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M.S. in Business Analytics
Vermillion, South Dakota
INTAKE: Jan & Aug
Program Overview
The M.S. in Business Analytics at USD is a hands-on program focused on the practical application of analytics to solve real-world business problems. It emphasizes transforming raw data into actionable insights, building analytical applications, performing forecasting, and conducting market performance analysis. The program is flexible, offering both on-campus and online delivery options, and typically requires 30-33 credit hours, depending on the student's undergraduate background. For international students and those interested in a quantitatively rigorous field, the program is STEM-designated, which can offer benefits such as an extended Optional Practical Training (OPT) period in the U.S.
Curriculum: The curriculum provides an in-depth understanding of data management, data analysis, visualization, and optimization. Core coursework covers essential areas such as quantitative analysis, business analytics modeling, data management and warehousing, data mining for managers, and operational analytics. Students gain hands-on experience with industry-standard tools and technologies, including the SAS development ecosystem. The program aims to develop skills in data modeling, business-data predictions, and analytics applications across various business functions like operations management, sales, marketing, finance, and economics. This ensures graduates are well-versed in both the technical and strategic aspects of business analytics.
Research Focus: While the M.S. in Business Analytics is primarily an applied, professional degree, it is deeply informed by current research in the field. The program's focus on "the science and technology underlying business analytics" and its emphasis on creating "data-based predictions" reflect a commitment to research-driven methodologies. Faculty members, many with industry experience, lead students through the program, integrating the latest concepts and techniques in data analysis and predictive modeling. The program encourages students to analyze business data to predict future performance, identify opportunities for revenue growth, cost reduction, and increased business productivity, all of which are grounded in analytical research.
Industry Engagement: USD's M.S. in Business Analytics program places a strong emphasis on industry engagement, actively seeking input from leading businesses in the region to ensure the curriculum meets market demands. The program provides hands-on experience in the state-of-the-art Ellis Finance & Analytics Lab and offers access to the SAS software suite. A notable feature is the Coyote Business Consulting Group, which allows student-teams, under faculty guidance, to help businesses solve critical organizational problems. This initiative offers students valuable real-world experience, academic credit, and professional connections, fostering mutually beneficial relationships with the business community. This strong industry alignment ensures graduates are prepared for immediate impact in their careers.
Global Perspective: The M.S. in Business Analytics at USD inherently incorporates a global perspective, as the demand for skilled business analysts is exploding across all sectors of the global economy. The program prepares students to navigate an increasingly data-driven world where business decisions often have international implications. By equipping students with universal concepts, tools, and techniques for data analysis and predictive modeling, the program prepares them for rewarding career opportunities "in the region, nation or across the globe." The comprehensive curriculum also acknowledges the global nature of business problems and the need for data-driven insights that can transcend geographical boundaries, making graduates well-prepared for international roles.
Location
Vermillion, South Dakota
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
USD 12800
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Application Fee: $38
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.
- PTE: Overall score of 53 or higher.
- DET (Duolingo English Test): Minimum score of 110.
The University of South Dakota (USD) offers a variety of scholarship opportunities specifically designed to support international students in achieving their academic goals. These scholarships help reduce the financial burden of studying abroad and make quality education at USD more accessible to talented students from around the world.
Merit-Based Scholarships: USD awards merit-based scholarships to international students based on their academic achievements, leadership potential, and extracurricular involvement. These scholarships recognize outstanding high school or previous college performance and are renewable for multiple years, provided students maintain satisfactory academic progress.
International Student Academic Scholarships: These scholarships are specifically tailored for international undergraduate students and can cover a significant portion of tuition fees. Eligibility is typically based on a combination of academic excellence and the completion of the admission process by specified deadlines. Many of these scholarships are automatically considered upon application, so no separate application is required.
Graduate Assistantships and Fellowships: For international graduate students, USD provides graduate assistantships and fellowships that offer financial support alongside valuable professional experience. These opportunities often include tuition waivers and a stipend in exchange for research, teaching, or administrative work within the university.
Departmental Scholarships: Certain USD academic departments and colleges offer specialized scholarships for international students pursuing specific fields of study, such as business, health sciences, or fine arts. These scholarships often reward exceptional talent and dedication within those disciplines.
Graduates with an M.S. in Business Analytics from the University of South Dakota (USD) are highly equipped to navigate the data-driven landscape of modern business. This specialized degree, combines a strong foundation in statistical analysis, computing technology, and strategic business understanding, making its recipients invaluable across a multitude of industries. The demand for professionals who can translate complex data into actionable business insights is consistently high and growing, reflecting the increasing reliance of organizations on data for decision-making.
Business Intelligence (BI) Analyst: These professionals focus on extracting and analyzing data to provide valuable insights that support strategic business decisions. They often develop and manage BI tools and systems, translating data trends into actionable strategies for stakeholders.
Data Analyst: A common entry point, Data Analysts collect, clean, and interpret datasets to identify trends, create dashboards, and generate reports. They play a crucial role in supporting decision-making with data-driven insights across various industries like finance, healthcare, and marketing.
Data Scientist: Leveraging more advanced statistical modeling, machine learning algorithms, and programming languages, Data Scientists extract deeper findings from large datasets, build predictive models, and utilize AI for pattern recognition.
Analytics Consultant: Graduates with an M.S. in Business Analytics are well-suited to consult for various organizations. They collaborate with clients to pinpoint inefficiencies, analyze business problems, and use data insights to shape new strategies and implement data-driven business transformations.
Marketing Analyst: Specializing in consumer behavior, Marketing Analysts use data to optimize marketing campaigns, identify market trends and customer segments, and measure the return on investment (ROI) of marketing initiatives. This role is in demand in digital marketing agencies, e-commerce, and retail.
Operations Analyst: These professionals focus on streamlining business processes using data. They identify inefficiencies, cost-saving opportunities, and support supply chain and logistics planning to improve overall operational effectiveness.
Quantitative Analyst (Quant): Often found in the financial industry, "Quants" apply statistical models to manage financial risk, forecast market trends, and build trading algorithms to optimize investment decisions. This is a highly specialized and often demanding role.
Product Analyst: Working within tech companies or product-driven organizations, Product Analysts evaluate product performance through analytics, support feature development, enhance user experience, and collaborate with design and engineering teams.
Business Systems Analyst: These professionals bridge the gap between business needs and IT solutions. They analyze and inspect a company's overall business systems, compiling data and determining opportunities for growth and improvement, ensuring technology aligns with business objectives.
Data Architect: While often more technical, an M.S. in Business Analytics can provide a strong foundation for this role. Data Architects design, build, and manage an organization's database infrastructure, ensuring secure data solutions and preparing data reports, focusing on the underlying structure for data collection and exploitation.
