WCSU Graduate Catalog 2025-2026 : ANCELL SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION – BUSINESS ANALYTICS

MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION – Concentration in BUSINESS ANALYTICS 

Dr. Linda Forbes 
Phone: (203) 837-3256
Room WS 386 – Classroom Building forbesl@wcsu.edu
Accounting Faculty   X. Jiang; Y. Kim. 
Finance Faculty  H. Naimot; J. K. Robinson; L. Vo. 
Management Faculty  S. Bazan; M. Dugal; L. Forbes; Y. Hayajneh; D. Weltmann. 
Management Information Systems  J. Flynn; P. Nugent. 
Marketing  E. AbouElgheit; J. McCartney. 
     

  

Program Overview and Mission 

The Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) program at Western Connecticut State University (WestConn) is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. WestConn’s M.B.A. program focuses on preparing students for managerial positions and leadership roles in contemporary organizations. Students acquire vital knowledge about business and organizational functions and activities. Students are challenged to think strategically and refine skills needed to succeed in competitive environments. 

WestConn’s M.B.A. in Business Analytics will provide graduates with the skills needed to leverage data for strategic insights and tactical decisions. This concentration is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in data analysis, statistical techniques, current analytic platforms, and the practical application of those analytics tools and methodologies. Graduates of the program will possess valuable expertise, bridging the gap between decision makers and data scientists, providing considerable value to their employers. 

Full-time Students: For students able to make a full-time commitment, including summer and intersession, the program can be completed in 12-14 months, depending on required prerequisites. Our scheduling also meets the needs of accounting graduates who are completing Connecticut’s 150 credit hour requirement prior to joining accounting firms.  

Most graduate classes meet one night a week on Monday through Thursday evenings at 5:25 p.m. Some courses may be offered in online or hybrid formats and occasionally at 8 p.m. or on weekends. Small classes, usually fewer than 25 students, encourage interaction and collegiality among the students. 

  

MBA Program Learning Goals and Outcomes 

  1. COMMUNICATION: MBA graduates will demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills.
  • Graduates will demonstrate effective writing skills that are appropriate to multi-national and multi-layered organizations. 
  • Graduates will demonstrate effective oral communication skills that encompass diverse perspectives. 
  1. LEADERSHIP AND TEAMS: MBA graduates will demonstrate managerial-level skills required to develop successful careers.
  • Graduates will be effective leaders. 
  • Graduates will be effective collaborators. 
  1. ETHICS: MBA graduates will demonstrate ethical awareness.
  • Graduates will apply social frameworks to achieve a positive societal impact * 
  • Graduates will be able to evaluate and apply relevant ethical considerations to decision-making. 
  1. CRITICAL THINKING: MBA graduates will be effective critical thinkers.
  • Graduates will utilize critical thinking to assess business environments. 
  • Graduates will apply qualitative and quantitative reasoning to make business decisions. 

 

Technical Skill Development 

  1. Data Science and Analytical Foundations: Develop foundational knowledge in data science concepts and techniques and apply them to business decision-making, including data acquisition, cleaning, processing, and statistical analysis. 
  2. Predictive Analytics and Data Mining: Apply statistical and predictive modeling techniques, including data mining and machine learning, to analyze complex datasets and uncover actionable business insights. 
  3. Data Visualization and Business Intelligence: Demonstrate proficiency in business intelligence tools and data visualization techniques to create meaningful dashboards and communicate data-driven insights to stakeholders. 
  4. Digital Marketing Analytics: Use analytics to measure and optimize digital marketing strategies, understanding customer behavior, campaign performance, and the impact of digital channels on brand growth and ROI. 
  5. Strategic Decision-Making: Integrate data analytics into strategic business decisions, recognizing the ethical and practical implications of data-driven approaches and effectively communicating findings to non-technical audiences. 
  6. Hands-on Analytical Tool Proficiency: Gain hands-on experience with industry-standard analytical tools and platforms, such as R, Python, Tableau, Power BI, or Google Analytics, to manage and analyze real-world data. 
  7. Problem Solving and Critical Thinking: Develop problem-solving skills to frame business problems, identify relevant data sources, apply appropriate analytical methods, and interpret the results in a business context.   

Application of Strategic Knowledge 

  1. Strategic Data-Driven Decision-Making: Develop the ability to leverage data analytics as a strategic tool in business decision-making, enhancing managerial judgment in identifying trends, patterns, and opportunities for growth. 
  2. Managerial Interpretation of Data Insights: Cultivate skills to interpret complex data insights, translating technical analysis into actionable business strategies that drive value and competitive advantage. 
  3. Evaluating and Communicating Insights to Stakeholders: Enhance communication skills to effectively present data-driven insights to diverse stakeholders, fostering data literacy and enabling informed decision-making at all organizational levels.
  4. Ethical and Responsible Analytics: Develop a strong understanding of the ethical implications and responsibilities associated with data analytics, including data privacy, transparency, and fairness in business applications. 

Admission Requirements 

Applicants to the M.B.A. in Business Analytics program must submit the following materials to the Office of Graduate Admissions, Old Main, Rm. 101: 

  • An official transcript from each college or university previously attended, including all undergraduate and graduate courses, grades, and degrees  
  • A list of three references, with contact information, preferably from employers or former professors 
  • A current resume or curriculum vitae 
  • An optional essay on why the applicant desires to pursue an M.B.A. in Business Analytics at WCSU. 
  • The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) may be required for non-native English speakers with limited exposure to English. We also accept Duolingo. 
  • For applicants with an undergraduate GPA below 2.75, an official copy of the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) test scores is required. GMAT/GRE scores must be from no more than five years prior to the date of enrollment. 

Admission to the M.B.A. in Business Analytics program is based on the information in the above items and the meeting with the program coordinator. No admission decision can be made until all of the required materials are in the applicant’s file in the Office of Graduate Admissions. Previous academic achievements, GMAT/GRE test scores, recommendations, and work experience are important factors. If you are admitted to the program, you will be required to submit proof of immunization before you can register for courses. For more information, go to https://www.wcsu.edu/healthservices/onlineforms/ for Connecticut State University Immunization Requirements and Connecticut State University Student Health Services Form.  

Admission Formula 

In general, admission to the M.B.A. in Business Analytics will be determined using the following M.B.A. Admission Formula Score:  (Undergraduate GPA x 200) + GMAT score > 1,050 

GMAT/GRE Exam Waivers 

You may receive a GMAT/GRE waiver if you have significant professional business and management experience, recognized professional certification (CPS, CFA, CMA, CIA, CFP), past graduate degree (master’s or higher), or a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75, or take 2 M.B.A. 3 S.H. program courses as a non-matriculated student in one semester, and receive an average grade of 3.67 or better. Contact the MBA Coordinator for details on this process. 

Degree Requirements 

The MBA with Business Analytics concentration program will require successful completion of 37 required credit hours. The MBA (Business Analytics) degree will be conferred upon the matriculated student who has: 

  • Completed prerequisite courses (minus waived) 
  • Completed 37 graduate credits (minus waived and transferred credits) with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 B or better 
  • Participated in program-level assessments 
  • Completed the program within a six-year period 
  • Filed the application for the degree with the Office of Graduate Admissions by December 1 for the May commencement, February 1 for an August conferral, or October 1 for a January conferral.

Waiver of Courses 

The number of courses required for the M.B.A. in Business Analytics degree may be reduced by waiver of some or all of the prerequisite courses (a maximum of 7 semester hours). These waivers are based on the applicant’s undergraduate business degree transcript, completed business courses with satisfactory grades of B or better, or relevant graduate courses with satisfactory grades of B or better. 

Transfer of Courses 

Up to 12 semester hours of graduate credit may be transferred to the M.B.A. in Business Analytics program for equivalent courses completed elsewhere. To be considered for transfer, the courses must have been completed with a grade of B or better in the six years prior to enrollment in WestConn’s M.B.A. program. 

Substitution of Courses 

Course substitutions may be allowed within the M.B.A. in Business Analytics program to accommodate special considerations. Please see the M.B.A. Coordinator.

Course Restrictions                                                                      

For a complete list of prerequisites, co-requisites, and other restrictions for all courses, please consult the Course Description section of this catalog or contact the M.B.A. coordinator. 

This manual, targeted to our Ancell graduate students, provides information about student life at WestConn and the Westside campus. The goal is to ease the transition of graduate students to the program at the Ancell School of Business (ASB). 

Courses Rotation 

Program course rotation. Course Rotation 

Master of Business Administration – Concentration in Business Analytics

Prerequisite Cluster
 		  (7 credits – courses may be waived)      
ACC 501  Introduction to Financial Statements  1 SH   
ACC 502  Introduction to Managerial Accounting  1 SH   
FIN 504  Introduction to Business Statistics  1 SH   
FIN 508  Introduction to Economics and Finance  1 SH   
MGT 504  Essentials of Operations Management  1 SH   
MGT 505  Essentials of Organizational Behavior  1 SH   
MIS 512  Essentials of Management Information Systems  1 SH   
       
Required M.B.A. Courses  (15 credits)     
ACC 507  Strategic Cost Management  3 SH   
FIN 560   Analysis of Financial and Investment Decisions  3 SH   
MGT 506   Strategic Management  3 SH   
MIS 516   Information Analysis  3 SH   
MKT 534   Strategic Marketing Management  3 SH   
       
Concentration Courses   (9 credits) Choose them from the following list:    
MIS 520 Predictive Analytics and Data Mining
  3 SH  
FIN 580 Introduction to Business Analytics
  3 SH  
ACC 550 Business Intelligence and Data Visualization  3 SH  
MKT 596 Digital Marketing Analytics
  3 SH  
    

 

     
Electives (6 credits)     
MKT 539  Effective Managerial Communication   3 SH     
MKT 592  International Business Strategy  3 SH    
JLA   555          Cybersecurity of the Homeland   3 SH   
MGT 544         Negotiations and Conflict Resolution  3 SH   
MGT 530         Leadership  3 SH   
MGT 547         Human Resource Management  3 SH   
MGT 521         Strategic Integration of Operations  3 SH   
          
Total SH:

 

 37 SH