Businesses run on data, using insights to guide decisions and fuel growth. The Big Data Analytics Market is projected to reach $842.6 billion by 2032, underscoring the rising demand for professionals who can turn data into competitive advantages. The Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) program at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Haslam College of Business, prepares analytics professionals to meet this demand.
Offered over 10 months, Haslam’s MSBA program balances technical education and business application with professional development, real-business experience and industry networking to put graduates on accelerated paths to launching analytics careers.
Embracing the Future of Analytics
In the program, students become experts in R, SQL and Python, core data professional tools necessary for performing critical data analysis functions, while also taking key courses ranging from machine learning, statistical methods and decision optimization to supply chain analytics.
Just as the data analytics field has expanded and changed, the MSBA curriculum has evolved to capture the subjects and expertise critical for contemporary analytics professionals, with generative AI and advanced analytics tools now woven throughout the program curriculum. Senior lecturer Adam Petrie believes incorporating these elements is critical to preparing students for the work that awaits them.
“Generative AI is critical to the curriculum because that’s where the world is headed,” he explains. “I incorporate AI into the MSBA data mining class by designing activities and homework that push beyond what students already know and what I can cover in class. These assignments allow students to explore possibilities that AI models make accessible while still providing guidance and context for their learning.”
According to Bogdan Bichescu, MSBA program director, associate professor and recipient of the Southern-Peters Research Award, Haslam’s MSBA is a fast-paced, career-shaping program with up-to-date, critical curriculum.
“In just 10 months, Haslam’s MSBA program immerses students in a rigorous blend of analytics, AI and business applications that few programs can match,” he says. “With hands-on projects powered by real industry data, personalized career coaching and a close-knit cohort experience, graduates master technical skills and learn to turn complex data into strategic insights that deliver real business impact and set them apart in a competitive field.”
Soft Skill Development
In Haslam’s MSBA program, learning doesn’t only happen in a traditional classroom setting. Students also have opportunities to learn from their classmates through professional case studies and presentations, all while practicing their business communication techniques.
Program alumna Vivien Santa Martin (MSBA, ’22), senior analyst of retail analytics at Pilot Flying J, explains that the communications practice was some of the most impactful training she received in the program.
“We completed several presentations, and that really helped me to jumpstart my career,” she says. “In my current position, I present to stakeholders frequently and they are not always familiar with analytics, so that was great practice that prepared me for the realities of my job.”
Fellow alumnus Justin Ketterl (HCB, ’22; MSBA, ’23), data analyst II at Clayton Homes, agrees.
“The program elements that continue to benefit me the most are the soft skills we developed,” he says. “I learned how to communicate well with others, which is often an overlooked skill, but it can be a true professional strength if fostered.”
Industry Connection and Career Readiness
A highlight of Haslam’s MSBA program is the required capstone project in which students work in teams with corporate partners, applying actual partner data to solve a real business problem. Students communicate directly with company executives throughout the project and deliver a final presentation of directly applicable solutions.
The capstone project, however, is not the only opportunity MSBA students have for industry connection and networking. The department hosts an annual Business Analytics Forum that connects faculty and students with top companies and professionals. The forum serves as a networking and recruitment opportunity. While networking at the forum, Ketterl gained insights on how to jumpstart an analytics career.
“It was a great opportunity to meet people in similar fields and understand their experiences and how they got to where they are,” he says.
This constant connection to industry and exposure to business needs provides real results. Nearly 100 percent of Haslam MSBA graduates find jobs within six months of graduation in a wide range of job functions and industries, with a median annual salary more than $87,563.
Standout Student Experience
Sarah Tackett (HCB, ’25), a student in the latest MSBA cohort, is already impressed with the practical exposure they’ve gained thus far.
“My cohort worked with Deloitte on a supply chain project over the summer,” she explains. “We saw the real-world application of our work, and we developed short- and long-term plans to help the company resolve issues. We then presented our solutions to Deloitte leadership, and it has been amazing to interact with the executives and see firsthand the impact we’ve had on the company.”
MSBA candidate Emma Dulaney (UT, ’25) acknowledges that the 10-month program is formidable, but the rigor is worth it.
“Enrolling in a 10-month program requires you to completely shift the way that you think about problems and how you approach them,” says Dulaney. “It’s really forced me to get out of my comfort zone and collaborate with my peers.”
Her classmate Thomas Walsh (HCB, ’25) agrees.
“It’s an intense program, and I think that’s to its benefit,” he says. “We are developing a lot of skills quickly, as well as learning how to think on our feet and be creative with problem solving.”
Set Yourself Apart from Other Analytics Job Candidates
The Haslam MSBA program’s holistic approach – combining technical training with professional development – propelled Santa Martin on her career path.
“This program gave me everything I have,” she says. “There are many different analytics programs across the country, but Haslam’s stands out because of all the skills students gain throughout.”
Haslam’s MSBA program equips students with the skills and experience to set them apart in the job market. Applications are now open for the next Haslam MSBA cohort, which kicks off in the summer of 2026. If you want to stand out from other job candidates, apply now or visit the program webpage for more information.
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Leah McAmis, senior editor, leah@utk.edu
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