Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSA)
Contact Info
In the three-semester Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSA) program at Olin, we prepare students for today's world of big data. By combining technical programming skills with a rigorous approach to business problem-solving, MSA students gain the tools and the confidence needed to extract strategic insights from vast storehouses of data.
Across every industry, businesses are collecting data — from retail inventory records to hospital patient data to credit card transactions and more — and relying on skilled analysts to stay ahead of business trends, build forecasts, and drive creative solutions to business problems.
Areas of Focus
Students can choose one of six STEM-designated concentrations, focusing on a specific business area of data analytics:
- Customer Analytics (MSCA)
- Financial Technology ("FinTech") Analytics (MSFTA)
- Supply Chain Analytics (MSSCA)
- Healthcare Analytics (MSHA)
- Accounting Analytics (MSAA)
- Talent Analytics (MSTA)
The MSA degree requires the completion of 39 credits, including 18 units of common core credits that build students' analytics knowledge. The core courses focus on skills and tools such as SQL, Python, Tableau, R programming, text mining, big data, and cloud computing.
Master of Science in Accounting Analytics (MSAA)
The MSAA program requires 39 total credits, including 18 common core credits, 13.5 accounting analytics required credits, and 7.5 elective credits (at least 1.5 credits must be an experiential course). Areas of focus include strategic cost analysis, financial reporting and assurance in a blockchain world, accounting policy and research, and ethical decision making in accounting. Please review the curriculum outline for more details.
Master of Science in Customer Analytics (MSCA)
The MSCA program requires 39 total credits, including 18 common core credits, 13.5 customer analytics required credits, and 7.5 elective credits (at least 1.5 credits must be an experiential course). Areas of focus include marketing research, marketing management, digital marketing, and data analysis for brand management. Please review the curriculum outline for more details.
Master of Science in Financial Technology Analytics (MSFTA)
The MSFTA program requires 39 total credits, including 18 common core credits, 15 fintech required credits, and 6 elective credits (at least 1.5 credits must be an experiential course). Areas of focus include financial management, advanced corporate finance, investment theory, methods and practice of financial technology, and a seminar in financial technology. Please review the curriculum outline for more details.
Master of Science in Healthcare Analytics (MSHA)
The MSHA program requires 39 total credits, including 18 common core credits, 12 healthcare required credits, and 9 elective credits (at least 1.5 credits must be an experiential course). Areas of focus include research in healthcare management, health economics and policy, healthcare management, and the business and practice of medicine. Please review the curriculum outline for more details.
Master of Science in Supply Chain Analytics (MSSCA)
The MSSCA program requires 39 total credits, including 18 common core credits, 18 supply chain required credits, and 3 elective credits (at least 1.5 credits must be an experiential course). Areas of focus include operations management, stochastic models, revenue management, and supply chain finance. The Supply Chain Analytics program also requires the completion of an on-campus intensive foundation course that may begin prior to orientation. Please review the curriculum outline for more detail.
Master of Science in Talent Analytics (MSTA)
The MSTA program requires 39 total credits, including 18 common core credits, 12 talent analytics required credits, and 9 elective credits (at least 1.5 credits must be an experiential course). Areas of focus include people metrics; human resource strategies; the wholonics approach to integrated value creation; and compensation, incentives, talent, and organization analytics. Please review the curriculum outline for more details.
Orientation Programs
All Specialized Master’s Programs students kick off their degrees with a multipronged orientation program designed to prepare them for academic, personal and professional success.
Students will participate in various online and in-person orientation activities prior to beginning their fall semester at Olin. SMP Start is a set of online modules that introduce students to the ins and outs of Washington University including policies and procedures, health and wellness, leadership opportunities, and more. SMP Orientation Week includes workshops, events, and cohort overviews including introductions to faculty and advisors. This week is set up to help students with their final preparations before the start of their first semester. Orientation includes career sessions, which serve as catalysts for students to help them get started in their career search. These programs are packed with opportunities for students to bond with their program cohort and to connect with their peers in all of the Specialized Master's Programs.
Students new to the United States may have the opportunity to participate in SMP GO, during which they will acclimate to the Olin Business School culture and strengthen their English and business communication skills.
Simultaneously, students will complete optional online, asynchronous foundation courses to bolster their background and maximize their academic preparation before the start of their degree program.
Master of Science in Business Analytics Common Core Courses
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| DAT 5550 | Machine Learning Tools for Prediction of Business Outcomes | 3.0 |
| DAT 5561 | Introduction to Python and Data Science | 3.0 |
| DAT 5562 | Text Mining | 1.5 |
| DAT 5563 | Data Visualization for Business Insights | 1.5 |
| DAT 5564 | Database Design and SQL | 1.5 |
| DAT 5566 | Big Data and Cloud Computing | 1.5 |
| DAT 5567 | Prescriptive Analytics | 1.5 |
| DAT 5569 | A/B Testing in Business and Social Science | 3.0 |
| MGT 5600 | Professional Business Communication | 1.5 |
Accounting Analytics Concentration (MSAA)
MSAA Required Courses
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ACCT 5002 | Strategic Cost Analysis | 1.5 |
| ACCT 5013 | Ethics I | 1.5 |
| ACCT 5030 | Business Analysis Using Financial Statements | 1.5 |
| ACCT 5031 | Advanced Business Analysis Using Financial Statements | 1.5 |
| ACCT 5105 | Financial Reporting and Assurance in a Blockchain World | 1.5 |
| ACCT 5550 | Accounting Policy and Research | 3.0 |
| ACCT 5620 | Financial Accounting II | 3.0 |
MSAA Electives and Experiential Learning
Option A:
- 1.5 experiential course credits
- 6 approved elective credits
Option B:
- 3 experiential course credits
- 4.5 approved elective credits
MSAA Recommended Elective Course Options
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ACCT 5004 | Fraud Prevention and Internal Controls | 1.5 |
| ACCT 5005 | Information Technology Control & Audit | 1.5 |
| ACCT 5014 | Ethical Decision Making in Accounting II | 1.5 |
| ACCT 5020 | Managerial Control Systems | 1.5 |
| ACCT 5080 | Financial Reporting from the CFO's Perspective | 1.5 |
| ACCT 5090 | Tax and Business Strategy: A Planning Approach | 1.5 |
| ACCT 5360 | Financial Issues in Leasing | 1.5 |
| ACCT 5640 | Auditing | 3.0 |
| ACCT 5670 | Taxation of Individuals | 3.0 |
| ACCT 5680 | Financial Accounting III (Advanced Accounting) | 3.0 |
| DAT 5571 | Introduction to Cybersecurity | 1.5 |
| MEC 5310 | The Global Economy | 1.5 |
| MGT 5785 | Strategic Data Storytelling & Visualization for Business | 1.5 |
Note: All Master of Science in Business Analytics students can count courses from other concentrations toward their elective requirements.
MSAA Experiential Course Options
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ACCT 5675 | Volunteer Income Tax Assistance | 1.5 |
| MGT 5022 | Applied Problem Solving for Organizations | 1.5 |
| MGT 5103 | CEL Practicum | 3.0 |
| MGT 5105 | Taylor Community Consulting Project | 3.0 |
| MGT 5515 | Internship, Business & Application | 1.5 |
Customer Analytics Concentration (MSCA)
MSCA Required Courses
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| MKT 5002 | AI-Driven Customer Analytics | 3.0 |
| MKT 5003 | Digital Marketing | 1.5 |
| MKT 5550 | Data Analysis for Brand Management | 1.5 |
| MKT 5551 | Analytics-Driven Brand Management | 1.5 |
| MKT 5770 | Marketing Strategy | 3.0 |
| MKT 5800 | Marketing Research Analytics | 3.0 |
MSCA Electives and Experiential Learning
Option A:
- 1.5 experiential course credits
- 6 approved elective credits
Option B:
- 3 experiential course credits
- 4.5 approved elective credits
MSCA Recommended Elective Course Options
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| CSE 4107 | Introduction to Machine Learning | 3.0 |
| CSE 4507 | Introduction to Visualization | 3.0 |
| CSE 5104 | Data Mining | 3.0 |
| CSE 5105 | Bayesian Methods in Machine Learning | 3.0 |
| CSE 5107 | Machine Learning | 3.0 |
| CSE 5300 | Database Management Systems | 3.0 |
| CSE 5306 | Rapid Prototype Development & Creative Programming | 3.0 |
| DAT 5370 | Data Analysis, Forecasting & Risk Analysis | 3.0 |
| DAT 5555 | Business Forecasting | 3.0 |
| DAT 5565 | Deep Learning for Prediction of Business Outcomes | 1.5 |
| DAT 5571 | Intro to Cybersecurity | 1.5 |
| DAT 5668 | Deep Reinforcement Learning with Applications in Business | 1.5 |
| FIN 5575 | Introduction to Blockchain & Cryptocurrencies | 1.5 |
| INFO 5500 | Enterprise Resource Planning | 3.0 |
| MEC 5660 | Research in Healthcare Management | 3.0 |
| MGT 5785 | Strategic Data Storytelling & Visualization for Business | 1.5 |
| MGT 8620 | Empirical Methods in Business | 3.0 |
| MKT 5581 | Pricing Decision Making & Implementation | 1.5 |
| MKT 5580 | Pricing Strategies | 1.5 |
| MKT 5615 | Introduction to GIS & Spatial Mapping | 1.5 |
| MSB 5520 | Introduction to Bioinformatics | 3.0 |
| OB 5340 | Talent Analytics | 1.5 |
| OB 5350 | People Metrics | 1.5 |
| SDS 4110 | Experimental Design | 3.0 |
| SDS 4210 | Statistical Computation | 3.0 |
Note: All Master of Science in Business Analytics students can count courses from other concentrations toward their elective requirements.
MSCA Experiential Course Options
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| MGT 5022 | Applied Problem Solving for Organizations | 1.5 |
| MGT 5103 | CEL Practicum | 3.0 |
| MGT 5105 | Taylor Community Consulting Project | 3.0 |
| MGT 5515 | Internship, Business & Application | 1.5 |
| MKT 5000 | Intensive Industry Project | 3.0 |
| MKT 5315 | Marketing Metrics | 1.5 |
Financial Technology Analytics Concentration (MSFTA)
MSFTA Required Courses
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| FIN 5203 | Financial Management | 3.0 |
| FIN 5240 | Options and Futures | 1.5 |
| FIN 5250 | Fixed Income Securities | 1.5 |
| FIN 5320 | Investment Theory | 1.5 |
| FIN 5340 | Advanced Corporate Finance I - Valuation | 1.5 |
| FIN 5506 | Financial Technology - Methods and Practice | 3.0 |
| FIN 5507 | Seminar in Financial Technology | 3.0 |
MSFTA Electives and Experiential Learning
Option A:
- 1.5 experiential course credits
- 4.5 approved elective credits
Option B:
- 3 experiential course credits
- 3 approved elective credits
MSFTA Recommended Elective Course Options
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| CSE 5104 | Data Mining | 3.0 |
| DAT 5370 | Data Analysis, Forecasting & Risk Analysis | 3.0 |
| DAT 5565 | Deep Learning for Prediction of Business Outcomes | 1.5 |
| DAT 5567 | Introduction to Cybersecurity | 1.5 |
| DAT 5668 | Deep Reinforcement Learning with Applications in Business | 1.5 |
| FIN 5023 | Venture Capital Methods | 1.5 |
| FIN 5024 | Venture Capital Practice | 1.5 |
| FIN 5025 | Private Equity Methods | 1.5 |
| FIN 5026 | Private Equity Practice | 1.5 |
| FIN 5207 | Financial Markets | 1.5 |
| FIN 5241 | Adv. Corp. Finance II–Financing | 1.5 |
| FIN 5280 | Investments Praxis | 3.0 |
| FIN 5300 | International Finance | 1.5 |
| FIN 5315 | ESG Investing | 1.5 |
| FIN 5321 | Mergers and Acquisitions | 1.5 |
| FIN 5342 | ACF3: Corporate Financial Strategy | 1.5 |
| FIN 5360 | Financial Issues in Leasing | 1.5 |
| FIN 5400 | Real Estate Finance | 1.5 |
| FIN 5502 | Wealth Management – Practice | 1.5 |
| FIN 5503 | Endowments, Foundations and Philanthropy | 1.5 |
| FIN 5504 | Hedge Fund Strategies | 1.5 |
| FIN 5505 | Behavioral Finance | 1.5 |
| FIN 5575 | Introduction to Blockchain and Cryptocurrencies | 1.5 |
| FIN 5601 | Research Methods in Finance | 3.0 |
| MEC 5310 | The Global Economy | 1.5 |
| MGT 5101 | CEL Entrepreneurial Consulting Team | 3.0 |
| MGT 5110 | Law and Business Management | 1.5 |
| MGT 5785 | Strategic Data Visualization and Storytelling for Business | 1.5 |
| MKT 5003 | Digital Marketing | 1.5 |
Note: All Master of Science in Business Analytics students can count courses from other concentrations toward their elective requirements.
MSFTA Experiential Course Options
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| FIN 5019 | CFAR Practicum | 3.0 |
| MGT 5022 | Applied Problem Solving for Organizations | 1.5 |
| MGT 5515 | Internship, Business & Application | 1.5 |
Healthcare Analytics Concentration (MSHA)
MSHA Required Courses
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| MEC 5220 | Healthcare Management | 3.0 |
| MEC 5630 | Olin Grand Rounds: The Business and Practice of Medicine | 3.0 |
| MEC 5640 | Health Economics and Policy | 3.0 |
| MEC 5660 | Research in Healthcare Management | 3.0 |
MSHA Electives and Experiential Learning
Option A:
- 1.5 experiential course credits
- 7.5 approved elective credits
Option B:
- 3 experiential course credits
- 6 approved elective credits
MSHA Recommended Elective Course Options
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ACCT 5080 | Financial Reporting from the CFO's Perspective | 1.5 |
| DAT 5565 | Deep Learning for Prediction of Business Outcomes | 1.5 |
| DAT 5668 | Deep Reinforcement Learning with Applications in Business | 1.5 |
| MEC 5310 | The Global Economy | 1.5 |
| MEC 5550 | Health Insurance in the United States | 1.5 |
| MEC 5551 | Drugs and Devices | 1.5 |
| MGT 5785 | Strategic Data Storytelling and Visualization for Business | 1.5 |
| MSB 5520 | Introduction to Bioinformatics | 3.0 |
| PHFN 5000 | Epidemiology | 3.0 |
| PHS 5010 | Introduction to Epidemiology | 1.5 |
| PHS 5011 | Intermediate Epidemiology | 1.5 |
| SCOT 5503 | Supply Chain Analytics: Stochastic Models | 1.5 |
Note: All Master of Science in Business Analytics students can count courses from other concentrations toward their elective requirements.
MSHA Experiential Course Options
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| MGT 5022 | Applied Problem Solving for Organizations | 1.5 |
| MGT 5101 | CEL Entrepreneurial Consulting Team | 3.0 |
| MGT 5103 | CEL Practicum | 3.0 |
| MGT 5105 | Taylor Community Consulting Project | 3.0 |
| MGT 5515 | Internship, Business and Application | 1.5 |
| SCOT 5050 | Boeing Center Supply Chain Practicum | 1.5 |
Supply Chain Analytics Concentration (MSSCA)
MSSCA Required Courses
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| SCOT 5100 | Operations Management Foundations | 2.0 |
| SCOT 5300 | Supply Chain Analytics Capstone | 3.0 |
| SCOT 5310 | Supply Chain Finance | 1.5 |
| SCOT 5503 | Stochastic Models | 1.5 |
| SCOT 5580 | Advanced Operations Strategy | 3.0 |
| SCOT 5702 | Introduction to Revenue Management | 1.5 |
| SCOT 5721 | Operations Analytics | 3.0 |
| SCOT 5760 | Foundations of Supply Chain Management | 1.5 |
| SCOT 5906 | Operations Platform Seminar | 1.0 |
MSSCA Electives and Experiential Learning
- 1.5 experiential course credits
- 1.5 approved elective credits
MSSCA Recommended Elective Course Options
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| CSE 2201 | Internet of Things | 3.0 |
| CSE 4207 | Cloud Computing with Big Data Applications | 3.0 |
| CSE 5104 | Data Mining | 3.0 |
| CSE 5105 | Bayesian Methods in Machine Learning | 3.0 |
| CSE 5107 | Machine Learning | 3.0 |
| CSE 5300 | Database Management Systems | 3.0 |
| CSE 5306 | Rapid Prototype Development and Creative Programming | 3.0 |
| DAT 5370 | Data Analysis, Forecasting and Risk Analysis | 3.0 |
| DAT 5565 | Deep Learning for Business Analytics | 1.5 |
| DAT 5571 | Introduction to Cybersecurity | 1.5 |
| DAT 5668 | Deep Reinforcement Learning with Applications in Business | 1.5 |
| MEC 5310 | The Global Economy | 1.5 |
| MGT 5785 | Strategic Data Visualization and Storytelling for Business | 1.5 |
| MKT 5580 | Pricing Strategies | 1.5 |
| SCOT 5500 | Project Management | 3.0 |
| SCOT 5501 | Supply Chain Risk Management | 1.5 |
| SCOT 5568 | Business Management with SAP I | 1.5 |
| SCOT 5569 | Business Management with SAP II | 1.5 |
| SCOT 5730 | Operations Management in the Service Industry | 1.5 |
| SCOT 5770 | IT and Supply Chain Management | 1.5 |
Note: All Master of Science in Business Analytics students can count courses from other concentrations toward their elective requirements.
MSSCA Experiential Course Options
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| MGT 5022 | Applied Problem Solving for Organizations | 1.5 |
| MGT 5515 | Internship, Business and Application | 1.5 |
| SCOT 5050 | Boeing Center Supply Chain Practicum | 1.5 |
Talent Analytics Concentration (MSTA)
MSTA Required Courses
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| MEC 5380 | Economics of the Organization | 1.5 |
| MGT 5020 | Ethical Issues in Managerial Decision Making | 1.5 |
| OB 5250 | Human Resource Management | 3.0 |
| OB 5340 | Talent Analytics | 1.5 |
| OB 5350 | People Metrics | 1.5 |
| OB 5610 | Negotiation and Conflict Management | 1.5 |
| OB 5650 | Leading Change | 1.5 |
MSTA Electives and Experiential Learning
Option A:
- 1.5 experiential course credits
- 7.5 approved elective credits
Option B:
- 3 experiential course credits
- 6 approved elective credits
MSTA Recommended Elective Course Options
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| DAT 5565 | Deep Learning for Prediction of Business Outcomes | 1.5 |
| DAT 5571 | Introduction to Cybersecurity | 1.5 |
| DAT 5668 | Deep Reinforcement Learning with Applications in Business | 1.5 |
| FIN 5575 | Introduction to Blockchain & Cryptocurrencies | 1.5 |
| MEC 5381 | Compensation, Incentives, & Organization | 1.5 |
| MGT 5110 | Law & Business Management | 1.5 |
| MGT 5785 | Strategic Data Storytelling and Visualization for Business | 1.5 |
| MKT 5580 | Pricing Strategies | 1.5 |
| OB 5230 | Politics & Power in Organizations | 3.0 |
| OB 5270 | Human Resource Strategies for General Managers | 1.5 |
Note: All Master of Science in Business Analytics students can count courses from other concentrations toward their elective requirements.
MSTA Experiential Course Options
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| MGT 5022 | Applied Problem Solving for Organizations | 1.5 |
| MGT 5101 | CEL Entrepreneurial Consulting Team | 3.0 |
| MGT 5103 | CEL Practicum | 3.0 |
| MGT 5105 | Taylor Community Consulting Project | 3.0 |
| MGT 5515 | Internship, Business and Application | 1.5 |
| MKT 5000 | Intensive Industry Project | 3.0 |
| MKT 5315 | Marketing Metrics | 1.5 |