and recommend solutions for streamlining operations, crucial in logistics, supply chain, and manufacturing sectors.
Data Engineer: Designs, builds, and maintains the infrastructure and pipelines necessary to collect, process, and store large volumes of data. They are foundational to any data-driven organization, ensuring data quality and accessibility.
Management Consultant (with Analytics Focus): Offers strategic advice and data-backed solutions to organizations seeking to improve performance and maximize efficiency. Their ability to analyze complex business problems with data makes them invaluable to consulting firms.
Sports Data Analyst: With a specialization in Sports Analytics, these professionals analyze performance data, player statistics, and fan engagement metrics for sports teams, leagues, or media organizations to inform strategic decisions in player recruitment, game strategy, and marketing.
Data Visualization Specialist: Makes complex data easy to understand through compelling charts, graphs, and interactive dashboards. They play a crucial role in communicating insights effectively to a variety of audiences, enabling better decision-making across an organization.
