Graduate Certificate in Business Analytics

A professor pointing to math formulas on a whiteboard

Graduate Certificate in Business Analytics

The rise of the internet, multimedia, and social media is fueling data growth at an exponential speed—and business analytics is the next frontier for innovation, competition, and productivity. Professionals who can grasp the implications of data through business analytics will improve their firms’ competiveness and unlock new levels of productivity and growth.

This 15-credit certificate is designed to equip students with the quantitative skills to collect and evaluate data, and the qualitative skills to communicate the findings. Students will learn how to conduct data mining, database management, data programming, and other forms of advanced data analysis. Ultimately, students will be able to use data as a strategic asset to make better decisions and drive results.

Basic Requirements

Prospective students who have completed an undergraduate degree are welcome to apply for the University of Pittsburgh Graduate Certificate in Business Analytics. Any Pitt graduate student is eligible to pursue the certificate in addition to their declared degree program. 

Admissions to the Graduate Certificate in Business Analytics program may be conditional pending the successful completion of pre-requisite coursework:

  • Earn minimum 3.25 (B+) in BQOM 2401 Statistical Analysis or equivalent
  • Earn minimum 3.00 (B) in BQOM 2421 Decision Technologies or equivalent

Required Courses and Electives

Total Credits: 15 credits

Required Courses (12 credits):

Course

Credits

BQOM 2512: Advanced Decision Technologies

1.5

BQOM 2557: Multivariate Data Analysis 1

1.5

BQOM 2578: Data Mining

3

BMIS 2588: Database Management

3

Programming course requirement (BMIS 2542 or BMIS 2526)

3

Electives (3 credits); choose from the following, others with permission of Area Faculty Director:

Course

Credits

Programming course requirement (BMIS 2542 or BMIS 2526)

3

BQOM 2537: Forecasting

1.5

BQOM 2558: Business Analytics: Strategic Essentials

1.5

BQOM 2559: Applied Simulation & Optimization (co-requisite BQOM 2512)

1.5

BACC 2523: Accounting Data Analytics (pre-requisite BUSACC/BACC 1236)

3

BMKT 2544: Shopper Analytics (pre-requisite BMKT 2409)

3

BMKT 2551: Digital & Social Media Analytics (pre-requisite BMKT 2409)

1.5

Students are awarded the Graduate Certificate when all of the following criteria are satisfied:

A minimum of 15.0 credits of approved graduate-level coursework.

The appropriate distribution of required core courses.

A minimum cumulative quality point average (QPA) of 3.0 (B) overall.

Career Opportunities

The immediate need for professionals versed in data analytics is fueled by the explosion of data generated online. Data ranges from social networks and mobile devices to real-time sensors and purchase transactions, and the pace of data generation doubles every three years. Currently, salaries in Business Analytics range from $65,000 to $160,000.

Sample Job Titles

  • Risk Analyst
  • Credit Card Customer Behavior Analyst
  • Advanced Analytics Managing Consultant
  • Marketing / Campaign Management Strategy Consultant
  • Senior Data Modeler
  • Senior Managing Analytics Consultant
  • Strategy Managing Consultant
  • Healthcare Analyst
  • Technical Project Manager
  • Business Intelligence and Performance Management: Project Manager
  • Content Analytics Lead Consultant
  • Business Analytics and Optimization Consultant
  • Business Intelligence and Performance Management Consultant
  • Advanced Analytics and Optimization Consultant
  • Social Media Networks Analyst
  • Enterprise Content Management Consultant

Faculty Contact

Krista Foster

Clinical Assistant Professor of Business Analytics & Operations
Office: 215 Mervis Hall
krista.foster@pitt.edu

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

It’s my first semester in business school but already have had lots of help finding internships, getting my resume ready, and getting ready for my career.

Sean Settle

BSBA Finance '22

Right off the bat, Pitt Business has helped me jump right into preparing for my career. In BUS10, we learned how to make a resume and our elevator pitches within the first few weeks of class. Already, I will be attending a career conference and I have heard from multiple recruiters on Q&A panels— and I’ve only been here a month. I am thrilled that I have had these opportunities through Pitt Business and that they really help us dive right into the business world.

Alexis Hammer

BSBA Finance '24