Master of Science in Analytics

Applying data science and business strategy to optimize effectiveness and guide decisions.

Data is powerful. If used effectively, the information captured and generated by companies has the power to drive profitability. The Master of Science in Analytics (MSA) at LSU prepares students to use data-driven methods to contribute to organizational effectiveness and guide decisions. This STEM-designated program emphasizes business analytics, business intelligence, and information technology to solve problems, reduce costs, increase revenues, streamline processes, and improve decision-making. 

What You'll Learn

Master your skills with our innovative curriculum through a mixture of classroom instruction, hands-on experiences, and team-based projects. 

The Master of Science in Analytics (MSA) is a 36-hour program offered through on-campus (full-time, hybrid) and online formats. For more information on the online track visit LSU Online Master of Science in Analytics. Students learn specialized skills and knowledge drawn from computer science, statistics, operations research, and quality management to achieve results through a mixture of classroom instruction, hands-on exercises, and team-based projects. The program culminates with a practicum project where teams of students work with organizations to solve real-world analytics problems. 

The MSA curriculum emphasizes using advanced data management tools, applied statistics, and operations research techniques. Students use SAS, SQL, R, SPSS, Tableau, and other tools to analyze large real-world data sets to increase return on investment, improve customer retention, reduce fraud, and improve decision-making. 

Key topics include the structured query language (SQL), multivariate statistics, clustering, data-mining, design of experiments​, optimization methods, and predictive modeling. Teamwork, written and oral communication, presentation skills, and state-of-the-art visualization techniques are emphasized throughout your coursework.

Full-Time Course Curriculum 

Summer 1 Courses

Course Hours

ISDS 7510
Database Management with SQL and R

3

ISDS 7070v1
Python

3

Total

6

 

Summer 2 Courses

Course Hours

ISDS 7024

Advanced Statistical Analysis for Research

3

ISDS 4070

Data Mining Tools

3

Total

6

 

Fall 1 Courses

Course Hours

ISDS 7303
Analytics Methods
or

ISDS 7301 
Descriptive Analytics

*depending on course rotation

3

ISDS 7103
Operations Research

3

Total

6

 

Fall 2 Courses

Course Hours

ISDS 7304
Visual Analytics

or

ISDS 7302
Predictive Analytics

*depending on course rotation

3

ISDS 7075

Forecasting

3

Total

6

 

 Spring 1 Courses

Course Hours

ISDS 7301
Descriptive Analytics

or 

ISDS 7303
Analytics Methods

*Depending on course rotation

3

ISDS 7990
Project

3

Total

6

 

Spring 2 Courses

Course Hours

ISDS 7302
Descriptive Analytics

or

ISDS 7304
Visual Analytics

*depending on course rotation

3

ISDS 7990 

Project

3

Total

6

 

As part of the MSA program, students complete a major team project using a large data set provided by a sponsoring organization.

Students present their results and recommendations to the sponsoring organization in a formal executive decision briefing. Students with degrees in business, engineering, economics, statistics, mathematics, and the sciences will benefit the most from this degree. 

The practicum project is a team-based effort in which students work with leading organizations to solve real analytics problems. 

  • Teams include two-three students and one faculty member.
  • The teams work to understand the business problem and then clean and analyze the data.
  • The projects begin in the fall and end in the spring with a presentation to the sponsoring organization.
  • Past projects included the following industries: automotive, energy, government, healthcare, higher education, sports, and telecommunications.

Recommended electives:

  • ISDS 7220 - Supply Chain Management
  • ISDS 7401 - Healthcare Informatics
  • ISDS 4118 - Web Analytics

Other Approved Electives:

  • CSC 4740 - Big Data Tech
  • ECON 4633 - Time Series
  • EXST 7036 - Categorical Data Analysis
  • EXST 7152 - Advanced Topics in Statistical Modeling
  • ISDS 7070 - Special Topic/Project (topics vary; permission of department)

Career Path

Data analytics is instrumental to the success of all mainstream business functions. As a result, analytics professionals are in high demand.

Even better, according to Glassdoor, “Data Scientist” is number three on the list of Best Jobs in America. 

LSU MSA graduates are employed in various industry sectors, including consulting, healthcare, insurance, oil and gas, and telecommunications. Positions for graduates are available nation-wide. You will find MSA graduates in Austin, Chicago, Dallas, Orlando, San Antonio, and Washington, DC, among other cities.

Employers who hire our graduates include:

  • Accenture
  • Amazon
  • Bank of America
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • CenturyLink
  • Chevron
  • Disney
  • DeepWater Horizons
  • Dow
  • Exxon
  • FedEx
  • General Motors
  • IBM
  • Microsoft
  • SAS

#11

Best Master's of Business Analytics Programs

- TFE Times - 2022

13% 

job growth projected for computer and IT occupations

- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2020-2030)

$97,430

median annual wage for computer and information technology occupations

- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2021)

 

Additional Program Details 

 

 

Contact Us

SDEIS Main Office

2200 Business Education Complex
225-578-2515
sdeis@lsu.edu 

MSA Program Contact 

Joni Nunnery Shreve
Associate Director, Enrollment and Academic Services
 225-578-9073
jnunner@lsu.edu