Program Description

The amount of data flowing from, to, and through enterprises of all sorts is large and growing rapidly—more rapidly than the capabilities of organizations to use it. Successful enterprises are those that make effective use of the abundance of data to which they have access: to make better predictions, better decisions, and form better strategies.

Business analytics involves analyzing data for business insights and encompasses a wide array of methodologies and techniques—from collection, organization, reporting and mining of data to extraction of useful and actionable information for the decision-makers.

The Costello College of Business Graduate Certificate in Business Analytics will help analysts and managers in marketing, accounting, and other fields to effectively analyze big data through the hands-on use of modeling and other techniques using popular software tools.

George Mason University, Costello College of Business

Ranked Top 20 of U.S. News & World Report’s Best Online Business Analytics MBA Programs, 2022

Application Deadline

The online Business Analytics Graduate Certificate program accepts applications on a rolling basis. Applicants should apply here.

Virtual Open House

The George Mason University faculty dedicates time throughout the year to hold interactive sessions online for those who would like to learn more about the programs we offer. If you would like to find out more about what you can expect from an online Business Graduate Certificate in Business Analytics, visit our pre-recorded Virtual Open House and watch at your convenience. For information on upcoming sessions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

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Program Summary

100 Percent Online

Program: Business Analytics (Graduate Certificate)

Degree: Graduate Certificate

College/School: Costello College of Business

Credits: 12 total

Who should apply?

Mason’s online Business Analytics cert is an ideal fit for professionals who are seeking a high-caliber education within a flexible, competitively priced, certificate program. Our online BA certificate students come from a variety of professional and academic backgrounds, including:

Politics, accounting, finance, information systems and operations management, anthropology, media arts and design, economics, criminal justice, history, international affairs, psychology, communication, marketing, electrical engineering, computer science, biology, chemistry, music, foreign language, and law.

Why choose Mason?

Students choose Mason’s Graduate Certificate in Business Analytics, because of its:

  • Renowned faculty of experts and innovators who teach our on-campus courses
  • Proven career, salary, and position advancement for George Mason graduates
  • Flexible online format designed to accommodate busy working students
  • Competitively priced value for a respected graduate certificate program
  • Financial aid programs and life-time access to Mason’s career services

If you are interested in completing the online MBA in conjunction with this certificate program, please see the MBA program profile for a complete list of requirements.

Program requirements are subject to change; please refer to the University Catalog for the most up-to-date requirements.

Requirements: 12 total credit hours

Courses for Mason’s online graduate certificate are offered in convenient, online formats.

  • MBA 738 Data Mining for Business Analytics
    Examines data driven decision making. Covers both predictive and descriptive analytics techniques commonly used in businesses.
  • MBA 721 Marketing Research
    Develops skills to plan and implement effective marketing research studies. Topics include research design, data collection, statistical analysis, and use of database systems. Offers perspective on how managers can use market data to develop successful product or service strategies.
  • MBA 739 Advanced Data Mining for Business Analytics
    This course covers business analytics using advanced data mining methods for the purposes of developing predictive models and forecasting. The course will develop concept of feature selection to identify what dimensions to best use for constructing decision making models.
  • MBA 720 Marketing Analytics
    Marketing analytics is a systematic approach to harnessing data/ information to drive effective marketing decision making. The objective of this course is to equip you with tools required to address fundamental marketing decision problems using a data-driven approach. It will train students to view the marketing processes and relationships systematically and analytically.

Tuition & Fees (2023-2024):

Tuition is $1,066.70 per credit hour. An additional charge of $35 per credit hour applies for a Distance Learning fee.

Financial Aid:

For information on loans, visit the Office of Student Financial Aid.

According to the Dept. of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, growth projections look strong for management positions typically filled by business graduates in the following sectors:

  • Financial Specialists: 2.8%
  • Management Analysts: 2.0%
  • Business Operations: 3.9%
  • Human Resources: 3.5%
  • Marketing/Sales: 2.8%

Mason’s business graduates go on to fulfill a range of in-demand leadership roles, including:

  • Analyst
  • Contract Specialist
  • Contracting Officer
  • Director
  • Logistics Analyst
  • Negotiator
  • Project Manager
  • Senior Analyst
  • Senior Consultant
  • Senior Financial Analyst

If you are unable to find the answers to your questions, submit a Request For Information form or contact our admissions representative via the contact information below.

Phone: 703-348-5006
Email: online2@gmu.edu

How do I apply?

Applicants for both the online and on-campus MBA should apply here.

ADMISSIONS FAQs

Can I take courses without applying?
Only students who are admitted to the Costello College of Business’ Graduate Certificate in Business Analytics program may take classes in the program.

How long does it take to complete the program?
The online Graduate Certificate in Business Analytics consists of four, three-credit courses and may be completed in as few as 9 months.

When are classes held?
Classes for part-time online students are offered in an asynchronous format, meaning they can be viewed interactively at your convenience. However, students still must meet all study deliverable requirements and deadlines.

What accreditation does George Mason and the business program hold?
George Mason University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees. The MBA and cert programs are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business Accreditation Standards.

How much does it cost to apply?
While there is a $75 application fee, there are multiple times throughout the year that the fee may be waived.

What are the admissions recommendations?

  • Completed online application
  • $75 application fee
  • Resume
  • Undergrad GPA-minimum 3.0 (submit all undergraduate and graduate transcripts)
  • GPA Addendum essay if undergrad GPA below 3.0
  • Required course Statistics or Business Analytics