Online master’s in analytics

The best analytics programs prepare you for jobs in multiple work settings. Since it’s such a broad field, you could seek a position in the private or public sector. Analysts work for insurance companies, securities firms, investment banks, creditors, manufacturers, tech firms, government offices, and more. Your core and specialized courses can prepare you for at least a mid-level position in the field.

Core courses

When you pursue a master's in business analytics online, you can expect to take multiple core courses that provide a strong background in data and business subjects. You’ll likely come across these courses as part of your prerequisites, although each school’s curriculum may look different:

• Accounting
• Principles of marketing
• Managing operations
• Microeconomics
• Business ethics
• Advanced finance
• Information systems
• Business communications

Your core courses may also vary based on your experience level. For instance, some colleges allow those with corporate experience to forgo one or more core courses.

Additionally, you may take entry-level courses in data analytics and information systems, though you may not get into as much technical detail as you would if you were to earn a dedicated master's in data analytics online.

Advanced skills

Developing advanced skills can have a significant impact on what type of job you secure after earning your degree. Advanced analytics training can enhance your abilities in the following areas:

Information systems strategies

Information systems is one of the most important topics explored in advanced courses. Employers want confirmation you’ll be able to manage complex information systems with confidence. A typical course may include:

• Information systems acquisitions

• Information systems top strategies

• Business process design

• Structured system analysis and design

• Workflow analysis

• Data flow analysis

• Managerial challenges with information systems
  

Statistics 

Statistics is one of the backbones of any online analytics program because it is vital to collecting data sets. Topics you’re most likely to explore during advanced statistics are:

• Statistics for analytics

• Google Sheets

• Python

• Data sets collection

• Probability

• Visualization of data
  

Ethical principles

Students in the field of analytics face numerous issues regarding ethics. Many people have valid concerns over how their data will be used. Consumers are also worried about data security. Business analytics students cover both ethics and data security during advanced courses. You can expect to review:

• Cloud security

• Mobile security

• Phishing attacks

• Authentication tools

• Code of ethics

• Ethical business practices

• Social responsibility
  

Data analytics trends and technologies

Technology has expanded exponentially over the past decade. Advanced courses delve into what type of tools are being used to collect and analyze data. Emphasis will be placed on big data. Big data has truly changed all industries, and modern technology allows analysts to capture impossibly large data sets and make them usable for obtaining actionable insights. Topics covered may include:

• Graph analytics

• Machine learning

• Artificial intelligence

• Deep learning

• Predictive analytics

• R scripts

Programming skills

Programming concepts is a part of advanced analytics degree requirements. Often, analysts are required to write programs that can perform analyses of data and manage data sets. SAS programming is a standard topic that may be studied at length during a business analytics degree program.

Typical concentrations and electives 

Business analytics is already a specialized field, but online analytics programs may still offer concentrations to narrow the degree’s focus even more. Concentrations can help you make an easier transition into a specific career track.

Business analytics concentrations include:

• Marketing research
• Supply chain management
• Operations research
• Finance
• Information systems
• Equity research

Electives are typically offered as part of online analytics programs. They can give you the opportunity to explore topics that are of interest to you while adding value to your resume and teaching you in-demand skills.

Traditional elective options for analytics include:

• Trade policies
• Global market trends
• Financial risk mitigation practices
• Econometrics
• Batch analysis
• Data communication

Choose your coursework wisely — it should map to your career goal to help increase your starting salary and job opportunities.

There are two types of accreditation — regional and specialized.

Regional accreditation

Regional accreditation is the most prestigious type of accreditation that an online or traditional college or university can receive. Regional accreditation confirms that the provider has met and maintained adherence to a minimum set of academic standards.

Most regionally accredited schools will only accept credits from other regionally accredited institutions of higher learning.

Specialized accreditation

Schools often apply to gain specialized accreditation for specific areas of study, departments, or degree programs. Enrolling in an accredited master's in analytics program can make you more marketable to employers and affect your career growth over the long term.

The following organizations offer specialized accreditation for online analytics programs:

• Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International
• Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
• International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE)

Why accreditation matters

Accreditation is key if you want to:

• Transfer your credits, as most schools will only accept transfer credits from accredited institutions
• Apply for financial aid, as federal aid is only granted to students who are studying at recognized accredited institutions

Check for both national and regional accreditation at your university of interest. You may also find that your degree program or academic department of interest has additional and specialized accreditations.