Business Analytics (MS)

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 while also developing the critical ability to effectively present complex analyses 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. For international applicants TOEFL, IELTS or PTE scores are required.

Application Procedure

All students begin the program in the fall semester with no option for starting in the spring or summer. Applications are submitted online for fall semester through the USC graduate admissions website at gradadm.usc.edu. International applicants are advised to see the instructions for international students published in the USC Graduate Admissions website (gradadm.usc.edu/apply/international-students/).

A complete application includes the online application form, an application fee, English proficiency test scores (if applicable), responses to several short-answer questions, a one-minute video essay addressing application topic, and transcripts from all institutions attended since the applicant last applied to USC.

• All applicants must complete a statistics course at an accredited college or university before applying. Eligible statistics courses must cover all the following topics: basic probability, probability distributions (normal, exponential, etc.) inferential statistics (such as t-tests, Chi-square test, confidence intervals and sampling), and intro to linear regression.
• 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.
• New English proficiency test scores may be required for international student applicants who completed their degrees outside the U.S.A.
• All other applicants must submit all documentation identified in the online application instructions.

For additional information, visit marshall.usc.edu/msba or write to msba@marshall.usc.edu.

Degree Requirements

The Master of Science in Business Analytics degree requires 33 units.

Students who have successfully completed (at USC or elsewhere) one or more of the courses listed below (at the graduate/post-baccalaureate level) may petition to waive out of the duplicate courses. Individuals holding accredited graduate degrees in related fields may be able to waive up to 9 units, reducing the total number of units required to earn the degree to as few as 24. Waivers should be requested in an attachment to the application for admission and approved by the academic director prior to the start of the program. 

A cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 for all course work applied to the degree and an overall graduate GPA at USC of at least 3.0 are required for graduation.