Business Analytics
at Southern Arkansas University
Average Graduate Tuition and Fees Per Year | ||
| ย | In-State | Out-of-State |
SAU | $6,894 | $9,810 |
Arkansas | $7,702* | $13,663* |
Texas | $7,502* | $16,686* |
Louisiana | $9,748* | $19,310* |
*Tuition and fees are calculated as an average of public four-year universities’ published tuition and fees. Source: Department of Education
Our programs are routinely recognized as the best value programs nationally. SAU offers out-of-state tuition waivers to students from Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas who chose to live in university housing or reside in a bordering Texas county or Louisiana parish.
About the Master of Science in Business Analytics
Master the analytics tools needed to problem solve and make strategic decisions in a business setting with a Masterโs of Science in Business Analytics. This is a flexible program that only requires 30 hours to complete.
Course Requirements (30 hours)
The general MBA program consists of 24 hours of core courses and 6 hours of elective courses. A student can choose to complete courses in a traditional night program, through online delivery, or through a combination of the two.
Core Courses (24 hours)
ACCT 6003 – Accounting for Decision Making
ECON 6003 – Managerial Economics
FIN 6003 – Managerial Finance
IS 5313 – Data Visualization
MGMT 6043 – Business Analytics
MKTG 6023 – Strategic Marketing
SCM 6003 – Enterprise Resource Planning
SCM 6013 – Project Management
Elective Courses (6 hours)
Select 6 hours from the following:
IS 5323 – Information Systems Analysis
IS 6023 – Research Project
IS 6983 – Field Experience in Data Analytics
SCM 6033 – Supply Chain Security
SCM 6053 – Supply Chain Industry 4.0 Technologies
SCM 6063 – Supply Chain Management
SCM 6143 – Sustainable SCM Practices
The M.S. in Business Analytics is offered by the Rankin College of Business at SAU and is fully accredited by AACSB International, the premier accrediting body for colleges and schools of business. Fewer than 5% of all business programs worldwide are accredited by AACSB, which indicates the quality of our program.
Admission requirements
โข GRE/GMAT: Not required for the MSBA.
โข Degree: Bachelorโs degree from an accredited institution.
โข Prereqs for non-business majors (or equivalent undergraduate prep): 3 hrs finance, statistics, marketing, and management/organizational behavior (junior-level or above); 3 hrs microeconomics.
โข GPA: Applicants must meet the School of Graduate Studies GPA standard for the MSBA.
Additional Pathways
4+1 option for eligible SAU undergraduatesโincluding BBA and BBS Engineering studentsโto earn the BBA/BBS + MSBA in approximately five years.
| Department: | |
| Hours Required: | 30 (24 core + 6 electives) |
| Categories: | Graduate |
| Completion Time: | 2 years at two classes/term (including summer) * |
| Delivery: | Hybrid, On-Campus, Online |
* Based on 2 classes per semester including summer
The SAU MS in Business Analytics (MSBA) is designed for professionals who want to transform data into actionable insights. Offered by the AACSB-accredited, STEM-certified David F. Rankin College of Business, the program equips students with advanced skills in data analysis, business intelligence, predictive modeling, and strategic decision-making. The 30-hour curriculum combines analytics, business strategy, and leadership development to prepare graduates for high-impact roles across industries. Courses are offered online, on campus in evenings, or in a hybrid format to accommodate working professionals.
Three key selling points about the program
- AACSB-accredited, STEM-certified business school (reaffirmed 2025)
- Flexible format โ online, on-campus evenings, or hybrid
- High-demand skillset โ graduates gain expertise in business analytics, data visualization, and decision-making tools
Career outlook
Graduates step into roles such as Data Analyst, Business Analyst, Data Scientist, Operations Analyst, and Business Intelligence Specialist. The MSBA prepares students to influence strategic decisions and drive organizational impact through advanced analytics.
Learning Goals
- MSBA students will be effective communicators, using information technology to enhance decision-making through better communication.
- MSBA students are prepared to be socially responsible, effective business leaders with an awareness of cultural and diversity issues and the ability to make ethical decisions.
- MSBA students will be critical thinkers who are able to use concepts from strategic management to integrate relevant information, decision-making techniques, and concepts from multiple business disciplines to make decisions in new or unfamiliar circumstances.
- MSBA students can effectively and legally access and use information to prepare an effectively written report that supports decision-making.
- MSBA students will be competent in the business discipline.
Program Contact
Dr. Christie Hough
Associate Professor of Management
Rankin College of Business
crhough@saumag.edu
870-235-4305
About SAU
Southern Arkansas University offers personalized tour visits, faculty and staff who care about student success, and a caring campus community. SAU also offers traditional and unique academic degree programs that are ranked nationally for quality and affordability.
Nestled in a quiet and beautiful part of south Arkansas, SAU is a great place to call home and to study a broad range of academic programs, including some unique offerings to the state and region. Along with boasting a complete college experience on campus, the University is a short drive from outdoor activities and is central to many regional hubs, such as Texarkana, Shreveport, Little Rock, etc.
Established in 1909, SAU has built on its dedication to student achievement and continues to grow, both on campus and online, with more than 80 degrees in four distinct colleges and the School of Graduate Studies
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