Business Analytics Curriculum
Gain Analytics and AI Skills to Land Your Next Job
Analytics unlocks limitless career opportunities. Whether you specialize by function—marketing, finance, HR, or supply chain—or by role, from data analyst and data scientist to AI consultant and machine learning engineer, the possibilities are endless.
The Carlson masters in business analytics (MSBA) program delivers a STEM-designated education that combines hands-on learning with cutting-edge analytics, AI, and machine learning practices. You'll also gain access to a built-in network of peers, faculty, alumni, and industry advisors in the Twin Cities and beyond.
MSBA Program Format
The MSBA program is an accelerated 12-month, 3-semester journey designed for full-time students. Each semester, you'll take 14-16 credits of rigorous coursework, immersing yourself in data-driven learning.
With a cohort-based model, you'll advance through each business analytics course alongside your peers, building a strong professional network and fostering a collaborative learning environment. You’ll kick off your business analytics curriculum journey in September and graduate the following August, fully equipped to apply your leading-edge skills in the workforce.
Note: Exact dates vary by year, and all new students are required to attend orientation.
Hands-On Curriculum
The MSBA program at the Carlson School includes applied learning to ensure you develop practical expertise from day one. Through the Carlson Analytics Lab, you'll tackle real-world business challenges, gaining a competitive edge and making an immediate industry impact.
New Courses in Business Analytics
Our faculty conduct regular reviews of the MSBA curriculum. To ensure we are providing a high-quality analytics education that reflects the current field, we made several updates to our business analytics courses in fall 2024. For example, your business analytics master’s degree is now:
- Enhanced our AI offerings, including new elective courses and an AI for Business track
- Reshaped the business essentials and ethics course
- Expanded/optimized elective courses
- Revised the professional courses
The courses below are from the new MS in Business Analytics curriculum. Please note: Courses are subject to change.
Incoming students will complete pre-work to prepare them for the technical aspects of the MSBA program. Pre-work will include a virtual Python bootcamp, and details will be shared with incoming students several months before the program begins.
Business & Technical Fundamentals
Your first semester focuses on fundamentals like statistics, programming, and the use of analytics in today’s business environment. You’ll get to know your classmates throughout the fall as you learn to use tools like Python, SQL, and R to tackle analytics problems.
| Course number | Title | Required or Elective | Length | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSBA 6111 | Business Essentials for Analytics Professionals | Required | 10 weeks | 3 |
| MSBA 6121 | Introduction to Statistics for Data Scientists | Required | 10 weeks | 3 |
| MSBA 6131 | Introduction to Business Analytics in R | Required | 10 weeks + 4 weeks live case | 3 |
| MSBA 6311 | Programming for Data Science | Required | 14 weeks | 3 |
| MSBA 6321 | Data Management, Databases, and Data Warehousing | Required | 14 weeks | 3 |
| MSBA 6335 | Effective Communication for Analytics Professionals | Required | *Custom | .5 |
| MSBA 6355 | Building and Managing Teams | Required | *Custom | .5 |
*These courses are offered along with experiential learning components in the program and have customized meeting dates and schedules.
Core Analytics Classes & Intro to AI
Because it begins in January, it may be a while before your spring semester feels like spring. In the meantime, you’ll keep busy with courses such as exploratory analytics, predictive analytics, and big data. And you’ll start learning various AI topics as well.
| Course number | Title | Required or Elective | Length | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSBA 6331 | Big Data Analytics | Required | 14 weeks | 3 |
| MSBA 6335 | Effective Communication for Analytics Professionals | Required | *Custom | .5 |
| MSBA 6355 | Building and Managing Teams | Required | *Custom | .5 |
| MSBA 6411 | Exploratory Data Analytics | Required | 10 weeks + 4 weeks live case | 3 |
| MSBA 6421 | Predictive Analytics | Required | 14 weeks | 3 |
| MSBA 6441 | Causal Inference via Econometrics and Experimentation | Required | 14 weeks | 3 |
Students will need to take 2 elective credits. Below are some examples, or you can view all electives.
| Course number | Title | Required or Elective | Length | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSBA 6155 | Generative AI for Business Applications | Elective | 7 weeks | 2 |
| MILI 6963 | Healthcare Analytics | Elective | *Custom | 2 |
| MKTG 6052 | Marketing Analytics: Managerial Decisions | Elective | 7 weeks | 2 |
*Course length varies based on term and format
Advanced Analytics, Experiential Learning & More AI
In your final semester, you'll finish the program with advanced topics like time series forecasting and responsible AI, as well as electives. You’ll also join the Carlson Analytics Lab, where you’ll work as part of a team of students on a 14-week long experiential learning project for a real client.
| Course number | Title | Required or Elective | Length | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSBA 6341 | Responsible AI | Required | 7 weeks | 2 |
| MSBA 6345 | Consultative Prob-Solving and Agile Management for Analytics Projects | Required | 14 weeks | 1 |
| MSBA 6351 | Time Series Analysis and Forecasting | Required | 7 weeks | 2 |
| MSBA 6511 | Business Analytics Experiential Learning | Required | 14 weeks | 5 |
Students will need to take 4 elective credits. Below are some examples, or you can view all electives.
| Course number | Title | Required or Elective | Length | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSBA 6431 | Recommender System Techniques and Applications | Elective | 7 weeks | 2 |
| MSBA 6451 | Prescriptive Analytics for Optimal Decision Making | Elective | 7 weeks | 2 |
| MSBA 6461 | Advanced AI for Natural Language Understanding | Elective | 7 weeks | 2 |
| FINA 6322 | Financial Modeling | Elective | 7 weeks | 2 |
| SCO 6085 | Sales, Inventory, and Operations Planning | Elective | 7 weeks | 2 |
Incoming students will complete pre-work to prepare them for the technical aspects of the MSBA program. Pre-work will include a virtual Python bootcamp, and details will be shared with incoming students several months before the program begins.
Business & Technical Fundamentals
Your first semester focuses on fundamentals like statistics, programming, and the use of analytics in today’s business environment. You’ll get to know your classmates throughout the fall as you learn to use tools like Python, SQL, and R to tackle analytics problems.
| Course number | Title | Required or Elective | Length | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSBA 6111 | Business Essentials for Analytics Professionals | Required | 10 weeks | 3 |
| MSBA 6121 | Introduction to Statistics for Data Scientists | Required | 10 weeks | 3 |
| MSBA 6131 | Introduction to Business Analytics in R | Required | 10 weeks + 4 weeks live case | 3 |
| MSBA 6311 | Programming for Data Science | Required | 14 weeks | 3 |
| MSBA 6321 | Data Management, Databases, and Data Warehousing | Required | 14 weeks | 3 |
| MSBA 6335 | Effective Communication for Analytics Professionals | Required | *Custom | .5 |
| MSBA 6355 | Building and Managing Teams | Required | *Custom | .5 |
*These courses are offered along with experiential learning components in the program and have customized meeting dates and schedules.
Core Analytics Classes & Intro to AI
Because it begins in January, it may be a while before your spring semester feels like spring. In the meantime, you’ll keep busy with courses such as exploratory analytics, predictive analytics, and big data. And you’ll start learning various AI topics as well.
| Course number | Title | Required or Elective | Length | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSBA 6331 | Big Data Analytics | Required | 14 weeks | 3 |
| MSBA 6335 | Effective Communication for Analytics Professionals | Required | *Custom | .5 |
| MSBA 6355 | Building and Managing Teams | Required | *Custom | .5 |
| MSBA 6411 | Exploratory Data Analytics | Required | 10 weeks + 4 weeks live case | 3 |
| MSBA 6421 | Predictive Analytics | Required | 14 weeks | 3 |
| MSBA 6441 | Causal Inference via Econometrics and Experimentation | Required | 14 weeks | 3 |
Students will need to take 2 elective credits. Below are some examples, or you can view all electives.
| Course number | Title | Required or Elective | Length | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSBA 6155 | Generative AI for Business Applications | Elective | 7 weeks | 2 |
| MILI 6963 | Healthcare Analytics | Elective | *Custom | 2 |
| MKTG 6052 | Marketing Analytics: Managerial Decisions | Elective | 7 weeks | 2 |
*Course length varies based on term and format
Advanced Analytics, Experiential Learning & More AI
In your final semester, you'll finish the program with advanced topics like time series forecasting and responsible AI, as well as electives. You’ll also join the Carlson Analytics Lab, where you’ll work as part of a team of students on a 14-week long experiential learning project for a real client.
| Course number | Title | Required or Elective | Length | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSBA 6341 | Responsible AI | Required | 7 weeks | 2 |
| MSBA 6345 | Consultative Prob-Solving and Agile Management for Analytics Projects | Required | 14 weeks | 1 |
| MSBA 6351 | Time Series Analysis and Forecasting | Required | 7 weeks | 2 |
| MSBA 6511 | Business Analytics Experiential Learning | Required | 14 weeks | 5 |
Students will need to take 4 elective credits. Below are some examples, or you can view all electives.
| Course number | Title | Required or Elective | Length | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSBA 6431 | Recommender System Techniques and Applications | Elective | 7 weeks | 2 |
| MSBA 6451 | Prescriptive Analytics for Optimal Decision Making | Elective | 7 weeks | 2 |
| MSBA 6461 | Advanced AI for Natural Language Understanding | Elective | 7 weeks | 2 |
| FINA 6322 | Financial Modeling | Elective | 7 weeks | 2 |
| SCO 6085 | Sales, Inventory, and Operations Planning | Elective | 7 weeks | 2 |
MSBA Curriculum Tracks
We offer two distinct tracks designed to help you tailor your coursework to your career goals and interests, helping you select the right business analytics classes for your future. These tracks provide a structured path for your masters in business analytics, ensuring you develop the specialized skills needed to excel in your chosen field.
- Analytics for Business track: These courses cover foundational and advanced topics in analytics to prepare you to add value in any industry. There are no specific suggested courses for this track, as students can utilize any number of electives available to them.
- Artificial Intelligence in Business track: These courses dive deeper into AI to give you more advanced skills in this area.
Please note that the Analytics for Business and Artificial Intelligence for Business tracks are not mandatory selections. These tracks serve as suggested groupings of elective business analytics course offerings to help guide students towards specific areas of specialization based on their career goals and interests.
Master of Business Analytics Curriculum & Faculty
The MSBA program combines world-class faculty with a cutting-edge, hands-on curriculum, equipping you with the skills to excel in business analytics careers—both immediately after graduation and throughout your professional journey.
As you explore our MS in Business Analytics curriculum, you may also be interested in our flexible online Master of Applied Business Analytics program—an alternative path to analytics leadership. Compare our programs to find the best fit for your career goals.
Breaking Down the Ins and Outs of a Master’s Degree in Business Analytics
Gain the skills to lead in a data-driven world. Each business analytics course in your MSBA program blends hands-on learning with a cutting-edge curriculum—covering everything from statistics and SQL to AI, machine learning, and digital experimentation. You will advance with a close-knit cohort, building technical expertise and a strong professional network.
Business Analytics Industry Advisory Boards
Industry leaders in analytics play a pivotal role in shaping the Carlson School’s graduate courses in business analytics and the Information & Decision Sciences (IDSC) department. Two advisory boards—composed of professionals from top organizations—collaborate with faculty to infuse industry insights into program strategy and development.
As an MSBA student, you’ll have exclusive opportunities to connect with these influential board members at department events, gaining valuable industry perspectives and expanding your professional network.
- Adnan Awow, Sr. Director Data Science, Target
- Colleen Chrisco, Managing Director of Analytics and Player Data Services, Bungie
- Bonnie Holub, Associate Partner, Business Consulting, Infosys
- Chelsea Ihle, Sr. Director of Data and Analytics, Slalom Consulting
- Chris Manrodt, Head of Data Transformation, Philips
- Jennifer DeGennaro, Sr. Manager Data Science, Best Buy
- Prasoon Sharma, Partner, McKinsey Digital
- William Stentz, Senior Manager, Data and Analytics, Esri
- John Tong, MSBA ‘16, Director, Data Science, Meta
- Erik Tonsfeldt, MBA/MSBA ‘19, Senior Manager, West Monroe
- Veronika Torarp, Partner, PwC
- Jack Vishneski, Principal Analytics Consultant, Cargill
- Jim Willenbring, Principal, Willenbring Consulting and Board President
- Teddy Bekele, CIO, Land O'Lakes
- Rajeev Duggirala, Senior Vice President, Ameriprise
- Justin Kershaw, President, Four Corners Cyber
- Deb Bauman, CIO - Retired, Hazeltine Betty Ford (Retired)
- Prashant Gandhi, Chief Business Officer, Melio
- Janette Smrka, VP of IT, Hollywood Park
- Tammylynne Jonas, CIO, Donaldson
- Erik Erickson, Chief Data Officer, Hennepin County
- Dan Johnson, Director, TailorMed
- Jason Staloch, VP, Digital Core, General Mills
- Kelly Olin, CIO, Cargill
- Pat Bajari, Partner, Keystone Strategy
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Learn how an MS in Business Analytics can help get you there.