Business Analytics, M.S.
Master of Science in Business Analytics
Email: msba@merage.uci.edu
The Paul Merage School of Business offers a Master of Science in Business Analytics, a self-supporting full-time degree targeted at a mix of individuals with and without work experience in four or five quarters. The Master of Science in Business Analytics program equips students with advanced statistical and analytical skills to derive strategic value from large data sets. As data-driven decision-making becomes crucial across industries, the demand for professionals with business analytics expertise far exceeds the current supply. Recognizing the significance of big data and analytics as essential production factors alongside labor and capital, this one-year, full-time, self-supporting degree caters to individuals with diverse work experience. The program trains students to manage extensive data sets and apply sophisticated analytical methods to derive business insights tailored to specific contexts.
Further information may be obtained by contacting the University of California Irvine, Master of Science in Business Analytics Program Office, The Paul Merage School of Business, SB1 4500, Irvine, CA 92697 or visit the Master of Science in Business Analytics website.
Applicants apply directly to the Paul Merage School of Business. Prospective applicants must ensure all prerequisite requirements are fulfilled by the time of matriculation into the program. Admission to graduate-level standing is granted to individuals who hold an undergraduate degree with a satisfactory academic record from a recognized institution. Applicants with a quantitative background, particularly those holding degrees in mathematics, computer science, economics, statistics, engineering, or physics, are encouraged to apply.
Applicants for admission will be evaluated on their academic record and potential for leadership, as demonstrated by the materials submitted in the application. These materials must include official university transcripts, two professional or academic references*, two essays, a resume, and a personal interview (by invitation only). The GMAT or GRE are not required but strongly recommended. While these tests are not required, the admissions team is looking for evidence of strong verbal and quantitative skills.
If the applicant received their undergraduate degree from a foreign country and their primary language is not English, they will be responsible to take the TOEFL exam with a minimum score of 80 on the internet-based test. A Pearson Test of English (PTE) may be substituted for the TOEFL. The minimum score for the PTE is 53.
*Formal letters of recommendation will be requested if the applicant's GPA is below 3.0.
The Master of Science in Business Analytics program equips students with advanced statistical, technical, and analytical skills to derive strategic value from data. As data-driven decision-making becomes crucial across industries, the demand for professionals with business analytics and AI expertise exceeds the current supply. Recognizing the significance of data and analytical capabilities as essential production factors alongside labor and capital, this one-year, full-time, self-supporting degree caters to individuals with diverse work experience. The program trains students to develop solutions that incorporate sophisticated analytical methods to derive business insight.
The curriculum explores three essential areas of training: data management, analytics methods, and business context. Students learn to structure and manage data, apply analytical methods, and develop business-driven AI solutions to obtain context-aware business insight.
The program consists of 11 core courses (38 units) and four elective courses (16 units), for a total of 54 units to be completed in four or five quarters. The required courses are as follows:
| A. Complete the following: | |
| BANA 200 | Foundations of Business Analytics |
| BANA 201A | Statistics for Data Science |
| BANA 201B | Management Science for Analytics |
| BANA 205 | Foundations of Marketing |
| BANA 211 | MSBA ProSeminar (four quarters) |
| BANA 212 | Applied Data Analytics |
| BANA 273 | Machine Learning for Analytics |
| BANA 277 | Customer and Social Analytics |
| BANA 279 | Business Data Management |
| BANA 298A | Business Analytics Capstone Prep |
| BANA 298B | Business Analytics Capstone Project |
| B. Select four BANA or other Merage graduate program elective course offerings. | |