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Metropolitan State University (Home)

Business Analytics GCERT

College of Management / Management Information Systems
Graduate certificate

About The Program

Business Analytics (BA) is one of the most important recently developed areas of information systems management. It generally describes the intensive, iterative, algorithmic and methodical analysis of an organization's data/information for insights leading to productive actions based on those insights. Organizations dedicated to intensive use of data-driven decision making apply advanced data management and statistical techniques to analyze performance, customer data and patterns, as well as develop insights from external data from competitors and the industry/field.

Based on the earlier sub-discipline of business intelligence, BA adds new techniques and skills in pattern analysis, optimization, diagnostic and predictive modeling to yield higher quality insights to enable advanced decision making and change. As the field of BA has developed, several sub-disciplines have evolved, (with differing techniques and purposes) including:

  • Descriptive
  • Predictive
  • Discovery
  • Diagnostic
  • Prescriptive

Nearly all studies of business analytics and related employment indicate this is one of the hottest markets in IT. One of the best studies was published by Forbes Magazine in November, 2015. That study showed that applicants with business analytics skills had an average nationally of 10 - 13 job offers.

Local employment estimates for the Twin Cities area range from 5,000 to 18,000 new positions within the next three years. The Minnesota Department of Labor's recent IT Workforce study quoted 16,000 unduplicated BA positions.

Metropolitan State's Graduate Business Analytics Certificate builds on a strong base of general MIS and IT knowledge and problem formulation, to develop significant depth in both descriptive analytics and modern predictive analytics techniques. The certificate adds applied study through a choice of a supply chain-oriented elective or a more data management-driven elective sequence. This exciting new certificate is also 100% transferable into Metropolitan State's highly regarded Masters in MIS (MMIS) program.

Student outcomes

Potential Career Opportunities

  • Business Analysis
  • Quantitative Analysis
  • Operations Research Analysis
  • Market Research Analysis
  • Management Reporting
  • IT and Business Project Management

How to enroll

Program eligibility requirements

Please see How to Enroll for Program eligibility requirements.

Application instructions

Questions?

For questions about applying to the Business Analytics GCERT program, email graduate.studies@metrostate.edu (preferred) or call 651-793-1302.

Deadlines

July 1 - Fall semester
Nov. 15 - Spring semester
March 15 - Summer semester

*U.S. Citizens, Permanent Residents

Applications are complete once all requirements are met and fee received. Completed application files will be forwarded to the College of Management Graduate Admission Committee for review, please allow 7-10 business days.

Late applications: applications will continue to be accepted beyond the deadline, however we cannot guarantee admission, though we can defer admission to the next available semester.

Incomplete applications will be moved to the next available semester for up to three terms total, giving applicants who need it, up to one year to complete their application file.

International Students

Because this is not a degree-granting program, applications from international students studying on an F-1 student visa will not be accepted.

Application Packet

A complete application file consists of two parts. Begin by completing the online graduate application. All application materials become the property of Metropolitan State University and are not returned.

Part one

  • Complete the Online Graduate Application—You will use your Minnesota State StarID to complete the application. If you don't have a Minnesota State StarID you will create one at the beginning of the application.
    • If you do not have or choose not to provide your Social Security number (SSN) please follow the No SSN instructions to activate your StarID.
    • If you encounter difficulty with the online application please email graduate.studies@metrostate.edu
  • $20 non-refundable application fee; pay online
    • Waived for graduates of Metropolitan State, certified veterans and active military.
  • Official transcripts
    • Transcript showing a baccalaureate degree or equivalent earned from a regionally accredited institution with grade-point average or narrative description describing courses completed.
    • Transcripts from any graduate or professional programs are required.
    • All transcripts from non-U.S. schools must be evaluated (course-by-course) by either ECE (preferred) or WES.
    • Electronic transcripts should be sent to admissions@metrostate.edu
    • Paper transcripts should be sent directly from the sending institution (preferred) to: Metropolitan State University

Attn: Graduate Admissions
700 East Seventh Street
Saint Paul MN 55106

Part two

After you have submitted your online application, log in to the Applicant Portal using your StarID and password to upload application materials, and check on the status of your application. The Applicant Portal will indicate missing application items.

  • Current Resume; upload via the Applicant Portal using your StarID.
    • One year of professional work experience is required for the program.
  • Completion of an undergraduate statistics class with a grade of B or better or completion of MBA Math.
    • If you choose to take MBA Math, you must achieve a minimum proficiency score on each of the lessons (see MBA math Frequently Asked Questions page).
    • MBA math is self-paced; you can retake any lesson until you reach minimum proficiency at no additional cost.
    • The STATS prerequisite will be waived if you take MBA Math and reach minimum proficiency in each of the STATS lessons.
    • Email your name and StarID to graduate.studies@metrostate.edu and request the promo code.
    • Register for MBA Math
  • After you register, while logged in to MBA Math:
    • Go to My Account | My Schools.
    • If you see a Metropolitan State entry, make sure the Allow School Access box is checked.
    • If you don't see Metropolitan State in the My Schools section, click Add School w/ School-Provided RSVP Code, enter the promo code given to you when you registered, click Add Code and make sure the new entry's Allow School Access box is checked.
  • Admission Essay; upload via the Applicant Portal using your StarID. Your admission essay will serve as both a goals statement and a writing assessment. The admission essay is extremely important to the application review process. Submit your essay in 600-700 words (about three pages) in 12-point font, double-spaced, clearly written, well-organized, with correct grammar, accurate spelling and punctuation, good sentence structure, and clear sub-headings. Make sure that you carefully address each of the following:
    • Pledge of Authorship: Please begin your admissions essay with the following statement: (Your essay will not be accepted if this is not included.) I, (complete name)____________________________________, verify that this admissions essay is my own work, and I am fully aware that discovery otherwise will invalidate my entire application.
    • Describe the kinds of responsibilities and positions you have held in your past work and professional experience (volunteer or employed), both IT-related and others.
    • Explain why you are pursuing a Business Analytics graduate certificate. Please note areas of particular interest and why you are interested.
    • Describe how a graduate certificate in Business Analytics will enhance your career and life plans for the future.

Courses and Requirements

SKIP TO COURSE REQUIREMENTS

If the Director of the Graduate MIS Program determines that you have full prior competence in a certificate course, you may be given credit for the competency and allowed to take sufficient alternate credits to meet the total credit requirement of the certificate (e.g. if you have completed a graduate 4 credit Project Management course that is accepted, you would be allowed to consider that function completed within the certificate, and can then take an alternate 4 credits, agreed upon with the Director).

The Business Analytics GCERT can be completed 100% online.

Requirements (20 credits)

+ Required (16 credits)

Management Information Systems (MIS) evolved from essentially an organization's support operation to a strategic element of an organization's life and survival. This course explores information systems' new and expanding roles in the enterprise. Models examined showing how new technologies are assimilated into the organization, how to plan for systems within the overall strategic management process, assess the risk in system development projects, and become a "sophisticated user" of information systems. Traditional and new technologies are utilized. The course also includes a solid review of the strategic and tactical impact of computers, networks and new technologies. . This course broadens understanding of the design and implementation of various computerized information systems to support management decision making and evaluation, and prepares the student to integrate new technologies and configurations into the management process.

Full course description for Management Information Systems

This course provides students with techniques and strategies to work on complex business problems while exercising strong critical thinking skills. It also helps them develop potential solutions. This course then focuses on how to take the results of students' professional work and present complex material in a manner that helps them clearly explain and market their information.

Full course description for Problem Formulation and Data Presentation

The improvement in computing and information management technology created opportunity for organizations to generate, store, and process huge amount of data which is being generated in every seconds. Business Analytics provides organizations a new, efficient way to intelligently use those data by combining it with sophisticated analytics. With Business Analytics, organizations can take advantage of data with leveraging and turning it into actionable intelligence that can be used to support reasoned decisions. This course is designed to provide an introduction to the concepts of Business Analytics and its applicability with real world data in a business environment. Students will gain experience using several cutting-edge software in Business Analytics to support business decision making. Students will also be familiarized with the overall life cycle of Business Analytics project (identify the problem, describe the data, analyze the data, interpret the results, and make recommendations…

Full course description for Business Analytics

Currently, enterprises across almost every industry are seeking talent for predictive analytics. Predictive analytics helps connect data to effective action by drawing reliable conclusions about current conditions and future events. Coupled with other types of analytics available (i.e., Descriptive, Diagnostic, and Prescriptive analytics), enterprises can make predictions and then proactively act upon that insight to drive better business outcomes and achieve measurable competitive advantage. Naturally, such demand is met with creative and critical thinking professionals that have been prepared with theories that can be put into practice. The Predictive Analytics course offering includes modules, activities and projects that are structured for following topic objectives: *Understanding the different purposes of analytics (i.e., Diagnostics analytics for data discovery *Why did it happen?, Predictive analytics for forecasting, and simulation *What will happen?, and Prescriptive…

Full course description for Predictive Analytics

+ Electives (4 credits)

4 credits from the courses below.

This course introduces how analytics and Data Mining tools can be used to solve business problems like Best Next Offer, Customer Retention, Customer Potential Life Time Value estimation, Market Basket analysis, etc. This course gives students an opportunity to exercise advanced Data Exploration and Mining software. Introduction to Data Mining tools/solutions evaluation is also part of this course.

Full course description for Data Mining Tools

The course gives students an opportunity to start with several Business Problems which require Data Mining techniques like classification, estimation, clustering. Students are supposed to research on Data Mining vendors/tools to find Strengths & Weaknesses for selected Data Mining tools Students are supposed to use 5 groups of Data Mining tools selection criteria: Hardware/OS/Networking, Data reparation/Manipulation, User Interface/Model Output, Algorithms & Manageability, Support/Documentation/Training. The course gives students an opportunity to exercise advanced Data Exploration and Mining software (developed by Synera Systems, Inc.) to analyze Retail Customer Behavior. Students are supposed to use a macro language to document Data Quality problems. Introduction to E-Customer Behavior is also a part of this course.

Full course description for Advanced Data Mining Tools

Beginning where MIS 653/MKTG 653 Supply Chain Management/ Logistics Management leaves off, this course examines the use of information technology to improve efficiency and effectiveness in the corporate supply chain. Topics covered include the strategic role of key information technologies in business-to-business e-commerce; efficient customer response; enterprise resource planning; the virtual value chain.

Full course description for Advanced Supply Chain Information Systems

This course is designed to define the role of Knowledge Management (KM) in organizations, various components needed to manage knowledge in an organization, leadership skills required to lead a KM initiative, evaluation of existing KM tools and systems, the difference between KM and data management, content management, and information retrieval. It gives special attention to management information systems theories in the organizational setting including: transaction processing, operational reporting, decision support systems and executive information systems. It emphasizes the human aspects of change management, training and implementation with some attention to the role analytics plays to support decisions. The course includes case analysis from texts and real world examples.

Full course description for Knowledge Management

Student-designed independent studies give Metropolitan State students the opportunity to plan their own study. This type of independent learning strategy can be useful for because it allows students: to study a subject in more depth, at a more advanced level; to pursue a unique project that requires specialized study; to draw together several knowledge areas or interests into a specialized study; to test independent learning capabilities and skills; or to use special learning resources in the community, taking advantage of community education opportunities which, in themselves, would not yield a full college competence. Students should contact their appointed advisor for more information.

Full course description for Management Information Systems Student-Designed Independent Study (SDIS)

Program planner