Online Certificate in Business Analytics
Prepare for the Business World of the Future
Business analytics drive organizational strategy and innovation, from top-level decision-making to operations and processes. Learn to address business problems with data-driven solutions with Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.
The professional certificate in Business Analytics program is a part of Saint Mary’s Accelerators, a carefully crafted series of master’s-level graduate certificates. You can advance your career while meeting your personal and professional goals as you pursue the certificate in a standalone program or apply your credits as a pathway toward a master’s degree.
Earning your Business Analytics certification online allows you to explore topics in computer and data science, business, project management, and communication on your schedule. Prepare for in-demand careers as you learn to become an analyst who operates effectively, communicates clearly, and leads project teams to success.
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Why Choose the Online Certificate in Business Analytics?
Saint Mary’s online professional certificate in Business Analytics delivers the flexibility you need to advance your education on your personal schedule. Similar to learning on campus, you’ll receive personalized instruction from expert faculty and explore a rigorous curriculum designed for your career success. Complete your Business Analytics certification online in a virtual platform at the times and in the location you choose.
Program Highlights
- Digital Badging for all Graduate Certificate Courses
- Apply Graduate Certificate Credits to an MS BIDA or MBA
- No Prerequisite Courses or GRE/GMAT Required
Course List & Requirements
The online professional certificate in Business Analytics from Saint Mary’s combines the latest industry tools and approaches with data visualization, business modeling, and geographic information systems coursework. Courses are taught by expert faculty who bring industry experience to the online classroom. Featuring a project-based curriculum made up of 12 credits, this program gives you specialized training to solve business problems using data science methods.
BIA 630 Data Analysis and Business Modeling (3 credits)
This course introduces advanced concepts in predictive modeling and techniques to discover patterns in data, identify variables with the most predictive power, and develop predictive models. Students are introduced to descriptive, predictive, prescriptive analytics, and optimization models. The course utilizes Microsoft Excel to engineer and analyze business models. Students identify the proper use of complete regression, optimization, and exponential smoothing models.
Upon completion of this course, students are expected to be able to do the following:
- Utilize datasets to develop statistics and probability to predict future outcomes
- Implement appropriate models needed to analyze and critically evaluate business objectives
- Develop written and oral communication skills required to report on data-intensive business situations
- Organize data-intensive content in a professional setting.
- Execute advanced analytics techniques
BIA 640 Data Visualization and Storytelling (3 credits)
This course explores best-practice data visualization techniques. Professional storytelling and graphic design skills are introduced. Students study effective strategies and visualization tools to communicate with business decision-makers.
Upon completion of this course, students are expected to be able to do the following:
- Source appropriate data to create effective visualization’s
- a compelling story with data to drive business action
- Design persuasive data visualizations to communicate information to the viewer
- Build visualizations that assist in error detection and data preparation
BIA 645 Communications and Content Strategies (3 credits)
This course focuses on explaining complex datasets, models, and analyses to stakeholders, including internal and external organizations and personnel of multiple disciplines. Audience analysis and effective strategic communication are studied. Students identify and analyze problems. Professionalism in both oral and written communication is expected.
Upon completion of this course, students are expected to be able to do the following:
- Conduct stakeholder analysis and communications results
- Identify business problems and create analytical approaches to solve them
- Write reports based on best-practice data analysis frameworks
- Demonstrate best practice communication techniques to visualize, explore, and act on data science findings
Prerequisites: BIA 630, MBA 633, DIGA 605, BIA 640
DIGA 605 Fundamentals of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) (3 credits)
This course introduces the concepts of spatial data creation, editing, and analysis using GIS software. Emphasis is placed on spatial concepts and understanding and utilizing standard operating procedures. Topics covered include coordinate systems, data creation, derivation, editing, metadata, proximity and overlay analysis, and cartography. Technical proficiency is a primary objective of the course, reinforced by effective practical exercises utilizing GIS software. Examples of how the geospatial industry provides location intelligence to various disciplines are explored.
Upon completion of this course, students are expected to be able to do the following:
- Apply knowledge of principles, theories, and concepts of spatial data analysis
- Demonstrate standard techniques for creating, editing, storing, querying, and analyzing geospatial data
- Use cartographic design principles for visual storytelling and effective communication
- Implement practices to promote spatial data integrity based on understanding sources of error in spatial data
Course Catalog
Share Your Success
Saint Mary’s supports your success by providing you with the tools necessary to not only achieve your professional goals but to share them with the world—especially the digital world.
As part of our commitment, Saint Mary’s offers an opportunity for you to be awarded digital badges. Digital badges are a graphic verification representing your achievement after completing a specific online course or program.
Admissions
The professional certificate in Business Analytics online program is financial aid eligible and can be completed in one year. No prerequisite coursework is required, and you don’t need GRE/GMAT scores to apply. For admission to the program, you’ll need:
General Requirements
- An undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution
- A minimum GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale
Prerequisite Coursework and Experience
No prerequisite coursework is required for the Business Analytics certificate online program.
GMAT and GRE Exam Scores
You don’t need GRE/GMAT scores to apply for this program.
Transfer Credits
Transfer credits are not accepted for this program.
English Language Proficiency
Students with transcripts from universities located outside of the United States, unless from a waiver country listed here, are required to take and pass English Proficiency testing.
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum score of 4 (formerly 72)
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with a minimum score of 6.0
- Michigan Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) with a minimum score of 74%
- International Test of English Proficiency (ITEP) with a minimum score of 4.0 or Pearson Test of English with a score of 51
- Duolingo with a minimum score of 105
Application Requirements
Whether you apply through our online application via hard copy, or in-person with a Saint Mary’s admissions counselor, your application must include the following items:
Official transcripts: An official transcript issued to Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota from the institution posting the applicant’s completed degree and other relevant transcripts documenting program prerequisites and potential transfer credits must be sent separately and directly from your institution. Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota accepts official transcripts electronically from previously attended institutions. Transcripts should be sent to oladmissions@smumn.edu or mailed to:
Transcript Processing Center
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
851 Trafalgar Court, Suite 420
Maitland, FL 32751
Application Deadlines
Upcoming application deadlines for Saint Mary’s Business Analytics certificate online program:
- Spring I: Dec. 19, 2025
- Spring II: Feb. 16, 2026
- Summer I: April 20, 2026
- Summer II: June 15, 2026
- Fall I: Aug. 17, 2026
- Fall II: Oct. 12, 2026
Notice of Acceptance
Once you’ve submitted your application, expect to be notified about acceptance approximately two weeks after your submission date.
Tuition and Fees
A college education is invaluable. You can take it wherever you want to go or as far as you want to go. The cost of quality education should not get in the way of reaching your goals. Here at Saint Mary’s, we are committed to providing an accessible, quality education that is focused on enhancing your personal and professional growth. Explore cost breakdowns for tuition and other fees of the online Business Analytics certificate.
Online Certificate in Business Analytics Careers & Salary
The Business Analytics certification online program gives you the data science and analysis skill sets you need to design innovative data solutions, communicate with stakeholders, and lead project teams. The program also helps you prepare for the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK) exam. When you complete the program, you will be qualified for a variety of advanced professional opportunities. Potential careers for aspiring business analytics professionals include:
Business Intelligence Architect
$111,5441Business Analyst, IT
$71,1002Data Scientist
$97,4833growth rate is expected for computer and information technology occupations through 2030.4
growth rate is expected for business and financial occupations through 20305
What You'll Learn
As a graduate of this program, you will be able to:
- Apply appropriate tools, data models, and ethical approaches to solve specific business problems
- Demonstrate project management techniques through business analytics projects
- Communicate with a variety of stakeholders and audiences
- Evaluate ways that the organization can improve its operations through analytics
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this program accredited?
Will my degree say that it is from an online program?
Are there set times when I can start the program?
How long does the program take?
Can I transfer credits from another university and graduate program?
Is there a campus residency requirement, or is the program entirely online?
Will I be required to attend online classes during set times?
Is this a self-paced program?
Are there any special technology requirements I need for my coursework?
What type of support is available to me? What if I have a question about homework or need help with a technical issue?
Is financial aid available?
How do I get started?
Sources
- PayScale, Average Business Intelligence (BI) Architect Salary, U.S. Retrieved from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Business_Intelligence_(BI)_Architect/Salary.
- PayScale, Average Business Analyst, IT Salary, U.S. Retrieved from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Business_Analyst%2C_IT/Salary.
- PayScale, Average Data Scientist Salary, U.S. Retrieved from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Data_Scientist/Salary.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Computer and Information Technology Occupations. Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/home.htm.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Business, and Financial Occupations. Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/home.htm.
*Completion times may vary