Master's in Business Analytics Program

MS in Business Analytics Student of the Year says hard work, motivation, and organization are key to success

Jennifer Anzaldi — Fri, 28 Jun 2024 16:37:24 +0000

MS in Business Analytics Student of the Year says hard work, motivation, and organization are key to success Jennifer Anzaldi Fri, 06/28/2024 - 12:37

Katie Kacher, the 2023-24 master’s in business analytics Student of the Year is proof that hard work, motivation, and organization are the key ingredients to success in graduate business school. After earning her bachelor’s in commerce from the University of Virginia, Kacher chose the Donald G. Costello College of Business at ��ӽ紫ý for her graduate degree, primarily due to ��ӽ紫ý’s reputation for high caliber coursework and student outcomes. A Northern Virginia resident, Kacher notes that the proximity to campus and the in-state tuition rates were also factors in her decision to be a part of the inaugural class of the master’s in business analytics program.

Katie Kacher

Completing the program in just a year, Kacher has thoroughly enjoyed building her skillset learning multiple programming languages, data visualization tools, and the newest trends in big data. She particularly enjoyed her data mining course with Professor Jean-Pierre Auffret. Kacher says she was impressed with Auffret’s ability to tie in thought-provoking contemporary case studies to class, which called for a good mix of both learning a technical skill and tying it to conceptual real-world elements.

Auffret acknowledged that Kacher’s great interest in learning led to her success in data mining. “Katie is very diligent in mastering complex topics. She made excellent contributions to class discussions with an interest in current issues related to current AI-related issues of trustworthy AI, polices and legislation for AI, and societal considerations for generative AI, such as ChatGPT,” said Auffret. “Katie and her team did a fantastic class project on factors related to U.S. housing affordability.”

Kacher credits her successes as a student to not only the great teachers in the masters of business analytics program, but also to her motivation and dedication to succeeding. “I spend about three hours a week outside of class per course working on classroom-related work,” says Kacher. “I also have a good work-life balance and feel like my organizational skills have helped me stay focused on what’s important.”

Aside from being an exemplary student, Kacher also works as a financial data analyst at Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C. “This job allows me to use the technical skills I’ve learned and apply them in a way that makes a difference to people in the world,” says Kacher.

She believes that being organized and intentional in dedicating time to both her schoolwork and career has allowed her to balance starting a new position and a new program simultaneously. For tips on how to balance both schoolwork and career, students may meet with Costello College's Office of Career Services. Kacher met with the Office of Career Services team in the fall to discuss her career pathway and satisfaction. “While career services did not directly get me my job, I would recommend students who are unsure of their career path meet with them to start the conversation,” says Kacher.

Kaleb Lewis, director of career services, agrees. “Meeting with a career advisor early in a graduate program encourages students to think strategically about their long-term career plans. By setting clear goals and milestones, students can stay proactive in pursuing opportunities that align with their aspirations while taking classes,” says Lewis. “The Costello College of Business Office of Career Services can help students identify and leverage transformative career resources effectively, maximizing the student’s potential for success both during and after their degree program. Career advisors provide guidance on professional development strategies, including resume building and networking skills. Our office is here to help build a solid foundation for students’ future career endeavors.”

As for advice for students looking to join the MS in business analytics program, Kacher encourages people to go for their dreams. “If it is something you really want, you can find a way to do it. If you are motivated, anything is possible.”

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Should you pursue a Master of Science in Business Analytics or a Graduate Certificate?

Jennifer Anzaldi — Tue, 25 Oct 2022 13:46:13 +0000

Should you pursue a Master of Science in Business Analytics or a Graduate Certificate? Jennifer Anzaldi Tue, 10/25/2022 - 09:46

Data-based decisions drive businesses, and those who know how to analyze data help make their organizations more successful. ��ӽ紫ý’s School of Business, conveniently located in the Washington, D.C. metro area, offers two programs to help individuals effectively analyze big data through the hands-on use of modeling and other techniques with popular software tools.

The Master of Science in Business Analytics is a 30-credit (10-course) program that provides a holistic view of business data—from the collection, organization, reporting and mining of data to the extraction of useful and actionable information for the decision makers. This program can be completed in one year for full-time students or two years for part-time students. The master’s in business analytics is STEM designated and is offered in-person at our Fairfax campus.

The graduate certificate in business analytics is a 12-credit (4-course) certificate program that can be completed in one semester. Courses are offered in-person at the Fairfax campus or fully online. You can earn the certificate as a stand-alone option or apply your certificate credits towards the MBA or master’s in business analytics program electives.

If you want to become a data analysis expert who drives actionable business decisions, Mason’s graduate programs in business analytics are for you. You’ll learn to make better predictions, establish better strategies, and find business insights. Learn more about the Master of Science in Business Analytics program or our graduate certificate in business analytics.

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Newly launched MS in business analytics offers students STEM-designated program

Jennifer Anzaldi — Thu, 29 Sep 2022 13:17:53 +0000

Newly launched MS in business analytics offers students STEM-designated program Jennifer Anzaldi Thu, 09/29/2022 - 09:17

��ӽ紫ý’s School of Business now offers students a STEM-designated program through the newly launched Master of Science in Business Analytics. A STEM-designated program is an academic program that is classified by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as having a focus on science, technology, engineering, and math topics. For international students on an F-1 visa, graduating from a STEM-designated program allows them to extend their time in Optional Practical Training (OPT) from 12 to 36 months in the U.S.

“The STEM designation for the MS in business analytics highlights our curriculum’s emphasis on having our students acquire the analytics training and experience with current technology to better address company’s problems with data-informed decision making,” says Jessica Hoppner, co-director for the MS in business analytics program.

According to The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 2019–29 employment projections show that occupations in the STEM field are expected to grow 8.0 percent by 2029, compared with 3.7 percent for all other occupations. This rapidly growing field is in need of qualified professionals.

STEM-designated programs were designed to be mutually beneficial for international students and the United States workforce. There has been a continual decline in qualified STEM professionals in the United States. STEM-designated programs attract and retain professionals in fields that will benefit the U.S. economy. For international students, OPT is one of the best ways to earn a work visa.

Designed to provide a deeper knowledge of analytics and data-driven decision-making, the MS in business analytics program can be completed in just one year. This 30-credit program will offer convenient in-person evening courses on the Fairfax Campus to accommodate working professionals. Open to everyone looking to expand their skillset, no previous work experience is necessary to apply. The program includes a capstone course designed to provide hands-on sessions, teamwork, and active interactions with clients to understand and provide real-world solutions to business problems utilizing business analytics. Learn more about the Master of Science in Business Analytics

��ӽ紫ý School of Business is currently accepting applications for its recently launched Master of Science in Business Analytics program.

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Business analytics gives edge to alumnus in federal law enforcement

Jennifer Anzaldi — Wed, 21 Sep 2022 14:20:38 +0000

Business analytics gives edge to alumnus in federal law enforcement Jennifer Anzaldi Wed, 09/21/2022 - 10:20

Cooper Mrowka

After transferring to ��ӽ紫ý and graduating from the Master’s in Management accelerated one-year program in 2020, Cooper Mrowka decided to take advantage of his collegiate baseball eligibility to further his education. “I started looking to sports jobs, maybe combining my sport management and business management degrees and people kept saying that the new thing is data analytics–knowing how numbers work, how to analyze them, and how to use them to your advantage,” he says. Following completion of the business analytics certificate, Mrowka found that the skills he developed were applicable to a variety of fields, giving him many careers to choose from.

With a BS in sport management, an MS in management, and a graduate certificate in business analytics under his belt, he entered the workforce with far more expertise than most of his peers. “I’m honored and lucky that I was able to get so many academic opportunities at Mason,” he says. Using tools from both his masters and certificate programs, he understands more fully how to react and socialize with colleagues in the business world, as well as using data to analyze trends. These tools have proven invaluable in his career today.

School of Business faculty includes high-level experts who have past or present experiences in the career fields that their students are pursuing, and that kind of industry connection opens a world of possibilities for students. Prior to beginning his analytics certificate, Mrowka had a career in sports in mind. However, his fraud examination class helped convince him to change directions and take his current position as a federal officer with the United States Capitol Police. “Larry Guerin was a retired FBI agent and just a really fantastic professor–one of the main reasons I’m doing what I am today,” he says. “I loved the way he taught his class and I would stay after to pick his brain about any thoughts he had of the career.”

In other courses for the certificate, Mrowka gained a thorough understanding of many initial areas of data analytics, including in marketing. “I had never really thought that some of these classes would help me with the Federal Law enforcement area, but the curriculum all helped me become a better person and employee,” he says. As much as he learned, he sees immense value out of the soon-to-be expanded graduate degree. “Everything has numbers, those numbers mean something, but most people don’t know what. This is a phenomenal area to study for any industry.”

��ӽ紫ý School of Business is currently accepting applications for its recently launched Master of Science in Business Analytics program. Designed to provide a deeper knowledge of analytics and data-driven decision-making, the program can be completed in just one year. This 30-credit program will offer convenient in-person evening courses on the Fairfax Campus to accommodate working professionals. Open to everyone looking to expand their skillset, no previous work experience is necessary to apply. The program includes a capstone course designed to provide hands-on sessions, teamwork, and active interactions with clients to understand and provide real-world solutions to business problems utilizing business analytics. Learn more about the Master’s in Business Analytics

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School of Business launches master’s in business analytics

Jennifer Anzaldi — Thu, 15 Sep 2022 12:00:38 +0000

School of Business launches master’s in business analytics Jennifer Anzaldi Thu, 09/15/2022 - 08:00

In keeping with its commitment to preparing students for the workforce of tomorrow, ��ӽ紫ý School of Business recently launched a new Master of Science in Business Analytics program. Designed to provide a deeper knowledge of analytics and data-driven decision-making, the program can be completed in just one year.

Co-directors of the program, Jessica Hoppner and Pallab Sanyal, say that the time is right for the School of Business to establish a master’s in business analytics.

“Data and analytics are reshaping how businesses approach their decision-making,” says Hoppner. “The analytical challenges facing businesses and organizations are multifaceted and require individuals with advanced-level knowledge and skills to extract meaningful insights from data to address complex problems. Graduates of the program will be able to help businesses, organizations, and government agencies achieve their initiatives to improve data-driven decision making through the application of business analytics.”

The School of Business has offered business analytics courses at both the undergraduate and graduate levels for many years, and currently offers a Graduate Certificate in Business Analytics and an undergraduate Business Analytics Minor . “Within SBUS, we have excellent analytics faculty across all disciplines to teach these programs – both full-time faculty members and analytics practitioners that research and work in the analytics space,” says Hoppner.

Where programs such as an MBA focus on the overall management of businesses, organizations, and projects, Sanyal says the MS in business analytics will be more technical, focusing on harnessing the power of data to make business decisions. “Obtaining a specialized master’s degree in business analytics will allow students, who already possess a basic understanding of business, to deepen their knowledge of analytics and data-driven decision-making in order to advance their careers,” says Sanyal.

This 30-credit Master of Science in Business Analytics program will offer convenient in-person evening courses on the Fairfax Campus to accommodate working professionals. Open to everyone looking to deepen their knowledge of data-driven decision-making, no previous work experience is necessary to apply. The program includes a capstone course designed to provide hands-on sessions, teamwork, and active interactions with clients to understand and provide real-world solutions to business problems utilizing business analytics.

“Students in the program will develop the advanced quantitative analytical, programming, and database skills necessary to work with real-world data,” says Hoppner. “But more than that, our graduates will gain ethical foundation underpinning the use of data, the confidence to address complex problems with a critical eye, the ability to communicate solutions to clients and executives at all levels.”

Learn more about the Master of Science in Business Analytics program.

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