B.S. in Business Analytics

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Business Analytics at York College of Pennsylvania is a cutting-edge program designed to meet the escalating demand for professionals who can leverage data to make informed, impactful business decisions. This program provides students with hands-on experience in statistical analysis, information technology, quantitative methods, and computer-based models, enabling them to interpret complex data, analyze sales, project budgetary needs, and understand client behavior. Students can further specialize their education by choosing concentrations in areas such as Cybersecurity, Economics, Finance, Marketing, Sport Analytics, Supply Chain Management, or a General Track, allowing for tailored career paths within various industries.

ACBSP-Accredited: The Graham School of Business at York College of Pennsylvania, which offers the B.S. in Business Analytics, is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). This accreditation signifies that the program adheres to rigorous global standards for business education, focusing on teaching excellence and measurable student learning outcomes. ACBSP's student-centered approach ensures that students gain relevant skills for their educational investment, providing assurance to students, employers, and the wider academic community about the quality and relevance of the business education at YCP.

Curriculum: The curriculum for the B.S. in Business Analytics is meticulously designed to build deep competency in the skills needed for data-driven business decisions. It integrates core business fundamentals with specialized coursework in data collection, management, description, inference, prediction, and optimal decision-making. Students gain expertise in statistical analysis, information technology, quantitative methods, and computer-based models. All upper-level courses emphasize project-based learning, allowing students to work with real-world data and utilize industry-standard software and equipment. The "Generation Next" general education framework also ensures students develop a broad breadth of knowledge and adaptable skill sets, complementing their specialized analytical expertise.

Research Focus: The "research focus" within the Business Analytics program at York College of Pennsylvania is heavily applied, emphasizing the use of data, information technology, statistical analysis, quantitative methods, and computer-based models to gain insights into business operations and make fact-based decisions. While not centered on theoretical academic research, students engage in practical research by analyzing large amounts of data to understand customer behavior, improve operational efficiency, manage risk, and identify growth opportunities. The program's emphasis on project-based learning in upper-level courses provides students with hands-on experience in collecting, managing, describing, and interpreting datasets to form inferences and predictions, preparing them for roles that demand data-driven problem-solving.

Industry Engagement: Industry engagement is a cornerstone of the Business Analytics program at York College. The program's design emphasizes preparing students for immediate contributions to organizations by providing hands-on experience with the same software and equipment used by professionals in the field. Students benefit from project-based learning opportunities in all upper-level courses, where they work with real-world data. Furthermore, Business Analytics majors are encouraged to complete a three-credit internship to gain firsthand experience in a career that interests them. The Graham School of Business actively facilitates linkages between academic and business communities, ensuring students are immersed in partnerships that provide practical application and networking opportunities.

Global Perspective: The B.S. in Business Analytics program at York College of Pennsylvania implicitly fosters a global perspective by focusing on data-driven decision-making in an increasingly interconnected world. Businesses operate on a global scale, and the ability to analyze market trends, consumer behavior, and operational efficiency across international borders is paramount. While specific dedicated "global business analytics" courses may not be explicitly listed, the analytical skills acquired are universally applicable. The program's focus on understanding complex data and making informed decisions prepares graduates to contribute to multinational corporations or organizations with a global reach, where understanding diverse datasets and market dynamics is crucial.