Frequently Asked Questions

Business intelligence and business analytics professionals share a lot of similarities. Both work with interpreting data for the good of an organization. Yet, they address two different portions of the same problem: what can data tell an organization about how to succeed? Specialists in business intelligence lean towards focusing on the past, looking at historical data to find trends that led to the organization’s decisions. Business analytics specialists, in contrast, look to the future. They analyze historical data to try and project how businesses can grow successfully in the future.

Business analytics:

  • Develops a portfolio of skills such as advanced analytics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, an enterprise-wide perspective on business, executive communication, project and team management, design thinking, and consulting skills.
  • Utilizes a project-centric approach, requiring students to apply what they’re learning to a practical business problem.
  • Accepts all majors and doesn't require a STEM or technical background.

An M.S. in Data Science Program:

  • Requires strong math and computer science/technical coursework prior to the start of a program.
  • Prepares students for jobs such as data engineer and data scientist
Yes, you can. The UTRGV Master of Science in Business Analytics Program (MSBA) does not assume any previous quantitative or technical background. Therefore, our MSBA program is open to applicants from any major. Anyone with good problem-solving skills, comfortable to work with data, and with interest in business can benefit from the program by gaining the necessary skills for a successful career in business analytics.
We do strongly encourage students admitted to the program without programming experience to start learning R, SQL, and Python prior to beginning the program if possible. Knowledge of Linear Algebra-based Statistics is strongly recommended although they will be covered throughout the program.

After graduating with a Master of Science in Business Analytics Program, you will be well-prepared for various analytics roles in any business areas (e.g., marketing, sales, finance, healthcare, strategy/consulting…). Employers value new hires who have strong analytics skills and broad business perspectives.

Positions and job titles for business analytics professionals include, but are not confined to:

  • Data analyst
  • Business analytics consultant
  • Business intelligence analyst
  • Business analytics manager
  • Big data analytics specialist
  • Artificial intelligence modeler
  • Data scientist, with an emphasis on analysis
  • Machine learning modeler
  • Predictive Modeler
  • Marketing analytics lead/manager
  • Strategy and operations lead/manager
  • Consultant
  • Sales analytics lead/manager
  • Digital Media Analyst
  • Web analytics lead/manager
  • Market Research Analyst
  • Pricing Analyst
Depending on the number of courses taken per module, UTRGV’s online MS in Business Analytics can be completed as fast as 12 months, but it typically can take 14-18 months. After graduation, you’ll have confidence knowing that you have the tools and skills needed to succeed.
Although math plays a role in data analytics, deep knowledge in math is not necessarily the defining characteristic of the field. What is more important is the ability to explore relationships and insights in data that can benefit an employer in the future. You will take some classes in statistics, but your math skills should not hinder pursuing a degree in business analytics.

Equipped with the skills needed to analyze a wide variety of data, graduates of UTRGV’s online business analytics program are eligible for a competitive salary. Here is a career outlook based on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:

  1. Business/Management Analysts
    • 14% increase in jobs through 2026
    • $83,610 median annual pay in 2018
  2. Financial Analysts
    • 11% increase in jobs through 2026
    • $85,660 median annual pay in 2018
  3. Market Research Analysts
    • 23% increase in jobs through 2026
    • $63,120 median annual pay in 2018
  4. Operations Research Analysts
    • 27% increase in jobs through 2026
    • $83,390 median annual pay in 2018

By 2020, it is predicted that there will be 2.7 million job postings for data science and data analytics roles.

Reference:

What’s next for the 2017 data science and analytics job market?

For Master of Science in Buisness Analytics graduates the tassel color is black, and the hood color is Drab. These items can be purchased from the University Bookstore.

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