Program Overview

Due to technological advancements and exponential growth in data, businesses are increasingly relying on the use of analytics and artificial intelligence to create new opportunities, address business challenges and outperform their peers. Companies such as OpenAI (Microsoft), Tesla, Google (Alphabet), Facebook (Meta), Amazon, Netflix, and Spotify rise above their competition through continual innovations fueled by artificial intelligence and driven by actionable business insights uncovered from analyzing their data. With the increasing demand for professionals who are capable of sifting through zettabytes of data to uncover insights and find business value, there is a shortage of talent in the analytics space.

Student Learning Outcomes

A business analytics graduate will demonstrate the ability to:

• formulate a business problem through developing a hypothesis;

• apply various descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive analytics techniques;

• implement all steps in the business analytics (BA) process (e.g., CRISP-DM); 

• convey the results of analytics through visualization, oral, and written communication;

• apply information technology knowledge and domain-specific business knowledge to solve a business analytics problem (e.g. Marketing);

• apply ethical, socially responsible, and global perspectives in business analytics projects and/or processes.

Curriculum Overview

The structure of the program consists of six required courses and two elective courses. The six required courses provide core data analytics skills that are ubiquitously applicable for all analytics professionals. The two electives provide various track options that allow students to customize their program of study based on their choice of career path and interest in a specific industry or a business functional area.

Another key feature of the program is its emphasis on experiential learning through course projects embedded in multiple required courses plus a practicum/capstone course that gives students the opportunity to apply their analytical skills to solve a real business problem and to communicate their findings to real-world clients. 

Degree Offered

• B.S.B.A. in Business Analytics
• Minor in Business Analytics

Contact

Emre Yetgin, Ph.D.
Director, Center for Business Analytics
Associate Professor, Department of Information Systems, Analytics, and Supply Chain Management
Sweigart Hall 367
609-895-5546
eyetgin@rider.edu

Business Data Analytics Major Requirements

(24 credits)

Business Data Analytics Minor Requirements

(15 credits)

The Minor in Business Analytics is open to all Rider students.

¹

Business students pursuing the Business Analytics Minor are advised to take GSC 385 in lieu of CIS 385 for their business core.

²

For non-business students, the following courses may be used as a substitute for MSD 205: BNS 250, MTH 120, ENV 200, PSY 105, PSY 201, or POL 230.

4 Year Academic Plan of Study

The following educational plan is provided as a sample only.  Rider students who do not declare a major during their freshman year; who are in a Continuing Education Program; who change their major; or who transfer to Rider may follow a different plan to ensure a timely graduation.  Each student, with guidance from their academic advisor, will develop a personalized educational plan.

¹

 CIS 185 and CBA 110 may be taken in the Fall or Spring of Year 1.

²

Students may be required to take MSD 104 based on placement. MSD 104 counts as a 3-credit Free Elective.

³

Students must take four liberal arts electives; 3 credits must be in Natural Science, 3 credits must be in Social Science, 3 credits must be in Humanities, and 3 credits can be any course offered by the College of Arts and Sciences.

⁴

Students are required to complete 6 credits of International Business Electives which can be fulfilled as major courses or free electives.

3 Year Academic Plan of Study

The following educational plan is provided as a sample only.  Rider students who do not declare a major during their freshman year; who are in a Continuing Education Program; who change their major; or who transfer to Rider may follow a different plan to ensure a timely graduation.  Each student, with guidance from their academic advisor, will develop a personalized educational plan.

¹

Students must take four liberal arts electives; 3 credits must be in Natural Science, 3 credits must be in Social Science, 3 credits must be in Humanities, and 3 credits can be any course offered by the College of Arts and Sciences.

²

Students are required to take six credits of International Business Electives.

³

Select from LDP 200, LDP 220,  LDP 398, MGT 355, or MGT 363.

Notes:

• The above plan assumes no AP or other credits transferred into Rider University.
• Business Honors students may have a different course sequence.
• Students may be required to take MSD 104 Intro to Quantitative Methods based on placement.  MSD 104 counts as a 3-credit Free Elective.

Courses and Descriptions