Master of Science in Business Analytics

Data Driven Leadership

The Merage School’s Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) prepares you to compete in the high-demand field of big data and business analytics across various industries and around the globe.

This intensive full-time program, now offered in a Four Quarter as well as Five Quarter delivery option, is taught by world-class faculty and leading researchers in the field. As an MSBA student, you receive the tools necessary to harvest, transform and model data to discover business insights from large volumes of structured and unstructured data.

The MSBA program is STEM-designated and eligible students have the option to apply for up to 36 months of Optional Practical Training (OPT) upon graduation. This longer duration is especially attractive to companies interested in providing immigration sponsorship to international students. For more information about OPT and OPT STEM eligibility, please visit the International Center website.

The UCI Merage School MSBA curriculum is designed to provide you with a strong foundation in modern data science to solve critical business challenges. The STEM Certified (36-month Optional Practical Training) MSBA program differentiates itself by offering flexible curricular tracks and leverages three areas of training in Data Management, Analytics Methods, and Business Context to bring a strategic advantage to businesses across all industries. Taught by world-class faculty, students will learn to extract business value in the real-world application through our industry-partnered Capstone Project.

The one-year MSBA program consists of 13 courses – eight required core courses and five electives – for a minimum of 52 units. Using three methods of training to advance students skill sets.

The degree incorporates flexible curricular tracks aligned with your career path in three business analytics contexts:

• Data Analytics – actuaries, database administrators, financial analysts, information security analysts, management analysts, survey researchers
• Marketing Analytics – market research analysts, marketing specialists, marketing managers, sales managers, survey researchers
• Operations Analytics – analytics specialist, financial analysts, management analysts, operations research analysts, statisticians, transportation, storage and distribution managers

Within these flexible tracks, you may select electives across subject areas depending on your interests and career aspirations.

A key component to the program is the capstone project where you engage with our industry partners to develop data-driven solutions for unique business challenges. Under the supervision of faculty and industry professionals, the capstone project provides you with the analytical tools and strategic insight to be a leader in the field.

• STEM Designated
• 90% Placement Within 6 Months of Graduation
• 85%+ Received Merit Based Scholarships

Focus On Career Development

One of the benefits of joining the MSBA program is the individual focus on employment and career coaching. Our Career Services team works individually with students to prepare for the recruitment and job interview process. We help students identify the best career opportunities to pursue.

Some students enter the MSBA program with focused career objectives, many others do not. Regardless of where you are in the process, we are ready to partner with you to help you achieve your personal career goals through three key pillars:

1. Individual Career Advising
2. ProSeminar
3. Industry Events and Connections

As a Master of Science in Business Analytics student, you will participate in ProSeminar, our unique, three-quarter long course that is coordinated with the Merage School Career Center. This course provides you with practical skills for your career success by focusing on:

• Career Planning
• Job Search Strategies and Tactics
• Resume Building
• Interview Preparation
• Networking Techniques
• Salary Negotiation
• Public Speaking
• Business Writing Skills

The process begins during Orientation with Career Visioning and Professional Plan Development activities that set the foundation for your job search and your career path for the next 5 years. In addition, the Career Center maintains an extensive network of hiring organizations and provides resources and activities to help you make important career connections.

• 90% Placement Rate After 6 Months of Graduating
• $83.2K Starting Salary
• Irvine: Home to One-Third of All Fortune 500 Companies