Business Analytics

How does a business grow a loyal customer base? How can an app-based meal delivery service predict customer demand while minimizing waste? Business Analytics provides the tools to solve real-world challenges by transforming raw data into smart business decisions. By combining problem-solving skills, technology, and business strategy, Business Analytics equips you to become a leader in any industry, enhancing your ability to analyze and effectively communicate data-driven insights.

Why Study Business Analytics at the Palumbo-Donahue School of Business?

Our Business Analytics co-major is designed to keep pace with the latest trends in business education. A Business Analytics co-major, paired with any of our eight primary majors—Accounting, Economics, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Finance, Information Systems and Technology, Management, Marketing, and Supply Chain Management—gives you a competitive edge. 

At Duquesne, you will learn theory and apply your knowledge through experiential courses that utilize data and tools to solve real-world business problems. As businesses increasingly rely on data for decision-making, adding a Business Analytics co-major to your degree enhances your employability.

Discover Duquesne’s Distinctive Educational Experience

Business Analytics co-majors take three required courses and three electives, with one course overlapping the primary major. The Business Analytics cornerstone and capstone courses are essential experiences, allowing you to apply data-driven insights to real-world business challenges. Business Analytics co-majors participate in course-embedded, hands-on projects that take raw data and transform it into creative business solutions. 

  • Foundations of Business Analytics Cornerstone: Using data provided by a recent corporate partner, students analyzed a specific business challenge, identified inefficiencies, and offered strategies designed to reduce costs and optimize operations.
  • Business Analytics Capstone: In a recent capstone project, students developed a cost-effective solution to improve chemical dosing for a global water solutions company—reducing waste and boosting profitability.

Program Information

Three distinct yet related areas have emerged in the last decade: data science, big data, and data analytics. Our business analytics program intersects with elements of all three areas, emphasizing business applications and business skills, but without the in-depth programming and machine learning skills required for data science.

Program Type

Major

Degree

Bachelor's

School

Palumbo-Donahue School of Business

Duration

4-year

Required Credit Hours

Students must complete a minimum of 120 credits.

From Our Students

Alec Asti

"Data analysis is a highly sought after skill right now, and Duquesne does it best. The professors offer real-world projects to help build the essential skills needed to succeed in the rapidly changing business world."

Alec Asti Accounting & Business Analytics Double Major

Career Opportunities

Invest in Your Future

With companies harnessing data for strategic decision making, Business Analytics expertise is in demand across all industries. Potential career paths include:

  • Business Analyst: Analyze data around business decisions to increase efficiency and improve processes.
  • Market Research Analyst: Understand consumer trends and optimize marketing strategies.
  • Financial Analyst: Analyze data to guide investments and make informed decisions on spending, budgets, and funding requests.
  • Operations Research Analyst: Improve efficiency and decision-making processes.
  • Information Systems Analyst: Design ways to improve information systems, protect company data, and prevent cyber threats.
  • Economic Analyst: Analyze macroeconomic data to project  industry trends and the impact on the region.

Business Analytics Co-majors Employment

Recent Duquesne Business Analytics co-majors have found positions in a variety of major corporations, including: 

  • Amazon
  • BNY
  • Federated Hermes
  • Highmark Health
  • KPMG
  • PNC
  • PwC
  • Schneider Electric
  • UPMC

Expected Job Growth

According to the , analyst roles in business disciplines are projected to grow 15%—25% faster than average from 2020 to 2030. 

Curriculum

View the Course Descriptions

To complete a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, students must complete a minimum of 120 credits. Business Analytics co-majors are required to take:

  • Bridges Requirements: 19 credits of University-wide courses taken by all students*
  • Business Core Required Courses: 51 credits plus 3 additional credits of required courses taken by business students
  • Required Courses for Business Analytics Co-Major: 9 credits
  • Electives: 9 credits (3 credits shared with primary major)
  • Open Electives: Dependent on co-major
  • Graduation Requirements: Students must earn a minimum overall 2.0 GPA

Students are encouraged to meet with their Student Success Coach for more information.

  • BUBA 285 Foundations of Business Analytics (3 credits)
  • BUBA 286 Business Analytics for Decision Making (3 credits)
  • BUBA 490W Business Analytics Capstone (3 credits)
Business Analytics co-majors need 9 credits. Three credits will be shared with the primary major. 

(3 credits each)
  • ACCT 310 Accounting Information Systems
  • ECON 481W Econometrics
  • ECON 484W Advanced Econometrics 
  • FINC 334 Investments 
  • ISYS 382 Data and Information Management
  • ISYS 484 Business Intelligence
  • MGMT 364W Critical Managerial Decision Making
  • MKTG 374W Marketing Research 
  • MKTG 442 Digital Sales and Marketing Tools
  • MKTG 472 Digital Marketing
  • SCMG 385 SCM Information Systems and Technology
  • SCMG 480 Forecasting, Production, and Inventory Planning
By earning your Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA), you will achieve five key Learning Outcomes: Business Functional Knowledge, Analytical & Critical Business Thinking, Cultural Intelligence, Ethical & Moral Compass, and Influence & Collaboration.