Graduate Degree Programs
Data Analytics Master's Degree Program
Master of Science (MS) in Data Analytics
The Master of Science in Data Analytics (MSDA) offers students extensive knowledge in the collection, organization, and analysis of large data sets. The core curriculum covers essential skills in descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive analytics. For the remaining 15 hours, students choose from the Business Analytics Specialization or the Technology & Computation Specialization.
- Business Analytics Specialization: Prepares students to make data-driven decisions at the managerial or strategic level. This track is more applied, with hands-on projects and a required practicum or internship.
- Technology & Computation Specialization: Prepares students to develop and maintain infrastructure that drives data-drives decisions. The track provides specific mathematical, programming, and information systems skills.
Online Classes offered this Fall for the Business Analytics Specialization:
- DABE 531.01: Visualization & Communication
- DABE 579.01: Data Warehousing
- DABE 579.02: Business Intelligence
Note: The Technology & Computation Specialization is a face-to-face program.
Admissions Requirements & How to Apply
Note: The Master of Science in Data Analytics (MSDA) program, including the program specializations, courses offered, and the prerequisite courses required, are under review. Updates related to the program and requirements for admission will be updated soon. For additional information, please communicate with Dr. Jesus Carmona, Associate Professor in Business & Economics and Director of Data Analytics Program, and Elliott Powell, Director for Transfer and Graduate Admissions.
- Applicants must already hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university.
- Complete and submit the TLU Application for Admission at apply.tlu.edu (select Graduate Applications).
- Submit all official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
- Submit letter providing additional information to be considered by the admissions committee (optional).
- Applicants must have successfully completed the following undergraduate coursework, or their equivalents, to be considered for admission:
- BUSI 338: Quantitative Applications in Business
- ISYS 231: Introduction to Information Systems
- ISYS 232: Business Spreadsheet Applications
- MATH 136: Business Calculus or MATH 241 Calculus
- STAT 374: Statistics
- The following courses, or their equivalents, are required for entering the Business Analytics track:
- BUSI 231-232: Principles of Accounting I and II
- BUSI 337: Principles of Marketing
- BUSI 373: Principles of Management
- BUSI 377: Business Finance
- ECON 237: Principles of Economics
- The following courses, or their equivalents, are required for entering the Technology & Computation track:
- CSCI 248: Object-Oriented Programming or equivalent
The Curriculum
TLU’s MSDA program is interdisciplinary, incorporating faculty from a variety of fields. Course abbreviations are defined as follows: DABE – Business; DAIC – Information Systems; and DAST – Statistics.
MSDA Core Curriculum (15 hours):
- DABE 531: Visualization & Communication
- DAST 531: Advanced Statistical Methods I
- DAST 532: Advanced Statistical Methods II
- DAIC 531: Data Mining
- DABE 532: Operations Research
Business Analytics Specialization (15 hours):
- DABE 539: Practicum/Internship
- DABE Elective
- DABE Elective
- DABE/DAIC/DAST Elective
Technology & Computation Specialization (15 hours):
- DAST/DAIC Elective
- DAST/DAIC Elective
- DAST/DAIC Elective
- DABE/DAIC/DAST Elective
- Take one of the following as approved by your advisor: DAST 539: Internship; DAIC 599A: Capstone; or DAIC 599B: Thesis
Demand for Data Analysts
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics sees strong growth for data science jobs with the data science field growing about 28% through 2026 as technology improves and companies increase the sophistication of their data operations and analysis. Increasingly, that means inserting artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities into the business processes of regular companies. That means demand for data scientists (average salary in the U.S. of $111,100) and related positions will also go up. While the tools are getting better, data scientists looking to advance will still need to have a solid understanding of the basics, including data modeling, relational databases, and basic statistical analysis.
What is a Concurrent Degree?
A concurrent degree allows students to earn both an undergraduate and graduate degree in five years. TLU offers a Master of Accountancy (MaCY) as well as the MSDA as concurrent degrees. Both degrees require summer school for most students in order to complete both degrees in five years. The concurrent nature of the degree allows students to begin graduate classes during their senior year at TLU.
Licensure or Certification in Another State
If you are a current or prospective student interested in pursuing licensure or certification in another state, we recommend you review your state’s licensure or certification requirements.