MBA in Business Analytics

Dr. Michael Parzen is a senior lecturer at Harvard Business School, where he teaches applied business analytics. With a strong background as an applied statistician, he has held academic positions at the University of Chicago's Booth School of Business and Emory University's Goizueta Business School. He also served as co-director of undergraduate studies and director of the master's program in statistics at Harvard University and co-designed the foundations of quantitative analysis course for the Harvard Business Analytics Program. Coincidentally, he taught many of Rize's Harvard alumni in his undergraduate statistics classes. His research focuses on statistical education and methods for handling missing data and non-standard regression modeling, with publications in prestigious journals like Biometrika. He holds advanced degrees in mathematics and applied mathematics from Carnegie Mellon and Brown Universities, respectively, and a Sc.D. in biostatistics from the Harvard School of Public Health. He also has extensive consulting experience with major corporations and data analytics startups.

Students will learn to project-manage AI projects (which require unique data insight/foresight and ethical considerations), gain hands-on experience with industry-standard accessing/warehousing tools (e.g., SQL) and visualization tools (e.g., Tableau) and use them to tell compelling data stories that drive desired actions, and become experts in Excel for advanced analytics.

MBA in Business Analytics Learning Outcomes:

1. Create data queries and visualizations using industry-standard tools to analyze complex datasets.
2. Develop and communicate data-driven strategies to achieve organizational goals.
3. Demonstrate proficiency in Python data analysis techniques to support decision-making and drive business insights.
4. Communicate business analytics concepts and solutions to diverse stakeholders.
5. Assess career opportunities and key sectors relevant to business analytics.
6. Manage the complete lifecycle of machine learning projects, ensuring successful implementation and alignment with business objectives.

GSM programs are accredited by AACSB, the most prestigious and demanding level of accreditation for business schools. This level of accreditation directly supports students because the AACSB assesses student learning. Students' actual assignments are used to document the extent that students master MBA learning outcomes, and continuous improvement occurs for programs and courses.

Why major in Business Analytics?

High-Demand Career Path

Entry-level management analyst positions start at $115,000, with data-driven leadership roles commanding significant premiums. With six in 10 Fortune 1000 companies struggling to build analytics cultures, the demand for leaders who can bridge business and data has never been higher.

Accessible to All Backgrounds

No advanced technical background is required. Whether you're a business leader seeking to harness data or a technical professional aiming to move into strategy, our hands-on curriculum builds both technical and leadership capabilities through real-world projects.

Data-Driven Decision-Making

Create compelling data visualizations and financial models. Then, practice managing AI projects. You'll learn to translate complex data into clear insights that drive organizational change.

Future-Focused Leadership

Graduate ready to lead in a data-driven world. You'll learn to manage AI initiatives ethically, build data-driven cultures, and identify opportunities others miss. The program covers emerging technologies while emphasizing the timeless skills of strategic thinking and effective communication.

Flexible, Asynchronous Learning

This flexible online concentration fits seamlessly into your MBA studies. With asynchronous courses taken in any order and projects that directly apply to real business challenges, you can immediately put your learning into practice while balancing work and life commitments.

SXU's accelerated BBA+MBA Dual Degree program combines a four-year Bachelor of Business Administration and a two-year Master of Business Administration into a five-year program. Students complete 120 credit hours of undergraduate coursework and 30 credit hours of graduate coursework to fulfill the dual BBA+MBA degree. Students may take up to 12 credit hours of MBA coursework concurrent with their undergraduate coursework during their senior year.

Students are encouraged to apply to the 4+1 program in their junior year. Upon acceptance, students may register for courses at the graduate level with permission from the director of the Graham School of Management and the director of the MBA program. The BBA degree is awarded after successful completion of all undergraduate requirements. The MBA degree is awarded upon successful completion of the graduate requirements.

For more information, please contact the GSM director at ghoshFREESXU.