Minor in Business Analytics
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Program Overview
Degree:
Minor in Business Analytics
Application:
$0 application fee. No essays/exams.
Designed for students who want to enhance their major degrees with data-driven skills, analytical methods, and data-informed decision-making mindsets. Most BA/BS degrees include learning outcomes focused on collecting, organizing, analyzing, modeling, forecasting, and presenting data to support decision-making. However, not all of them provide the essential courses necessary for this. This applies to degrees in Accounting, Business Administration, Public Administration, Healthcare Administration, Criminal Justice Administration, Economics, Finance Management, Human Resource Management, Project Management, Construction Management, Logistics Management, Homeland Security Management, Cybersecurity, Marketing, Social Sciences, Interdisciplinary Studies, and more.
Coursework emphasizes cutting-edge analytics and data science, including statistical methods, data management, visualization, and data communication. No programming is required (no R, no Python), but students develop advanced analytical software skills in Excel, Solver, Tableau, Orange, and additional Excel Add-Ins.
Degree Requirements
Requirements for the Minor
- 8 courses; 36 quarter units
Prerequisites for the Minor
3 Courses
Intro to Quantitative Methods
4.5 Quarter Units
Key mathematical and statistical concepts useful for understanding business problems and making informed decisions with the right tools are introduced. Concepts relate to numbers, formulas, linear equation models and descriptive statistics. Applications focus on personal decisions and decisions within businesses in the areas of finance, discounts, pricing, interest rates, loans, insurance, investment, payroll and taxes. Microsoft Excel is the software used in this class.
Probability and Statistics
4.5 Quarter Units
Prerequisite: MTH 12A and MTH 12B, or Accuplacer test placement evaluation
An introduction to statistics and probability theory. Covers simple probability distributions, conditional probability (Bayes Rule), independence, expected value, binomial distributions, the Central Limit Theorem, hypothesis testing. Assignments may utilize the MiniTab software, or text-accompanying course-ware. Calculator with statistical functions is required.
Management Science
4.5 Quarter Units
Prerequisite: MNS 205 and MTH 210
An introduction to the fundamentals of business analytics. Focuses on the management science approach for problem solving, the application of linear programming, the use of decision analysis techniques, as well as project management tools. It is practical and students gain advanced skills in Excel. This course is a prerequisite for MGT 451.
*May be used to satisfy general education requirements.
Core Requirements
5 Courses
Intro to Business Analytics
4.5 Quarter Units
Prerequisite: MNS 205 and MTH 210
Comprehensive approach to understanding Data Issues, Analytics, and Business Strategies. Topics include: types of data sets, different analytical methods, legal and ethical issues involving data and analytics, and tools for descriptive business analytics.
Business Data Visualization
4.5 Quarter Units
Prerequisite: BAN 300
An overview of data visualization, key design principles and techniques for visualizing data, and the fundamentals of communication that are required for effective data presentation using Excel and Tableau. Including how to collect and process data; create interactive visualizations; critique visualizations; and present data effectively. Other topics may include ethical uses of information displays, storytelling, infographics, immersive visualizations, and information dashboard design.
Regression and Forecasting
4.5 Quarter Units
Prerequisite: BAN 300
Basic principles and implementation techniques of statistical inference, analysis of variance, simple and multiple regression analysis, time-series analysis of trends, cyclical and seasonal components, and forecasting. Emphasizes an understanding of how these tools can support Business Analytics. Develop a high level of proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
Data Mining for Bus Analytics
4.5 Quarter Units
Prerequisite: BAN 300; BAN 405
Methods of data mining and how to apply them to business problems. Topics may include: association, classification, clustering, logistic regression, decision trees, neural networks, support vector machines, and market/basket analysis. Data preparation, visualization, and feature selection are also addressed, as are boosting and random forests.
Mgmt Models and Simulations
4.5 Quarter Units
Prerequisite: BAN 300; MNS 407
Modeling tools and techniques for complex and dynamic business environments. Topics may include: linear, discrete, and nonlinear optimization, multicriteria decision making, decision analysis under uncertainty, and simulation.
Program Learning Outcomes
As a graduate of National University’s Minor in Business Analytics degree program, you’ll be able to:
- Apply the concepts and methods of business analytics to business problems.
- Evaluate data sets, data analysis methods, and data analytical tools.
- Create viable and ethical data-driven solutions to support business decision making processes.
- Effectively communicate data findings and model assumptions in written, oral, and visual formats for both technical and non-technical audiences.
Admissions
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To speak with our admissions team, call (855) 355-6288 or request information and an advisor will contact you shortly. If you’re ready to apply, simply start your application today.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
National University is dedicated to making higher education affordable, as well as accessible. Through NU scholarship offerings, eligible students are able to reduce the financial burden of college, start classes sooner, and finish their programs faster while focusing on achieving their goals.
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Today, we educate students from across the U.S. and around the globe, with over 240,000 alumni worldwide.
“National University has impacted my career. You can immediately apply what you learn in class to your business.”
Francisco R.,
Class of 2016
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Our network of 240,000 alumni is a large global community that provides our graduates with the professional connections to get a leg up in your new career.
Additional Resources
Program Disclosure
Successful completion and attainment of National University degrees do not lead to automatic or immediate licensure, employment, or certification in any state/country. The University cannot guarantee that any professional organization or business will accept a graduate’s application to sit for any certification, licensure, or related exam for the purpose of professional certification.
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