Marshall School of Business
Master’s Degree and Graduate Certificate Programs
Master of Science in Business Analytics
The Master of Science in Business Analytics provides students with the skill and knowledge to become experts in business analytics and to advance their careers in the area of data analytics. Students in the program acquire the statistical and optimization tools necessary to analyze large and unstructured data sets and make optimal decisions to improve the performance of their organization. In addition, students develop the ability to effectively present complex data to high-level decision-makers. This program concentrates on business applications across different industries and functions including marketing, finance, operations management, retail, manufacturing, banking and health care.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must satisfy most of the admission requirements for all Marshall master’s degree programs. A few years of work experience is preferred, but not required. GMAT or GRE scores are required.
Application Procedure
Prospective students may apply to begin the program in the fall semester only. Applications are submitted online through the Marshall School of Business admissions Website at app.applyyourself.com/?id=usc-mba. International applicants are advised to see the instructions for international students published in the USC Graduate Admissions Application Booklet.
A complete application includes the online application form, an application fee, test scores, responses to several short-answer questions, two letters of recommendation and transcripts from all institutions attended since the applicant last applied to USC.
- Current USC students and USC alumni are not required to submit an application fee, new test scores (if previously submitted) or transcripts to verify degrees earned prior to their attendance at USC.
- All other applicants must submit all documentation identified in the online application instructions.
For additional information, visit www.marshall.usc.edu/msanalytics, write to MS.Analytics@marshall.usc.edu or call (213) 891-1140.
Degree Requirements
The Master of Science in Business Analytics degree requires 27 units including 21 units of required course work plus 6 units of course work chosen from a list of electives. The program may be completed on a full-time (3 or 4 courses per semester) or part-time. All students must take GSBA 524 and DSO 510 in the first semester.
Students who have taken one or more of the required courses elsewhere may petition to replace these courses with the third elective and/or appropriately related courses offered by the Marshall School of Business or the Viterbi School of Engineering. Such a replacement must be approved by the program director prior to registration for the course.
| REQUIRED COURSES | UNITS | |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses (must be completed first) | ||
| DSO 510 | Business Analytics | 3 |
| GSBA 524 | Managerial Statistics | 3 |
| Additional Required Courses | ||
| DSO 530 | Applied Modern Statistical Learning Methods | 3 |
| DSO 545 | Statistical Computing and Data Visualization | 3 |
| DSO 570 | The Analytics Edge: Data, Models, and Effective Decisions | 3 |
| DSO 573 | Data Analytics Driven Dynamic Strategy and Execution | 3 |
| INF 551 | Foundations of Data Management | 3 |
| ELECTIVES | UNITS | |
|---|---|---|
| Select 6 units from the following: | ||
| CSCI 585 | Database Systems | 3 |
| DSO 528 | Data Warehousing, Business Intelligence, and Data Mining | 3 |
| INF 520 | Foundations of Information Security | 3 |
| Total Units: | 27 | |