ONLINE MASTER OF SCIENCE IN BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE DEGREE

The online Master of Science in Business Intelligence (BI) program is designed to provide students with a solid foundation in technology and decision-making tools that will contribute to their ability to collect, interpret and use information. This program integrates technological concepts into a business framework, providing students with an advanced business education in the fields of technology and decision science.

Students enrolled in this master’s program are required to follow courses in a pre-determined sequence.

WHAT WILL I LEARN IN THIS ONLINE BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE DEGREE PROGRAM?

The BI degree program teaches students how to collect data and transform it into useful, business- enhancing information. Upon completing the program, you’ll be able to identify and forecast business trends, build business models based on those trends, evaluate organizational performance and much more.

The program’s 36-credit hour curriculum consists of a variety of courses within business, management and information systems. The program culminates with a capstone project. To learn more about UA Grantham’s online business intelligence master’s program, take a look at some of the courses included in the curriculum.

ONLINE BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE TOPICS

  • Organizational Behavior: This course focuses on the people within an organization and how they behave in the work environment. You’ll study the dynamics of teamwork, conflict management and ways to eliminate communication barriers within the workplace.
  • Information Systems - Strategic Planning: Information systems are an integral part of corporate operations. This course examines guidelines for developing an information systems plan, selecting systems projects, assessing current systems and planning future systems expansion that supports organizational growth.
  • Customer Relationship Management: This course teaches students how to build effective, long-term customer relationships by delivering value to targeted organizational markets. You’ll discover how to capture, store and analyze customer data to improve customer outcomes and maximize profits.

WHAT TYPE OF BACHELOR'S PROGRAM IS REQUIRED FOR ADMISSION INTO THE MS IN BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE PROGRAM?

Obtaining a Master of Science in Business Intelligence degree will open the door to various high-level administrative and analytical positions. Students are required to have previously completed a bachelor's degree, preferably in a related business or computer science field. Coursework in statistics, calculus and programming are all recommended, as well as prior work or internship experience.

When applying for the BI graduate program, students must have achieved at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA in their undergraduate program or file for a GPA waiver. There is no requirement for GRE or GMAT scores for Master of Science degrees. At least 50 percent of the business intelligence master’s degree must be completed at UA Grantham.

WHY PURSUE A MASTER'S DEGREE IN BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE?

In the era of Big Data, companies have a rapidly growing demand for skilled employees to make data-driven business decisions. The business intelligence graduate program will sharpen students’ existing data analytics and decision-making skills while helping them develop new managerial skills. This makes the program an excellent option for those seeking upward movement into leadership or director roles.

WHY TAKE ONLINE BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE COURSES?

Online education programs provide flexibility for those who are unable to stop working or have other obligations. UA Grantham’s Master of Science in Business Intelligence degree is designed to be completed in two years or less, depending on how much transfer credit the student receives. Career resources are available to both students and alumni to help them secure a new position or move upward in the business intelligence, computer science or business fields.

WHAT CAREERS CAN I PURSUE WITH AN ONLINE MASTER’S IN BUSINESS INTELLIGNCE?

With a master’s in business intelligence, graduates can pursue management and team-lead positions in computer and information systems. Specific positions may include technical services manager, data processing manager and computer services director1.

WHAT IS THE AVERAGE SALARY FOR BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE JOBS?

Management analyst, or management consultant, is a key position responsible for improving business processes to make the organization more profitable. Management analysts make an average of $83,6101 per year. Another popular position for those with a master’s in BI is operations research analyst, which sees similar salary pay. Employment of operations research analysts is projected to grow 26 percent between 2018 and 20282 —an outlook that is much higher than average job growth.

HOW LONG IS THIS BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE ONLINE DEGREE PROGRAM?

At 36 credit hours, the business intelligence degree program takes on average 24 months to complete. It could take less time depending on how much transfer credit you receive and how many classes you take each term.

HOW MUCH WILL THE ONLINE MASTER’S IN BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE DEGREE PROGRAM COST?

The graduate rate is $350 per credit hour—lower if you’re a member of the military, a veteran or part of a military family. UA Grantham also offers scholarships and financial aid for those who qualify.

Online Master's in Business Intelligence Start Date

Courses begin monthly, so we’re ready when you are.

Call us at (888) 947-2684 to learn more about our programs, financial assistance opportunities or enrollment process.

UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS GRANTHAM ACCREDITATION

UA Grantham's Online Master of Science in Business Intelligence Program is IACBE Accredited.

UA Grantham is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC).

DEAC is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a recognized accrediting agency.

DEAC is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

DEAC Student Achievement Disclosure for the public.

 

RELATED INFORMATION

Program Overview: Master of Science in Business Intelligence
Companies in every industry rely on data to make important decisions about the future. Having the necessary skills and education to interpret a company’s business intelligence data can make you a valuable commodity just about anywhere in the corporate world. READ MORE

Business Intelligence (Master of Science)

Online Master's in Business Intelligence Degree Program Outcomes

After successfully completing these online Master’s in Business Intelligence courses and learning about the various business intelligence tools at your disposal, you will be able to:

  • Build business models for forecasting and business analysis
  • Compare and contrast business intelligence technologies
  • Integrate information from the organization into a strategic system
  • Use communication skills
  • Assess workflow, data analysis and technology through quantitative techniques
  • Analyze professional, ethical, legal, security, and social issues and responsibilities
  • Evaluate information about an organization's operational processes, financial situation and business performance
  • Assemble project plans to report project progress to stakeholders

Business Intelligence Core Professional Competencies

UA Grantham prepares all of its students and graduates to succeed in many different professional and civic settings by incorporating these critical life skills into the curriculum:

  • Communication – Formulating and expressing thoughts and ideas effectively using oral, written and non-verbal communication skills in person, in writing and in a digital world.
  • Distributed Collaboration – Working effectively across distributed locations and asynchronously to achieve a common goal through relationship-building, shared responsibility, empathy and respect.
  • Professional and Social Responsibilities – Engaging in social responsibility through seeking justice, valuing diversity, respecting the environment; demonstrating professionalism through integrity, mutual accountability and ethical behavior. This includes considering the social and global impact of individual and organizational decisions and an awareness of and adherence to regulations, professional standards and industry best practices.
  • Critical thinking/problem solving – Using analytical reasoning when gathering and evaluating relevant information to effectively formulate possible solutions for an issue, problem or a variety of issues. This includes the ability to recognize potential consequences of a decision.
  • Data Aptitude - Developing information literacy and the capacity to manage data with subsequent finding, structuring, evaluating and interpreting in order to provide meaningful analysis to accomplish a specific purpose.

Business Intelligence (Master of Science)

Online Master's in Business Intelligence Curriculum

As you consider your degree options for learning business intelligence strategy, bear in mind that University of Arkansas Grantham’s 100% online coursework is designed to help you prepare for a successful career.

PROGRAM SNAPSHOT:
Program Core Credits: 36
Total Credit Hours: 36
Accreditation(s): DEAC, IACBE
Program Core: 36
Course: Title: Credits:
Course: BUS501 Title: Overview of Business Intelligence Credits: 3
  This course surveys the field of business intelligence and establishes a foundation of knowledge regarding the integration of sales, human resources, customers, finance, and product information data into a data warehouse. Students discover the process of data-driven decision making and its role in today's organizations.
Course: MGT517 Title: Organizational Behavior Credits: 3
  This advanced course examines how human behavior in organizations plays a crucial role in achieving organizational effectiveness, while simultaneously promoting positive human outcomes. This course is designed to introduce students to key theories and concepts, as well as practical applications related to the field of Organizational Behavior. While the course will focus on such pertinent issues as the behavioral science theories, and associated concepts, the course will emphasize such areas of concentration as, but will not limited to: personality, values, diversity, communication, leadership, attitudes, conflict management, motivation, group/team dynamics, and organizational culture. This course affords students both a firm theoretical background and foundation upon which to build, but likewise instructs and builds the practical skills necessary to understand and manage organizational behavior within a variety of milieus.
Course: IS515 Title: Management of Information Systems Credits: 3
  In this course, students gain valuable insight into the planning, organizing, and controlling of user services, as well as the management of the information systems development process. The course also examines organizational learning curves, dealing with vendors, budgeting, accounting, management reporting, and legal considerations of information systems.
Course: IS525 Title: Information Systems Strategic Planning Credits: 3
  Information systems are an integral part of corporate operations. This course examines guidelines for developing an information systems plan, selecting systems projects, assessing current systems, and planning future systems expansion that supports organizational growth.
Course: IS566 Title: Decision Support & Intelligent Systems Credits: 3
  This course introduces the methodologies, issues and technologies behind management support systems. Systems covered include Decision Support Systems, Executive Information Systems, Expert Systems and other types of management support systems. Students focus on how these systems are used to support the decision-making process within an organization.
Course: IS576 Title: Data Warehousing Credits: 3
  This course covers how data warehouses are used to capture, analyze and provide output that managers can use in their decision-making process. In addition, the course provides an overview of concepts and covers planning and requirements, architecture and infrastructure, data design, and deployment and maintenance.
Course: MGT541 Title: Customer Relationship Management Credits: 3
  Students generate systems of customer relationship management that promote effective, long term client relationships by delivering value to targeted organizational markets. Depending upon assessment of value in the marketplace provides a means of gaining profitability. The management of customer needs including data capture, storage and analysis are central to building effective customer management. Students focus on helping customers maximize profits through efficient data management systems.
Course: MGT551 Title: Business Performance Management Credits: 3
  This course translates business performance management topics related to organizational development and performance management in a business intelligence context. This course focuses on how to drive business strategy throughout the organization through performance objectives, organization structures and management processes, as well as how to deal with managing the performance of teams and individuals toward the achievement of performance objectives.
Course: MGT621 Title: Balanced Scorecards and Performance Dashboards Credits: 3
  Students create business intelligence tools such as balanced scorecards, performance prisms, and dashboards as tools to use in the organizational decision making process. Content in this course focuses on the advantages of each data tool and the best implementation options moving towards performance improvement. Students learn to match information needs with the most appropriate data presentation.
Course: MGT642 Title: Strategic Management of Technology and Innovation Credits: 3
  This course focuses on the strategic management of technology and innovation as a way to increase the productivity of organizations. Leveraging technology in a rapidly changing global environment is a key to successful organizational management. Students develop methods to use in staying current in emerging trends and riding those trends to improve profitability within an organization.
Course: PRJ515 Title: Project Management Essentials Credits: 3
  This course introduces the concepts, theories, and processes in modern project management and the Project Management Institute’s A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide). The course emphasizes both theory and application of the topics covered. The course will cover concepts related to each phase of the project cycle. Students will learn about organizational structures, project selection methods, project planning, project execution, resource allocation, budgeting, and managing projects both in a domestic and international setting. The course introduces Microsoft Project to provide hands-on practical experience of the course topics.
Course: PRJ691 Title: Capstone Project-Business Intelligence Credits: 3
  Students apply the knowledge and skills acquired in their courses to the work environment. This project is completely individualized; students are encouraged to select work-related projects that are of particular interest to them and that will result in professional growth and benefit the organization.