In today's digital business world, data drives decision-making, making analytics skills a highly marketable asset for anyone preparing for a leadership role. Develop your proficiency in cutting-edge data tools and techniques with our Graduate Certificate in Business Analytics—and grow your confidence in harnessing the power of data to create smart business strategies.

Program Overview

  • Program Structure: 4–5 courses
  • Class Schedule: Monday–Thursday evenings at 5:20 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
  • Time to Complete: 1 to 3 years

Part-Time Graduate Certificate | Typical program timeline

*Course offerings vary per semester.
**Starts in September or January. May be completed at a flexible pace but is usually completed in three semesters.
*Course offerings vary per semester.
**Starts in September or January. May be completed at a flexible pace but is usually completed in three semesters.

Unique Features

12 or 15

Credits may be applied toward a future MBA

Top 50

Among national universities (U.S. News & World Report)

The business learning you need

The business learning you need Opens in Modal
  • Learn the latest analytical methods for essential business practices, building your repertoire of skills for making decisions with data
  • Specialize your graduate certificate in business analytics with electives relevant to your goals, such as advanced data mining techniques, coding languages, visual dashboards, artificial intelligence, and machine learning
  • Build your confidence and experience through applied project work and case studies—key components of Northeastern's practice-oriented approach to learning
  • Access expert career guidance from an experienced counselor at Northeastern's office of Employer Engagement and Career Design
  • Complete your graduate certificate in business analytics in as few as four courses, with the option for one additional elective to deepen your knowledge
  • Build the foundation for a future master's degree from Northeastern—you may be able to apply your graduate certificate in business analytics credits toward an eligible master's program

Admissions

  • Interview required? Upon request.
  • English language proficiency: English proficiency, both written and verbal, is necessary for success in D'Amore-McKim classrooms. For more information, review our admissions policies.
  • GMAT Required? No.
  • Where do I apply? Learn more here.
  • Eligible for International Student Visa? No. This program is not F-1 visa compliant.
  • Is a graduate business certificate worth it? Learn more here.
  • Graduate certificate or a master's degree? Explore what business credential is right for you here.

Campus-Based Graduate Certificates

Application DeadlinesDecision NotificationsClasses Begin
Sept. 26, 2024Rolling BasisJanuary
Oct. 24, 2024*Rolling BasisJanuary
Dec. 5, 2024Rolling BasisJanuary
Jan. 9, 2025Rolling BasisSeptember
March 27, 2025**Rolling BasisSeptember
May 15, 2025Rolling BasisSeptember
June 26, 2025Rolling BasisSeptember
Aug. 7, 2025Rolling BasisSeptember
*Oct. 24, 2024 deadline is the final deadline for international candidates who require a new F-1 or J-1 visa (Full-time certificates only)
**March 27, 2025 deadline is the final deadline for international candidates who require a new F-1 or J-1 visa (Full-time certificates only)

Tuition

Northeastern Student Financial Services publishes the tuition rates for Graduate Certificates. Under the “Graduate Programs” section, the cost per credit appears next to “D'Amore-McKim School of Business Programs.”

Financial Aid

Northeastern offers resources to help you finance your graduate education, and the Student Financial Services team will guide you through your options. Please visit the Graduate Financial Aid page.

Once you are a student, your financial aid advisor will work with you one-on-one to answer your questions, point you to resources and provide valuable insight as you navigate the financial commitments of your program.

Scholarships

Northeastern University has a variety of scholarships. As a graduate certificate applicant you may be eligible for the Full Circle Scholarship. You may also qualify for funding support as an alum, U.S. servicemember, or veteran.

Application Fee Waivers

D'Amore-McKim offers application fee waivers to applicants that meet specific criteria. You can review the policy on the Graduate Application FAQ web page.

The D'Amore-McKim community believes that understanding and solving problems requires constant interaction among people who bring diverse contexts and experiences to the conversation.

We value uniqueness, recognize the power and importance of diversity in our own and surrounding communities, and ensure engaged participation. Numerous student groups and campus resources focus on building inclusive communities. 

Curriculum

The Part-Time Graduate Certificate in Business Analytics—designed for working professionals in the Boston area—explores analytical methods that can be used to drive better outcomes across industries and business functions.

Your core coursework will deepen your knowledge of the major components of cutting-edge analytics and data science—statistical methods, data management, and visualizing and communicating data. You'll choose three or four electives on topics that support your career goals, such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, advanced data mining techniques, or programming languages. No previous analytics background is required.

Required Course

Provides a comprehensive approach to understanding how business analytics enable companies to become more competitive. Offers students an opportunity to learn how to apply value chain analysis and other strategic perspectives to determine how business analytics can be integrated effectively into a firm's operations. Interactive activities such as simulations and case studies allow students to explore how insights from data can improve business decisions. Examines real-world examples of how companies have used business analytics perspectives and tools to enhance different types of business processes, such as inventory prediction, customer service quality, and resolution of ethical dilemmas.

MISM 6200 | 3 Hours

Electives (Choose 3)

Covers basic principles and techniques of descriptive and predictive analytics. What are the essential data analysis concepts underlying business analytics? Topics include descriptive statistics, data visualization, probability and modeling uncertainty, sampling, estimation and confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, analysis of variance, simple and multiple regression analysis, time-series analysis, and forecasting. Emphasizes an understanding of how these tools can support decision making and analytics initiatives in a business context with real-world examples and case studies. Uses various software packages for analyzing data sets and creating visualizations.

MISM 6202 | 3 Hours

Covers data wrangling principles and techniques for business. Key topics include data extraction, profiling, cleansing, integration, aggregation, transformation, and automating data processes for business purposes. Applies principles and techniques using data transformation tools, programming languages, and data process automation tools. Emphasizes embedding appropriate communication mechanisms for collaboration for identifying, solving, and resolving challenges revealed in datasets and business processes. Offers students an opportunity to learn data wrangling techniques to identify, solve, and resolve real-world data challenges, creating business value in today's disparate computing and dynamic business environment.

MISM 6205 | 3 Hours

Introduces design principles for creating meaningful displays of information to support effective business decision making. Studies how to collect and process data; create interactive visualizations; and use them to demonstrate or provide insight into a problem, situation, or phenomenon. Introduces methods to critique visualizations along with ways to identify design principles that make good visualizations effective. Discusses the challenges of making data understandable across a wide range of audiences. Provides an overview of data visualization, key design principles and techniques for visualizing data, and the fundamentals of communication that are required for effective data presentation. Other topics may include ethical uses of information displays, storytelling, infographics, immersive visualizations, and information dashboard design. Offers students an opportunity to use one or more software tools.

MISM 6210 | 3 Hours

Examines data mining perspectives and methods in a business context. Introduces the theoretical foundations for major data mining methods and studies how to select and use the appropriate data mining method and the major advantages for each. Students use contemporary data mining software applications and practice basic programming skills. Focuses on solving real-world problems, which require data cleaning, data transformation, and data modeling.

MISM 6212 | 3 Hours

Covers the leading data practices from early adopters, focusing on innovative information design, data quality, data sharing, and data integration perspectives and methods for managing data and business analytics. Explores how data analytics and management can be strategically implemented to transform a company. Discusses theories and contemporary industry practice, and real-world data and cases are used for discussion and projects. Offers students an opportunity to prepare for problem identification and solution perspectives of data-related projects, gearing up for MISM 6214.

MISM 6213 | 3 Hours

Designed to develop strategic decision-making skills using the latest analytics capabilities and enabler. Examines the state of the art in analytics capabilities and how these drive supply chains, from marketing to sourcing. Also examines how organizations use analytics to meet their strategic objectives, provide value to the business, and make decisions. Focuses on industry best practices, including studying some of the leading companies.

SCHM 6215 | 3 Hours

The following is a sample curriculum and is subject to change. Enrolled students should reference the academic catalog for current program requirements.

“Connect the dots you have, and build new links to cutting edge concepts in analytics and data science. We've designed this certificate to integrate immediately with your knowledge base, while also taking you to the frontier of analytics. It's a chance to see the business landscape with fresh eyes, and use data to make the big decisions.”

Kwong Chan, Executive Director, DATA Initiative
Faculty Director, MS in Business Analytics
Associate Academic Specialist, Marketing

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