Business Analytics Certificate Program

Certificate in Business Analytics

LEVERAGE DATA IN ANY INDUSTRY

Discover how to leverage the power of big data in today’s business environment. Whatever your undergraduate degree or career path, this 12-credit-hour online program provides you with dynamic methods and tools to solve real business problems, improve performance and work collaboratively with information technology and statistical specialists. The critical skills taught have broad appeal for employers and are widely applicable, giving you an edge in today’s competitive job market.

August, January or May Start

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Take Charge of Your Future

The curriculum is comprised of four methods courses, which you can tailor to fit your interests. You’ll gain exposure to cutting-edge software, programming languages such as R and SQL, and the techniques used by industry to analyze data and make decisions, including statistics, data mining and simulation. You must earn a grade C or better in each course to complete the certificate.

Explore All SCMA Courses Course Schedule

Complete Two Required Courses

BUSINESS ANALYTICS GRBA 851 This course provides an introduction to several important business analytics topics and discusses how they can be used to support decision-making in all areas of business, as well as government, education, and agriculture. A prerequisite for all other business analytics courses, GRBA 851 covers methods used to describe data, make predictions and enable decision-making.
INTRODUCTORY ECONOMETRICS ECON 817 (Crosslisted with ECON 417) This course introduces basic statistical and econometric methods, including model estimation and analyses of economic data. Hypothesis formulation and testing, prediction, and problems in analyzing economic cross-sectional and time series data are considered.

Choose One or Both of These Courses

PREDICTIVE ANALYTICS SCMA 851 Prerequisites: GRBA 851 There are three categories of analytical tools: descriptive, predictive and prescriptive. Predictive analytics extends statistical and/or artificial intelligence methods to provide forecasting capability. In today’s environment, predictive analytics typically involves applying knowledge management to analyze large quantities of data. This course exposes students to the analytical methods and statistical programming languages, such as R, commonly used for predictive analytics in business.
DATA MINING AND DESCRIPTIVE ANALYTICS SCMA 853 Prerequisites: GRBA 851 Data mining applies quantitative analysis to support humans in identifying actionable information from large quantities of data, which helps organizations make better decisions. Descriptive analytics involves the examination of data to discover patterns and other types of knowledge. This course focuses on successful applications of descriptive data mining in business and describes the statistical and artificial intelligence tools commonly utilized. The course also addresses ethical issues related to the use of information obtained through data mining.

Choose at Most One of the Following

RISK AND SIMULATION MODELING SCMA 837 Simulation is the process of building a computer model of a system or a decision-making problem and experimenting with the model to obtain insight into the system’s behavior or assist in making a decision. This course covers the simulation of business systems that are subject to uncertainty and risk. Upon completion, students will be able to carry out the entire process of designing a simulation model, implementing it in appropriate software, executing the simulation, collecting and analyzing output data, and using the results of the analysis to evaluate alternative decision scenarios.
DATA MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION SCMA 852 Prerequisites: GRBA 851 The use of information technology and statistical analysis continues to grow in all sectors of the economy. Along with that growth comes a need for individuals with advanced training in the technology of databases. In this course, databases are studied from the perspective of their logical organization and physical design, as well as from the perspective of managers and applications programmers. The database querying language SQL is introduced and practical applications of databases considered.
ADVANCED ANALYTICS AND BIG DATA SCMA 854 Prerequisites: GRBA 851 This class serves as an advanced methods course for students who would like to get more methodological depth (note that it is an elective for the program). It covers advanced topics in all areas of analytics, including data cleansing, classification, clustering, reduction, exploration and visualization. Big data analysis platforms and tools are also covered. Students must complete SCMA851 before enrolling in this course.
PRESCRIPTIVE ANALYTICS SCMA 855 Prerequisites: GRBA 851 There are three categories of analytical tools: descriptive, predictive and prescriptive. Prescriptive analytics focuses on the use of data generated by descriptive and predictive analytics to achieve an organization’s strategic and operational goals. Since data is increasingly available in today’s business environment, integrating that data into decision-making is essential for efficiency improvement and profit generation. This course introduces students to the analytical methods and software commonly used in optimization modeling, enabling them to prescribe recommendations to improve performance and study what-if questions in business problems.

I started with Nebraska's business analytics graduate certificate because the upfront commitment of hours was not as extensive and I could still roll all of the courses into the full master's if I continued. I was able to immediately apply and try out models, processes and concepts learned in class at work. I have been promoted several times throughout my time pursuing the certificate and master's in business analytics. I credit the program for equipping me on how to generate new analytical concepts and processes at work.

Casey Christensen, '21, Data Architecture and Business Intelligence Lead

Admission

Because we review applications on a continual basis, you can start earning the certificate when it works best for you, whether that’s spring, fall or summer.

Application deadlines are July 1 for the fall semester, November 1 for the spring semester and April 1 for the summer semester.

Upload Supporting Documents

All Supporting Documents are uploaded directly via the graduate application.

Professional Résumé
Your résumé should include relevant work experience, education, skills, professional and community involvement, and other professional credentials.
Unofficial Transcripts
You are required to submit an unofficial transcript from each higher education institution you have attended.

Submit Official Transcripts

If you are admitted, you will be required to submit an official transcript sent directly from each institution you have attended to The Office of Graduate Studies. We recommend that you complete this task before your admitted term begins. A hold will be placed on your account if they do not receive your official transcripts by October 1 for the fall semester, February 1 for the spring semester and July 1 for the summer semester. Students will have until that day to submit official transcripts or your admission will be rescinded.

Transcripts can be sent electronically to graduate@unl.edu or by mail to

University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Graduate Admissions
1100 Seaton Hall
Lincoln, NE 68588-0619

Note: International Student Transcript Submission

If you are an international student, please refer to the Nebraska Office of Graduate Studies for transcript and document information.

International Transcript Information

Note: 3.0 recommended GPA

Students with less than a 3.0 GPA with substantial relevant professional experience will also be considered.

Applying for Multiple Certificates

The College of Business is pleased to provide multiple graduate certificate options. Please note, however, that students pursuing multiple graduate certificates may not apply the same course to more than one certificate. Below is a list of courses used by more than one certificate. If you have questions about this policy, please reach out to the Business Graduate Programs office at businessgrad@unl.edu.

Overlapping Courses in Certificates

Business Analytics and Marketing Analytics share GRBA 851
Business Analytics and Supply Chain Analytics share GRBA 851
Supply Chain Management and Supply Chain Analytics share GRBA 815
Marketing Analytics and Strategic Marketing share GRBA 813

Additional information on Application Requirements can be found at Graduate Studies website.

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Prerequisites

Before applying, ensure you have met the prerequisite of a bachelor’s degree. You are also expected to have developed proficiency in using Microsoft Excel before beginning the program.

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May Start

Apply by April 1

August Start

Apply by July 1

January Start

Apply by November 1

The certificate program allows someone to enhance their skill set without committing to a master’s degree. However, students who start the program and find they want more will have the opportunity to use credits earned toward an advanced degree, such as our M.S. in Business Analytics, which is also offered entirely online in eight-week terms as well.

Jennifer Ryan, Department Chair and Professor of Supply Chain Management and Analytics and Van Horne Family Endowed Chair

Affordability

Since certificate programs are not eligible for financial aid, we know cost is key. At a flat rate of $675 per credit hour, our certificate programs are some of the most affordable in the Big Ten.

Tuition and Fees

Maximize Your Investment

Completing a certificate can be a good way to get a feel for graduate level classes and diversify your expertise. Because the course credits you'll earn while completing a certificate are transferrable, you can roll your credits into a master's program later on such as the Master of Science in Business Analytics. If you're already enrolled in one of our MBA programs, you can use your MBA electives to earn this graduate certificate at the same time.

MS in Business Analytics Explore Master's Programs

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If you have immediate questions, contact our Business Graduate Programs Office at businessgrad2@unl.edu or 402-472-2338.

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