Online MS in Business Analytics at Seattle University

For prospective students navigating graduate application during the COVID-19 pandemic, Seattle University has modified several admissions requirements:

• The GMAT or GRE testing requirement is now considered optional for anyone applying to a non-law graduate program that begins in the 2020-21 academic year (summer of 2020 through fall of 2021)
• Unofficial transcripts will be accepted for those applying through the fall 2021 term. (Official transcripts are required before 2nd quarter registration)
• The application fee has been waived through the fall 2021 term

Applicants to the Online Master’s in Business Analytics program must have a 3.0 GPA or higher (on a 4.0 scale). Probational admission contingent upon completion of the program’s first 12 credits with a minimum GPA of 3.0 may be offered to students who do not meet these initial criteria.

In addition, prospective students must submit the following as part of their application for admissions:

• Completed online application
• $55 application fee (view all fee waiver opportunities here)
• The application fee has been waived for applicants through the fall 2021 term
• Resume (Note: Professional work experience is not required to apply to this program)
• Official GMAT or GRE test scores (sent by the testing agency) or waiver
• The GMAT or GRE testing requirement is now considered optional for anyone applying to a non-law graduate program that begins in the 2020-21 academic year (summer of 2020 through fall of 2021)
• Applicants to the Albers School of Business are still encouraged to submit a GMAT or GRE when possible. Choosing to include a GMAT or GRE score can make your application more competitive and give the admissions team more information about you. Albers retains the right to recommend that individual applicants submit a GMAT or GRE score to assist in the admissions decision process on a case-by-case basis
• For applicants in the 2020-2021 academic year (summer 2020 through fall 2021): Applicants to the program must have a GMAT score of at least 500 or a comparable GRE score. Qualified applicants may request a GMAT/GRE waiver (Please note: An approved waiver does not guarantee admission to the Seattle University Online MSBA program).
• Official transcripts from all undergraduate and post-baccalaureate work. Seattle University accepts official transcripts via a secure electronic delivery system from your issuing university, sent to grad-admissions@seattleu.edu. Transcripts may also be delivered to our office in a sealed envelope from the college or university, or sent by the applicant as long as they remain in their original unopened university envelope.
• Unofficial transcripts will be accepted for those applying through fall 2021. Official transcripts are required before 2nd quarter registration

Official transcripts should be sent to:

Office of Graduate Admission
Seattle University
901 12th Avenue
P.O. Box 222000
Seattle, WA 98122-1090



Please note: International transcripts will be evaluated in-house

• Optional personal statement: Personal statements are not required, but may be included, especially if there is information an applicant feels is important for the admissions committee to take into consideration when making their decision. In addition to reading our personal statement writing tips, MSBA applicants are encouraged to respond to one of the following prompts:
  • Describe any work you have done analyzing data to solve a problem, the process used, and software you may have used.
  • The Online MSBA program is very quantitative in nature. Highlight your experience with quantitative analysis
  • How might your Online MSBA experience assist your future organization?
• Official English language proficiency test scores, if required. TOEFL, IELTS, and PTE are accepted. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we will be accepting the Duolingo English Test through the 2021-2022 academic year. Speak with an advisor to learn more.
  • Applicants for whom English is a non-native language must demonstrate English proficiency regardless of English language studies, academic history, residence in the United States or other English-speaking countries, and immigration status. However, graduate and post baccalaureate applicants who received a baccalaureate degree or higher from Seattle University or a recognized college or university in the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, New Zealand, or Australia, and who remain in a country where English is the primary language for at least two years after graduation, will not be required to submit an English proficiency test score

The Online MSBA program is designed to prepare you for the business data and intelligence analyst roles that are currently in high demand. Structured around a set of "Data Translation Challenges," your Online MSBA coursework will teach you to confront business problems by analyzing complex data and communicating insights to stakeholder audiences via written, visual, and oral modalities.

Upon successful completion of this program, you should be equipped to:

• Identify and describe complex business problems in terms of analytical models
• Apply appropriate analytical methods to find solutions to business problems that achieve stated objectives
• Utilize key analytics tools including R and Python programming, Apache Hadoop and Spark, and SQL
• Translate results of business analytic projects into effective courses of action
• Demonstrate ethical decision-making in all business situations
• Communicate technical information to both technical and non-technical audiences in speech, writing and graphic illustration
• Exhibit effective collaboration and leadership skills

View MSBA Curriculum

Designed for students new to programming as well as for those who are already familiar with coding, our prep course serves as an introduction to Python and R, essential analytical tools for the MSBA program.

The course will be completed through our online learning platform, Canvas, so you can use this as an opportunity to meet your peers and gain a firm understanding of these programming languages. During the course you will:

• Install Python and R on you machine
• Familiarize yourself with basic syntax
• Learn basic programming in Python and R

The goal of the Python and R prep course is to ensure that every MSBA student has a strong foundation in these programming languages. Even if you are only familiar with manipulating numbers and data in programs such as Microsoft Excel, you will find the coursework to be accessible and straightforward.

Online MSBA students must have access to a Mac or PC with the following specs:

Minimum Required

• Processor: i5 duo core, 6th generation
• Storage: 128 GB
• RAM: 8 GB (4 actual and 4 virtual minimum)L
• Type: x64
• Webcam: Yes

Preferred:

• Processor: i7 four-core, 8th generation
• Storage: 512 GB (or more)
• RAM: 16 GB
• Type: x64
• Webcam: Yes

Please note: For those who have already been admitted to our Online MSBA program for the winter 2021 term, the 2021 one-day residency retreat is mandatory and will be held virtually in January. Please contact an Admissions Advisor for more information.

A team-building residency retreat has been a key component of MBA programs at Seattle University for more than two decades, and we are excited to extend the opportunity to participate in this transformative event to our Online MSBA students. It is an opportunity to get to know your business school colleagues and bond as a cohort, while learning important teamwork and leadership skills.

Historically, Albers students have reported that the residency retreat was one of the most meaningful experiences they had during their entire program. As an added bonus, it also represents your first chance to begin growing your professional network as an Online MSBA student!