*Based on 2026–2027 Boston University tuition and fees. Merit scholarship may reduce cost.
Learn to Leverage Data into Strategy
According to a recent report by McKinsey, data needs to be treated as one of the products produced within the organization rather than as a raw material that supports decisions. As data-driven business models change the face of industry, developing the ability to capitalize upon this valuable resource is compulsory.
In a recent analysis, PwC determined that 67 percent of job openings requiring data science and analytics competencies are for “analytics-enabled” roles, such as chief executive officer, chief data officer, director of IT, human resources manager, financial manager, and marketing manager. While the jobs are there, there is a shortage of analytics-enabled personnel who combine expertise in their industry with the ability to understand and leverage big data to engage in predictive analytics or make data-informed business decisions.
To help close this skills gap, Boston University’s Metropolitan College offers an online Master of Science in Applied Business Analytics Management degree program. Students have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with a variety of analytical models and decision-support tools, which they can apply to interlinked data-inputs and large data sets in the areas of marketing, operations, product and technology innovations, financial services, and others. Boston University’s applied business analytics curriculum covers advanced software tools and functions, such as descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive modeling; text and data mining; visual analytics; and business simulations. Graduates of the program will be able to analyze data-driven business processes, select appropriate analytical methods to monitor and identify performance issues, prescribe possible outcomes, and propose optimal data-based solutions.
The MS in Applied Business Analytics is also available on campus in Boston. Learn more.
Curriculum
A total of 32 units is required.
Students must complete the core courses, elective courses, and general elective as indicated.* Students who already hold the Graduate Certificate in Applied Business Analytics may waive core course Business Analytics Foundations and three of the specialization courses.
*Degree requirements may vary for those students transferring credits from previous coursework at Boston University or receiving course waivers due to professional designations.
Prerequisites
As a prerequisite to the course MET AD 571 Business Analytics Foundations, students must complete the AD 100 Pre-Analytics Laboratory (online) or possess equivalent knowledge. Some courses may have additional prerequisites. Please note that MET AD 571 Business Analytics Foundations is a prerequisite for several elective courses and should be taken early in the degree.
Core Courses
(Four courses/16 units)
Elective Courses
(Three courses/12 units)
Choose three courses from the list below, with approval from an academic advisor.
General Elective
(One course/4 units)
One elective in the area of management or data science chosen with the advice and approval of an academic advisor.
Master’s Thesis Option
(Two courses/8 units)
Students have the option to complete a master’s thesis in addition to the program’s eight course (32 unit) requirements. The thesis must be completed within 12 months and is available to master’s candidates who have completed at least five courses toward their degree and have a GPA of 3.7 or higher. Students are responsible for finding a thesis advisor and a principal reader within the department. The advisor must be a full-time faculty member; the principal reader may be a part-time faculty member with a doctorate. Permission must be obtained by the department.
Learn about application requirements for BU MET graduate degree and certificate programs.
How You Benefit from a Boston University Education
A BU credential can help lay the foundation for career advancement and personal success.
Benefit from an average 24:1 student-to-instructor ratio.
By focusing on practical, hands-on education, MET’s program ensures you develop expertise in integrating the “5 Vs of big data”—volume, velocity, variety, veracity, and value of information—into sound analytics-based business decisions.
Work closely with highly qualified faculty who draw from active research and substantial professional achievements in areas such as descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive analytics.
The ABA advisory board actively engages with students, alumni, and industry veterans, providing access to the latest industry trends in data science and business analytics and facilitating learning about career pathways through seminars and talks.
All graduate students are automatically considered for merit scholarships during the application process and nominated based on eligibility. Learn more.
Rankings & Accreditations
#12 Best Online Master’s in Business Programs (Excluding MBA)
MET’s online master’s degrees in management are ranked #12 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.
#1 Best Online Master’s in Business Analytics of 2026
BU MET’s MS in Applied Business Analytics is ranked #1 Best Online Master’s in Business Analytics Degree Programs for 2026 by TechGuide.
Accredited member of AACSB International
The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (through BU’s Questrom School of Business)
Graduate with Business Analytics Expertise
Students who complete the master’s degree in Applied Business Analytics will be able to demonstrate:
The knowledge and skills necessary to better utilize available information in operational, tactical, and strategic decision-making in organizations.
Experience with various powerful emerging technologies and techniques for increasing the value of both in-house and third-party data sets.
An understanding of how organizations are using interlinked data-inputs, analytics models, and decision-support tools to better understand their operations, customers, and markets.
Expertise in web analytics and metrics, and the ability to procure and process unstructured text, and delve into hidden patterns within data sets.
The ability to facilitate knowledge discovery using data-mining and visualization techniques over vast amounts of data.
“To me, the best part of the ABA program is the balance between the technical aspects of data analytics/science and the broader implications of those methodologies to the underlying business at large.” Read more.
Greg Parker (MET’23) Vice President of Business Intelligence, Rockland Federal Credit Union MS, Applied Business Analytics
Advance Your Career
BU MET’s Applied Business Analytics master’s prepares you for a wealth of different roles, such as business analyst, data analyst, financial analyst, project and program managers, business intelligence analyst, sports statistical analyst, among others.
Recent graduates have found job opportunities and career paths at companies such as:
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Boeing
Collins Aerospace
Huawei
Procter & Gamble
PUMA Group
The Kraft Heinz Company
Take Advantage of Career Resources at BU MET
You will find the support you need in reaching your career goals through MET’s Career Development office, which offers a variety of job-hunting resources, including one-on-one career counseling by appointment for online students. You can also take advantage of tools and resources available online through BU’s Center for Career Development.
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Patrick Tyson Lecturer, Administrative Sciences Data Scientist, Prime Therapeutics MS, Boston University; BA, University of Minnesota–Twin Cities
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