The Master of Science 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 possess the ability to approach business decision-making with a more rigorous and confident data-driven mindset. They will also be adept at effectively communicating data findings, interpreting complex data, and guiding their organizations in making informed and actionable strategic decisions. The program is offered in an online format to cater to a wide range of potential graduate students who may not be able to commit to a full-time or location-based program in order to pursue an 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.
Master of Science in Data Analytics Program Learning Competencies
Graduates from the Master of Science in Data Analytics program will be able to:
Identify business problems that require data-driven solutions
Collect and modify data in preparation of statistical analysis
Create analytical models using analytical tools and software
Develop and validate analytics solutions
Communicate the results of analytic projects to a non-technical business audience
Explain the ethical implications of a data-driven business solution
Admission
Requirements for Admission
In addition to the general requirements for admission to the Graduate School at NIU, the M.S. in Data Analytics 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 the student has met the requirements by completing course equivalents at a university, community college, or select approved online provider, or has 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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