The market for data scientists and analytics professionals is growing at a rapid rate. Determined to provide opportunities for students to move into lucrative industries, the David Eccles School of Business has launched a new specialized graduate degree in the analytics space.

The Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) is the first of its kind in Utah. The program will give students advanced knowledge in both analytics and management, preparing them to enter the robust world of ‘big data.’ A hands-on focus in the curriculum, three-credit hour capstone project and one-on-one career coaching will ensure students have the tools they need to compete in the analytics industry.

“The launch of the MSBA degree with the current analytics industry demand, especially in the Utah market, shows the school is continuously evolving to prepare students for lucrative careers,” said Taylor Randall, dean of the Eccles School. “We are committed to providing students with forward-thinking education and opportunities to develop in-demand skillsets.”

The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) — which has accredited the Eccles School and serves as the primary worldwide accreditation for business schools — now requires analytics curriculum to maintain accreditation. The Eccles School’s MSBA and robust analytics curriculum helps the Eccles School maintain its accreditation and keeps the University of Utah as a preferred regional choice for business education.

“Over the past few years, we’ve seen a steady increase in demand for courses related to business intelligence and analytics. The calls from industry partners for a graduate program dedicated to big data and analytics were simply too great to ignore,” said Bradden Blair, director of the new MSBA program. “By combining already existing courses with additional pedagogy, we’ve put together a comprehensive analytics program from Utah’s leading, accredited business school.”

Graduates of the MSBA program will be prepared to sit for the INFORMS Certified Analytics Professional (CAP) exam, an additional credential that’s valued in the analytics field. The MSBA curriculum was carefully created and selected to ensure students are well-versed in the CAP exam’s key concepts. Combined with the MSBA degree, a CAP designation can help graduates achieve higher salaries and better job placements.

In conjunction with the new MSBA program, the Eccles School also will offer a Graduate Certificate in Business Analytics (GCBA). The certificate is available to current graduate students from any discipline at the University, as well as non-degree-seeking students.

The MSBA and GCBA programs are now accepting applications for spring and fall 2017. More information can be found at MSBA.Eccles.Utah.edu or by emailing MSBAinfo@Eccles.Utah.edu.