Certificate in Business and Managerial Analytics

Business decision making is increasingly complex due to the availability of data on virtually every aspect of a business. Today’s business professionals need to understand and rely on accurate data analysis to leverage organizational knowledge, make data-driven decisions, and maximize competitive advantages. 

Accordingly, the 14-15 credit Business and Managerial Analytics (BMAN) Certificate is designed for students who want to understand how to leverage an organization’s data to inform business decision making and risk reduction.  

Through elective focus areas, students may build industry-specific analytics knowledge and experience.  Students may also choose to take electives from multiple focus areas.  The Business and Managerial Analytics Certificate prepares students to:

  • Frame business problems, identify data and applications, and build business analytic models (programming and non-programming) to address these problems.
  • Translate results into actionable business strategies.
  • Manage real (messy) data for decision making and risk reduction.
  • Communicate effectively to convey data driven solutions to both technical and non-technical audiences.

The BMAN Certificate is a modular certificate that stands alone but also allows for credits to be “stacked” into graduate business programs (i.e., MBA or MS programs). 

Curriculum

In addition to the course details and descriptions below, you may review the Business and Managerial Analytics Certificate handout.

Core requirements - 6 credits

MBA 6100 - Business Analytics (3 credits)

Provides a structured and effective way of tackling a wide range of managerial problems using analytics. Introduces students to basic concepts in business analytics and several quantitative techniques that are important for the practical analysis of a broad range of business problems and widely accepted by the practitioners. These techniques provide a framework to support managerial decision making. Lectures cover the topics in sufficient details to make one feel comfortable in their use. Also stresses the importance of critical thinking skills to make sound managerial decisions, to apply ethical reasoning to business situations and to communicate effectively in business settings.

COSC 6520 - Data Analytics (3 credits)

Foundational topics in the analysis of data from a business perspective. Includes methodology for the development of business analytics systems. Examines technology employed for business analytics in a variety of industry segments and the benefits derived from business analytics. Foundations of text and data mining techniques commonly used for classification, clustering and prediction. Students are presented techniques for developing a business case, evaluating predictive performance and managing data. Includes exercises using analytic technology and a project to apply analytics to a customer application.

 

Skills Courses - at least 2 credits

ECON 6114 - Introduction to R Programming (1 credit)

Introduction to R Programming. Prereq: Admitted to the graduate ECON or FINA program; or cons. of M.S.A.E. prog. dir.

ECON 6116 - SQL (1 credit)

Fundamentals of the creation and use of databases using the programming platform Structured Query Language (SQL). Students learn to customize and manipulate databases with SQL to help gather data for presentations and analyses. Prereq: Admitted to the graduate ACCO, BMAN, BUAD, ECON or FINA program; or cons. of M.S.A.E. prog. dir.

ECON 6118 - Python Programming (1 credit)

Teaches the basics of programming with Python: writing and executing Python programs, learning the core data structures in Python, interacting with data, acquiring skill in data manipulation and using Python to access web data and data from databases. Prereq: Admitted to the graduate ECON or FINA program; or cons. of M.S.A.E. prog. dir.

 

Electives - 6 credits

With prerequisite eligibility, students complete 6 credits from multiple elective areas below.  Students may focus their BMAN Certificate electives in the areas of communication analytics, economic analytics, finance analytics, health care analytics and marketing analytics.

Communication Analytics

COMM 6002 - Communication Research in Action (3 credits)

Explores professional and scholarly applications of research methodologies related to issues and problems in the study of organizations; media; health, science, and the environment; public life; technology; and relationships.

COMM 6815 - Digital Communication Strategies in Metrics (3 credits)

Explores methods used to measure the impacts and effectiveness of digital communication across a variety of audiences and platforms (text, audio, video, and web). Focus varies; topics may include: measurement, analytics, user experience and the integration of return on investment (ROI). Seminar topics to be announced in the Schedule of Classes.

ADPR 5350 - Social Media Analytics & Measurement (3 credits)

Focuses on social media analytics and measurement. Designed to train students to analyze metrics and maximize the digital success of brands. Using innovative examples and case studies, students focus on effectiveness and optimization while learning to apply analytic strategies and tools to build strong measurement competencies. 

Economic Analytics

ECON 6560 - Applied Econometrics (3 credits)

Specification, estimation and statistical verification of multiple linear regression models and hypothesis testing. Causes, consequences, detection of such problems as heteroscedasticity, autocorrelation, specification and measurement errors. Other topics include estimation of models with panel data and limited dependent variables. Prereq: Admitted to the graduate ACAN, ECON or BMAN Certificate program; or cons. of M.S.A.E. prog. dir.

ECON 6561 - Applied Time-Series Econometrics and Forecasting (3 credits)

Continuation of ECON 6560 focusing on more advanced econometric and forecasting techniques using primarily time-series models such as ARIMA and transfer functions, VAR, VEC, and GARCH, as well as the method of combining forecasts. Emphasis on the practical knowledge of above techniques, and on reporting and presenting econometric results. Prereq: Admitted to the graduate ECON, FINA or BMAN Certificate program; or cons. of M.S.A.E. prog. dir.

Finance Analytics

FINA 6175 - Fintech: Foundations and Applications (3 credits)

Presents a variety of financial technology topics. Covers FinTech applications within banking, investments, insurance, and other financial sectors. Introduces the technical underpinnings, including basic programming, data analytics, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and blockchain. Emphasizes ethics and explores digital privacy and security. Objective is to understand the impact of the convergence of technology, finance, regulation and ethics. Prereq: Admitted to graduate ACCO, ACAN, BUAD, ECON, HCTM or MGMT and MBA 6010 and MBA 6020; or cons. of M.B.A. prog. dir.

MSF 6520 - Financial Econometrics (3 credits)

Covers a variety of economic, financial and investment models to make inferences and forecasts. Discusses how estimation techniques span from simple linear regression models to panel data estimation. Explores time series modeling techniques, ranging from ARIMA models to volatility and correlation modeling. Covers how to deal with qualitative variables and limited dependent variables, using both parametric and non-parametric techniques. Uses the statistical tools of Excel and R, though other tools may be used depending on the application. Offers practical use for all types of financial research where data must be examined, and relationships must be explained or predicted. Prereq: Admitted to the graduate FINA program; or cons. of M.S.F. prog. dir.

Health Care Analytics

HEAL 6830 - Quality Improvement Science in Health Care (3 credits)

Explores improvement science including quality and patient safety theories, models, methods and tools. Application of measurement, data management and analysis to quality improvement and patient safety challenges.

HEAL 6835 - Health Care Informatics, Technology and Professional Issues (3 credits)

Examines current health care realities, with an emphasis on the use of technology for policy, regulation, collaboration and interdisciplinary practice issues. Includes information technology applications in healthcare administration, clinical practice and education.

Marketing Analytics

MARK 6130 - Customer Relationship Management (3 credits)

Focuses on optimizing profitable relationships with customers, recognizing that customers are a company's most important asset. Explores marketing variables that impact customers' satisfaction, loyalty and brand advocacy. Emphasizes exceptional and relevant customer experience as the most available path to a sustainable competitive advantage. Provides instruction on how to apply a number of CRM metrics; customer lifetime value (CLV), recency/frequency/monetary (RFM) and value estimation. Also provides hands-on experience developing predictive models using CRM data and tools. Prereq: Admitted to the graduate ACCO, BUAD, ECON, or NURS program; MBA 6010 and MBA 6080; or cons. of M.B.A. prog. dir.

MARK 6160 - Marketing Research (3 credits)

Addresses how the information used to make managerial decisions is generated by gathering data, analyzing data, interpreting results and preparing research reports. Appropriate for both users of research results and those who aspire to be marketing researchers. SPSS and SAS are used for performing data analysis. Prereq: Admitted to the graduate ACCO, BUAD, ECON, or NURS program and MBA 6010 and MBA 6080; or cons. of M.B.A. prog. dir.

MARK 6165 - Marketing Analytics (3 credits)

Focuses on the marketing strategies underlying quantitative analysis and how that analysis leads to more effective decisions and greater profitability. Explores familiar marketing challenges using a toolbox of techniques. Uses a combination of hands-on practice, case studies, guest speakers and lecture to give students the analytical tools and the mindset to migrate from a qualitative to a more quantitative brand of marketing and improve job potential. Prereq: Admitted to the graduate ACCO, BUAD, ECON, or NURS program and MBA 6010 and MBA 6080; or cons. of M.B.A. prog. dir.

Admissions, Elective Eligibility and Course Waivers

Programming knowledge is not required for admission. 

Applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree, or its academic equivalent, from an accredited college or university. The undergraduate background must be appropriate to the chosen course of study.  Applicants should have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.750 (on a scale of 4.000) in their undergraduate course work.

Foundational statistical knowledge is needed for program success.  Students who have earned a B or better in a statistics course equivalent to MBA 6010 should have the foundational knowledge needed for required courses.  Students without the needed statistics background may complete MBA 6010 within BMAN program study.  Completing MBA 6010 will add 1.5 credits to program requirements.  

Elective Eligibility

Elective focus area eligibility will be evaluated within the application review process.  All students enrolled in the Business and Managerial Analytics Certificate may pursue electives in Health Systems Leadership and Communication Analysis.  The Economics, Finance and Marketing elective focus areas require foundational to intermediate knowledge in the subject area.  A student’s eligibility for these elective focus areas will be evaluated within the application process.

  • Finance: Knowledge equivalent to MBA 6050.  Completion of an undergraduate introduction to Finance course with a B or better in the last 10 years from an appropriately accredited school will serve as appropriate preparation.  Students who have not completed an introductory finance course or who do not meet the grade and completion date criteria above may complete MBA 6050 to prepare for marketing electives.  Completion of MBA 6050 will add 1.5 credits to certificate completion.
  • Marketing: Knowledge equivalent to MBA 6080.  Completion of an undergraduate introduction to Marketing course with a B or better in the last 10 years from an appropriately accredited school will serve as appropriate preparation.  Students who have not completed an introductory marketing course or who do not meet the grade and completion date criteria above may complete MBA 6080 to prepare for marketing electives.  Completion of MBA 6080 will add 1.5 credits to certificate completion.
  • Economics: Knowledge equivalent to coursework in intermediate macroeconomics and intermediate microeconomics with a B or better will provide appropriate preparation for concepts and quantitative skills within the economics elective focus area.  Students who have not intermediate level economics courses or who do not meet the grade and completion date criteria above will need to complete more than 1.5 credits of preparation coursework to be appropriately prepared for the economics elective focus area.

Course Waivers

Up to three credits within the BMAN Certificate may be waived through option 1 or 2 below.  Option 2 is available to Marquette University undergraduates.

  1. Completion of up to three graduate-level credits within the BMAN curriculum (core, skills and/or elective courses) prior to applying for the certificate.  Marquette undergraduate students may complete graduate level course work within undergraduate studies by requesting graduate access through the form .
  2. Marquette University undergraduates may have 3 BMAN elective credits waived by earning a B or better in one of the elective waiver eligible courses below.

Waiver Eligible Courses

  • Students majoring in Computer Science and Mathematical and Statistical Sciences complete required courses that align well with BMAN knowledge, skills and abilities.  Several courses from these majors would be eligible for the 3-credit BMAN Certificate waiver.  Please contact Professor Scott Rex to discuss specific plans.
  • Advertising
    ADPR 4350. Social Media Analytics and Measurement
    ADPR 4997. Advertising and Public Relations Campaigns
  • Biomedical Engineering
    BIEN 1120. Introduction to Computing for Biomedical Engineers
    BIEN 2100. Statistics for Biomedical Engineering
    BIEN 3200. Computer Applications in Biomedical Engineering
    BIEN 3300. Signals and Systems for Biomedical Engineering
    BIEN 4410. Applied Finite Element Analysis.
  • Business and Managerial Analytics
    BUAN 3065. Business Analytics 1: Data Definition, Preparation, Descriptive Analytics
    BUAN 3066. Business Analytics 2: Predictive and Prescriptive Modeling.
    BUAN 4060. Business Analytics: Unstructured Data Analysis
    BUAN 4061. Advanced Business Analytics
    BUAN 4160. Integrative Business Analytics
  • Civil Engineering
    CEEN 1210. Introduction to Computing, Analysis, Design and Communication
    CEEN 2320. Introduction to Civil Infrastructure, Geo-Spatial and Environmental Modeling; CEEN 4310. Geographical Information Systems in Engineering and Planning
    CEEN 4411. Matrix Structural Analysis
    CEEN 4720. Probabilities Concepts in Engineering
  • Economics
    ECON 4060. Introduction to Econometrics
    ECON 4065. Mathematical Economics
  • Electrical and Computer Engineering
    COEN 2610. Software Methodologies
    COEN 4650. Introduction to Algorithms
    COEN 4860. Introduction to Neural Networks and Fuzzy Systems
    ELEN 3020. Linear Systems Analysis
  • Mechanical Engineering
    MEEN 3210. Measurements and Controls
    MEEN 3260. Numerical Methods of Mechanical Systems
    MEEN 3426. Engineering Statistics
    MEEN 4265. Intermediate Finite Element Methods.

Application Requirements

This certificate has rolling admission, which means you may apply any time before the following dates:

  • Fall term admissions – August 1 (June 1 for international applicants)
  • Spring term admissions – December 15 (October 15 for international applicants)

Applications to the Business and Managerial Analytics Certificate program require:

  • A completed online application form and $50 fee, waived if you attend an online info session
  • Official transcripts from all current and previous colleges except Marquette1
  • Completed or nearly completed baccalaureate degree with a minimum 2.750 GPA.
  • Essay questions on the application form
  • Resume or job profile
  • Possible interview

  • Additional requirements for international students:

    • All international (non-U.S.) transcripts/academic records be evaluated by a transcript evaluation service. You must list in the application all colleges or universities that you have attended, whether you received a degree or transferred the credits from the school. 

    • Two letters of recommendation
    • Official TOEFL score or other acceptable proof of English proficiency

    1 Upon admission, final official transcripts from all previously attended colleges/universities, with certified English translations if original language is not English, must be submitted to the Graduate School within the first five weeks of the term of admission or a hold preventing registration for future terms will be placed on the student’s record. 

Please see the GSM Admissions Process website for additional details about application materials.

Questions about course waivers may be discussed with Professor Scott Rex, BMAN Program Director.  Application questions may be directed to gsm@marquette.edu.

We look forward to reviewing your application.  Please apply here.