Master’s in Business Analytics Online
Earn Your Degree in as Few as 18 Months
Drive Actionable Business Decisions With Data
With BusinessAnalytics@Syracuse, students earn a Master of Science in Business Analytics online from Syracuse University’s AACSB-accredited Martin J. Whitman School of Management—while continuing to work full time and advance their careers. The program helps data-driven thinkers develop or sharpen their abilities to interpret complex data and guide their organizations in making more educated, actionable decisions. Graduates of the online program have accepted roles at organizations such as Northrop Grumman, the U.S. Marine Corps, and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
Why a Master’s in Business Analytics From Syracuse?
Employers in nearly every industry need professionals who can analyze big data to make informed decisions—the demand for management analysts and similar occupations is expected to grow 14 percent between 2018 and 2028.1 With a master’s in business analytics, students hone their decision-making skills and learn to use analytic tools to drive positive outcomes for businesses.
Through a digital learning environment that includes interactive online classes, rich media coursework and social connections with peers and faculty, BusinessAnalytics@Syracuse brings Syracuse’s diverse professional network to students around the world. Students become part of a widespread community that includes more than 30,000 alumni from the Whitman School alone and more than a quarter of a million alumni from the University.
M.S. in Business Analytics Curriculum
The online M.S. in Business Analytics program takes an action-oriented approach to preparing students to become skilled data analysts. In this 36-credit curriculum, students develop an interdisciplinary understanding of the applications of analytics with the flexibility to take courses from the Whitman School of Management, the School of Information Studies and the College of Engineering and Computer Science.
During the program, students will complete core courses, analytics application courses and analytics depth core courses across the three Syracuse schools listed above. The blending of these course types provides students with a holistic skill set and allows them to focus on a wide range of topics including accounting and financial analytics, data analysis, data science, principles of management science and information visualization.
Complete in as Few as 18 Months
Total Credits
Learning Outcomes
By the time students complete the business analytics master’s program, they will be able to:
- collect and organize data;
- identify patterns in data via visualization, statistical analysis and data mining;
- develop alternative strategies based on the data; and
- develop a plan of action to implement the business decisions derived from the analyses.
Earn Two Master’s Degrees From Syracuse for Fewer Credits
Students are now able to earn two master’s degrees from the Whitman School or other schools at Syracuse University for fewer credits. Once enrolled in the master’s in business analytics and for up to one year after graduating, students may take advantage of this opportunity and apply for a second online program. This opportunity for students to develop skills in an additional area of interest can help set them apart in the job market and expose them to a wider variety of career opportunities.
To be eligible, students must meet the core requirements of the MBA and plan the rest of their coursework to take advantage of shared courses. At Whitman, students can pursue one of the following degree combinations:
Get Started Today
Gain the business analytics skills you need to help your organization make more educated and actionable decisions.
Request Information
Business Analytics Admissions
Syracuse offers four start dates per year. Applicants who apply by the priority deadlines will pay a reduced fee of $45, receive an admissions decision sooner and have more time to plan for the future.
See the upcoming application deadlines for the July 2021 cohort:
March 25, 2021
April 15, 2021
May 13, 2021
Application Requirements
Syracuse seeks motivated applicants who want to acquire the specialized analytics skills to create positive outcomes for businesses. View the application requirements for the online M.S. in Business Analytics program.
GMAT Waiver Policy
Applicants may be eligible for a GMAT waiver if they have at least one year of professional work experience and either an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or above, or a master’s in any field. Request information now to see whether you qualify.
Business Analytics Career Services and Networking
BusinessAnalytics@Syracuse students and alumni receive a variety of career services and access to networking opportunities to help them move forward in their careers. These resources include:
Career Coaching and Resources
Our career staff provides one-on-one coaching, resume review and interview preparation. Students also have 24/7 access to a self-directed career-development course.
Global Networking Opportunities
Students and alumni have opportunities to connect with Syracuse’s worldwide network of students, faculty and alumni for career assistance and mentoring.
Start Your Application Today
If you’re ready to start gaining the analytical skills and professional network to advance, begin your application now.
Apply Now Online Business Analytics Faculty
Students in the online master’s in business analytics program benefit from the scholarly expertise and practical experience that Whitman School faculty bring to the online classroom. Meet some of the professors who teach for BusinessAnalytics@Syracuse.
Don Harter
Associate Professor of MIS
Director, M.S. in Business Analytics Program
Prior to teaching, Professor Harter spent more than 15 years in the industry with BDM International, serving most recently as senior vice president and general manager of systems integration.
Teaches: Business Analytics
Andrew Weinberger
Adjunct Faculty
Having previously worked in IT and tax return preparation, Professor Weinberger is now an audit consultant at Nassau Re, where he evaluates and improves the effectiveness of risk management, control and governance processes.
Teaches: Accounting Analytics
Shaam Ramamurthy
Adjunct Faculty
Professor Ramamurthy is the cofounder of Wilson Consulting Private Limited and specializes in data visualization, visual analytics solutions, visual storytelling through data, data extraction and transforming data into actionable information.
Teaches: Business Analytics, Marketing Analytics
The Business Analytics Experience
The Whitman School offers both a Master of Science in Business Analytics program and a Master of Business Administration program with a specialization in business analytics. In both degree programs, students develop core technical and interpersonal business skills, and application requirements are the same. However, the two programs prepare students with different skill sets to achieve distinct career outcomes.
Master’s in Business Analytics
Curriculum:
Students focus on how to apply data analysis in multiple fields, such as marketing, finance and accounting.
Career path:
After completing the program, graduates usually pursue more analytics-focused roles, such as data analyst or analytics manager.
Time to complete:
Typically, this program can be completed in as few as 18 months because there are fewer required general business courses.
MBA With Specialization
Curriculum:
Students build general management knowledge in marketing, finance, supply chain and accounting and focus their electives in business analytics.
Career path:
The program prepares graduates to become managers and leaders with a deep understanding of analytical tools they can apply to better understand their business.
Time to complete:
The program can be completed in as few as two years.
In addition to comparing the master’s in business analytics to an MBA with a specialization, you can also explore how the degree compares to a master’s in data science by visiting our degree comparison page.
A Supportive Online Experience
Since 2016, the Martin J. Whitman School of Management has delivered the online M.S. in Business Analytics program with the goal of empowering business students to make a difference at their organization. That’s why our online students have access to the same support services and resources as on-campus students—all through a flexible online platform.
Live Online Classes
Students and faculty meet each week in face-to-face classes held via webcam. Classes are kept small to fuel lively discussion about analytics trends. After joining live, all classes are accessible for later review.
Immersive Platform
BusinessAnalytics@Syracuse students complete weekly assignments at their own pace on our online platform and innovative one-click dashboard. Enjoy features such as dark mode, searchable video transcripts, adjustable video speed and streaming capability that lets you cast your coursework right onto your TV.
Prepare to Become a Data-Literate Manager
The master’s in business analytics program is designed to help experienced managers apply data analysis techniques to make strategic business decisions.
Request Information The Demand for Business Analytics Experts
In a 2019 Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) survey, employers were asked about the job functions they were looking to fill with business school graduates, and analytics was among the top three in the United States.2
GMAC also asked about employers’ hiring needs beyond traditional master’s programs. They reported that graduates of data analytics master’s programs are the top talent sought by employers in the consulting, finance and accounting, and health care industries.
The Skills Employers Need
Data Analysis and Decision Making
The online master’s in business analytics program helps professionals accurately analyze large amounts of data, which they can apply to a relevant business problem. They can then recommend solutions and a plan of action to help meet organizational goals.
The Application of Analytics to Various Fields
Through our M.S. in Business Analytics program, students will take specialized application courses in which they will learn to interpret business intelligence from the fields of accounting, finance, marketing and management.
Interpretation and Communication
BusinessAnalytics@Syracuse helps students not only interpret information they gather from data sets but also make that information useful to stakeholders. They will be able to present information clearly to diverse groups of professionals.
Visit our careers page to discover the kinds of careers in business analytics that you can pursue by earning your M.S. in Business Analytics.