The proliferation of data brought on by recent decades of digital transformation has had a profound impact on the business landscape, driving demand for talented professionals who can harness data to drive business decisions.
In 2024, 81% of corporate recruiters had plans to hire graduates of business analytics master’s degrees—programs that teach how to apply analytics and data skills to deliver solutions for business problems.
To find out just how effective these programs can be in unlocking your career potential, we spoke with insiders from the STEM-designated Master’s in Business Analytics at Bentley University.
Combine vital business concepts with cutting-edge courses
Hosted within the Mathematical Sciences Department at Bentley University, the Master’s in Business Analytics curriculum comprises fundamental theoretical concepts that can be employed across a wide range of industries.
According to Luke Cherveny, director of the Bentley MSBA program, Bentley teaches the core skills necessary for anyone seeking an analyst-related role, while also layering on more advanced concepts.
“I've always thought of it as a form of applied statistics,” he says. This therefore involves a range of technical skills: across seven required courses Bentley students must learn to work with datasets, understand statistical modeling tools, and be versed in software tools and programming languages.
“I was in three classes, and each one required me to learn a different coding language,” says Gabrielle (‘Gabi’) Friedman, a current MSBA student who will graduate in 2025.
Alongside the seven core courses are three opportunities to undertake elective modules. Students can choose to specialize in areas ranging from finance to management to marketing. Gabi opted to cover machine learning, data science, and design of experiments for business.
“That’s part of what made this work for me, I’ve been focusing on math and statistics, with a bit of computer science, and I’ve been very happy that way,” she says.
Undertake practical learning experiences
The word ‘applied’ is what differentiates the typical business analytics learning experience from other data-focused degrees. Alongside learning the core theories, students must practice their knowledge within various practical experiences.
“We will often have students doing projects where they have to understand the context, source the data, try to do analysis correctly, and then deliver it back,” explains Luke.
Learning from individual projects is further developed within more in-depth group work, where students must practice their interpersonal capabilities and communication skills—essential requirements for when they enter the workplace.
"You want to not only be able to do the analysis correctly, but also be able to deliver the analysis back to the managers or clients who might not have a background in analytics," Luke explains.
While undertaking Luke’s Introduction to Machine Learning module, Gabi was able to participate in a pitch competition requiring her and a group of classmates to come up with a concept, develop a business plan, and present it to a board of judges that included representatives from the local business community.
Her group’s idea of using convolutional neural networks (CNN) to provide nutritional insights based on photos uploaded to an app won the competition. “It was really extraordinary to see how we could apply what we were learning from week to week,” she says.
Also woven throughout the student experience are various opportunities to attend networking events, contribute in workshops, and participate in specialist labs offering chances to get involved in research or consulting. Bentley MSBAs can also undertake an internship or work on a consulting project for a real client.
Expand your mindset and access a variety of career paths
The blend of theoretical knowledge and practical skills delivered through the MSBA curriculum provides students with ample opportunity to explore the various career paths available to them. This is particularly true for graduates of highly technical, applied business analytics degrees such as the Bentley MSBA.
Students' in-demand abilities mean those who have specialized in particular topics can explore opportunities to become financial analysts or marketing analysts, for example. Some opt to go directly into business analyst roles, while those more keen on applying their technical knowledge have the benefit of having studied a program that's rooted in technical, mathematical concepts and can therefore seek out opportunities to become data scientists.
“It's exciting to be graduating from a program like this—with these new skills, confidence, business acumen, and ability to speak to business owners,” says Gabi.
She is excited by the prospects available to her on both the short and longer-term. After undergoing significant professional and personal growth throughout the program, she is also keen to avoid limiting her options or narrowing her pathway.
“If you're able to come at it from a standpoint of being a learner, there are many opportunities that can contribute to your learning more about the overall field,” adds Gabi. "I really position myself as a lifelong learner.”
