Certificate in Business Analytics
Enhance your Graduate Degree With the Certificate in Business Analytics
Develop data analytics skills geared to your business specialization
Graduate students earning an MBA, MS, or MAcc in the Wisconsin School of Business may also earn a Certificate in Business Analytics. The certificate offers the opportunity to build on the business perspective you develop through your specialization coursework as you study business operations, communications, and decision-making.
As demand for critical data analytics skills grows, you can develop these skills in your business specialization with this flexible certificate.
If you graduate in the spring or summer semester, you must apply by December 15th of the previous year. If you graduate in the fall semester, you must apply by April 15th of your graduating year.
Forms
Certificate Declare/Withdraw
Use MyGradPortal (accessible through MyUW) to declare, change, or withdraw certificates.
Completion form
Graduate students should submit the Completion Form the semester certificate coursework is completed, which may be the semester of graduation.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. At this time, only MBA, MS, and MAcc students in the Wisconsin School of Business are eligible for the Graduate Certificate in Business Analytics.
No.
No. If you want to exceed 15 credits in any one semester, you must apply for approval using the UW protocol, including submitting a Credit Overload Form.
No. The certificate does not provide priority access to any classes. Furthermore, all stated prerequisites and course requirements apply to all students regardless of the certificate.
No.
Earlier is better, but you must apply at least one semester (two if you graduate during the summer) prior to your graduation semester.
If you graduate in the spring or summer semester, you must apply by December 15 of the previous year.
If you graduate in the fall semester, you must apply by April 15 of your graduating year.
If you decide not to pursue the certificate, please complete the Withdrawal Form.
Please refer to My Course Guide in MyUW for official course offering information. Typical semester offerings are subject to change.
Program Overview
The Graduate Certificate in Business Analytics (9-12 credits) has three requirements:
- One foundation course
- Three or more electives totaling at least 9 credits from two knowledge areas
- A Personal Reflection Executive Summary
Elective courses are chosen from two knowledge areas:
- Analytic Tools and Methods—Learn one or more analytical methods using sophisticated analytics software; select an appropriate model, assess performance and limitations and analyze output.
- Analytic Steps—Design and manage a data-driven project from start to finish; analyze output, and make decisions utilizing analytics technology.
Learn more about certificate requirements below.
Please note that the Personal Reflection Executive Summary and the Completion Form must be filled out at least 2 weeks prior to the end of your graduating semester.
Required Foundation Course
- GEN BUS 704: Data to Decisions (or substitute GEN BUS 765: Data to Decisions taken Fall 2017 or 2018)
OR
- GEN BUS 307 Business Analytics II
Knowledge Area Courses
Note: Typical semesters offered subject to change
- One course from the Analytic Tools and Methods knowledge area:
- ACT SCI 654 – Regression and Time Series
- ACT SCI 655 – Health Analytics
- MKT 775 – Social Media Marketing
- MKT 815 – Marketing Analytics
- OTM 442 / INFO SYS 442 – Computer-Based Data Management
- OTM 714 – Supply Chain Analytics
- RMI 660 – Risk Analytics and Behavioral Science
- GB 656 – Machine Learning for Business Analytics
- GB 720 – Data Visualization for Business Analytics
- GB 730 – Prescriptive Modeling and Optimization for Business Analytics
- GB 740 – Experiments and Causal Methods for Business Insights
- GB 760 – Data Technology for Business Analytics
- GB 780 – Cloud Technology for Business Analytics
- One course from the Analytic Steps knowledge area:
- ACCT 640 – Accounting Analytics
- FIN 635 – Business Valuation
- MKT 710 – Marketing Research
- MKT 727 / OTM 727 – Information Technology in Supply Chains
- MKT 745 – Digital Marketing Analytics
- MHR 614 – People Analytics
- OTM 752 – Project Management
- RMI 655 – Risk Financing Techniques
- One elective from outside the department of your program, in either Analytic Tools and Methods or Analytic Steps
- You must earn at least 9 credits in courses in addition to your Foundation course. Depending on your choices of courses and credits from the above 3 choices, you may need more than 3 courses to earn this Certificate. Additional courses may be in either area.
Personal Reflection Executive Summary
In addition to completing required coursework, students will write and submit an executive summary of a project in one of the certificate courses.
The Personal Reflection Executive Summary must include:
- Questions addressed by the project
- Rationale for the design of the model
- Justification for recommendations
- Additional modifications to your model you would suggest based on your analytical coursework.
- Personal learnings gained through the process
The executive summary is expected to be roughly three pages, double-spaced, and written for a reader who is technically strong but unfamiliar with your project. It is separate and apart from the chosen certificate courses and you will receive more information from the certificate administrator(s) during your graduating semester.
Course Options by Specialization
After reading the Program Overview, you should ask your advisor to help you select your certificate curriculum to complement your program and expand on the breadth of your graduate degree.
Please feel free to direct questions to the certificate administrator.
Contact Us
Want to learn more about the Certificate in Business Analytics? Please contact us for more information about the program, or to get answers to your specific questions.
