National University - Online Master of Science in Analytics Programs
National University offers two online master’s programs in the field of Analytics, each of which has a unique focus. The School of Business and Management offers an online Master of Science in Business Analytics, which addresses the core scientific proficiencies necessary to work with Big Data, and explores specific business applications of analytics skills in areas like financial forecasting, strategic marketing, supply chain management, and IT systems security and ethics. The School of Health and Human Services offers an online Master of Science in Health & Life Science Analytics degree that covers many of the same core data acquisition, data management, and data interpretation skills, but that focuses on applications in healthcare management, epidemiology, and the pharmaceutical industry.
The MS in Business Analytics is an 11-course program that includes a capstone research project; it can be completed in 11 months of full-time enrollment. The MS in Health & Life Science Analytics encompasses 13 courses, which includes an internship program and a capstone project. It is designed to be completed in 13 months by full-time students. Neither online program requires any on-campus visits.
The online master’s programs at National University are designed for working professionals. The school utilizes an interactive learning platform that supports synchronous instruction, which means that students must be present online for live-streamed lectures and discussions, which are scheduled once or twice a week. The rest of the program materials, including assignments and multimedia learning materials, are accessible on-demand to students 24/7.
The Master of Science in Business Analytics program aims to prepare students to use analytics technology and methodology in the business world. For example, students learn to design analytical models to forecast supply and demand; mine financial data to predict future trends; and assess various techniques for sorting and organizing datasets. Students earn 49.5 quarter units of graduate coursework in the program, which consists of 10 traditional courses and a final Business Analytics Capstone. The capstone allows students to apply their training in analytics to a real-world business problem. Core analytics coursework includes: Data Management for Analytics, Data Mining Techniques, Continuous Data Methods, and Categorical Data Methods. Specialized courses cover subject areas like: Performance and Supply Chain Management; Prediction in Marketing; and Probabilistic Finance Models.
Students in the Master of Science in Health & Life Science Analytics program also begin with a solid foundation in analytics theory and practice, including courses in Data Management for Analytics, Data Mining Techniques, Continuous Data Methods, and Categorical Data Methods. The program then targets the specific technologies and practices used by analytics professionals in the healthcare and human-services sectors, like patient information management systems, clinical trials assessments, and predictive outcome modeling. Students must complete 58.5 quarter units in order to graduate. Core courses in Health & Life Science Analytics include: Healthcare Information Systems, Epidemiology, Clinical Research Analytics, and Health Outcomes Research. Students then participate in a 120-hour supervised internship in a professional setting, and complete a Health Analytics Capstone in which they apply their knowledge and training to a relevant analytics problem in healthcare.
National University is accredited by the Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).