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.

MSBA 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.

MS in Business Analytics 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.

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution or an equivalent international degree. 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) is a preferred third-party provider.
• 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. WES, a third-party verification agency, 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 (LOR), one addressing academic promise and one addressing professional promise. We will accept as many as three LORs if applicants elect to submit a third from either an academic or professional source.
• Statement of purpose and supplemental question(s)
• GMAT/GRE not accepted or required
• Online video interview
• All applicants must provide proof of English language proficiency through test scores or exemption. In many cases, these testing requirements can be waived. For more information on score minimums, how to submit test scores, and the criteria for waiving the requirement, please visit the Graduate School’s website. Accepted English language proficiency examinations:
  • TOEFL iBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based Test)
  • IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)
  • Duolingo English Test
  • Due to Covid-19 disruptions, we will also temporarily accept the following home test results for 2023 MSBA admission:
    • IELTS Indicator
    • TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition
• Minimum score requirements to be competitive in our review process:
  • TOEFL iBT: 100; and minimum sub-scores of Speaking 22, Reading 20, Listening 15, Writing 20. We do not accept My Best Score results from multiple testing dates.
  • Duolingo English Test: 120
  • IELTS Academic: 7

Because the MSBA degree consists primarily of online courses, Cornell is unable to admit international students studying in the US on F-1 or J-1 visas to this program. Enrollment in this degree will not qualify students for a student visa to enter the US.

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

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