
Business Analytics Experiential Learning
You'll gain solid experience with full-stack analytics projects before you graduate. Our MSBA program offers experiential learning opportunities that'll get you out the classroom and into the real world, working with real clients. So by the time you graduate, you'll have a strong resume and be prepared to enter the workplace.Â
Real World Learning
MSBA alumni discuss how the experiential learning project allowed them to apply classroom learning
Welcome to the Carlson Analytics Lab
All MSBA students practice being data analytics consultants in the Carlson Analytics Lab. The Lab operates as a professional consulting firm, sourcing real projects from real client companies. The data sets are complex, interesting, and often messy. Lab projects challenge students to be effective analytics professionals who can think critically, apply analytics techniques, manage projects from beginning to end, and communicate results to business stakeholders.
Each year, the Carlson Analytics Lab partners with client companies to bring "live cases" into MSBA classrooms. Over the course of four weeks, you'll work in teams to answer a real business question using data.
Your team will compete with others for the top prize, which will be decided by the sponsor company. No matter the winner, you'll get valuable experience to list on your resume. Â
During your last semester in the MSBA program, you'll work on a longer analytics project as part of a team of student consultants.Â
You'll meet with your business partners weekly to understand their needs, select and apply appropriate analytics techniques, report your progress to a faculty advisor, prepare findings and recommendations to present to your clients, and deliver your final work products just before graduation.
Carlson School Analytics Lab
Learn about the Carlson Analytics Lab (CAL) and how it helps you gain real-world experience solving business analytics challenges for organizations.
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Build Your Resume as You Study
Working in teams of four to six, MSBA students get exposure to how leading organizations use analytics to derive business value from data. Advised by faculty and staff members, students run their own projects from start to finish, assessing needs and devising project-specific approaches to the work. This means you'll finish your MS in Business Analytics degree with real work experience — something that is very attractive to potential employers.
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Past Client Companies & Projects
Students in the Carlson Analytics Lab have worked with a variety of client companies, from start-ups to Fortune 100 businesses. Major retailers, medical device manufacturers, leading consulting firms, agribusinesses, entertainment destinations, government agencies, healthcare providers, and an airline have partnered with the lab, among others.Â
Check out past projects in the videos and slideshow below:
Agribusiness
Consulting
Retail & Entertainment
And More
Here are a few examples of the analytics consulting projects our students have done:
Advance your future with analytics
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Need talent for an analytics project?
Companies that work with the Carlson Analytics Lab get high quality project work and the opportunity to meet skilled students before they hit the job market.Â