Notre Dame launches new graduate degree in business analytics

Applications are being accepted for the new Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) launched by the University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business. The one-year graduate degree program, which will begin classes on the Notre Dame campus in fall 2019, is intended for “pre-professional” students with little or no work experience.

“We’ve been running our MS in Business Analytics Chicago program for working professionals with great success, and over the years we’ve seen a number of applicants who would benefit greatly from an MSBA, but who did not fit the profile of that program,” said Rob Easley, John W. Berry Sr. Professor of Business and chair of the Information Technology, Analytics, and Operations Department. “They were either recent graduates that didn’t have the work experience, or international students interested in the STEM degree who wouldn’t be able to work while earning their degree.

“This new program, running a standard academic year on the Notre Dame campus, will allow both of those groups to benefit from the rigorous analytics curriculum we’ve honed over the years, as well as the excellent international reputation of the Mendoza College of Business,” Easley added.

The Notre Dame MSBA is an intense, 31-credit-hour program that includes 27 hours of required courses and four credit hours of electives. The program’s goal is to provide a rigorous education in applying analytical techniques to massive data sets to solve business problems — knowledge that has become critically important due to revolutionary advances in information technology.

The coursework includes foundational classes such as data management, predictive analytics and machine learning, as well as specific applications in sports analytics, marketing research, emerging issues in analytics and data storytelling. The program also provides focused career planning and coaching.

"In addition to learning about cutting-edge data analytics, our MSBA students have the opportunity to explore the ethical dimensions of collecting and analyzing data to promote business as a force for good in society,” said Katherine Spiess, associate dean for Graduate Programs at Mendoza. “And, as members of the Notre Dame family, our graduates join one of the most loyal and engaged alumni networks in the world."

Intended either as a “fifth year” for students just completing their undergraduate degrees, or for those with limited work experience, MSBA prerequisites to application include a GMAT or GRE score (waived for Notre Dame students), and at least one course each in statistics, accounting and an additional business course in finance, management or marketing.  Business undergraduates (other than Business Analytics majors) are welcome to apply, as are students from a range of backgrounds, including science business majors, or economics majors with a business minor.

Scott Nestler, associate teaching professor and data analytics expert, will serve as the MSBA academic director.

Mendoza will continue offering its non-residential MSBA-Chicago program for working professionals at its campus located at 224 S. Michigan Street in downtown Chicago.

The Mendoza College of Business at the University of Notre Dame is a premier Catholic business school that fosters academic excellence while promoting business as a force for good in society. A leader in values-based education with the message of Ask More of Business™, the College offers innovative coursework that integrates real-life case studies, a faculty renowned for teaching and research, international study opportunities, and interactions with some of the foremost business thought leaders.

Mendoza degree programs include top-ranked Undergraduate Studies, which offers six majors – Accountancy, Finance, IT Management, Business Analytics, Management Consulting and Marketing – as well as nine graduate business degrees programs: Notre Dame MBA, Executive MBA, Executive MBA-Chicago, MS in Accountancy, MS in Business Analytics, MS in Business Analytics-Chicago, MS in Finance-Chicago, MS in Management and the Executive Master of Nonprofit Administration. The College also offers several dual-degree graduate programs, including the Notre Dame MBA/Master of Science in Business Analytics degree, as well as custom and open-enrollment program in executive education and nonprofit administration. Mendoza.nd.edu

Contact: Carol Elliott, director of newswriting, Mendoza College of Business, 574-631-2627, Elliott.37@nd.edu