Business Analytics (Master's) at Michigan State University

Programme overview

The Master of Science in Business Data Science & Analytics (MS-BDSA) at Michigan State University's Broad College of Business is a fully online, asynchronous, STEM-certified 30-credit programme for current and emerging professionals. It builds skills in business analytics, machine learning, AI governance and data-driven decision making, and students earn three graduate certificates on the way to the degree.

Faculty: Eli Broad College of Business | Department: Department of Accounting and Information Systems | Duration: 30 credits; 16 months (4 semesters, spring start) or 20 months (5 semesters, fall start), or a custom course plan; fully online | Intake: Spring (January) and Fall (late August) | Study mode: full-time | Location: East Lansing, MI, United States

What you will study

The programme has 21 core credits that also count toward graduate certificates in Data Decision-Making and Advanced Business Analytics Applications, plus 9 elective credits in a third certificate: Business Essentials for Leaders or Organizational Leadership and Strategy. Core courses include Data Management and Visualization in Analytics, Introduction to Big Data Analysis, Communication Strategies for Analytics, Business Analytics Problem Solving, Artificial Intelligence Governance and Information Systems Project Management. An optional week-long Global Marketplace study abroad residency is offered.

Career pathways

Business intelligence developer, data analyst, data scientist, decision scientist, business analyst, solutions architect and analytics consultant, in industries from automotive to financial services.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

A four-year bachelor's degree from a recognised institution with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher (or equivalent); relevant work experience and/or other evidence of ability to succeed; college-level calculus and statistics completed with a grade of 3.0 or higher; experience in programming languages (such as Python, Java, HTML, C, C++) and statistical software; two academic or professional recommendations; personal statement (up to two double-spaced pages), resume and video essay. International applicants: TOEFL minimum 100 (internet-based) or 250 (computer-based), or IELTS 7; waivers considered for degrees taught in English. Student visas are not available because the programme is fully online. Deadlines: November 1, 2026 for Spring 2027; April 1, 2027 for Fall 2027.

USD 36,000 for the whole programme. Total programme tuition stated as $36,000 ($1,200 per credit) for all students Source

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Graduate applicants can start in fall (late August), spring (January) or summer (May) in the MPH programme; intake terms for other graduate programmes are set by each department or program.

The graduate application fee is $75 for domestic and international applicants, with one fee per application; applicants may submit up to two applications to different graduate majors per semester. Applications are reviewed by the department or program, which sets its own deadlines.

MPH application deadlines (SOPHAS completion): fall May 18, spring October 18, summer February 15; MSU supplemental application: fall June 1, spring November 1, summer March 1.

Apply through the official page: https://admissions.msu.edu/apply/graduate-students

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