Master’s in Business Analytics (MSBA)

Accelerate Your Career in Data Science with an MSBA Degree

Data analytics is one of today’s most sought-after skills as organizations increasingly rely on data to drive decision-making. And the most valuable professionals are those who understand data in the context of business applications and can translate it into meaningful, actionable insights to optimize results in any function or industry. Cornell’s accelerated master’s in business analytics (MSBA) program satisfies both needs. Learn more about this STEM-designated, master’s in business analytics program below.

Program Curriculum

Cornell’s MSBA program curriculum includes online and residential coursework. Students complete 11 online core MSBA courses and six online electives, choosing from concentrations in finance analytics, marketing analytics, operations and supply chain analytics, and business analytics.

The degree includes two one-week summer residency sessions in Ithaca, New York, (Term one) and New York City (Term four). During these sessions, students have the opportunity to meet their professors and classmates in person while completing intensive coursework on campus.

All MSBA courses are taught in small cohorts, with the same class size as Johnson’s residential programs to provide an interactive learning environment.

Over the course of the program, each student completes a capstone project that addresses a real-world problem in their chosen concentration using a large-scale data set and analysis tools from the coursework.

Students should expect to spend an average of 20 hours each week on their studies. The program includes a one-week break before and after each summer term and a five-week winter break between the fall and spring terms.

The entire program is 16 months and students earn a total of 30 credits.

Application Requirements

MSBA applicants should be critical thinkers and good communicators who want to learn how to solve business problems using data modeling and analysis. You don’t need to be a data scientist, programmer, or engineer, but you need to have some comfort with college-level calculus or statistics. Knowledge of programming is a plus, but it is not necessary. Read the list of MSBA application requirements below.

• Completed Cornell graduate school application and application fee: A nonrefundable application fee of $105 must be submitted with your online application. An application fee waiver may be requested if you meet the following criteria:
  • You are a current or former United States military member
  • You are a current Cornell student or a recent Cornell alum and have graduated within two years of your application date

In either of these cases, please contact gradadmissions@business.cornell.edu for a fee waiver code prior to submitting your application. Please indicate in your message if you are a current or former United States military member or a current or former Cornell student.

• Academic transcripts: Successful applicants will have received a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. Please submit transcripts from all colleges or universities you have attended. Be sure to redact, cross out, or cover your Social Security Number if it is displayed on your transcript. You may submit unofficial transcripts with your application; however, should you be admitted into the MSBA program, we will request an official copy for verification.
  • Transcripts should indicate:
    • All courses you have taken
    • Grades received in each course
    • Degree and the date it was conferred
• For students with non-U.S. credentials: A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution or an equivalent international degree is required. Candidates who have earned or are on track to earn a degree that does not match the information found on the equivalency list in title or duration should strongly consider providing a credential evaluation with their application. World Education Services (WES) a third-party verification agency, can provide this service.
  • Submit unofficial transcripts from all colleges attended. If your transcript is not in English, please submit an official and certified English translation in addition to an original copy. World Education Services (WES), can provide this service. Transcripts should indicate all courses you have taken, grades received in each course, degree name, and date the degree was conferred. Candidates who are admitted and enrolled are required to provide the corresponding official transcripts before matriculation.
• Demonstrated quantitative proficiency through previous college-level courses in calculus or statistics. College-level programming courses are a plus but are not necessary.
• Superior oral and written communication skills
• Resume or CV
• Two letters of recommendation: Two letters of recommendation are required. At least one should be from a current or recent supervisor who can attest to your work-related skills. The second may be from either an academic or professional source.
  • You will be required to enter the email or street address of your recommenders as you complete this portion of your application. Select the “online” option for your recommenders to receive an emailed invitation to submit their letters. It is your responsibility to ensure that all recommendations are submitted online by the deadline for the round in which you are applying.
• Academic Statement of Purpose: Please use the Academic Statement of Purpose to describe, within 500 words: (1) your academic interests, (2) your academic background, preparation, and training, including any relevant professional experiences, (3) your reasons for pursuing graduate studies in this specific program, and (4) your professional goals.
• Personal statement
  • Describe (within 300-500 words) how your background and experiences influenced your decision and ability to pursue a graduate degree. Additionally, provide insights into your potential to contribute to a community of inclusion, belonging, and respect where scholars representing diverse backgrounds, perspectives, abilities, and experiences can learn and work productively and positively together.
• A GMAT or GRE test score is not required
• Video Interview: After you submit your application, you will be sent an email invitation to complete a video interview, where you will be asked to give short verbal responses to pre-recorded questions. Note, an invitation to the video interview will be sent automatically after submitting your application. Please monitor your inbox carefully as your application will not be considered complete until the video interview is submitted. The video interview is designed to assess your fit for the program and your communication skills. We advise that you use the most up-to-date version of Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge to complete the video interview.
• English language proficiency requirement: All international applicants must demonstrate proficiency in the English language by submitting official TOEFL, IELTS Academic, or Duolingo English Test scores. Test scores must be sent directly by the testing center. International students may also be required to pass a writing benchmark. All MSBA classes are delivered in English and require participation in class discussions, involvement in group projects, and intensive writing and reading. Successful candidates will have a full command of both spoken and written English.
  • The MSBA program does not accept My Best Score reports for the TOEFL examination and requires applicants to meet the minimum sub-scores in speaking, reading, listening and writing set by the Cornell Graduate School.
  • TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English tests must have been taken within two years of the application deadline. Duolingo English test scores should be sent to Cornell SC Johnson College of Business.
  • In some cases, these testing requirements can be waived. For more information on TOEFL and IELTS test score minimums, how to submit TOEFL or IELTS test scores, and the criteria for waiving the requirement, please visit the Graduate School’s website.
  • IELTS and TOEFL Arrangements for COVID-19: If a safe in-person option is not available for you, you may submit results from one of the following at-home options.
    • IELTS Online
    • IELTS Indicator
    • TOEFL iBT® Home Edition

Because the MSBA degree consists primarily of online courses, enrollment in this degree will not qualify students for a student visa to enter the US. Applicants are responsible for applying for the appropriate visa to attend the two required in-person residency sessions.

Note: When completing the Academic Program Selection portion of the application, select Business Analytics, MS under the field of Management.

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