Carlson’s Business Analytics Master’s Program To Be Renamed MSBAi To Reflect Artificial Intelligence Focus
Friday, July 24, 2026
Minnesota Carlson's Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) will be renamed the Master of Science in Business Analytics & Artificial Intelligence (MSBAi). The new name reflects the program’s significant emphasis on artificial intelligence (AI). The change will go into effect for students who start in Fall 2027.
AI has fundamentally changed the way humans are able to gather and process information. Based on input from employers, alumni and our advisory board, we believe AI literacy will become a key differentiating factor for future analytics professionals.
Because of this, AI is a key component of the MSBAi curriculum. Students learn AI-related tools and techniques to apply AI in business settings and differentiate themselves in the job market. Some of these skills include:
- Machine learning and exploratory/predictive analytics
- Deep learning and neural networks
- Generative/agentic AI and large language models
- Causal inference and experimentation
- Responsible AI, fairness, privacy and explainability
Since the program launched 12 years ago — long before the release of ChatGPT — AI and machine learning topics have steadily increased in the curriculum. Adding AI to the name elevates the program’s focus within the rapidly expanding field.
“To succeed as a business analytics professional in today’s market, you must learn to work with AI to solve complex problems and deliver value for businesses. Carlson’s MSBAi is one of the best programs to help you get there,” said Information & Decision Sciences Associate Professor Mochen Yang, the academic director of the MSBAi program.
The 12-month program — ranked fifth in 2026 among U.S. public universities by QS World University Rankings for master's in business analytics — features a rigorous curriculum designed to scale student skills from classroom instruction to real-world application. Students learn how to collect, process and analyze data by harnessing machine learning and AI models. Through the Carlson Analytics Lab, students work with companies on real projects every semester to apply what they’re learning, expand their network and gain experience for their resume. The MSBAi program culminates with a capstone project in which students partner with a client to solve a business challenge over an entire semester.