Master of Science (MS) — Data Analytics in Business

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Application deadline: 12/1/2024

Program overview

Business-intelligence training to increase your career opportunities

What can a graduate degree in Data Analytics do for you? This applied, collaborative-based Master’s of Science-Data Analytics in Business curriculum will build on your passion to gather, organize, and analyze data — inside or outside of business contexts. Use your purpose-driven leadership skills to extract meaning from raw data and transform it into a usable asset that can make a difference.

Discover how this AACSB-accredited MS-DAB gives you a competitive advantage.

Join us in an upcoming online webinar to learn more about the MS-DAB program.

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Overview

Shape the future. Change the world.

Earn a Seattle Pacific Master of Science in Data Analytics in Business degree at your own pace — online or in the evenings on campus.

You’re passionate about learning how to gather, organize, and analyze data in or outside of a business context. You relish the challenge of solving complex problems and are intrigued by coding and algorithms. Your curiosity compels you to extract meaning from raw data, and strive for transforming data into a usable asset.

Leverage your passion for data with our high-demand MS-DAB degree and take advantage of career opportunities in a rapidly expanding field. With the world’s most renowned tech giants right around the corner, MS-DAB graduates are uniquely positioned to change the game here in Seattle, and beyond.

The School of Business, Government, and Economics Difference

Through the applied, experiential, and collaborative-based MS-DAB curriculum at Seattle Pacific’s School of Business, Government, and Economics, students gain purpose-driven leadership skills and discover how data analytics, business principles, and ethical practice unite to lay a foundation for service to others as a data analyst.

For the modern business enterprise, utilizing data analytics effectively is key to creating a competitive advantage. An MS in Data Analytics in Business from Seattle Pacific bridges the gap between business and data, preparing students for leadership at the intersection of data and business. This STEM designated degree focuses on managing the mountains of data that organizations use, and enabling management to make sense of that data. You’ll gain expertise in data management, data mining, visualization, and analytics, as well as business intelligence. Through the MS-DAB program, leaders are developed with the management, analytics, and problem-solving skills they need to handle complex, data-based decision-making situations.

Why Seattle Pacific?

From its inception in 1977, SPU’s School of Business, Government, and Economics has upheld an unwavering dedication to excellence ― quality faculty and curricula, values and ethics, and readying students to impact their professional and personal worlds.

  1. AACSB Accreditation

    Seattle Pacific was the first school of the nearly 100-member Council for Christian Colleges and Universities to achieve the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) distinction. AACSB International represents the highest standard of achievement for business schools worldwide - 5% of schools globally. As a member, we are part of a united movement to improve the quality of business education around the world, helping to develop the next generation of great leaders. Four out of five alumni from AACSB-accredited schools say their graduate management education contributes to improvements in their competitiveness, proactiveness, innovation, and creativity. Also, SPU is listed as a Best Business School in the West by The Princeton Review.

  2. Deep Ethics Emphasis

    Built on an ethical foundation, all graduate programs at SPU offer first-class data analytics education through the lens of Christian faith and values. Students take two ethics classes, and ethical issues are integrated throughout the curriculum. The School of Business, Government, and Economics also operates the Center for Faithful Business. SBGE is one of the select few PRME Champion schools in the U.S. 

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  3. Work-Friendly Format

    Hybrid or online — you choose what best fits your schedule. Hybrid classes meet online and one campus in the evening after work. Online classes meet, well, online! Classes are small enough for students to interact with professors and fellow students in a cooperative and reciprocal learning environment. Responsive and caring faculty encourage students to reach their goals.

  4. Mentor Program Advantage

    At SPU, students are encouraged to follow their inspiration and imagination while benefiting from a top-rated mentor program that connects them with professionals in their chosen fields of study. To enhance the MS-DAB experience, we offer a mentor program that gives students access to more than 2,000 business people and professionals from a variety of companies, industries, roles, and levels of experience. Meet one-on-one with a mentor or multiple mentors for a richer learning experience and network of contacts.

  5. Valuable Connections

    When you graduate with a Master’s of Science in Data Analytics in Business from SPU’s School of Business, Government, and Economics, you join a community of alumni and partnering stakeholders who stay connected. As a graduate, you’ll find experienced and engaged, top-level business professionals eager to lend their support.

  6. Robust Suite of Career Services

    Shaping a definitive course of action upon graduation is vital. That’s why we offer a robust suite of career and professional development opportunities including career counseling, job-search coaching, résumé development, workshops and seminars, networking events, and mentoring through SBGE Career Services.

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Curriculum

Curriculum (45 credits*)

The MS-DAB program develops readiness to act as a purpose-driven, data analytics leader.

Responsible Management Courses (12 credits)

BUS 6201     Christian Values, Ethics, and the Marketplace (2)
ISM 6225      Information: Ethics and the Common Good (2)
BUS 6260     Managerial Communication (2)
BUS 6266     Purpose-Driven Leadership (2)
BUS 6305     Leading in Diverse Contexts (2)
BUS 6937     Responsible Leadership Consulting Practicum (2)

Specialized Data Analytics Courses (27 credits)

ISM 6002     Intro to Data Analytics (3)
ISM 6212     Database Management and Warehousing (3)
ISM 6255     Knowledge Management and Business Intelligence (3)
ISM 6353     Programming for Data Analytics: Python and Machine Learning (3)
ISM 6354     Programming for Data Analytics: R (3)
ISM 6359     Data Mining (3)
ISM 6361     Data Visualization (3)
ISM 6362     Big Data & Cloud-based Tools (3)
ISM 6358     Decision-making with Business Intelligence and Analytics or
ISM 6939     IS Consulting Practicum (3)

Electives (3 credits)

ISM 6331     Information Systems Security (3) or
BUS 6309    People Analytics (3) or
BUS 6350    Marketing Analytics (3)

Additional ISM/BUS elective credits for waived 61xx credits by prior approval as needed to reach a minimum of 45 credits (0-4)

*Foundations Courses (4 credits)

Business foundations prerequisite coursework may be satisfied by prior undergraduate coursework or may be completed at SPU. Possession of the MOS Certificate in Excel is also a prerequisite.

BUS 5150/6150  Managerial Marketing (2)
BUS 5171/6171  Statistics for Business Decisions (2)

To view the official curriculum requirements and course descriptions for the MS-DAB degree, visit the online Graduate Catalog.

Curricular Practical Training

Students attending the MS-DAB program on an F-1 Visa are strongly encouraged to include ISM 6930 as their CPT experience. Completing a project in cooperation with an enterprise under the sponsorship of a faculty member is similar to doing an internship. Students have an opportunity to apply the knowledge gained from a significant amount of their prior coursework to a meaningful project for a business. This constitutes a very valuable opportunity for international students to become more familiar with U.S. business practices and meets the criteria for Curricular Practical Training.

View a Two-year Curriculum Flow Plan
View Courses & Degree Requirements
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Online vs. On Campus

Choose the delivery format that works best for you — on campus or online.

When weighing the two formats, consider the amount of time you have to dedicate to schoolwork and commuting. Can you attend at the cohort’s pace, or do you need more flexibility to ensure your courses can fit in with your busy schedule? Here are some points to compare:


MS DAB - Online vs. on campus
Online On campus
Curriculum Same curriculum Same curriculum
Faculty Same faculty Same faculty
Class meeting Weekly self-managed asynchronous online learning + synchronous online interactions with faculty and fellow students One evening per week for each course
Pacing Cohort (2 courses at a time; 2 years to complete) Flexible pacing (1–4 courses at a time; 1–3 years to complete)
Entry Autumn Quarter start Rolling start (enter in any quarter)
Scholarships Up to $1,500 View aid options
MS-DAB (online)
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Careers

What careers can open up to you once you have a Master of Science in Data Analytics in Business? Here are just a few:

  • Data analyst
  • Big-data architect
  • Management analyst
  • Logistician 
  • Digital strategy manager
  • Data scientist 
  • Business data analyst

Career Services

Supporting the careers of our graduate business students and alumni is a high priority for the School of Business, Government, and Economics. These career resources are available:

Graduate students may use the Center for Career & Calling Resources for Current Graduate Students which include online vocational resources and résumé tips, workshops, and events. 

Job Leads

Job leads are posted in SPU's job posting board, Handshake, as well as in the SBGE LinkedIn group.

Career Counseling, Job Search Coaching, and Résumé Assistance

Where do you plan to work once you graduate? How do you plan to land your next job? If you just started your graduate business program, you might not know what is on the other side of your degree. A list of qualified, vetted career counselors and coaches is available to students who desire one-on-one assistance (i.e. résumé writing, career exploration counseling or job search coaching, career assessments, or other related activities).  This is on a fee-for-service basis.

Professional and Career Development Workshops

Managing your career is critical for success in today’s turbulent environment. To accelerate your development, each quarter we host one career related workshop on topics such as job searching, networking, résumé writing, interviewing, etc.

Alumni/Student Networking Events

Connecting alumni and current students together is a win-win for everyone. Networking events are held to connect and help current students and SBGE alumni navigate life in the workplace. Alumni work at Amazon, Tableau, Nordstrom, Boeing and more. 

Mentoring

A mentor can be a pivotal influence in your career. Our Center for Applied Learning offers a world-class, individually customized mentoring experience that pairs you with a mentor based on your career goals and aspirations. Find out more about the Mentor Program.

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Costs

Tuition and Fees for 2024–25

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$815

per credit

$815/credit
$2,445/3-credit course
$36,675 for 45 credit

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$50

application fee

See additional fee details.

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45 credits

to complete

(if prerequisites satisfied.)

Finance your learning

Before applying for aid, you must first be admitted to a graduate program. Make sure you:

  • Enroll in at least 3 credits (or half-time) toward a degree or eligible certificate each quarter.
  • Complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year.

Just like undergraduates, you may take advantage of scholarships and loans. SPU does not have a deadline for graduate financial aid, though earlier is always better than later! Learn more

Fees

Learn more about administrative, certification, and other program fees.

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Application

Admission Requirements

Generally, you must have at least a 3.0 GPA in your undergraduate studies.

Applicants must submit the following:

  • Online application and $50 application processing fee.
  • Current résumé Prior work experience is not required. (Prior experience does augment an application and is considered with respect to exemption from submitting a GRE/GMAT score.)
  • Official transcript from colleges or universities attended. Include the transcript from the institution that granted your bachelor’s degree with the posted degree appearing on the transcript. Also, send official transcripts for all institutions attended following your undergraduate degree, as well as any other schools where you earned credits that may be used to request waivers of foundations courses.
  • GRE/GMAT test scores are optional for admission for applicants with a 3.0 GPA or higher in their bachelor’s degree. (They may be requested for applicants with slightly lower GPA.)
  • Personal statement (3–4 pages) responding to the essay questions listed in the online application.
  • Two professional letters of recommendation listed in the online application (optional).

Application Deadlines

The application for admission, application fee, and personal statement must be received by the dates listed below. Recommendation letters, official transcripts and test scores must arrive before an admission decision can be made.

Quarter/Starting Month

Application Deadline

Autumn/September

August 1

Winter/January

November 1

Spring/March

February 1

Summer/June

May 1

International applicants attending on an F-1 visa 
(International applicants who do not need an F-1 visa may adhere to the above deadlines.)

Quarter/Starting Month

Application Deadline

Autumn/September

June 1

Winter/January

September 1

Spring/March

December 1

Summer/June

Admission not available for F-1 visa students

 

International Student Applicants

View International Application Information

Pre-Qualified Students

Qualified individuals may take up to five courses if they have an undergraduate degree (as evidenced by an Official transcript(s) from an accredited institution); a minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0; and a minimum of one year full-time post-baccalaureate work experience (as evidenced by a current résumé).

Prequalified students must apply for admission to take additional courses. Prequalified status does not guarantee full admission at a later date.

Conditional Admission

You may request conditional admittance into the School of Business, Government, and Economics under these conditions:

  • You are a student who needs an F-1 visa to study in the United States.
  • You have graduated from an accredited four-year institution. Your transcript must show completion of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
  • You have achieved at least a 3.0 GPA on the US 4.0 scale.
  • You have a minimum of at least one year, continuous full-time, post-bachelor’s degree experience at the time of application. You will be required to submit a résumé with job titles, duties, start date and end date (month and year), Internships and job training are not accepted as full-time employment.

If approved, you will receive a Conditional Letter of Admission from SPU. Conditional admission assures that you will be considered for admission, if you satisfy all admission requirements at the time of your intended enrollment.

Please complete this form to request conditional admission to a graduate program in the SPU School of Business, Government, and Economics.

Visiting Graduate Students

If you have been admitted to a graduate degree program in another accredited institution, you may enroll for up to 9 credits at Seattle Pacific University — with the approval of the School of Business, Government, and Economics.

To gain admission as a visiting graduate student, you must submit:

  • Online application and $50 application processing fee.
  • Letter from the dean’s office at your home institution stating that you are in good standing at that institution.
  • Current résumé.
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International Applicants

International students are an important part of Seattle Pacific University. A vibrant and active international population, SPU’s international graduate students represent 32 different countries.

International students are eligible to complete the MS-DAB Online program from their own countries.

International Student Applicants

In addition to general admission requirements, international students must also submit:

  • TOEFL  score of at least 86 on the iBT, or an IELTS official score report of at least 6.5 if English is not your first language. Otherwise strong applicants with a TOEFL score of 68-85 (IELTS 6.0) may be probationally or conditionally admitted with the requirement to successfully complete SPU approved ESL coursework prior to or at the outset of enrollment and continuing as needed.
  • Official financial statement reflecting financial support equivalent to the cost of the first year of graduate study. Complete the Declaration of International Student Finances form and send it to the address listed on the form, along with an original bank statement and copy of your passport (front and back).
  • For non US transcripts, provide a transcript evaluation by World Education Services (WES) or Foundation for International Services Inc. (FIS). (A page-by-page evaluation is sufficient, but a course-by-course evaluation is needed to determine if any pre-requisite foundations have been satisfied.)

All official transcripts must be submitted in English. International applicants are responsible for all costs associated with this service, including transcript(s) order and/or delivery fees (official transcripts must be sent directly from the school or translation evaluation service in a sealed envelope).

Questions?

For other questions, please check out our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page.

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Why SPU?

Mehdi El-Mardi (Class of 2022) | Product Solutions Manager, SmarTek21

Mehdi El-Mardi

Seattle Pacific University's MSDAB program not only expanded my technical expertise in data analytics but also sharpened my critical thinking and communication skills. The program's emphasis on collaborative projects prepared me to effectively work in cross-functional teams and gain new perspectives from talented and experienced fellow classmates. Thanks to an exceptional faculty staff, I was able to get exposure to current trends and made the curriculum very engaging. I can say that the MSDAB at SPU has contributed to my success and helped me make a positive impact in the roles I have taken on.

Harry Cavell (Class of 2022) | Forecasting Analyst, Walt Disney Company

Harry Cavell

SPU's MS-DAB program provides so much more than a skillset–it offers an education, a community, and ethical frameworks that serve graduates for a lifetime. Each professor fostered meaningful conversations about the many opportunities data analytics provides, while also addressing the current challenges presented by Big Data. Examined through a Christian worldview and affirming the intrinsic value held by all of God's creation, the MS-DAB program has not merely opened doors in my career but has enabled me to thrive in the ambiguous and challenging environment of data analytics. The faculty’s teaching approach empowers students to consider each business problem from multiple perspectives, disentangling them from the single-minded, profit-focused norm.

Rohini Goel (Class of 2018) | Senior (Data Analytics, Customer Solutioning, Data Engineering) 1010data

Rohini Goel

Being an international student, it’s always a tough decision to select the best school for yourself. I was fortunate to be a part of SPU’s full-time master’s in data analytics program. I did my undergrad in Telecommunication Engineering and worked in the telecom industry for a long time before I decided to change gears. With the MS-DAB program, you can explore multiple job paths, or any “hot job” pertaining to data. The faculty provides guidance at every step and encourages you to dive deep into projects that you are enthusiastic about. Small class size really contributes to the efficiency and closeness of the teachers and students. I have nothing but gratitude for the university and the faculty for shaping my career in a way that makes me count myself into a better professional.

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