Courses
The Drake 100% online Master of Science in Business Analytics program can be completed in two years, attending part-time. The asynchronous courses are six weeks and the program consists of 30 credit hours to be taken in the following areas:
- Core courses: 15 credit hours
- Elective courses: 15 credit hours
Core Courses
IS 210: Business Analytics, Teams and Projects – 3 Credit Hours
In this course, students will be introduced to business analytics concepts. Specifically, students will explore all aspects of business analytics projects focusing on how businesses use data to solve business problems. Class topics will address data including concepts of team formation, problem analysis, requirements gathering, and other project management concepts.
IS 220: Information Technology Legal and Ethical Issues – 3 Credit Hours
This course provides an overview of ethical and legal issues associated with business information technology usage, data collection, data sharing, and data-driven decision making. Topics include ethical and legal perspectives on privacy and information rights, organizational computer usage policies, cybercrime, and intellectual property.
IS 231: Data Management and Visual Analytics – 3 Credit Hours
A study of database concepts and technologies used in managing and using data within modern organizations: defining data needs; using modern database tools; understanding database design; and creating applications. Class time is also devoted to the topic of visualization and visual analytics tools.
STAT 240: Statistical Modeling – 3 Credit Hours
This course will focus on the analysis of data for statistical modeling. Statistical methods for analyzing and displaying data will be used as well as concepts related to model assessment and diagnostics. Statistical software R or SAS will be used. Prereq.: IS 210 or HSCI 201
STAT 260: Applied Analytics Project – 3 Credit Hours
This course will provide students with the opportunity to experience the full life cycle of a data analytics project. Students will collaborate with team members on a full-scale data analytics project to utilize the skills learned throughout their degree program. An emphasis will be placed on data analytics as well as communication skills.
Note: Students who are interested in a certificate option can take the five core courses in the Master of Science in Business Analytics degree to earn a Certificate in Data Analytics Leadership. All courses can be taken online. Students cannot be enrolled in the Master’s degree program to earn the certificate. Please contact one of our enrollment specialists to learn more.
Electives
Students in the online business analytics master’s program will take 15 credit hours of elective courses. Course options include:
BUS 212: Seminar in Executive Leadership – 3 Credit Hours
Synthesizes and integrates the administrative knowledge, skills, values and behaviors acquired from previous coursework and experience. Readings, case studies and discussions are used to develop management capabilities.
BUS 298: Communication for Entrepreneurs & Business Professionals – 3 Credit Hours
This is a project-based course for entrepreneurs and business professionals with a focus on creating content suitable for print and web communication. Students explore communication design, message strategies, audience analysis, medium, and channel. No prerequisites.
INS 280: Operational Risk Management – 3 Credit Hours
An examination of how organizations identify, analyze, and manage the possibility of loss caused by failed or inadequate processes or systems, or caused by events external to the organization.
IS 280: Cybersecurity Management – 3 Credit Hours
Leading an organization in today’s environment requires nuanced decision-making regarding vulnerabilities, threats, risks and attacks. This course provides a foundation for leaders in cybersecurity management including principles and policies for data protection as well as concepts of privacy laws (HIPPA, GDPR, etc.), IT governance, risk management, and the human aspects of cybersecurity.
IS 281: Cyber Attack Prevention – 3 Credit Hours
In order to mitigate risk to an organization and apply effective countermeasures, it is imperative to understand the methodologies of cyber-attacks. In this course, students will explore the theories and practices related to the prevention of cyber-attacks as well as the theories and practices related to the recovery from attack. Students will design, apply, and analyze cyber-attack prevention and mitigation solutions through various case studies.
IS 282: Python Programming for Analytics – 3 Credit Hours
This course is an introduction to computer programming emphasizing modern Python tools for data analysis and modeling. Students will learn to use the program control and data structures necessary to perform descriptive and predictive analytics tasks, utilizing libraries for visualization, statistics, and machine learning. No prior programming experience is required.
MBA 245: Leading with Data – 3 Credit Hours
This course will focus on the role of data in today’s fast-paced, competitive, data-rich, global business environment. Emphasis is on developing the habits of mind necessary for data-driven leadership. You will learn to seek data, to understand variation and the pitfalls of sampling, to question assumptions, and to think critically about reports and data displays. You will be exposed to the terminology necessary to communicate with analysts. You will develop data-driven management skills such as formulating value-adding questions, directing the collection and selection of data, working with analysts, working with management dashboards, operationalizing insights from data, and telling stories with data.
MBA 254: Leadership & Human Capital Development – 3 Credit Hours
This course will provide students with the opportunity to experience the full life cycle of a data analytics project. Students will collaborate with team members on a full-scale data analytics project to utilize the skills learned throughout their degree program. An emphasis will be placed on data analytics, as well as communication skills.
MBA 256: IT in Business – 3 Credit Hours
A survey of the unique characteristics and applications of information systems and technology and its impact on individuals, organizations, and society. Class discussion will focus on how information technologies function and how they may be successfully utilized by business firms and other organizations. Particular attention is given to the impact of IT on organizational strategy.
MBA 259: Business Government and Global Economy – 3 Credit Hours
QUAN 270: Quantitative Analytical Methods – 3 Credit Hours
This course examines the quantitative side of the management decision making process. Commonly used mathematical techniques with a view to problem formulation and the critical interpretation of quantitative analysis will be discussed. Methodologies covered include optimization, sensitivity analysis, simulation, forecasting, and decision analysis. This course makes extensive use of spreadsheets.
Additional Elective Options
HSCI 260: Survey of Evidence-Based Healthcare – 3 Credit Hours
Survey of Evidenced Based Health Care is designed as a background and introductory course for the Evidence Based Medicine Certificate program. Although targeted to Athletic Training students the information presented is applicable to anyone who works in a health-care related field. Students will receive instruction in basic biostatistics and clinical trial design. They will learn how to read and critique the medical literature, including meta-analyses and systematic reviews. Students will learn how discern misuse of the medical literature and how to apply the principles of EBHC to answer patient related health question at the individual or system level. This online course will include online lectures, other online learning including videos, review and and reading of medical literature including clinical studies Evaluation will occur with online tests and quizzes as well as several assignments including answering drug information questions and other similar online assignments.
HSCI 261: Review of Statistics for Evidenced-Based Healthcare – 3 Credit Hours
Review of Statistics for Evidenced-Based Healthcare is a course designed to provide a background and introduction to statistical concepts used in published research and is a part of the Evidence-Based Medicine Certificate program. Information presented in the course is applicable to anyone who works in a healthcare related field desiring to better understand research. Moreover, students will learn about general analytic approaches used in evidence-based health care (EBHC) and associated concepts. Students will receive instruction on basic (bio)statistics, trial design, and sources of bias. The course will be delivered online as part of the Evidence Based Health Care Certification.
MAC 206: Digital Media Strategies – 3 Credit Hours
In this course, students will analyze and evaluate social media and web/mobile strategies and analytics.
MAC 210: Visual Communication – 3 Credit Hours
This six-week class will provide students with an understanding of the principles of design as they apply to both print and digital delivery. Through individual work, discussion groups and one collaborative project, students will evaluate how a company or organization (ideally their own) applies the principles of design to existing materials to accomplish communication. The technological tools used to create such materials will be explored and, finally, students will propose and create a project to fill a communication need.
MAC 221: Digital Storytelling – 3 Credit Hours
This class will introduce students to the concepts of storytelling and digital storytelling. Students will both evaluate and create projects using digital storytelling tools.
MAC 222: Emerging Media – 3 Credit Hours
This workshop examines the challenges associated with emerging technologies, balancing the idealism of long-term strategy with the reality of day-to-day operations. You will think about how you can introduce emerging technologies in your business organization. And you’ll create two plans to do just that – one as part of a team and one on your own. You will also share and examine insights about tackling roadblocks to technological innovation and implementation.