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.
 

Explore Experiential Learning Opportunities

Student presenting a lesson with a whiteboard and visual aids in a classroom setting.
MSBA students attentively listening in a classroom setting during a lecture.

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 numberTitleRequired or ElectiveLengthCredits
MSBA 6111Business Essentials for Analytics ProfessionalsRequired10 weeks3
MSBA 6121Introduction to Statistics for Data ScientistsRequired10 weeks3
MSBA 6131Introduction to Business Analytics in RRequired10 weeks + 4 weeks live case3
MSBA 6311Programming for Data ScienceRequired14 weeks3
MSBA 6321Data Management, Databases, and Data WarehousingRequired14 weeks3
MSBA 6335Effective Communication for Analytics ProfessionalsRequired*Custom.5
MSBA 6355Building and Managing TeamsRequired*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 numberTitleRequired or ElectiveLengthCredits
MSBA 6331Big Data AnalyticsRequired14 weeks3
MSBA 6335Effective Communication for Analytics ProfessionalsRequired*Custom.5
MSBA 6355Building and Managing TeamsRequired*Custom.5
MSBA 6411Exploratory Data AnalyticsRequired10 weeks + 4 weeks live case3
MSBA 6421Predictive AnalyticsRequired14 weeks3
MSBA 6441Causal Inference via Econometrics and ExperimentationRequired14 weeks3

Students will need to take 2 elective credits. Below are some examples, or you can view all electives.

Course numberTitleRequired or ElectiveLengthCredits
MSBA 6155Generative AI for Business ApplicationsElective7 weeks2
MILI 6963Healthcare AnalyticsElective*Custom2
MKTG 6052Marketing Analytics: Managerial DecisionsElective7 weeks2

*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 numberTitleRequired or ElectiveLengthCredits
MSBA 6341Responsible AIRequired7 weeks2
MSBA 6345Consultative Prob-Solving and Agile Management for Analytics ProjectsRequired14 weeks1
MSBA 6351Time Series Analysis and ForecastingRequired7 weeks2
MSBA 6511Business Analytics Experiential LearningRequired14 weeks5

Students will need to take 4 elective credits. Below are some examples, or you can view all electives.

Course numberTitleRequired or ElectiveLengthCredits
MSBA 6431Recommender System Techniques and ApplicationsElective7 weeks2
MSBA 6451Prescriptive Analytics for Optimal Decision MakingElective7 weeks2
MSBA 6461Advanced AI for Natural Language UnderstandingElective7 weeks2
FINA 6322Financial ModelingElective7 weeks2
SCO 6085Sales, Inventory, and Operations PlanningElective7 weeks2

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 numberTitleRequired or ElectiveLengthCredits
MSBA 6111Business Essentials for Analytics ProfessionalsRequired10 weeks3
MSBA 6121Introduction to Statistics for Data ScientistsRequired10 weeks3
MSBA 6131Introduction to Business Analytics in RRequired10 weeks + 4 weeks live case3
MSBA 6311Programming for Data ScienceRequired14 weeks3
MSBA 6321Data Management, Databases, and Data WarehousingRequired14 weeks3
MSBA 6335Effective Communication for Analytics ProfessionalsRequired*Custom.5
MSBA 6355Building and Managing TeamsRequired*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 numberTitleRequired or ElectiveLengthCredits
MSBA 6331Big Data AnalyticsRequired14 weeks3
MSBA 6335Effective Communication for Analytics ProfessionalsRequired*Custom.5
MSBA 6355Building and Managing TeamsRequired*Custom.5
MSBA 6411Exploratory Data AnalyticsRequired10 weeks + 4 weeks live case3
MSBA 6421Predictive AnalyticsRequired14 weeks3
MSBA 6441Causal Inference via Econometrics and ExperimentationRequired14 weeks3

Students will need to take 2 elective credits. Below are some examples, or you can view all electives.

Course numberTitleRequired or ElectiveLengthCredits
MSBA 6155Generative AI for Business ApplicationsElective7 weeks2
MILI 6963Healthcare AnalyticsElective*Custom2
MKTG 6052Marketing Analytics: Managerial DecisionsElective7 weeks2

*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 numberTitleRequired or ElectiveLengthCredits
MSBA 6341Responsible AIRequired7 weeks2
MSBA 6345Consultative Prob-Solving and Agile Management for Analytics ProjectsRequired14 weeks1
MSBA 6351Time Series Analysis and ForecastingRequired7 weeks2
MSBA 6511Business Analytics Experiential LearningRequired14 weeks5

Students will need to take 4 elective credits. Below are some examples, or you can view all electives.

Course numberTitleRequired or ElectiveLengthCredits
MSBA 6431Recommender System Techniques and ApplicationsElective7 weeks2
MSBA 6451Prescriptive Analytics for Optimal Decision MakingElective7 weeks2
MSBA 6461Advanced AI for Natural Language UnderstandingElective7 weeks2
FINA 6322Financial ModelingElective7 weeks2
SCO 6085Sales, Inventory, and Operations PlanningElective7 weeks2

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

Explore analytics coursework

Take the Next Step in Your Career

Learn how an MS in Business Analytics can help get you there.

Contact MS Business Analytics