Is Concordia's Master of Science in Business Analytics right for you?
Concordia College’s MSBA is perfect for students who want to strengthen their data analysis while also building their leadership skills. Our faculty provides a personalized approach that's great for the working professional!
To further highlight the benefits of furthering your business education, Dr. Marcia Santiago Scarpin, director of Concordia's Master of Science in Business Analytics program, walks through the differences between the MSBA and MBA degrees and outlines who might benefit the most from an MSBA.
What's the difference between an MSBA and an MBA degree?
A Master of Science in Business Analytics may be a better fit for someone who wants to build strong analytical, quantitative, and data-driven decision-making skills. It is especially valuable for students who want to work in areas such as business analytics, supply chain, finance, operations, or other roles where data is central to decision-making.
A Master of Business Administration, on the other hand, may be a better choice for someone seeking a broader management education, particularly if their goals are centered on general management.
The key difference is the focus. An MBA provides a broad view of business, while an MSBA develops deeper expertise in using data to solve business problems and support decisions.
Who should get an MSBA?
An MSBA is a good fit for someone who is interested in both business and data. You do not necessarily need to come from a highly technical background, but you should be comfortable working with numbers, learning analytical tools, and thinking critically about business problems.
It can be especially valuable for recent graduates who want to differentiate themselves in the job market, as well as working professionals who want to strengthen their analytical skills or move into more data-driven roles.
I often describe the ideal MSBA student as someone who does not simply want to understand what happened in a business but wants to use data to understand why it happened and what the organization should do next.
What makes Concordia's MSBA program different than other MSBA programs?
One of the main differences is that Concordia's MSBA is not designed around analytics in isolation. We connect analytics directly to business decision-making. Students develop analytical skills while also learning how those skills apply across areas such as finance, accounting, supply chain management, and strategy. The goal is not simply to teach students how to use analytical tools, but how to translate data into decisions that create value for organizations.
The program was also intentionally designed with working professionals in mind. Courses are offered in seven-week sessions, with students typically focusing on one course at a time. This structure makes the program much more manageable for students who are working full-time. They can concentrate on one subject rather than trying to balance several graduate courses at the same time.
Another important difference is our emphasis on leadership development. The program includes two leadership courses because we believe that being able to analyze data is only part of what organizations need. Students also need to be able to communicate their findings, influence decisions, work effectively with others, and lead in environments where decisions are increasingly driven by data.
Our goal is to develop professionals who can not only perform the analysis but also explain what the analysis means and help organizations act on it.
Also, the level of interaction with faculty is another important part of the Concordia experience. Faculty know their students and work closely with them, which creates opportunities for mentoring, individualized support, and one-on-one conversations that can be difficult to find in larger programs.
Finally, the program emphasizes application. Through courses and particularly the capstone experience, students have opportunities to connect what they are learning to real business problems. Ultimately, we want our graduates to be able to serve as a bridge between analytics, business decision-making, and leadership.
What are some career outcomes for someone who gains an MSBA?
The MSBA can prepare students for a wide range of roles because nearly every area of business is becoming more data-driven.
Potential career paths include managers, supervisors, and coordinators, but also business analysts, data analysts, supply chain analysts, financial analysts, operations analysts, marketing analysts, business intelligence analysts, business owners, and consulting roles. Depending on the student's background and experience, it can also lead to positions in areas such as forecasting, risk analysis, pricing, procurement, logistics, and strategic planning.
Over time, the degree can also support movement into management positions because students are developing not only analytical skills but also the ability to communicate insights, evaluate alternatives, and make better business decisions.