Innovative Business Analytics Curriculum Featured in All Isenberg Graduate Degree Programs

Data is everywhere, and every organization uses data analytics to evaluate performance, gain insights, improve decision making, and identify opportunities.

Over the past decade, Isenberg has introduced a wide range of courses, tracks, and focus areas in data analytics into all its graduate degree programs to better prepare students for any business career. 

At the same time, interest in Isenberg’s one-year MS in Business Analytics (MSBA) has increased since the degree was launched in 2017. This fall, the program is welcoming over 150 new students in Amherst, Mount Ida and online, with newly matriculated students starting in the spring and summer too. 

The new MBA/MS in Business Analytics dual degree, offered on-campus and online, will welcome over 25 students this fall. The MS in Accounting, the On-Campus MBA, and the Online/Hybrid MBA also offer focus areas in data analytics, with a rich selection of analytics electives. And the degree programs for the Master of Finance and the MS in Sport Management include strong analytics courses. 

"Whether you are new to analytics or experienced, have a business background or are a novice, our innovative curriculum will prepare you for a career in business analytics,” says Hess. “Analytics provides great insight into every area of business and thus should be integrated into every area of business curriculum.”

In all, Isenberg offers more than 29 graduate-level courses in data analytics across several graduate degree programs, including Business Intelligence, Application Development with Python, Data Mining, Data Science for Business, Data Management for Business Leaders, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science for Finance, Sports Analytics, Exploring Data Analytics for Accounting Professionals, and Data Visualization in Business, taught by outstanding faculty such as Zach Sheffler, Carey Baldwin, Ying Liu, Kathy Zilch, Susan Boyer, Oscar Lopez, David Tyler, Simon Huang, Matthew Sherwood and Rachel Trafford.

Here are some ways business analytics specializations have been integrated into Isenberg’s master’s degree programs:

MS in Business Analytics
Beginning this fall, the STEM designated MSBA degree will offer students a choice of two tracks—the Business Foundations track and the Data Analytics track. The Business Foundations track enables students to learn analytics while also acquiring foundational business knowledge in accounting, finance, marketing, and organizational behavior. The Data Analytics track is perfect for students who already have some business background and want to deepen their knowledge in data analytics. 

The MSBA program also introduced an optional concentration in Advanced Analytics, which extends the program of study from 31 credits to 40 credits. Through this concentration, students can take additional courses from Isenberg’s rich set of analytics courses and business foundation courses. International students can take advantage of an optional Experience Concentration (CPT) which enables them to intern while in the program.

MBA/MS in Business Analytics 
This dual-degree program is a supercharged path to becoming a business leader with strong analytical skills, and is offered as an immersive residential program, based at the UMass Amherst campus, or in a purely online mode. Both options deliver individualized career support and empower students to strategize and lead in a data-centric world.

MS in Accounting
In 2022, a new data analytics focus area was added to the MS in Accounting, joining the existing areas of specialization in forensic and taxation. Students are introduced to the data analytics focus through the core course Exploring Data Analytics for Accounting Professionals, which provides an understanding of analytics and information technology fundamentals such as business process management, enterprise resource planning and information security. Students then take a deeper dive through the course on Data Analysis and Visualization, where they learn how to assess and communicate business problems, to evaluate and analyze data and to develop and effectively present data-driven recommendations. From there, students take two of the following electives: Data Management for Business Leaders, Business Intelligence and Analytics, Business Application Development with Python, and Data Mining in Business.

Online and Hybrid MBA
The Isenberg MBA with a focus in Business Analytics offers a mix of general business and analytic elective courses to meet students’ specific goals. This 9-credit focus is ideal for individuals interested in gaining a competitive advantage through sound use of business data. Analytics electives include Artificial Intelligence in Business, Data Management for Business Leaders, Healthcare Data Analytics, Quality Analytics, Supply Chain Analytics, and Web Analytics for Digital Marketing.

Master of Finance
Students in the Master of Finance take the Data Science for Finance and Applied Business Development courses as part of their core curriculum, before choosing to pursue either the Alternative Investments or Real Estate tracks.

MS in Sport Management
The world of sports and the highly ranked MS in Sports Management program are infused with analytics from game and player metrics to sports marketing. Students in this program take a required class in Sports Analytics and will find integrated analytics content throughout the remainder of the curriculum.

Graduate Certificate in Business Analytics
The Business Analytics Certificate can be completed as a standalone credential to help students make a career leap, or a pathway towards a master’s degree, says Hess. “All credits earned in the certificate program are transferable to our MS in Business Analytics or the MBA with a focus in Business Analytics, giving you a head-start on your master’s degree.”