The volume of data we create—driven by mobile devices and online transactions—continues to challenge business leaders to understand how to best use it to make decisions. No matter what role you have in business today, if collecting, interpreting, and analyzing data isn’t part of your job yet, you can expect it will be soon.
Here are the top 10 reasons why earning a graduate certificate in business analytics at Paul College can help you boost your enterprise’s performance and give you an edge in today’s dynamic job market:
1. There is a high demand for analytics professionals
According to a McKinsey Global Institute report, by 2018 the United States was expected to face a shortage of 190,000 data scientists and 1.5 million managers and data analysts who can analyze and interpret data effectively. Recruiting for professionals with data analytics backgrounds remains strong. In a recent survey issued by the Graduate Management Council, 52% of employers indicated that they intend to hire data analytics graduate students.
2. Data analytics professionals earn high salaries
According to PayScale, the average salary for a senior business data analyst is $83,179. Similarly, operations research analysts made an average of $83,390 with jobs expected to grow a whopping 26% through 2028, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
3. Big data analytics is a top priority in a lot of organizations
By 2022, 90% of corporate strategies will explicitly mention information as a critical enterprise asset and analytics as an essential competency, according to Gartner. Over the past few years, companies said they planned to invest heavily in their data analytics budgets, TDWI Best Practices Report, BI and Analytics in the Age of AI and Big Data.
4. Gain the flexibility of working across industries
Because data is not confined to any one sector, professionals who understand how to collect, cleanse, and quantify it can apply their expertise across industries. Whether you are interested in business statistics, operations research/management, or management information systems, the knowledge you gain through your graduate certificate program can help add value to job roles across many types of businesses.
5. Receive expert knowledge and insight from research experts
Covering topics ranging from mathematical modeling to optimization in supply chain management to cybersecurity, Paul College professors publish in peer-reviewed journals and can expose you to real-life analytics challenges today’s businesses face. Because Paul College faculty teach at an AACSB-accredited college, you will learn from scholars who teach at a school ranked& among the top 5% of business schools world-wide. Only 560 schools internationally have met or exceeded AACSB's strict standards to be awarded this elite accreditation.
6. Benefit from a structured learning approach
The certificate program is comprised of four courses, three of which are required, and one elective to tailor the certificate toward your own interests. Each of those 8-week courses are the same ones taught to Paul College MBA and graduate business analytics students by the same world-class faculty. Another benefit: You also learn alongside working professionals in a range of industries, whether you choose to take classes online or on-campus.
7. Enjoy a low barrier to enrollment
The graduate certificate program provides an excellent introduction to business analytics for those who aren’t ready to commit to an MBA program or a master’s degree in business analytics (MSBA). You will need to have already earned a bachelor’s degree and taken a course in statistics to ensure you have the necessary quantitative background, which you can complete before you enroll in the program. Other requirements include letters of recommendation and a current resume. International students also have some special requirements. However, you do not need to commit to a full master’s degree program.
8. Gain insight into the three pillars of data analytics
The Paul College graduate certificate in business analytics provides you with an overview of all three pillars of business analytics within the 12-credit program. Each step needs to be completed with precision for the data to make sense.
- Descriptive analytics teaches students how to collect, store, process and visualize data.
- Predictive analytics focuses on quantifying uncertainty, estimating parameters, and building forecasting and prediction models.
- Finally, prescriptive analytics deals with how to make optimal business decisions when firms are faced with limited resources.
9. Learn in a flexible format – both online and in person
Whether you are a busy professional who prefers to take classes online or you excel in a classroom setting, the graduate certificate program provides the flexibility for you to learn in either format. All classes are available online, and some may be taken on the Durham campus. You can apply to the program before the fall and spring semesters, giving you the flexibility to jump into coursework mid-year.
10. Gain a direct pathway into two master’s degree programs
The credits you earn toward your graduate certificate in business analytics can be applied toward two master’s degree programs at UNH: the MBA and the MS Business Analytics. All four of the courses you take in the graduate certificate program can be applied toward the MBA, saving you time and money. Completing the graduate certificate program will allow you to waive two electives—shortening the amount of time it would take to earn a master's degree in business analytics.
