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For you, data is more than a bunch of numbers. Its stories waiting to be discovered, potential solutions to problems your organization is experiencing and, perhaps, a guide to future trends that can inform business decisions today. Thanks to the rapid advancement of technology, data is increasingly trackable and available for professionals to analyze and use to steer their organizations toward success.

If this excites you, you might consider earning a masters degree in business analytics. With a bit of research, you can find an online program that fits your goals, schedule and budget.

A masters in business analyticsis a graduate degree for people interested in synthesizing data to inform business strategies. Whether youre a career-changer or a business professional looking to advance, a masters in business analytics will introduce you to various tools and software needed to organize, interpret and present data.

Data comes in a range of forms, including numbers, text, audio and video, according to Dr. Tej Dhakar, a professor of management science at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), and its up to business analysts to draw insights from it.

We are witnessing a huge explosion of data creation, especially since the beginning of this century, Dhakar said. New data is being generated constantly by ubiquitous smartphones, emails, streaming, web surfing, social media, sensors, point-of-sale systems and many more devices and activities.

Business analytics courses will teach you how to navigate these different data types and draw meaningful conclusions from them.

Because business analytics careers rely so much on data analysis and general business knowledge, people with a background in business, math or statistics often gravitate toward it, said Jennifer Oquist, the director of new learning models at SNHU. They typically have the analytical tendencies needed to connect data to the big picture.

But, through practice, you can learn appropriate methods, tools and questions to ask that can help you develop an analytical mindset and approach to data. Generally speaking, anyone with basic quantitative, computer and analytical skills coupled with an interest in data analysis and willingness to learn can succeed in this program, Dhakar said. Add interpersonal and teamwork skills to the mix, and you will have what it takes to succeed in a career in business analytics.

Dhakar said there are three types of business analytics that a masters program will discuss:

Its also important that you develop business, technical and communication skillsbeyond data interpretation too. Students should learn business strategy and financial modeling, data visualization, analytics tools and techniques and how to communicate business insights to a variety of stakeholders, Oquist said.

A masters program should help you practice your communication skills because your job wont stop after the analysis is done. Once youve made sense of the information, youll need to share your findings with those involved. (Business analytics) involves storytelling with compelling narratives and appropriate data visualizations so that leaders can make better decisions, Dr. Candace Sleeman, technical program facilitator for business analytics at SNHU, said. According to Sleeman, developing project management, research, organizational and programming skills are also essential.

Some of the areas youll have an opportunity to focus on in a degree program are:

Since the profession is continually growing and changing, your degree should not just teach you how business analytics works today. It should also equip you with the skills to adapt and stay relevant in an ever-changing workforce, according to Sleeman.

Finding an online business analytics program that fits your life is important. Be sure to consider factors including affordability, timing, relevancy and faculty in your decision-making.

Additionally, looking at your short- and long-term career goalscan help you determine when you want to have your diploma in hand. Typical masters programs can take a couple of years to complete, but some are fast-tracked. You might be able to finish in just over 12 months, helping you achieve your goals in less time while also saving you money.

All business analytics programs are not created equal, Dhakar said. ... When selecting a masters program in business analytics, look for how closely the courses in the programs relate to analytics. Also, look for what skills you will acquire through the programs.

Working with data management software including Excel, Tableau, SAS and Microsoft Project are good indicators that your courses can help prepare you for conducting business analytics in the professional world, as will courses that spend time on languages such as SQL, JavaScript, Python and R, Dhakar said.

Programs that emphasize hands-on experiences allow you to put theory to practice even before you receive a diploma. Hands-on experiences using real-world data sets and business problems are the best preparation for the workplace, Oquist said. Some data sets SNHU students have explored, for example, include national organizations such as Multiple Sclerosis Society and Heroes for Hire as well as local nonprofits like City Year New Hampshire.

Finding programs that establish collaborative settings from the start is also beneficial. Working with others is not only reflective of real-world challenges, but it also develops a learning community that can help you succeed in and out of the classroom. Youre not on your own, Oquist said. You have classmates to work with on projects, to support and encourage you as you learn new skills and to network with as you gain new professional contacts.

Faculty should be industry veterans with recent experience, Oquist said. Not only should faculty know what they are talking about, but they should also be immersed in the career themselves. Thats because they can give you the most up-to-date information about a role that undergoes frequent changes as technology advances. They know what employers are likely looking for perhaps as employers themselves and can help you gain the knowledge and skills needed to pursue your goals.

With a masters degree in business analytics, you can be a valuable member of teams that focus on marketing, finance, human resources and other business operations. Whatever your interests are, theres likely an analyst position in both the public and private sectors that aligns well.

Quantitative skills and data literacy are increasingly important to roles that range from data management to financial modeling, social media analysis, surveys, skills mapping and recommendations to customers, Sleeman said.

Some job titles you might encounter in your search, as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and O*NET OnLine, include:

While most entry-level analyst positions require at least a bachelors degree, earning your masters may give you the knowledge, skills and authority needed to take you and your organization to the next level.

The demand for business analysts is growing and growing fast. As long as businesses ask hard, critical questions, there will be opportunities for talented business analysts to add value, Oquist said.

The projects you will work on as a business analytics student will help you grow your portfolio and demonstrate to employers that you have experience handling different challenges, ultimately helping you stand out as a job candidate.

(Earning the master's degree) indicates a deeper understanding of business problems and a more robust skill set that will enable advancement into a variety of roles, Sleeman said. "It enables consideration for more technical and quantitative roles and a competitive advantage in a rapidly changing marketplace.

Rebecca LeBoeuf 18 is a writer at Southern New Hampshire University. Connect with her on LinkedIn.

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How to Get an Affordable Business Analytics Master's Online - Southern New Hampshire University