Big data has become big business, and as the field grows so does the demand for qualified professionals with deep analytical experience.
Bentley University's master's in business analytics program specializes in training analytics professionals, equipping students with valuable tools to succeed in the growing field. Students take a seven-course core component supplemented with three focused electives in one of six clusters, including data science, economics, finance, information management, management, or marketing.
The program is uniquely designed to meet the needs of various employers in the analytics industry, creating excellent career prospects upon graduation. Additionally, the program has a CIP code that corresponds with the DHS list of STEM eligible codes. International students on F-1 visas may apply to USCIS for a 24-month extension of their standard 12 months of OPT based on this classification, which if approved would result in a total of 36 months of U.S. work authorization and increase their employability.
Candidates for the MSBA degree should demonstrate strong interest in business analytics. Admission requires a background in business statistics or the willingness to take an additional business statistics foundation course. The ideal candidate would have a degree in science, business or engineering, but highly motivated students from all disciplines are welcome.
Highlights
The Bentley MSBA prepares you for a wide range of careers, no matter the industry you are interested in. See below for a partial list of employers and job titles our alumni:
| Company Name | Alumni Title |
| Adidas | Assistant Manager, Data & Systems |
| Amica Mutual Insurance Company | Data Analyst |
| BCG | Learning Program Specialist |
| Boston Children's Hospital | Health Care Data Analyst |
| Carrier Corporation | FP&A Co-Op |
| Deloitte | Analyst |
| Epsilon | Data Analyst |
| Fidelity Investments | Tech Risk Analyst |
| Liberty Mutual | Principal Data Solutions Analyst |
| NESN | Research, Analytics and Data Specialist |
| PwC | Audit Associate |
| Schneider Electric | Data Engineer |
| State Street | Senior Associate |
Success in today’s business world requires a practical, hands-on approach to information, whether you are analyzing it, integrating it, or sharing it. Our high-tech learning labs ensure that you’ll have access to the leading edge of technology, giving you every opportunity to cut your teeth on the equipment and software being used in the business world today. MSBA candidates can take advantage of our User Experience Center and Computer Information Systems Learning and Technology Sandbox, and learn how to manipulate working solutions from real data trends they uncovered.
Meet Our Faculty
Here is a glimpse of some of our distinguished faculty you will meet during the course of your program duration here at Bentley. Our professors serve as advisors, mentors and collaborate with students on new and exciting projects.
Rooted in applied probability, Moinak Bhaduri studies Spatio-temporal Poisson processes and others like the self-exciting Hawkes or log-Gaussian Cox processes that are natural generalizations. Bhaduri holds a Ph.D. in Mathematical Sciences University of Nevada, Las Vegas. His primary interest includes developing change-detection algorithms in systems modeled by these stochastic processes, especially through trend permutations. His research has found applications in computer science, finance, reliability and repairable systems, geoscience, and oceanography.
Vaughan develops methods for tackling high-dimension supervised learning problems where the number of variables makes traditional techniques intractable. He got his Ph.D. in Statistics at the University of Connecticut in 2017 under the direction of Dr. Jun Yan and Dr. Kun Chen, where his thesis topic was "Stagewise Generalized Estimating Equations". His research interests lie in statistical learning, longitudinal data analysis, statistical computing, big data, biostatistics and public health applications.
Noah Giansiracusa (PhD in math from Brown University) is an assistant professor of mathematics and data science at Bentley University. Noah's research interests include algebraic geometry, machine learning, empirical legal studies, phylogenetics, and misinformation. Noah is the author of "How Algorithms Create and Prevent Fake News," about which Paul Romer, Nobel Laureate and former Chief Economist of the World Bank, said "It's a joy to read a book by a mathematician who knows how to write... There is no better guide to the strategies and stakes of this battle for the future." Noah's public writing appears in Wired, Slate, and Fast Company, he's been interviewed in TechCrunch and Tech Policy Press, and he has been quoted in Washington Post, Financial Times, Forbes, U.S. News, Agence France-Presse (AFP), and New Delhi TV.
Professor Mingfei Li
"Most of our students have a huge passion for data analytics in business and data science. They are very motivated, eager to learn and do research."
Tech giants pledge to crack down on AI deep fakes
CNN's Kim Brunhuber speaks with Noah Giansiracusa, a math sciences professor at Bentley University, about how AI-generated misinformation threatens election integrity, and what can be done about it.
The Art of Repetition
MSBA student, Bahareh Zahirodini, worked alongside Professor Moniak Bhaduri to explored the effectiveness of repetition in communication, drawing insights from cognitive science and illustrating how repeated concepts can enhance memory retention, with examples from comedy, education, and media.
hands-on learning
Students Shine in Analytics Contest
Bentley MSBA students placed second in the Humana-Mays Health Care Case Competition.
Champions of Data
By utilizing skills gained in the MSBA program, a Bentley team won first place in the Travelers Stat-a-thon against teams from Yale, Columbia, New York, Johns Hopkins and Boston University.
T-shirt Prices, Politics Highlight Complexity of Consumer Behavior
Students participated in a data analysis competition sponsored by Bentley’s Center for Analytics and Data Science (CADS) and glean surprising insights from Bentley-Gallup survey data during the data analytics competition.
Center for Analytics and Data Science (CADS)
The Center for Analytics and Data Science (CADS) provides students with opportunities to gain hands-on experience in transforming data into insights through interdisciplinary research and workshops in fields like health care, global studies, marketing, and social networks.
Curriculum
The curriculum is built around a seven-course core component coupled with three focused electives in one of six clusters: data science, economics, finance, information management, management or marketing. Build an MSBA based on your academic interests or career goals. Explore the course listing below or check out the program flyer. For the most up-to-date information and detailed course descriptions, visit the Catalog.
GR521 | Managerial Statistics
CS605 | Data Management and SQL for Analytics
CS 655 | Managing with Analytics
MA610 | Optimization and Simulation for Business Decisions
MA611 | Time Series Analysis
MA710 | Data Mining
ST625 | Quantitative Analysis for Business
ST635 | Intermediate Statistical Modeling for Business
Choose from one of six elective clusters to further refine your expertise. Students may choose from the suggested electives or from courses outside of these clusters with approval from the program director.
Data Science
CS 612 Web-Based Application Development
CS 650 Data Management Architectures
CS 753 Business Intelligence Methods
MA 705 Data Science
MA 706 Design of Experiments for Business
MA 707 Introduction to Machine Learning
Economics
EC 611 The Macroeconomics of Financial Markets
EC 631 Market Structure and Firm Strategy
Finance
FI 623 Investments
FI 635 Fixed Income Valuation and Strategies
FI 640 Equity Valuation
FI 645 Derivatives
Information Management
CS 726 Information, Controls and Ethics
GR 602 Business Process Management
HF 730 Visualizing Information Management
GR 602 Business Process Management
Management
MG 632 Leading Effective Work Teams
MG 635 Negotiating
MG 645 Leading Change
Marketing
MK 711 Marketing Research and Analysis
MK 726 Customer Data Analysis and Relationship Marketing
Students can also earn elective credit through an internship or special project course:
ST 701 Internship in Business Data Analysis
MA 795 Business Analytics Project Course
Top Employers Hiring Our Graduates
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Tuition and Aid
At Bentley, we do everything possible to make your education affordable for you and to provide the kind of return on investment you expect — and deserve. With available merit and financial aid, Bentley works with qualified applicants to help find ways to pay for their education.
program director
Luke Cherveny is a senior lecturer and the program director of the MS in Business Analytics at Bentley University. Luke received his Ph.D. in mathematics from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) for work done in algebraic geometry and mirror symmetry. His more recent research interests lie in complex differential geometry, especially canonical metrics on Kähler manifolds, as well as information geometry. His teaching interests span pure mathematics, statistics, and data science. When not working, Luke enjoys traveling, running, and reading.
Contact Luke to schedule a time to discuss your background and career goals and how these align with Bentley's MSBA program.
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