According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, data analysis positions are expected to grow significantly over the next decade. A ccording to builtin.com the median annual salary for data scientists is over $120,000, with those in the ninetieth percentile earning more than $345,000 annually!*

The job security benefits don’t end there. This program is advised by and works collaboratively with a board of C-suite executives from companies including Humana, Papa Johns, Appriss technologies, GE appliances, YUM! Brands, Bright Springs, Mercer, and more, all of whom provide expert insight and feedback for knowledge, skills, methods and tools that best prepare graduates of our program for the real world.

Graduates of our program will learn a variety of skills including:

• Advanced Analytics Skills: The program provides knowledge in areas such as predictive modeling, machine learning and artificial intelligence, data cleaning, transformation and modeling. Graduates will be proficient in statistical software such as R, Python, and Tableau, and be able to apply these techniques to solve complex business problems.
• Business Strategy: Graduates will have a strong understanding of business strategy and be able to use data-driven insights to inform strategic decision-making.
• Data Management: Students will become proficient in managing and manipulating large and complex data sets, and have a solid understanding of database management, data warehousing, and data integration.
• Communication and Visualization: Course materials will help develop excellent communication and visualization skills, so MSBA graduates are able to present complex data and insights to both technical and non-technical audiences in a clear and compelling manner.

...and more!

What kind of jobs can I pursue?

Students with a business analytics degree are prepared for a variety of data analyst career paths and positions, including: statisticians, business and market research analysts, data scientists, data science training, technical business analyst, and more.

*Salary range can vary greatly based on location and previous work experience.

Steps to Apply

1. Complete online graduate application
2. Submit $65 non-refundable application fee
3. Submit completion of undergraduate degree, plus all official transcripts
4. If desired, submit GMAT waiver
   • Though GMAT waivers are available, supplying strong scores with your application can strengthen scholarship offers
5. Check for Scholarships

Admission in good standing requires:

1. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
2. Minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.5* (on a 4.0 scale)
3. 2 Letters of recommendation
4. Professional resume
5. Personal statement

*GPA below 3.0? Contact us about admission considerations.

If transcripts cannot be sent electronically (preferred) please mail to:

College of Business, MSBA Office
University of Louisville
Louisville, KY 40292
msba@louisville.edu

Complete application packet and waiver requests will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee.
Candidates will be notified with a decision within 3-5 business days.

See the Graduate School Transfer of Credit Policy for more information.

International Students – Additional Notes/Requirements

• WES or ECE formal transcript evaluation – if you studied outside of the United States, you are required to submit your academic records for a formal evaluation (visit www.wes.org or www.ece.org for more information)
• TOEFL scores – score of 79 and higher on the internet-based test required; scores must be 2 years old or less at the time of application

The online MSBA is comprised of 30 credit hours. Of these, 22.5 are core (or required) credit hours, and the remaining 7.5 credit hours are elective credit hours. The 22.5 credit hour core consists of 9 courses, six (6) of which are three (3) credit hours in length. The remaining three (3) are one and a half (1.5) credit hours in length.

Course Descriptions

*Course Descriptions will be updated upon the release of the 2023-2024 Course Catalogue.

• Why does the MSBA have a board of advisors?

  The MSBA has a board of advisors comprised of C-suite executives from companies like Humana, Papa John’s, Appriss Technologies, GE appliances, YUM! Brands, Bright Springs, Mercer, and more. These companies advise us as to which courses and skills we should teach our students to be as prepared as possible for the positions these companies and many others are looking for.

• Is there a part-time option?

  Not currently.

• What is the structure of the program?

  Our program is cohort based which means you will complete 6 - 12 credit hours per semester over 3 semesters, allowing you to graduate after 1 year. However, the courses themselves are accelerated and not abbreviated. Mostly you will take 1 or 2 courses at a time, completing up to 5 courses in a semester. We have found that students appreciate the cohort structure of the program (no worries over which class to take and when) and find that helpful to stay the course to graduate. Additionally, we manage your enrollment therefore lessening any undue stress of registration concerns.

• Do I need prior coding or data experience?

  No. We teach each of our cohorts everything they need to know from the ground-up. Everyone regardless of educational or professional background will receive the same education and experience. A free summer pre-work statistics course is offered over the summer to prepare for analytical classes in the fall. All you need to do is to bring your willingness to learn cutting-edge programming skills.

• Can I transfer any credits?

  Students who have completed the Managerial Analytics certificate can transfer up to 3 credit hours. These 3 credit hours would count towards their electives.

• What does my weekly time commitment look like?

  For each 3 credit hour course, you should plan for around 10-25 hours per week, depending on the course. This may also vary from individual to individual. For example, if you are knowledgeable and/or have had exposure to the subject matter, it may take less time. While this may seem time-intensive, our program is structured so that you only focus on a small number of courses at a time, deliberately allowing you to hyper-focus on the subject matter of the particular course. Additionally, all the courses are delivered asynchronously, meaning there are never specific class meeting times. The flexibility of this online structure allows you to work around your schedule and priorities each week to complete assignments, etc., by the deadline.

• What if I need to take a semester off (or am active duty and have to leave on orders)?

  This is not an issue, although we ask that you contact the MSBA office and the Graduate Office and inform them of your situation. As with our on-campus programs, you would rejoin the next cohort and pick up where you left off.

• Are there any military tuition discounts available?

  There are no military tuition discounts available at this time.

• What support is available to me as an online student?

  We provide a variety of services that can be helpful for our online students. Online MSBA students will receive the support of the Online Programs Office in the College of Business, including direct support from dedicated Online Student Support Coordinators. College of Business students also enjoy benefits like the Lifetime Career Support Promise offered exclusively to students and alumni of the College of Business and fulfilled by The Ulmer Career Management Center. Students also have access to university services, including: Delphi Center, Blackboard Support, Virtual Writing Center, Disability Resource Center, Online Learning Library Services and more!

• What programming languages and software tools will I use in this program?

  Major languages are Python, R, and SQL. Some tools include PowerBI, SAS, and SPSS, PySpark, among others.