M.S. in Data Analytics

Joplin, Missouri

INTAKE: Jan & Aug

Program Overview

The MSDA program at Missouri Southern State University is a 30-credit-hour curriculum consisting of 10 courses. It is designed for completion in as little as 12 months for full-time students or up to 24 months for part-time students. The program's structure emphasizes hands-on training with industry-standard tools and platforms, providing students with practical skills immediately applicable in the workplace. It aims to develop professionals who can confidently identify patterns in data, transform data into useful information for decision-making, devise data-driven solutions, and effectively communicate complex insights to various stakeholders.

STEM-designated: Yes, Missouri Southern State University's Master of Science in Data Analytics program is STEM-designated. This is a significant advantage, particularly for international students, as it makes them eligible for the STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT) extension in the United States. This extension allows for an additional 24 months of work authorization beyond the initial 12-month OPT period, providing international graduates with up to three years of valuable professional experience in the U.S.

Curriculum: The 30-credit MSDA curriculum is divided into six core data analytics courses and four specialization courses in business analytics. Core courses include: DATA 510 Foundations of Data Analytics, DATA 520 Enterprise Data Management, DATA 530 Programming for Data Analysis, DATA 540 Data Models and Structured Analysis, DATA 550 Machine Learning, and DATA 555 Artificial Intelligence. The business analytics specialization includes: GB 525 Revenue Management, GB 530 Data Visualization, GB 540 Forecasting with Time Series Analysis, and GB 550 Narrative and Persuasion Using Data Analysis. The curriculum was developed with input from industry leaders to ensure its relevance to the evolving needs of the field, emphasizing project-based learning with real datasets.

Research Focus: While the MSDA program at Missouri Southern State University is highly applied and career-focused, it integrates a strong component of practical research through its project-based learning approach. Students are consistently engaged in hands-on projects, working with real datasets from MSSU's business partners. This experiential learning allows them to apply theoretical knowledge to solve real-world problems, fostering an understanding of how to conduct data mining, develop predictive models, and perform in-depth analysis to support organizational goals. The program also emphasizes evaluating ethical issues in data analyses, a critical aspect of responsible data science research.

Industry Engagement: Missouri Southern State University demonstrates strong industry engagement within its MSDA program. The curriculum is directly shaped by input from industry leaders, ensuring that students gain skills that are immediately relevant and in demand by employers. Students gain practical experience by working with real datasets provided by the university's business partners. Faculty members bring real-world experience to the classroom, further bridging the gap between academia and professional practice. The program emphasizes the development of "career-ready" skills, including the ability to communicate data-driven information effectively, which is vital for industry roles. International students also have the option to complete a 3-credit hour internship for Curricular Practical Training.

Global Perspective: Missouri Southern State University cultivates a global perspective through various initiatives, which implicitly impacts its MSDA program. The university actively recruits and supports international students, enriching the classroom with diverse viewpoints and experiences. The universal applicability of data analytics skills across industries and geographies means that the program's content inherently has a global relevance. Students are prepared to analyze data and make strategic decisions that can impact global business operations. While specific study abroad opportunities within the MSDA program are not prominently highlighted, the overall university environment and the global nature of data science ensure graduates are well-equipped for roles in an interconnected world.

Location

Joplin, Missouri

Score

IELTS 6.5

Tuition Fee

USD 12330

Postgraduate Entry Requirements

Application Fee: $60

Academic Qualifications: Applicants for postgraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 65% 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 68 or higher.
DET (Duolingo English Test): Minimum score of 100.

Standardized Test Requirements

GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test): Minimum score of 450 required.
GRE (Graduate Record Examinations): Minimum score of 300 required.

Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) offers a variety of scholarship opportunities designed to support and encourage international students in their pursuit of higher education in the United States. These scholarships aim to recognize academic excellence, leadership qualities, and special talents, helping to make education more affordable and accessible for students from around the globe.

Merit-Based Scholarships: MSSU awards merit scholarships to international students based primarily on academic achievement. These scholarships consider factors such as high school GPA, standardized test scores, and overall academic potential. Incoming international students with strong academic records may qualify for awards that significantly reduce tuition costs.

International Student Scholarships: Dedicated scholarships specifically for international students are available to help offset tuition and fees. These awards often require applicants to submit academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, and sometimes a personal statement or essay showcasing their goals and qualifications.

Athletic Scholarships: For international students who demonstrate exceptional athletic talent, MSSU offers athletic scholarships through its NCAA Division II sports programs. These scholarships provide financial aid combined with opportunities to compete at a collegiate level while pursuing a degree.

A Master of Science (M.S.) in Data Analytics from Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) is a STEM-designated program designed to equip graduates with the critical skills to transform raw data into actionable business insights. This 30-credit-hour program, which can be completed in as little as 12 months, provides hands-on experience with industry-standard tools and real datasets from MSSU's business partners.

Data Analyst: This is a core role for MSDA graduates. They collect, clean, process, and perform statistical analyses on large datasets to identify trends, patterns, and anomalies, providing insights that support strategic planning and operational improvements across various business functions (marketing, finance, operations, etc.).

Business Intelligence (BI) Analyst: Specializing in transforming data into understandable and actionable business insights, BI analysts use data visualization tools (like Tableau and Power BI) to create dashboards and reports. They help organizations track performance, monitor KPIs, and make informed decisions.

Marketing Analyst: Leveraging data to understand consumer behavior, analyze market trends, and measure campaign effectiveness, Marketing Analysts help businesses identify opportunities, optimize marketing strategies, and improve return on investment.

Financial Analyst: Graduates apply quantitative skills to analyze financial data, assess investment opportunities, forecast financial trends, and manage risk. They are valuable in corporate finance departments, banking, and investment firms, especially with the program's emphasis on revenue management and forecasting.

Operations Research Analyst: These professionals utilize mathematical modeling and analytical techniques to solve complex problems and optimize business processes. They identify inefficiencies, streamline workflows, and recommend data-driven solutions to improve productivity and reduce costs in areas like logistics and supply chain.

Machine Learning Engineer (Applied/Junior): With coursework in Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence, graduates are equipped for entry-level or applied roles in developing and implementing machine learning models. They can contribute to projects involving predictive analytics, automation, and intelligent systems.

Data Scientist (Entry-Level/Applied): While sometimes requiring a more theoretical computer science or statistics background, the MSDA provides a strong foundation for applied Data Scientist roles. Graduates can build and deploy predictive models, utilize statistical techniques, and extract insights from complex data to solve specific business problems.

Database Architect/Developer: With knowledge of Enterprise Data Management and Data Models, graduates can design, implement, and maintain robust database systems. They ensure data integrity, security, and efficient data access, which is crucial for any data-driven organization.

Reporting Analyst: This role focuses on the creation and dissemination of reports and dashboards that provide clear, concise, and actionable insights to stakeholders. They ensure that key business metrics are tracked and communicated effectively across the organization.

Analytics Consultant: Graduates can work for consulting firms, applying their data analytics expertise to help diverse clients solve business problems, optimize operations, and make strategic decisions based on data-driven insights. They bring a strong analytical and problem-solving approach to various industry challenges.