Analytics (MS): Online

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Offered by the Kogod School of Business , the MS in Analytics program provides students with an opportunity to obtain knowledge and competencies to help organizations make decisions and solve problems based on data. Analytics is about extracting meaning out of data and this program trains the students to do this in order to answer specific business questions and make sound decisions. Upon completion of the program, students have the knowledge to formulate business questions that can be answered with data; identify, acquire, and prepare the necessary data for the analysis; select the most appropriate methods and tools for the analysis; develop the appropriate descriptive, predictive and prescriptive analytics models; and provide concise conclusions in response to the business question. Students who successfully complete the MS in Analytics are prepared to work as savvy analytical managers or consultants.

Admission to the Program

In addition to meeting the minimum university requirements for graduate study, applicants must have earned an undergraduate bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a satisfactory grade point average. Applicants whose first language is not English must have a satisfactory score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Application and admission requirements for Kogod’s masters of science programs are described at http://www.american.edu/kogod/admissions/application_guide.cfm. As articulated in these guides, valid GMAT or GRE scores are required to be considered for admission, with no particular preference for a particular exam.

Students are admitted to the Online MS in Analytics program for the October, January, April, or July module start dates and are evaluated on the same criteria as campus-based students. Additionally, the Kogod School of Business can offer conditional admission to students who must complete KSB-600 Bridge to Business and earn a grade of B or better to be fully admitted to the program.

Degree Requirements

33 credit hours of approved graduate coursework, including 9 credit hours of core competency, 9 credit hours of analytics core, 3 credit hours of capstone experience, and 12 credit hours of a functional specialization or functional background.

Course Requirements (33 credit hours)

Core Competency (9 credit hours)

Analytics Core (9 credit hours)

Capstone Experience (3 credit hours)

KSB-620 Analytics Practicum I (1.5)
KSB-621 Analytics Practicum II (1.5)

Functional Specialization or Background (12 credit hours)

Complete 12 credit hours of approved graduate level coursework from Kogod or other academic units.

Combined Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees

American University offers students the opportunity to earn both undergraduate and graduate degrees through its combined bachelor’s/master’s programs. Advanced undergraduates admitted to a combined degree program that includes a master’s degree from Kogod are eligible to take graduate-level courses and may apply up to 9 graduate credit hours earned as an undergraduate toward the requirements for both degrees. See Combined Bachelor’s and Kogod School of Business Master’s Programs for more information.