Online MS in business analytics course descriptions

The online Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) at the University of Kansas School of Business is a workforce-aligned, STEM-designated degree built for professionals who want to expand their analytical capabilities without stepping away from their careers.

The 30-credit curriculum is designed to reflect the capabilities organizations actively seek in analytics professionals, including statistical modeling, artificial intelligence and machine learning, enterprise data management, optimization, and the communication of data-driven insights. Students build both the technical expertise to work with complex data and the business acumen to translate insights into meaningful action.

Core courses (21 credits)

BSAN 711 Statistical Modelling (3 Credits)

This course covers the development of statistical models that represent actual data and the use of these models to understand the important characteristics of that data. Statistical models including multiple regression, logistic regression, and time series models. The course will cover a process to build statistical models to represent actual data. This process teaches students how to select a statistical model for a given data set, how to estimate the parameters in that model, how to check to see if that model adequately fits the data, and when necessary how to modify that model. Students will gain model building experience by using R software on actual data.

Prerequisite: A statistics class that covers basic statistical methods through multiple regression.

BSAN 721 Data and Visual Analytics (3 Credits)

Presenting quantitative information in visual form is an essential communication skill for data professionals. This course instructs students in various visualization techniques and software. Students will learn how to: (1) ask interesting questions about the business and policies, (2) identify data that can be used to answer those questions, (3) collect, clean, and document the data, (4) explore and analyze the data with statistical and graphical techniques, (5) create compelling, informative, and accurate visualizations and (6) present these visualizations to educated audiences.

Corequisite: BSAN 710.

BSAN 727 Enterprise Data Management (3 Credits)

This course explores principles, practices, and technologies that govern the collection, organization, storage, and analysis of data in large organizations. Topics include data munging, structured query language, online transaction processing, business intelligence, big data analytics, and other related topics.

BSAN 741 Optimization and Prescriptive Analytics (3 Credits)

Data-driven decision making is key to establishing and maintaining a competitive edge in the modern business world. Optimization methods and techniques operationalize data to provide answers to business decision-making problems. In this course, students will be exposed to a variety of such optimization methodologies including linear, non-linear, and integer programming, heuristics, simulation modeling, and certainty/uncertainty quantification. Students will apply these methods to problems in finance, marketing, and operations using Excel-based solvers and other state-of-the-art software.

Prerequisite: BSAN 710 and BSAN 726.

BSAN 751 Foundations of Machine Learning and AI (3 Credits)

This course introduces students to machine learning methods and techniques, which also serve as foundations for understanding modern artificial intelligence techniques. The material presented emphasizes hands-on analytics experience in analyzing real-world data, while covering classical and the state-of-the-art machine learning algorithms in both supervised and unsupervised learning.

Corequisite: BSAN 710 and BSAN 716 (or program approval).

BSAN 766 AI for Business (3 Credits)

This is a foundational course on artificial intelligence for business professionals to explore its transformative potential. Students will explore practical applications of AI in different business domains using case studies. This course aims to equip learners to identify opportunities, overcome challenges, and implement AI solutions that drive efficiency and innovation within their organizations.

Prerequisite: BSAN 710, BSAN 716 (or program approval), BSAN 750, Corequisite: BSAN 740, BSAN 755.

BSAN 768 Cybersecurity Essentials for Business Leaders (3 Credits)

This course provides a comprehensive overview of the key cybersecurity concepts that every business leader should understand. It covers topics such as information security risk management, data protection, essential security processes, and the latest trends in cyber threats. Students will learn how to navigate the complex ethical and legal landscape of cybersecurity and data privacy and understand how implementing leading practices protect their organizations. The course emphasizes practical strategies and current events to prepare MBA students for understanding and leadership in the evolving cybersecurity challenges in the business world.

Electives (9 credits)

Select any online MBA courses (excluding the MBA capstone) to complete your elective credits. Choose courses that match your career goals or areas of interest like marketing, finance, supply chain management, leadership, or a combination of topics.

Note: MSBA students must abide by any stated prerequisites of MBA courses.

Online MBA Courses

Please note: Course list, electives, and sequence are subject to change. For a full list of KU courses, visit the course catalog.

Apply to the online MSBA

Ready to gain analytical authority? The KU online MSBA offers two starts per year: spring and fall.

Start an application
Learn about the admissions process

Aug
4
Application Deadline
August 4
Fall 2026 Term
Aug
24
Next Start
August 24
Fall 2026 Term

Make your ascent with the online KU's online business community


The University of Kansas has mastered the art of building meaningful connections in the digital space. Through interactive learning tools, collaborative projects, and virtual networking events, you'll forge lasting relationships with your online business cohort of ambitious professionals, expert faculty, and more than 25,000 KU School of Business alumni, some of whom work at Fortune 500 companies and serve as global industry leaders.* Plus, they're ready to help fellow Jayhawks succeed. Through the KU School of Business network, you'll gain access to:

  • ✓ Virtual networking events
  • ✓ Mentorship opportunities
  • ✓ Career development resources
  • ✓ Industry insights and connections

*Based on a limited sample of self-reported data from alumni of the University of Kansas School of Business online MBA program from 2019-2022 graduating cohorts

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