Business Analytics

Business Analytics is the creative use of data (big and small and everything in between), statistics, mathematical modeling, databases, spreadsheets, and computing technology to generate business insights and support managerial decision making throughout an organization.

It combines business knowledge with analytical expertise to tell important stories using the vast amount of data produced by companies today.

Use business analytics to explore, analyze, visualize, simulate, predict and optimize.

With a minor in Business Analytics, you will explore a range of quantitative and computational techniques that have wide use in today’s data-driven business world. Analytics includes things like statistical analysis, data visualization, mathematical modeling, management science, data mining, predictive analytics, data science, econometrics, scientific computing, data preparation and cleaning, data warehousing and business intelligence. Since these high demand skills can be applied in numerous business domains, a Minor in Business Analytics is appropriate for students in any business discipline. This minor is open to all majors.

Through a collaboration with SAS, a worldwide leader in analytics software, Oakland University business analytics students also can earn a Tier 2 SAS Academic Specialization as part of their degree program. Learn more about the program here.

A minor in business analytics is intended for quantitatively and technically strong students in any major interested in developing business and data analytics skills. Such skills are in HIGH demand in the marketplace and can complement almost any major. Some examples are noted below.

Marketing
How can we predict which customers are likely to buy certain car models?
How can we use social media data to segment our customer base?

Accounting
Can we detect accounting fraud through analysis of detailed financial statements and transaction data?

Finance
What is the probability that this project has a positive rate of return?
How can I visualize the performance of my investment portfolio?

Human Resources Management
How can we predict which employees are likely to defect to a competitor or to be a superstar within our company?

Management Information Systems
We need a dashboard that shows key business performance metrics in an easy to understand format.

Operations Management
What is the most effective way to schedule our call center staff or to design our new distribution center?

Program Overview

The management information systems undergraduate program includes an optional specialization in business analytics. Students choosing to specialize in this area will take three courses to provide them deeper knowledge in this high-demand field.

Employers are seeking professionals across disciplines who can harness data to solve business problems. Professionals seeking to deepen their understanding and develop their skills in harnessing data to identify opportunities, respond to challenges, influence decision making and implement successful solutions can consider the following programs. These programs are open to anyone holding a bachelor’s degree.

Master of Science in Business Analytics

Designed for professionals seeking to deepen their understanding and develop expertise in harnessing data to identify opportunities, respond to challenges, influence decision making and implement successful solutions.

The STEM-designed program combines expert-led courses and experiential learning so students gain knowledge and proficiency in using a variety of statistical and quantitative methods, computation tools and predictive models.

Graduates of the program will be equipped to use data to solve business problems across industries and disciplines. Industries experiencing strong growth in the use of business analytics include financial services, retail, health services, accounting and auditing, transportation and logistics, entertainments, sports and travel.

Graduate Certificate in Business Analytics

Ideal for the working professional in any field who is looking to gain knowledge in business analytics.

The 15-credit program includes three core and two elective courses that allow students to explore a range of quantitative and computational techniques that have wide use in today’s data-driven world.

Graduates of the program will be equipped to understand how to understand and apply data to benefit their career or organizational goals. Credits earned can be applied toward an OU Master of Science in Business Analytics or a Master or Science in IT Management.

Business Analytics concentration: MBA

The concentration enhances the MBA education with deeper background in statistical analysis, data visualization, mathematical modeling, management science and data mining.

Graduates can apply these skills to a wide range of business fields as the use of business analytics continues to expand.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Learn to leverage statistical and mathematical modeling, databases and technology to:

• Gain insights and support managerial decision making.
• Improve customer service and enhance operational performance.
• Identify new business markets and drive revenue growth.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Studying business analytics can further define the knowledge needed for professionals working to advance in a competitive marketplace.

Typical career titles include:

• Management Analyst
• Market Research Analyst
• Marketing Analyst
• Financial Analyst
• Statistical Analyst
• Business Systems Analyst
• Data Analyst
• Clinical Data Analyst

Industries that commonly employ business analytics include:

• Health Care
• Automotive
• Financial Services
• Marketing
• Human Resources
• Education

For more information on careers, please visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics or O*Net.

RELATED STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS

• Association for Information Systems
• Society of Operations Management

Students are encouraged to join any of the student organizations in the School of Business Administration to help network with other students, faculty and employers.

JOB OPENINGS
Access thousands of job and internship postings at Handshake. Handshake also provides the latest news from OU Career and Life Design, exclusively for OU students and alumni.

CAREER OUTLOOK*
Wage Range | $35,380 - $144,330
Median Annual Wage | $65,810 - $86,200
National Growth | 6 - 25% from 2020 to 2030

*Data from the National Bureau of Labor and Statistics