Business Analytics & Statistics
MS In Business Analytics
The Haslam College of Business Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) program teaches students the skills to harness data’s power to drive impactful business outcomes.
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MSBA
Program Overview
MSBA students develop not only the technical acumen to derive insight from large data sets, but also the business fundamentals and communication skills necessary to make an impact in their organizations.
Haslam’s MSBA program combines top technical expertise with practical experience so graduates can help transform organizations with cutting-edge analytics from day one.
Stem-Designated
International students may qualify for a 36-month Optional Practical Training (OPT) extension upon graduation.
Team-Based Learning
Possessing the skills to derive analytics insights isn’t enough to drive organizational change — our curriculum emphasizes small cohorts, career coaching and team building to reflect real-world business dynamics.
Industry-Focused
The annual Business Analytics Forum provides the opportunity to network directly with professionals and companies interested in hiring top MSBA students. The MSBA Capstone course gives students experience applying analytical tools to drive real business outcomes.
Cutting-Edge
Through the MSBA program, students learn innovative data applications. Developing skills in R, SQL and Python enables them to perform a variety of data analysis functions. They also have opportunities to learn from their classmates through professional case studies, presentations and a capstone project, all while practicing their business communication techniques.
What You’ll Learn
The MSBA program develops a student’s technical acumen in deriving insights from large data sets, as well as business fundamentals and soft skills like leadership, teamwork and communications. Haslam MSBA students graduate with both the ability to communicate relevant data and how to leverage it to an organization’s benefit.
Capstone Project
In their final semester, MSBA students work in teams using data to solve a real problem for an industry partner. They communicate with company executives throughout the project, presenting their findings at the end of the semester.
Dual Degree
Students can also pursue a dual degree, gaining an MSBA and MBA in two years. More information about the dual MSBA/MBA degree curriculum can be found here.
STEM-Designated
The Haslam MSBA is a STEM-designated program. It also is an Optional Practical Training program, which allows international students to work in the U.S. for up to three years after graduation before needing a work visa.
MSBa
Capstone COurse
Concrete, real-world experiences are a hallmark of the Haslam MSBA program. Every student participates in a capstone experience, using analytics to solve a real company’s business issue.
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UPS Smith Prize
The industry’s top professional association recognized the Haslam MSBA with the UPS George D. Smith Prize for Innovative Curriculum in 2018. Presented by INFORMS, the leading international association for operations research and analytics professionals, the award recognizes teaching in the context of a true business environment that prepares students to become effective business analytics practitioners.
Career Impact
Business Analytics is no longer an emerging field. It is a necessary function in almost every organization and across many job functions. Professionals perform analyses to produce dashboards, data visualizations, predictive models and more. Nearly 90 percent of Haslam’s MSBA students accept job offers within six months of graduation in a wide range of job functions and industries.
Duration: 10 Months
Location: Knoxville, TN
Start Date: Summer
38
Class Size
3.64
Average GPA
MSBA Industries
- Consumer insights
- Supply chain
- Healthcare
- Finance
- Marketing
Ready to Apply for the MSBA program?
Careers – What CAN I Do With AN MSBA Degree?
Discover the many career paths available to graduates, including potential job titles and industries where you can apply your marketing skills and expertise.
What do Data Analysts do?
Data analysts collect, process, and interpret large datasets to help businesses make data-driven decisions.
How do I become a Data Analyst?
An MSBA degree provides advanced skills in data analysis, statistical methods, and business insights, positioning you as a top candidate for data analyst roles in various industries.
What salary do Data Analysts earn?
Data analysts with an MSBA degree can expect competitive salaries, with a median salary of $84,731 annually, with higher earning potential in tech and finance sectors.
Data Analyst
What do BI Analysts do?
Business intelligence analysts use data to generate data dashboards and reports, helping companies understand market trends and customer behavior.
How do I become a BI Analyst?
An MSBA degree with a focus on business intelligence equips you with the technical and analytical skills to excel as a BI analyst, helping companies leverage data for strategic decisions.
What salary do BI Analysts earn?
BI analysts with an MSBA degree have a median salary of $97,963, with the potential for higher salaries in industries that prioritize data-driven decision-making.
BI Analyst
What do Data Scientists do?
Data scientists build predictive models and use advanced analytics techniques like machine learning to solve complex business problems.
How do I become a Data Scientist?
Pursuing an MSBA degree can fast-track your path to becoming a data scientist by teaching you advanced skills in machine learning, data mining, and predictive modeling.
What salary do Data Scientists earn?
Data scientists with an MSBA degree have a median salary of $108,020, with even higher salaries in sectors like technology, healthcare, and finance.
DATA SCIENTIST
What do Operations Analysts do?
Operations analysts examine business processes and workflows, using data to identify inefficiencies and recommend improvements.
How do I become a Operations Analyst?
An MSBA degree prepares you for a career as an operations analyst by teaching you to apply data analysis to optimize business processes and improve organizational efficiency.
What salary do Operations Analysts earn?
Operations analysts with an MSBA degree have a median salary of $83,640, with earning potential increasing in larger organizations and specialized industries.
OPERATIONS ANALYST
MSBA
Admissions
Applications for the MSBA program are submitted through Haslam College of Business’s Application Portal.
MSBA
Key Dates
Admission opens in August and applications are accepted on a rolling basis until the class is full.
International applicants must meet the Graduate School’s deadlines as follows:
- October 15: Application submission key date
- December 15: Recommended application completion date
- February 15: Final application completion date for funding consideration
- May 1: Final consideration date
International applicants must follow the Graduate School deadlines for summer start programs:
- October 15: Application Submission Deadline
- December 15: Application Completion Deadline
Applications submitted by December 15 will receive priority consideration for merit-based scholarships and assistantships.
MSBA
Requirements
Prerequisite Coursework
All undergraduate degrees are accepted, but the most successful students have a strong technical aptitude and have taken quantitative courses such as math, statistics, engineering, computer science and calculus. Due to the lock-step nature of our program, transfer credits are not accepted.
Interview
The program requires a brief (30 minute) interview and can accommodate both in-person and virtual interviews.
GPA
Applicants with undergraduate GPAs below 3.0 are not typically considered. The average GPA varies with each incoming class, but is 3.64 on average.
GRE/GMAT
GRE/GMAT tests are required, but waivers will be considered. All students are expected to demonstrate quantitative abilities either through undergraduate coursework or by completing a quantitative assessment test, such as the Canvas Exam or GRE/GMAT test. Haslam’s MSBA program has designed a custom Canvas Exam, which costs $9. Students interested in the Canvas Exam should contact admissions director Alec Merkle for further information.
Please ensure your official scores are sent to the Haslam College of Business at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. GMAT ID: 8GR-KN-71, GRE ID: 2834
Letters of Recommendation
In the application, please enter the name and email address of your recommender. When you submit the application, they will receive an email with the recommendation to complete. The admissions committee prefers to see one academic (faculty) in a quantitative field and one professional (current/previous supervisor) recommendation.
English Language Proficiency
Applicants whose native language is not English must score at least 80 overall on the TOEFL IBT or 6.5 overall on the IELTS and submit official test scores. Test scores are valid for two years. Please refer to the Graduate School’s website for more details.
Get Started
How To Apply
Take the next step toward advancing your career and enhancing your analytical skills with Haslam’s MSBA program. The application process is straightforward – simply gather your required documents, including your resume, essay responses and references, to begin.
Curriculum
What You’ll Learn
Total Program Hours – 36
MSBA courses are not available to non-Haslam College of Business (HCB) students. Non-HCB students interested in graduate analytics courses should enroll in a course in the IGSDSP (500-level STAT) or PhD (600-level) curricula, or in non-degree Business Analytics programs. MSBA courses may be available, on a very limited basis, to highly qualified HCB graduate students (e.g. PhD students) if space is available. These students are first encouraged to find IGSDSP or PhD courses that match their interests.
Summer Term (July-August – 5 weeks)
6 Hours
BAS 533 – Quantitative Methods for BA
3 Hours
BAs 537 – Data Security and Ethics
1.5 Hours
BAS 530 – Business Skills Development
1.5 Hours
Fall Term (August – December – 15 weeks)
13.5 Hours
BAS 531 – Decision Optimization
3 Hours
BAS 535 – Statistical Methods for Business
3 Hours
BAS 542 – Data Mining Methods for Business Applications
3 Hours
BAS 545 – Data Engineering for Business Applications
3 Hours
BAS 536 – Case Studies in Business Analytics
1.5 Hours
Winter Mini-Term (January – 2 weeks)
3 Hours
Spring Term (January – May – 15 weeks)
13.5 Hours
BAS 550 – Business Analytics Experience
3 Hours
Electives
10.5 Hours
BAs 540 – Applied Regression Analysis for Business
3 Hours
Electives
- Simulation Modeling
- Deep Learning for Business Applications
- Systems Optimization
- Text Mining
- Generative AI
- Deep Reinforcement Learning for Business Applications
- Data Cleaning and Missing Data
- Supply Chain Analytics
Meet Our Student Ambassadors
The Student Ambassador Program enables students to pursue innovative endeavors and develop skills while also equipping them with the skills and resources to be successful. Student ambassadors share a passion for analytics and serve as representatives for the MSBA program.
MSBA
Tuition & Financial Aid
Estimated Program Cost1
- In-State: $26,606
- Out-of-State: $54,371
You can find an up-to-date schedule of tuition and fees for in and out-of-state students on One Stop Student Services’ website. The tuition and fees listed do not include room, board, books and supplies or other living expenses.
Financial Aid
Learn about federal student loans and other need-based financial aid for graduate students at the financial aid for graduate students at One Stop Student Services. Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) by February 15.
Out-of-state candidates in the Southeast region may be eligible to obtain in-state tuition rates through the Academic Common Market. Students using Post-911 GI Benefits are particularly likely to benefit.
Funding
Over 70% of our admitted students receive some form of funding opportunity.
Admitted applicants are automatically considered for merit-based, program-funded graduate assistantships and scholarships. Assistantships and scholarships are highly competitive and not all applicants receive these funding opportunities. The graduate assistantships include a tuition fee waiver and a stipend for the semester awarded. No additional application is necessary for financial consideration. However, you can apply for graduate assistantships that are outside of the MSBA program. UT’s Graduate School website lists open assistantships that differ from BAS and Haslam listings.
1for students entering Summer 2025
MSBA
Featured Faculty
Courses in the MSBA program are taught by Haslam’s award-winning marketing faculty who hold doctorates in the field and are subject matter experts in a variety of content and methodological areas.
Michel Ballings
Associate Professor, Douglas A. and Brenda Horne Faculty Fellow
Adam Petrie
Teaching Associate Professor
Michael Galbreth
Pilot Corporation Chair of Excellence