Strategic Analytics

Main Content

The Master of Science in Strategic Analytics is a comprehensive program that prepares students for management and executive careers linking technology and management in today's data-heavy analytical world. Data scientists are very good at big data, database, and data analytics, but often lack business training or experience. Managers excel at business operations but have little if any experience with artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies. Graduates with an M.S. in Strategic Analytics will have a good working knowledge of database, data science, analytics, data visualization, and artificial intelligence as well as a good foundation in business functions. This program applies leading-edge analytics techniques and artificial intelligence to identify and solve today's and tomorrow's complex business problems. 

Admission Requirements

Applicants to the program should complete or submit the following:

  1. SIU Graduate School application form
  2. A Bachelor's degree, with a GPA of 2.7 or better on a 4.0 scale over the last two years of study
  3. 3.0 or better GPA over all previous graduate coursework, if applicable
  4. Resume, including contact information for three professional references
  5. GRE or GMAT examination score(s). The GMAT score must be greater than 499 (or GRE equivalent).  This requirement is waived for applicants with 5+ years of professional work experience.
  6. An open-ended personal statement. This is required for those who do not qualify for the GMAT (GRE) waiver and/or those who do not satisfy the Graduate School's GPA requirements. This personal statement is optional for all other applicants.  
  7. International applicants whose native language is not English must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or another equivalent test, as required by the Graduate School.  

Master of Science (M.S.) in Strategic Analytics

Degree Requirements

The following timetables show typical schedules, depending on whether a student enters the fall, spring, or summer semester. When two courses are listed on a line, the first occurs in the first eight weeks of a semester (Term A) and the second course listed occurs in the final eight weeks of a semester (Term B).

Fall Entry

Year 1 (Terms A & B) Courses Semester
BA 524 (16 weeks) Fall
BA 525     BA 526 Fall
BA 523 Spring
BA 527     BA 561 Spring
Year 2 (Terms A & B) Courses Semester
BA 510 Summer
BA 540 Summer
BA 529* (16 weeks) Fall
BA 530 Fall
BA 528 Spring
BA 550 Spring

Spring Entry

Year 1 (Terms A & B) Courses Semester
BA 523 Spring
BA 527     BA 561 Spring
BA 510 Summer
BA 550 Summer
BA 524 (16 weeks) Fall
BA 525     BA 526 Fall
Year 2 (Terms A & B) Courses Semester
BA 528 (16 weeks) Spring
BA 540 Spring or Summer
BA 529* (16 weeks) Fall
BA 530 Fall

Summer Entry

Year 1 (Terms A & B) Courses Semester
BA 510 Summer
BA 550 Summer
BA 524 (16 weeks) Fall
BA 525     BA 526 Fall
BA 523 Spring
BA 527     BA 561 Spring
Year 2 (Terms A & B) Courses Semester
BA 540 Summer
BA 529* (16 weeks) Fall
BA 530 Fall
BA 528 (16 weeks) Spring

Core Business Courses (15 Credit Hours)

  • BA 510: Managerial Accounting and Control Concepts (3 CH)
  • BA 530: Financial Management (3 CH)
  • BA 540: Managerial and Organizational Behavior (3 CH)
  • BA 550: Marketing Management (3 CH)
  • BA 561: Database Design and Applications (3 CH)

Core Analytics Courses (18 Credit Hours)

  • BA 523: Strategic Data Mining (3 CH)
  • BA 524: Foundations of Analytics for Managers (3 CH)
  • BA 525: Data Science and Analytics for Managers (3 CH)
  • BA 526: Advanced Analytics and Artificial Intelligence for Managers (3 CH)
  • BA 527: Advanced Analytics and Visualization for Managers (3 CH)
  • BA 528: Analytics Capstone (3 CH)

One Discipline-Specific Course in Analytics (3 Credit Hours)

  • BA 529A: Accounting Analytics (3 CH)
  • BA 529B: Financial Analytics (3 CH)
  • BA 529C: Marketing Analytics (3 CH
  • BA 529D: Management Analytics (3 CH)

For more information, contact:

Online Graduate Programs
Master of Science in Strategic Analytics
College of Business and Analytics
Southern Illinois University
Mail Code 4619
Carbondale, IL  62901
Telephone: 618-453-3023
gradprograms@business.siu.edu

Differential Tuition

The College of Business and Analytics has a differential tuition surcharge of 15 percent of applicable tuition for graduate College of Business and Analytics majors. The differential tuition surcharge will be assessed at the in-state tuition rate and will be capped at 15 credit hours per semester.