OSU Graduate Business and Data Science Programs
Oklahoma State University appears in our ranking of the 15 Most Affordable Master’s in Data Science Online.
Data science techniques are not only useful in a variety of different careers, but employees with these skills also receive higher wages. As such, Oklahoma State University has designed graduate programs that combine business with data collection, manipulation, and analytics.
Their Master’s of Science in Business Analytics program is part of the Spears School of Business but is considered a STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) degree. The curriculum focuses on using data and statistics in business, including classes like Descriptive Business Analytics and Predictive Business Analytics. Classes like Advanced Database Management Systems and Advanced Programming for Marketing Analytics teach programming and database skills, and students also have the opportunity to attend boot camps that go into more detail on specific programming languages like R, SAS, and Python. Each student also chooses a specialty track based on particular career goals. Options include marketing, human resources, and healthcare analytics. Before graduation, students complete a practicum or internship to gain real-world experience. This program is offered full-time on campus or online part-time.
Another related Oklahoma State University degree program is the Master’s of Science in Management Information Systems, specifically the Data Science option. Graduate students in this track learn both the statistics and technical computer science aspects of the field so they can use information to make predictions and also build the programs that collect and store data. The program focuses heavily on big data and data mining including classes like Data Warehousing and Analytics Programming (R & Python). This program is offered completely online so is a good fit for working professionals.
For individuals looking for a foundation in data science skills but who might lack the time for a complete degree program, OSU offers specialized graduate certificates that can be taken completely online. Each option requires 12 credit hours of specialized study. The certificate in Marketing Analytics focuses on applying statistical modeling to merchandising and advertising including courses like Introduction to Marketing Analytics and Web Analytics and Digital Marketing. The other option, a certificate in Business Data Mining, consists of three tracks, each building upon the previous, from Data Mining to Predictive Analytics and then finally to Marketing Data Science. These courses are increasingly technical and teach the theory and practical applications behind programming languages like Hadoop, R, and Python. At the completion of each level, students earn a certificate from Oklahoma State University as well as SAS which is an industry-leading software design and data management organization.
Students looking to earn their Master’s in Business Administration also have the option of adding data science skills into their program by selecting either the Marketing Analytics or Data Analytics concentration. Each requires an additional 12 credit hours, and these courses are offered completely online as well as on campus. Both tracks involve extensive programming work including classes like Base SAS Programming for Database Marketing and Business Tools and Tech for the marketing concentration and Data Warehousing, Data Visualization, and Big Data Technologies for the data science option.
With the variety of levels and lengths of graduate programs available, Oklahoma State University has a program that is appropriate for any professional or student looking to enter the industry.
About Oklahoma State University
With university campuses in Tulsa, Okmulgee, and Oklahoma City and the largest in Stillwater, Oklahoma State University, or OSU, began on Christmas Day in 1890 and currently enrolls approximately 35,000 students each year. While their official mascot is the cowboy, they often go by the nickname, Pokes, from cowpokes, another term for a cowboy. There are currently over 30 complete degree programs offered online as well as many certificates.
The data science and business analytics programs are part of the Spears School of Business at OSU. In 2018, this college was rated one of the best online programs for graduate business studies, both for veterans and overall, according to U.S. News and World Report. The Spears School is technically located on the Stillwater Campus and is composed of nine undergraduate departments and eight master’s and nine doctoral programs as well as a variety of graduate and undergraduate certificates.
Oklahoma State University Accreditation Details
OSU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission which is a regional accrediting body serving the central United States. The university is part of the Open Pathway program which involves a campus visit and evaluation every ten years, due next in the 2025/2026 school year. Open Pathway means the school is committed both to a high-quality education but also to continuous improvement through execution of quality initiative plans.
In addition, the programs offered by OSU’s Spears College of Business are accredited by AACSB International, or the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, which ensures that students receive an accurate and thorough business education. Accreditation is important because it allows universities to receive public funds, specifically in the form of student loans and grants, and also helps standardize the education system resulting in easier credit transfer between institutions.
Oklahoma State University Application Requirements
Admission to the above graduate programs in data science and business analytics requires completion of a bachelor’s degree as well as current GRE or GMAT scores. While work experience is not necessary, it is recommended, and each applicant will submit a professional resume outlining past positions and responsibilities. In order to assess an applicant’s character and academic abilities, three letters of recommendation need to be sent by employers, teachers, or academic advisers, and applicants also need to write a statement of purpose. This is a brief essay describing who they are, what they can bring to the program, and how the program can help them achieve their career goals.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition for graduate online degree programs including the Master’s of Science and Master’s of Business Administration is $474.35 per credit hour for Oklahoma residents, $580 for nonresidents, and $429 for active-duty military members. Graduate students are eligible for different types of students loans, sometimes federally subsidized depending on need. Filling out a FAFSA is a good first step using Oklahoma State University’s ID number, 003170.
Related Resources:
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