The M.S. program in Data Analytics (MSDA) provides students with the advanced knowledge and skills to analyze organizational data. The use of analytics is accelerating due to technological advancements, exponential growth in data, and increasingly sophisticated application by organizations. Analytics is embedded in all industries, business functions, and employee workflows. The program prepares students for data-driven leadership and problem solving. Graduates of the MSDA program will be data-driven thinkers to approach business decision-making more rigorously and confidently, while effectively communicating data findings, interpreting complex data, and guiding their organizations in making more informed and actionable strategic decisions.
The program is in an online format for a large population of potential graduate students who cannot commit to either a full-time or location-based program to obtain the advanced degree. The program consists of two phases. Phase One (6 semester hours) is designed to address deficiencies in undergraduate course work considered to be prerequisite for the Phase Two (30 semester hours) graduate course work. Students with significant undergraduate course work in business may be waived from some, or all, of the Phase One requirements. Exemption exams are also available to waive Phase One requirements. There is no charge for the exam, however, a student may only attempt each exam once. Phase Two consists of 10 courses to ensure an in-depth study in data analytics.
Check departmental information for additional requirements.
Learning Outcomes
Master of Science in Data Analytics Program Competencies and Learning Objectives
Graduates from the NIU Department of Operations Management and Information Systems’ Master of Science in Data Analytics program will fulfill the following program competencies and learning objectives.
1. Data-Driven Decision-Making: to provide the student with the knowledge to make business decisions based on insights derived from data.
The student can explain how analyzing data can improve business decision-making.
The student can evaluate business processes using data.
2. Data Analytics Lifecycle: to provide the student with the skills to complete data analytics projects.
The student can contrast different forms of analytics and the methods used in each.
The student can utilize analytical tools and software.
The student can collect and prepare data for statistical analysis.
The student can build complex analytical models.
The student can apply project management concepts and tools to data analytics projects.
3. Communication: To provide the student with the ability to communicate the results of a data analysis.
The student can effectively present results using data visualization tools.
The student can explain complex results from data analysis to business clients using practical and simple business terms that can be understood by non-technical audiences.
Admission
Requirements for Admission
In addition to the general requirements for admission to the Graduate School at NIU, the M.S. in Data Analytic program also requires that applicants must have a minimum 3.00 overall grade point average (GPA), based on a 4.00 system, in their undergraduate program. Applicants whose GPA is below the required level may be recommended for admission if they satisfy one of the following criteria:
Applicant earned an undergraduate or graduate degree from NIU College of Business or a closely related NIU program
Exceptional performance on a graduate-level admission test (GRE or GMAT)
Application for Admission
Admission to the M.S. in Data Analytics (MSDA) program is competitive and limited to candidates who demonstrate high promise of success in this graduate program. Applicants must submit the following materials:
A resume
A statement of purpose (500-word outline of your goals for the MSDA program and beyond)
Phase One (6)
The Phase One foundations consist of three 2-semester-hour courses. Phase One foundation courses will be required in students’ program of study unless they have earned a C or better in corresponding undergraduate courses or a B or better in equivalent graduate courses elsewhere, or have passed the first and only attempt of Phase One exemption examination. The department program advisor will determine which Phase One courses will be included in students’ program of courses. Credits earned in Phase One will not count toward the Phase Two requirements. Phase One consists of the following courses:
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