Cloud Hosting

Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.

Businesses rely on technology to create products and services that meet consumer needs. A business analytics career path allows you to use mathematics and statistics to help clients understand how technology impacts their business or services.

So what can you do with a business analytics degree? In this article, we explore business analytics degree options and requirements and list potential career options for graduates. To learn more about this field, see our guide on how to become a business analyst.

Earning an associate of science in business analytics degree prepares you to use information technology and analyze software development data in entry-level positions.

Admission requirements for associate in business analytics programs vary by educational institution but often include a high school diploma or GED certificate. This degree typically consists of 60 credits and takes two years of full-time study to complete. Colleges may offer online and in-person business analytics programs.

Coursework varies by program, but below are typical courses for an associate in business analytics:

A bachelor of science (BS) in business analytics prepares you to analyze and create data-driven strategies for businesses and organizations to increase revenue and improve customer satisfaction. A BS in business analytics consists of 120 credit hours and takes full-time students four years to complete.

Admission requirements vary by institution but often include:

Required coursework varies by educational institution, but typical courses include:

In addition to core coursework, students may pursue a specialization. Some examples include:

A masters in business analytics analyzes and extracts data from large data sets to create more effective business strategies. This graduate degree opens doors to career advancement and higher earning potential.

Most business analytics masters programs require 30 credit hours and take one to two years to complete, depending on the program and your enrollment status. Accelerated business analytics programs allow students to complete a bachelors and masters degree concurrently in under five years.

Admission requirements vary by institution, but typical requirements include:

Common coursework for a masters degree in business analytics includes:

A business analytics degree can lead to a variety of careers. Below are just a few potential jobs business analytics graduates can pursue.

Median Annual Salary: $93,000Education Needed: Bachelors in business administration, business analytics or a related fieldCareer Description: What does a business analyst do? Business analysts identify improvement areas in organizations processes and suggest methods for removing bottlenecks, redundancies and other inefficiencies.

Median Annual Salary: $82,360Education Needed: At least a related bachelors degree but some positions may require a masters degreeCareer Description: Operations research analysts use logic and mathematics to help businesses identify and address problems. They analyze and extract data, research databases, support software and develop quantitative models.

Median Annual Salary: $63,920Education Needed: A bachelors degree with coursework in marketing, statistics and research methodsCareer Description: Market research analysts study and analyze factors like consumer behavior to help businesses understand potential product sales. They monitor sales trends, measure marketing strategy effectiveness and develop data collection methods.

Median Annual Salary: $99,270Education Needed: A bachelors degree with coursework in mathematics and computer and information technologyCareer Description: Computer systems analysts assess a companys computer procedures and systems to improve functionality, configure hardware and software, test systems, develop instruction manuals and analyze system upgrade costs.

Median Annual Salary: $100,910Education Needed: At least a bachelors degree in a related field but some positions may require a masters or doctoral degreeCareer Description: Data scientists gather, analyze and extract data and present their findings. They work with raw data, develop algorithms and use machine learning to categorize data and develop predictions.

The Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences offers the Certified Analytics Professional (CAP) certification, which vouches for a professionals skills and knowledge in business analytics.

To become CAP-certified, you must meet one of the following requirements:

Entry-level analytics professionals with a masters degree in analytics or a related field and three years of relevant work experience may earn an Associate Certified Analytics Professional credential.

Examples of business analytics include collaborating with software developers to increase productivity, improving customer support through deep learning architecture, using a cloud-based platform to target consumers, and analyzing purchasing patterns to forecast future sales.

Virtually any industry that uses data and technology may use business analytics strategies to improve customer experience, analyze data, track productivity and make data-driven decisions.

Read the original:

What Can You Do With A Business Analytics Degree? - Forbes