At a Glance

Completion Time
8
Months
Credits Required
16
Tuition
$16,230
Part-Time*

*Based on 2025–2026 Boston University tuition and fees.

Learn to Build, Manage, and Analyze Data Systems for Smarter Decisions

Database systems are the information heart of modern enterprises, where they are used for processing business transactions and for understanding and managing the enterprise. Business intelligence is the analysis of data to improve management of the enterprise and routine business operations such as intelligent supply chain management.

Students who complete the online Graduate Certificate in Database Management & Business Intelligence will be prepared to design and implement both transaction processing and decision support databases, and to use data mining technologies to discover the structure, trends, and relationships in the data to produce valuable business insights and effective decision support processes.

The Database Management & Business Intelligence Graduate Certificate is also available on campus in Boston.

Curriculum

Boston University’s Graduate Certificate in Database Management & Business Intelligence consists of four required online courses (16 credits).

Academic credits earned toward the online Graduate Certificate in Database Management & Business Intelligence may be transferred to a Master of Science degree in Computer ScienceComputer Information Systems, or Telecommunication.

Prerequisites

Applicants are not required to have a degree in computer science for entry to a program within the Department of Computer Science. Upon review of your application, the department will determine if the completion of prerequisite coursework will be required, based on your academic and professional background.

A maximum of two graduate-level courses (8 credits) taken at Metropolitan College before acceptance into the program may be applied towards the certificate.

Requirements

Visit the BU MET Website for Admission Details

Dates & Deadlines

View BU MET’s academic calendar for online programs, including important dates and deadlines.

Application Requirements

Learn about application requirements for BU MET graduate degree and certificate programs.

Two individuals walking between server racks

How You Benefit from a
Boston University Education

A BU credential can help lay the foundation for career advancement and personal success.

10th in the nation

The Information Technology graduate certificate shares courses with the MS in Computer Information Systems, which is ranked #10 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report 

#4

America’s Top Online Colleges 

  • Benefit from a 15:1 student-to-instructor ratio.
  • Work closely with highly qualified faculty and seasoned industry leaders in a wide range of technology fields who are committed to teaching the latest technologies within the framework of ideas, concepts, and methods that drive innovation.
  • Boston University is recognized by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security as a Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) in Cyber Defense and Research. BU MET’s information security programs are certified by the Committee on National Security Systems (CNSS).
  • Computer science courses ensure you get the attention you need, while introducing case studies and real-world projects that emphasize technical and theoretical knowledge—combining in-depth, practical experience with the critical skills needed to remain on the forefront of the information technology field. In addition, BU’s Center for Reliable Information Systems and Cyber Security (RISCS) offers opportunities to collaborate and participate in research on system reliability and information security.
  • Study alongside peers and professionals with solid IT experience, learn from faculty who have valuable contacts across several sectors, and benefit from an alumni community with strong professional connections.
  • BU MET’s Department of Computer Science was established in 1979 and is the longest-running computer science department at BU. Over its four decades, the department has played an important role in the emergence of IT at the University and throughout the region. 

US citizens and permanent residents are automatically considered for Merit Scholarships during the application process and nominated based on eligibility. Learn more.

Graduate with Database Management & Business Intelligence Expertise

Students who complete the Graduate Certificate in Database Management & Business Intelligence will be able to demonstrate:

  • Advanced knowledge of database modeling and design, database implementation, distributed databases, object-oriented and object-relational databases, and databases for web applications, as well as typical data mining methods.
  • Proficiency in the design, implementation, performance tuning of different types of databases, and in performing data mining tasks on various types of data.
  • Competence sufficient to participate in the design and implementation of large, distributed database systems and business intelligence systems.
  • Proficiency in identifying and appropriately responding to professional, ethical, and legal issues in data management.

Advance Your Career 

BU MET’s Database Management & Business Intelligence certificate will prepare you for rewarding career tracks, with roles that include database and knowledge modelers, designers, developers, and business intelligence analysts.

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.

Recent graduates have found job opportunities and career paths at companies such as:

  • Google
  • Apple
  • Microsoft
  • Amazon
  • IBM
  • Deloitte
  • PwC
  • Accenture
  • Cisco Systems
  • Oracle
  • Boeing
  • Northrop Grumman
  • Fidelity Investments
  • Johnson & Johnson
  • JP Morgan Chase & Co.
  • Facebook (Meta)
  • Tesla
  • Goldman Sachs
  • LinkedIn
  • Salesforce

Photo of Dan McKinnon

“Throughout the entire program and most classes I found that I learned skills that I could immediately apply at my job in a variety of ways.”

Dan McKinnon (MET’20)
Senior Information Systems Engineer, MITRE Corporation
MS, Computer Information Systems; Concentration, Database Management & Business Intelligence

Farshid Alizadeh-Shabdiz

Professor of the Practice
Computer Science

Scott Arena

Master Lecturer
Computer Science

Eric Braude

Associate Professor 
Director of Digital Learning

Computer Science

Lou Chitkushev

Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
Associate Professor

Computer Science

Director
Health Informatics & Health Sciences

John Day

Master Lecturer
Computer Science

Andrew Gorlin

Lecturer
Computer Science

Suresh Kalathur

Assistant Professor
Computer Science

Director
Analytics

Vijay Kanabar

Associate Professor
Computer Science and Administrative Sciences

Director
Project Management

Avinash Mohan

Assistant Professor
Computer Science

Eugene Pinsky

Associate Professor of the Practice
Computer Science

Coordinator
Software Development

Reza Rawassizadeh

Associate Professor
Computer Science

Anatoly Temkin

Assistant Professor Emeritus
Computer Science

Ming Zhang

Assistant Professor
Computer Science

Yuting Zhang

Assistant Professor
Computer Science

Director
Cybersecurity

Tanya Zlateva

Dean
Metropolitan College & Extended Education

Professor of the Practice
Computer Science and Education

Education Director
Information Security, Center for Reliable Information Systems & Cyber Security

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