Specialized Master in Business Analytics
July 13, 2026
August 25, 2026
Overview
In a world powered by big data, performing sophisticated and systematic analyses of information is highly valued. The Fisher College of Business Specialized Master in Business Analytics (SMBA) provides the know-how to effectively harness, interpret, and analyze this data. This program equips you with an understanding of the science of data analytics and its implication for business innovation, productivity and growth. Although open to all students, this STEM-designated degree is targeted mainly at working professionals who are looking to acquire graduate-level knowledge and credentials in business analytics in order to accelerate their careers or execute a career shift into this growing field.
Why choose Ohio State for your online Specialized Master in Business Analytics?
Ohio State’s Specialized Master in Business Analytics program is designed with working professionals in mind. This program will help you better understand data acquisition, analytic methods and techniques, and ethical issues surrounding data. With both full-time and part-time options available, you’ll be able to complete the program at a pace that is right for you. This 100% online program offers a seamless blend of synchronous and asynchronous courses to provide you the opportunity to collaborate with your classmates and professors while also working at your own pace. With no minimum work experience required, the SMB-A is designed to accelerate your current career or help you transition into the world of management analytics.
Nationally ranked and AACSB-accredited
The online Specialized Master in Business Analytics was ranked #5 in Best Online Master’s in Business Programs (excluding MBA) and #3 in Best Online Master’s in Business Programs for Veterans (excluding MBA) by U.S. News and World Report. Additionally, The Ohio State University Max M. Fisher College of Business is accredited by The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). Only 6% of business schools receive this accreditation.
Ranked #5 in Best Online Master's in Business Programs (excluding MBA)
Ranked #3 in Best Online Master's in Business Programs for Veterans (excluding MBA)
AACSB-Accredited
Frequently Asked Questions
The Specialized Master in Business Analytics utilizes a combination of synchronous and asynchronous course instruction. 75% of classes are offered asynchronously with the remaining 25% offered as online streaming Saturday classes.
The Specialized Master of Business Analytics program can be taken part-time or full-time. Part-time students can complete the program in six semesters. Full-time students can complete the program in three semesters (10 months).
There is no minimum score required to apply. Submitting a GMAT/GRE score is optional.
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Academic Calendar
The Specialized Master in Business-Analytics program admits students once-per-year for the Autumn semester. Utilizing a blend of synchronous and asynchronous instruction, this program can be completed on a full-time or part-time basis in 3 or 6 semesters.
Academic Calendar
The Specialized Master in Business-Analytics program admits students once-per-year for the Autumn semester. Utilizing a blend of synchronous and asynchronous instruction, this program can be completed on a full-time or part-time basis in 3 or 6 semesters.
Admission Criteria
Admission into the Specialized Master of Business-Analytics program is based on the following requirements:
- The equivalent of a four-year bachelor’s or advanced degree from an accredited college or university, earned by the expected date of entry into your graduate program.
- A minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA (on a 4.0 scale or equivalent) for the last bachelor’s or advanced degree earned.
- Transcripts or other credentials documenting that you have completed prerequisite academic work.
The Ohio State University participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA).
SARA is a national initiative that increases student access to distance education courses and programs while maintaining compliance with state regulations. Institutions participating in SARA can offer educational opportunities in all 49 SARA member states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico without seeking individual approval in each state.
California is not a SARA member state, however, OSU may offer online courses and programs to students located in California under the California Private Post-Secondary Act of 2009.
The Application Process
Once you understand your program’s admission criteria, please note the application deadline. You’ll need a quiet space and a variety of materials for your application. To learn more, please see our Admissions page for the full process. Ready to Apply? Find your application here.
Career Outlook
Graduates of our Specialized Master in Business-Analytics program position themselves for an extensive career in a variety of analyst roles, including financial, operations, and market research.
Top Occupations by Median Income
What They Do
Examine budget estimates for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with procedures and regulations. Analyze budgeting and accounting reports.
Work Activities
Analyze monthly department budgeting and accounting reports to maintain expenditure controls. Provide advice and technical assistance with cost analysis, fiscal allocation, and budget preparation. Review operating budgets to analyze trends affecting budget needs.
Wage Range
- Entry Level: $60,510
- Mid Level: $87,930
- Senior Level: $134,640
Job Outlook
Average
Related Careers
- Accountants and Auditors
- Financial Examiners
- Financial Managers
- Personal Financial Advisors
- Treasurers and Controllers
Job Sectors
- Economics and Accounting
- Mathematics
- English Language
- Administration and Management
- Administrative
What They Do
Produce financial and market intelligence by querying data repositories and generating periodic reports. Devise methods for identifying data patterns and trends in available information sources.
Work Activities
Generate standard or custom reports summarizing business, financial, or economic data for review by executives, managers, clients, and other stakeholders. Maintain or update business intelligence tools, databases, dashboards, systems, or methods. Manage timely flow of business intelligence information to users.
Wage Range
- Entry Level: $63,650
- Mid Level: $112,590
- Senior Level: $194,410
Job Outlook
Bright
Related Careers
- Computer Systems Analysts
- Data Scientists
- Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists
- Marketing Managers
- Statistical Assistants
Job Sectors
- Computers and Electronics
- Mathematics
- English Language
- Administration and Management
- Customer and Personal Service
What They Do
Analyze science, engineering, business, and other data processing problems to develop and implement solutions to complex applications problems, system administration issues, or network concerns. Perform systems management and integration functions, improve existing computer systems, and review computer system capabilities, workflow, and schedule limitations. May analyze or recommend commercially available software.
Work Activities
Troubleshoot program and system malfunctions to restore normal functioning. Provide staff and users with assistance solving computer-related problems, such as malfunctions and program problems. Test, maintain, and monitor computer programs and systems, including coordinating the installation of computer programs and systems.
Wage Range
- Entry Level: $63,160
- Mid Level: $103,790
- Senior Level: $166,030
Job Outlook
Bright
Related Careers
- Computer Systems Engineers/Architects
- Database Administrators
- Database Architects
- Information Security Engineers
- Software Developers
Job Sectors
- Computers and Electronics
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Mathematics
- Administration and Management
What They Do
Conduct programs of compensation and benefits and job analysis for employer. May specialize in specific areas, such as position classification and pension programs.
Work Activities
Administer employee insurance, pension, and savings plans, working with insurance brokers and plan carriers. Ensure company compliance with federal and state laws, including reporting requirements. Research employee benefit and health and safety practices, and recommend changes or modifications to existing policies.
Wage Range
- Entry Level: $48,300
- Mid Level: $77,020
- Senior Level: $128,830
Job Outlook
Bright
Related Careers
- Compensation and Benefits Managers
- Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs
- Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping
- Human Resources Managers
- Human Resources Specialists
Job Sectors
- Personnel and Human Resources
- English Language
- Customer and Personal Service
- Mathematics
- Administration and Management
What They Do
Gather, analyze, or evaluate information from a variety of sources, such as law enforcement databases, surveillance, intelligence networks or geographic information systems. Use intelligence data to anticipate and prevent organized crime activities, such as terrorism.
Work Activities
Validate known intelligence with data from other sources. Gather, analyze, correlate, or evaluate information from a variety of resources, such as law enforcement databases. Evaluate records of communications, such as telephone calls, to plot activity and determine the size and location of criminal groups and members.
Wage Range
- Entry Level: $54,160
- Mid Level: $93,580
- Senior Level: $159,410
Job Outlook
Below Average
Related Careers
- Detectives and Criminal Investigators
- Information Security Analysts
- Information Security Engineers
- Penetration Testers
- Private Detectives and Investigators
Job Sectors
- English Language
- Law and Government
- Public Safety and Security
- Administrative
- Computers and Electronics
What They Do
Conduct organizational studies and evaluations, design systems and procedures, conduct work simplification and measurement studies, and prepare operations and procedures manuals to assist management in operating more efficiently and effectively. Includes program analysts and management consultants.
Work Activities
Gather and organize information on problems or procedures. Confer with personnel concerned to ensure successful functioning of newly implemented systems or procedures. Analyze data gathered and develop solutions or alternative methods of proceeding.
Wage Range
- Entry Level: $59,720
- Mid Level: $101,190
- Senior Level: $174,140
Job Outlook
Bright
Related Careers
- Business Intelligence Analysts
- Data Scientists
- Information Technology Project Managers
- Project Management Specialists
- Training and Development Managers
Job Sectors
- English Language
- Administration and Management
- Customer and Personal Service
- Mathematics
- Education and Training
What They Do
Research conditions in local, regional, national, or online markets. Gather information to determine potential sales of a product or service, or plan a marketing or advertising campaign. May gather information on competitors, prices, sales, and methods of marketing and distribution. May employ search marketing tactics, analyze web metrics, and develop recommendations to increase search engine ranking and visibility to target markets.
Work Activities
Prepare reports of findings, illustrating data graphically and translating complex findings into written text. Collect and analyze data on customer demographics, preferences, needs, and buying habits to identify potential markets and factors affecting product demand. Conduct research on consumer opinions and marketing strategies, collaborating with marketing professionals, statisticians, pollsters, and other professionals.
Wage Range
- Entry Level: $42,070
- Mid Level: $76,950
- Senior Level: $144,610
Job Outlook
Bright
Related Careers
- Advertising and Promotions Managers
- Business Intelligence Analysts
- Management Analysts
- Marketing Managers
- Search Marketing Strategists
Job Sectors
- English Language
- Customer and Personal Service
- Sales and Marketing
- Mathematics
- Administration and Management
What They Do
Plan, implement, upgrade, or monitor security measures for the protection of computer networks and information. Assess system vulnerabilities for security risks and propose and implement risk mitigation strategies. May ensure appropriate security controls are in place that will safeguard digital files and vital electronic infrastructure. May respond to computer security breaches and viruses.
Work Activities
Develop plans to safeguard computer files against accidental or unauthorized modification, destruction, or disclosure and to meet emergency data processing needs. Monitor current reports of computer viruses to determine when to update virus protection systems. Encrypt data transmissions and erect firewalls to conceal confidential information as it is being transmitted and to keep out tainted digital transfers.
Wage Range
- Entry Level: $69,660
- Mid Level: $124,910
- Senior Level: $186,420
Job Outlook
Bright
Related Careers
- Computer Systems Analysts
- Digital Forensics Analysts
- Information Security Engineers
- Network and Computer Systems Administrators
- Penetration Testers
Job Sectors
- Computers and Electronics
- English Language
- Administration and Management
- Engineering and Technology
- Telecommunications
What They Do
Conduct quantitative analyses of information involving investment programs or financial data of public or private institutions, including valuation of businesses.
Work Activities
Advise clients on aspects of capitalization, such as amounts, sources, or timing. Analyze financial or operational performance of companies facing financial difficulties to identify or recommend remedies. Assess companies as investments for clients by examining company facilities.
Wage Range
- Entry Level: $62,410
- Mid Level: $101,350
- Senior Level: $180,550
Job Outlook
Bright
Related Careers
- Financial Quantitative Analysts
- Financial Risk Specialists
- Investment Fund Managers
- Personal Financial Advisors
- Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents
What They Do
Formulate and apply mathematical modeling and other optimizing methods to develop and interpret information that assists management with decisionmaking, policy formulation, or other managerial functions. May collect and analyze data and develop decision support software, services, or products. May develop and supply optimal time, cost, or logistics networks for program evaluation, review, or implementation.
Work Activities
Present the results of mathematical modeling and data analysis to management or other end users. Define data requirements, and gather and validate information, applying judgment and statistical tests. Perform validation and testing of models to ensure adequacy, and reformulate models, as necessary.
Wage Range
- Entry Level: $53,910
- Mid Level: $91,290
- Senior Level: $159,280
Job Outlook
Bright
Related Careers
- Business Intelligence Analysts
- Computer Systems Analysts
- Data Scientists
- Management Analysts
- Software Developers
Job Sectors
- Mathematics
- Computers and Electronics
- Engineering and Technology
- Production and Processing
- English Language
National occupational information in Ohio State Online’s Career Outlook tool is sourced from O*NET Online and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The median annual wage displayed to the right of each occupational title above is based on the BLS Employment Projections program. Outlook and percent change indicate projected growth or decline over the next 10 years.
Curriculum
The curriculum of the Specialized Master in Business-Analytics is designed to demonstrate fluency in working with, acquiring, and managing data. Utilizing a seamless blend of synchronous and asynchronous instruction, you will conceptualize real-world problems to obtain the necessary skills to become a data-savvy leader in business analytics.
Students will understand the fundamentals of accounting (managerial and financial) and finance. The course will cover defining financial data, transforming data into information and leveraging financial information to make financial decisions. Students will have hands-on experience with various types of real-world financial data and build a detailed discounted cash flow model.
Provides a framework for analyzing managerial decisions and problems using selected topics from fundamental microeconomic theory. This framework will be used in conjunction with strategy, case studies, ethical considerations, and combined professional experience to improve managerial decision-making.
Students will learn how to work with data, formulate questions, and most importantly, learn comprehensive problem-solving techniques to extract and explain pertinent information from data. The course will track the problem solving process from problem formulation to data acquisition/cleaning to data analysis and conclusion to communication of the results.
Business Analytics is the process of transforming raw data into insights and predictions. This course provides an introduction to core predictive analytics concepts and techniques as well as hands-on experience in applying these techniques to practical real-word business problems.
Focus on prescriptive analytics to determine causal effects and identify optimal decisions in business. Emphasis on programming data analysis using the R statistical language.
While the SMB-A coursework is designed to develop the skill sets of students in Management Analytics topics, equally valuable for managers is experience in managing analytics teams. For that reason, the precursor instruction of the Analytics Management capstone is designed to allow students to demonstrate skills gained in coursework, while also exposing them to the challenge of managing a small team.
Visualization is an effective way to communicate the underlying patterns of data. Students will learn different types of visualization and how to compose and combine them using R. This course covers a wide range of visualization from simple to complex, static to interactive, and familiar to exotic. Students will also be exposed to how to describe and visualize unstructured data such as texts.
Business Analytics is the process of transforming raw data into insights and predictions. This course is on the fundamentals of data management-the art and science of collecting, organizing, cleaning, and manipulating raw data in a variety of formats and from multiplesources, and being able to do it efficiently and at scale using R.
This course covers the role of leadership in management and the use of power and influence to motivate individuals and effect organizational change. It provides students with the opportunity to develop personalized leadership development plans based on current literature, case study, and behavioral assessments.
The course provides students with an opportunity to apply, showcase, fine-tune and expand the skills and knowledge acquired in courses in the program by working through substantive real-world analytics projects from initial conception to the production of useful insights and improved decisions.
Understanding Online Course Types
As you research the right online program for you, you likely will come across the terms “asynchronous” and “synchronous.” Learn what these terms mean and how they’re important to consider when understanding how a program will fit into your life.
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Program Faculty
In the Specialized Master in Business Analytics program, you will learn from the Fisher College of Business faculty comprised of world-class scholars and industry experts who bring together theory and practice to prepare you for success as a data-savvy leader.
Elliot Bendoly
SMB-A Co-Director, Distinguished Professor of Management Sciences
Elliot Bendoly is the co-director of the SMB-A program and the Fisher College of Business Distinguished Professor in the Department of Management Sciences. Prior to joining Fisher, Dr. Bendoly taught at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School, where he lead the Information Systems and Operations Management area/department, and held the title of Caldwell Research Fellow. During that time he also served as a visiting researcher at IE Business School in Madrid. Bendoly earned a PhD and MS in operations and decision technologies from Indiana University, and a BA in economics (industrial/development) as well as a BS in materials engineering from Case Western Reserve University. Prior to graduate school, he served in a research capacity for both Intel and NASA.
Dr. Bendoly’s current research interests focus on the interface between operations, information technology and psychology (group and individual), including collaboration and group dynamics; work policies, task complexity and uncertainty; and operations/strategy/technology alignment.
John Draper
SMB-A Co-Director, Clinical Assistant Professor
Testimonials
See what students and graduates have to say about Ohio State’s online Specialized Master in Business-Analytics program.
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"The SMB-A program equips working professionals with the skills needed to thrive in today's increasingly data-driven business environment."
Ethan McIntyre Specialized Master of Business-Analytics Student -
"As a recent graduate of the SMB-A program, I gained hands-on experience with cutting-edge tools and methodologies that have already advanced my career. The program's blend of rigorous coursework and real-world application truly prepared me to excel in the data-driven landscape."
Joe Kline Specialized Master in Business-Analytics Grad
Tuition Fee Overview
Investing in your future with a higher education degree is one of the best investments you can make for your future success. At Ohio State, we know understanding your program’s cost is an important part of your decision-making process. Below are the tuition fees you can expect with your program. Estimates are based on the expenses typical of an Ohio State Online student, who would take 6 credit hours each semester as a part-time student, or 8 credit hours each semester as a full-time student. Actual costs may vary.
| Tuition and Fees | Per Credit Hour (unless otherwise noted) | Part-Time – Estimated Cost Per Semester | Full-Time – Estimated Cost Per Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Instructional Fee | $1,252.66 | $7,515.96 | $10,021.28 |
| General Fee | $32.63 | $195.78 | $261.00 |
| Distance Learning Fee | $100.00 (per semester) | $100.00 (per semester) | $100.00 (per semester) |
| Non-Resident Surcharge (if applicable) | $200.00 (per semester) | $200.00 (per semester) | $200.00 (per semester) |
| Textbook and Course Materials | $720.00 (per course) | $720.00 (per course) | $720.00 (per course) |
Tuition fees are subject to change. The table above serves as a guide and not an official bursar’s bill. Full-Time costs are total tuition costs per semester.
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