Brown launches new online master’s degree in business analytics

PROVIDENCE, R.I. [Brown University] - As organizations contend with the rapid growth of available data and the need to make informed, evidence-based decisions, a new Brown University master's degree will aim to provide students with the professional skills needed to transform complex information into insights through cutting-edge data analysis.

The master of science in business analytics will prepare professionals with at least two years of workforce experience to develop the skills to turn real-world data into actionable insights to inform decision-making. The 16-month online program was developed by Brown faculty and leaders from the University's School of Professional Studies.

Andrew Banasiewicz, a professor of the practice of business analytics and director of the program, said it will draw on Brown's strengths across multiple fields of study to help working professionals understand data structures, statistical concepts, machine learning and artificial intelligence, with an emphasis on the critical first steps of organizing and preparing raw information and resolving its imperfections.

"Students will master the complete analytics pipeline, from transforming raw, real-world data into strategic insights to communicating findings that drive decision-making across organizations," Banasiewicz said. "Students will learn to bridge theory with practice in addressing complex organizational challenges."

The program will focus on engaging students in hands-on applications to real-world business problems and current industry data to advance meaningful data analysis.

"This program is built around the realities professionals face every day," said Sandra Smith, dean of the School of Professional Studies. "Our students learn to work with the kinds of imperfect, complex data they'll encounter in the workplace and turn it into insights that drive real results."

The program consists of eight courses and covers topics including data curation and visualization, statistical methods, machine learning and large language models, and predictive analytics and forecasting. It will include a culminating capstone project addressing real-world business challenges.

The first cohort is set to begin studies in Fall 2026, and program leaders are now accepting applications.