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Online Foundations in Business Analytics Certificate

Data science and analytics continue to redefine the business world, and their impact on the job market shows no signs of slowing down. The projected growth rate for data science jobs through 2031 is 36%, which is much faster than the average growth rate for all occupations.¹

The Online Foundations in Business Analytics Certificate from William & Mary combines the prestige of a “Public Ivy” business education with the agility of a short-term, targeted professional skills-development program. In just three courses that can be completed in little more than one semester, you will learn key business analytics tools and skills that can help launch you into analytics-driven roles or provide your point of entry into the Online Master of Science in Business Analytics program.

About the Certificate

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Foundations in Business Analytics Certificate by the Numbers

12

Credits

3

Courses

2

Programming Languages

0

On-Campus Commitments

A Foundation for Business Analytics Success

Our Online MS in Business Analytics program is designed around four content pillars that we have identified as essential to success in the field—business acumen, math modeling, computing technologies and communicating with impact. The three business analytics courses that make up this certificate provide the foundations to these pillars, skills in each area upon which deeper expertise can be built.

The “Probability and Statistics with R course provides essential background knowledge for the complex mathematical modeling that analytics roles demand. The “Business Modeling with Python” course builds your knowledge in the most essential languages to contemporary analytics computing technologies. Finally, the program’s culminating course, “Competing Through Business Analytics,” ties these skills together with business acumen and communicational fluency, preparing you to apply business analytics tools in any organization.

And when you complete your coursework for this certificate program, it could be just the beginning of your analytics education. The three courses of the business analytics certificate program comprise the prerequisites and first required course of the Online MSBA program. Students who complete the Foundations in Business Analytics Certificate program in good standing are invited to apply to the Online Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) program with no additional application requirements, and all credits from the certificate may be applied toward completion of the MSBA.

Learn In-Demand Business Analytics Tools

R and Python are two of the top 15 data science skills data scientists need for success in their careers.²

laptop sitting on a desk with two large display monitors

Online Foundations in Business Analytics Courses Overview

BUAD 512A Probability and Statistics with R (4 credits)

This course introduces the R programming language to teach statistical analysis within a business environment. The course will cover basics of data management and wrangling in R, probability and probability distributions, and statistical techniques including statistical inference, hypothesis testing, analysis of variance, and an introduction to regression analysis.

BUAD 512B R Business Modeling with Python (4 credits)

This course covers the use of the Python programming language in the context of modeling business problems. Particular attention is given to learning the power and flexibility of using Python in business settings commonly encountered. The mechanics, syntax, and semantics of the language is emphasized. The course includes in-depth coverage of Python data types, control flow, functions, packages, data wrangling, data visualization, and matrix manipulation.

BUAD 5112 Competing Through Business Analytics (4 credits)

This course will include a survey of the state-of-the-art in business analytics, exploring how companies use it for competitive advantage, and identifying factors for successful strategic and operational support as business intelligence tools. Topics will include business metrics used for performance measurement and incentives, effective information communication, visualization, process improvement, the development and application of algorithms, and ethical implications. The course will also include a series of opportunities for problem-solving using business analytics in different areas of an organization, such as operations, supply chain management, human resources, finance, and marketing.

Foundations in Business Analytics Certificate at a Glance

Complete in just over one semester
100% online
No residency or on-campus requirement
Multiple opportunities to start per year
Study with our faculty of industry experts
Completion in good standing can fulfill admissions requirements for the Online MSBA program
All credits can be applied to Online MSBA

Have Questions?

We want to ensure you can take advantage of this opportunity to transition into a rewarding new analytics career. Feel free to schedule a call with an Admissions Outreach Advisor if you have any questions about the Online Foundations in Business Analytics Certificate, or about using it to transition into the Online MSBA program.