Program Overview
The Master of Science in Business Data Analytics (MSBDA) at TSU will provide the students with comprehensive training in one of the fastest-growing fields. Business Data Analytics is designed for Business Analysts, Data Scientists, Information Systems Analyst, and related candidates looking to advance their professional development. The curriculum covers advanced software application tools and functions, such as descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive modeling, text and data mining, visual analytics and storytelling. The program aims to provide and prepare students to become Specialist in Business Data Analytics (BDAS). The delivery method of this proposed degree program is fully online, and no in-person class attendance will be required. The primary academic purpose of this professional degree program is to develop a professional workforce that is prepared to address the needs in the rapidly expanding data analytics field to make better business decisions. The students will be educated to work and excel in a variety of work settings to supply qualified workforce to an industry which is currently looking for cost effective ways of delivering more effective decision making based on diverse and heterogeneous data sets.
Program Goals
The program focusing on using advanced technologies to manipulate big data, utilizing rigorous methods to interpret the data, and obtaining the business skills necessary to translate understanding into actionable organizational strategies.
The specific program learning goals are:
Goal 1: Business Understanding - Students demonstrate the ability to convert business issues (or problem domain) into analytics project requirements.
Goal 2: Data Preparation and Assessment - Students demonstrate the ability to collect data from appropriate sources, clean and transform raw data sets, assess data quality, and conduct exploratory data analysis and visualization.
Goal 3: Model Building and Evaluation - Students demonstrate the ability to build models using statistical and/or machine learning techniques and conduct model validation.
Goal 4: Storytelling - Students demonstrate the ability to interpret model outputs, determine managerial implications, and explain and communicate the results effectively.
Admission Requirements
The admission requirements for the proposed MSBDA program will adhere to the existing graduate admission guideline of the TSU’s College of Business (https://www.tnstate.edu/mba/mbatradprosp.aspx)
All applicants are expected to:
- Be competent in oral and written English
All applicants are required to meet the following admission requirements:
- 950 points based on the formula: 200 times 4-year undergraduate GPA plus GMAT score or;
- 1000 points based on the formula: 200 times Junior-senior GPA plus GMAT score.
For example:
An applicant with a 3.2 GPA (for 4 years undergraduate) and a GMAT score of 530 would calculate:
3.2 (GPA) x’s 200 + 530 = 1170, which meets the 950-point requirement.
To complete the application process, the following documents and steps are required to be provided or taken:
* GMAT/GRE Test Waiver Options:
The GMAT/GRE test requirement may be waived for applicants who meet at least one of the following:
- Have earned at least a 3.0 undergraduate GPA;
- Has 5+ years of professional or managerial work experience (resume required along with documented evidence);
- Has earned a graduate/professional degree; and
- Has 5+ years of U. S. military experience (resume required along with documented evidence).
Transfer of Credit Policy
Students may transfer up to 12 credit hours of approved coursework from an AACSB Accredited College of Business or may transfer up to 6 credit hours of approved coursework from a regionally accredited University.
Degree Requirements
- Candidates must satisfy all prerequisites, complete core requirements and other approved courses to satisfy the minimum number of semester hours required for a graduate degree, and accumulate a minimum GPA of “B” or 3.0 on a 4.0 system.
- Candidates must file the application of “Admission to Candidacy” for the MSBDA degree after completing all required prerequisites and nine (9) semester hours of graduate course work taken in residence with a “B” average in all courses taken for graduate credit. The recommendation of the major advisor and approval of the Dean of the Graduate School are required.
- Candidates must file “Application for Graduation” at least one full semester prior to commencement, including clearance with the major advisor, the Dean of the Graduate School, the Business Office, the Placement Bureau, the Office of Admissions and Records, and the University Library.
- Complete 30 credit hours of work
- Lowest grade to count toward the 30 credit hours is a “C”
- Any course achieving a “D” or “F” must be repeated
MSBDA Program of Study
Spring
- BISI 6130 Management and Evaluation of Information Systems (3)
- BDAS 6140 Fundamentals of Business Data Analytics (3)
- BDAS 6150 Database Management Systems (3)
- Elective 1 Weeks 13-16 - Managerial Finance (3)
Summer
- BDAS 6210 Business Intelligence (3)
- BDAS 6220 Data Visualization (3)
Fall
- BDAS 6260 Data and Text Mining (3)
- Elective 2 (3)
- Elective 3 (3)
- BDAS 6610 Data Analytics Capstone (3)
Total Semester Hours: 30
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