FAQ

A master's in business analytics prepares you to use data, technology, and analytical methods to solve complex business problems. At Goizueta, you'll develop technical expertise in areas such as machine learning, AI, data visualization, and cloud analytics while also learning how to translate analysis into business insights and decisions. The result is a combination of business acumen and technical fluency that prepares you to work at the intersection of business, data, and technology.

Goizueta's MS in Business Analytics is designed for early-career professionals and recent graduates who want to build advanced analytical and technical capabilities and apply them to business challenges. You do not need professional experience to apply; students may enter the program directly from undergraduate study or with several years of experience.

No. Goizueta welcomes students from a range of academic backgrounds. Successful students typically have undergraduate preparation in business, engineering, computer science, mathematics/statistics, or economics, along with quantitative and/or technical coursework. What matters is that you have the quantitative and technical preparation needed to succeed in a rigorous analytics curriculum.

An MSBA is designed for students who want deeper technical and analytical expertise. Rather than providing broad general-management preparation, the MSBA focuses on using data, analytical methods, AI, and technology to solve business problems. It can be a strong fit for someone who wants to become the person who connects technical analysis with business strategy and decision-making.

An MSBA combines technical analytics training with business context. You'll learn how to build and apply analytical models, but you'll also learn how to frame business problems, interpret results, communicate insights, and use data to inform decisions. Goizueta brings together management, information systems/computer science, and applied statistics in its curriculum.

No, we do not accept transfer credits.

The MSBA begins in July each year. This is a very intense, full-time program, so it will be necessary for students to arrive to Atlanta early to get settled in before starting the program.

Goizueta offers both a 10-month and 16-month option. Students in the 10-month option begin in July and graduate the following May. Students who choose the 16-month option extend their studies through a summer internship and additional elective coursework (nine additional elective credits) in the fall.

The 16-month format can be particularly useful for students who want to gain additional professional experience before graduation.

Goizueta's MSBA combines a structured analytics core with electives and multiple academic tracks, allowing you to develop a strong foundation while tailoring your studies to your interests and career goals. 

You can tailor your MSBA experience through four academic tracks:

• AI in Business
• Business Analytics
• Marketing Analytics
• Supply Chain Analytics

You will select your track during the fall semester rather than when you apply.

AI is integrated throughout the curriculum, from machine learning and AI at scale to deep learning, neural networks, and reinforcement learning. Students can also pursue the AI in Business academic track to further focus their studies on artificial intelligence and its applications in business.

Project-based learning is central to the Goizueta MSBA. In the practicum experience, students work in teams with data from industry partners, develop analytical solutions, create code and dashboards, and present their findings and business impact to executive-level client sponsors.

The program brings together students from diverse academic, professional, and geographic backgrounds who share an interest in using data and technology to solve business problems. The relatively small cohort creates opportunities for close collaboration through team-based coursework and projects. Some will have work experience, others will be admitted having just completed their undergraduate coursework. All will be looking to launch a career in the field of business analytics.

Yes, our MS in Business Analytics is a STEM degree. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) allows graduates of STEM programs on F-1 visas, who work for an E-Verify employer, the opportunity to work full-time in the US. In addition to the normal Optional Practical Training (OPT) period of 12 months for international students, a STEM degree makes possible a 24-month extension of post-completion OPT, offering total potential eligibility of up to 36 months.

The total cost for the full-time MSBA program includes:

• A non-refundable deposit (that is credited toward your tuition)
• Program tuition
• Mandatory student fees (including: transcript fee - first semester only, activity fees, rec and athletic fees, and mental health & counseling fees)
• Additional costs may include:
  • Housing
  • Parking
  • Books
  • Health insurance*

*Students are required to have health insurance. Emory University offers a good plan through Aetna for those seeking a reasonable policy. If a student is already covered on a parent/spouse's insurance, they are required to complete a waiver prior to fall orientation.

View current tuition costs.

Our degree is a very intense, full-time program. We ask you that you start the program before considering part-time employment. Full-time employment during the full-time MSBA program is not possible. Traveling during the academic year (during class sessions) is strongly discouraged. Students receive several holidays throughout their studies—fall break, Thanksgiving holidays, winter break, and spring break.

Emory offers graduate professional housing in venues on the edges of campus targeted to student's needs and desires. Emory provides shuttles to these units. In addition, the Emory area offers a wide variety of attractive and affordable housing options including apartment complexes and rental homes. Admitted students receive more information on housing following admission to the program.

At Goizueta, business analytics isn't taught in isolation. You'll learn at the nexus of business, data, and technology, combining technical depth with business context. A project-based curriculum, specialized academic tracks, industry engagement, and personalized career support give you opportunities to put what you learn into practice and prepare for what's next.

Goizueta MSBA graduates pursue analytics-focused careers across industries and functions. Recent graduates have taken roles including Business Analyst, Business Operations Engineer, Data Scientist, Consultant, and Senior Data Analyst. The skills developed through the program can also support careers in areas such as marketing analytics, supply chain analytics, AI, product, technology, and strategy.

Business analytics skills are applicable across any industry because organizations in nearly every sector need professionals who can turn data into insights and decisions. Goizueta graduates have launched careers across a range of industries, with opportunities spanning consulting, technology, financial services, healthcare, consumer products, and other data-intensive organizations.

Yes. Because analytics skills are transferable across industries and business functions, the degree can provide a foundation for students looking to move into analytics-focused roles or apply their quantitative skills in a new industry. Your academic track, experiential projects, and career preparation can help you develop expertise relevant to your target path.

From the moment you begin your Goizueta MS in Business Analytics journey, you’ll have dedicated support to help you turn your goals into a personalized career plan. 100% of MSBA students are paired with a personal career coach who works with you one-on-one to navigate your career journey, from defining your goals and developing your professional brand to preparing for interviews and connecting with employers.

Your career resources include:

• One-on-one career coaching and mentoring
• Internationally recognized career assessments
• Professional development workshops
• Mock interviews and interview preparation
• On-campus and virtual speakers
• Career panels and networking events
• Off-site corporate visits*
• Opportunities to build relationships with alumni and industry professionals

Together, these experiences help you build the skills, confidence, network, and professional presence to pursue your next opportunity in business analytics.

*Availability may vary.

We will consider applicants who hold this type of degree. However, given the highly competitive nature of our applicant pool, applicants with significant work experience or additional education beyond the three-year degree are viewed as more competitive.

Yes, you may submit your application whenever you are ready. It will be reviewed in the first round following the date you submit. For example: If you submit on November 15, you have missed the Round 1 deadline and your application would be reviewed in Round 2.

Applicants to Goizueta Business School's MSBA program may choose whether or not to submit the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). To apply with a GMAT or GRE test score, simply add those test scores in the appropriate section of the online application.

GMAT: C3Q-71-93
GRE: 3984
TOEFL: 3984

Generally, it takes 3 weeks for us to receive your scores electronically. In order for us to receive your scores you must have listed Emory University Goizueta Business School as a recipient. If you did not list Emory (you can check this by looking at your copy of your scores) please contact GMAC directly and add us to your list of authorized recipients.

Please note that TOEFL is NOT required if you completed your undergraduate degree in English and work primarily in an English environment. An English Language Test waiver may be requested if a candidate has:

• Spent at least 3 years in the U.S. studying toward completion of an undergraduate degree, OR
• Completed a graduate degree in the U.S. followed by at least 2 years of work in the U.S. (or an English speaking country)

Requests for a TOEFL waiver should be submitted in writing after submitting your application. Please provide an explanation in the body of your email to show how you meet the above requirements. Once you apply, please submit your request, and we will review at that time. Please submit your request via email.

Our MSBA application fee is $150. If you are also submitting an MBA application, please note the application process is different. You can receive an application fee waiver by attending an online MSBA Information Session. View upcoming events here

Regardless of whether your credits from other institutions were accepted by the institution where you received your degree, we must receive a transcript from each post-secondary institution attended. We accept scanned unofficial transcripts for evaluative purposes. Please upload all transcripts to the application with your essays and résumé. If you are admitted to the program you will be required to submit official transcripts with your enrollment deposit.

If you are a recent graduate, or in your senior year about to graduate, we strongly recommend that at least one of your recommenders be a professor who can speak to your quantitative abilities. If you have been working in industry for awhile, then certainly both of your recommenders can be professional recommendations.

We prefer recommenders use the form generated from our online application system. Depending on the filters they may have on their email systems they should look in their spam boxes. If the request is not there, you should contact us via email.

Alternatively, they may submit a letter that addresses our questions as long as they also include the evaluation grid, which can be downloaded from the hardcopy form. They may scan their letter which should include their business card and email it to us or to our mailing address:

Emory University
Goizueta Business School
MSBA Admissions
1300 Clifton Rd
Atlanta, GA 30322

Your request to your recommenders can be sent prior to submitting your application. Once you log into your application, fill out the recommender section and then select "notify" for each recommender. Your recommender will be notified of your request via email. Please tell them to expect the email and to check their spam box if they do not see it within a day.

Interview decisions are made after your completed file is reviewed by our admissions team. If chosen for an interview, you will be notified by email. All students who are admitted to our program have been interviewed.

Generally, a member of the admissions committee conducts the interviews. The interview gives the committee an opportunity to get to know you better and may serve to answer some questions that were not addressed in your application file.

We do not expect you to travel to Atlanta prior to or during the application process. If you are local, we may request an in-person interview, but otherwise, all of our interviews are conducted by a web-based tool similar to Zoom. You should plan to spend 30 minutes in your interview. Please come prepared as if you are attending a job interview, even if your interview is online. Please have a copy of your most recent résumé available. If your current position or responsibilities have changed since you submitted your application, please take a moment to email us the latest version of your résumé.

Detailed instructions for checking the status of your application will be sent with confirmation that your application was received.

An application is considered completed when we have received: 

• a completed application form
• official test score and TOEFL test score if applicable
• your essays; all transcripts
• your recommendations
• if you complete your interview during our open interview period, it will also include your interview

If you paid our application fee and your checklist shows your application fee as incomplete, then you will need to email us directly. Please forward a copy of your receipt with the date you submitted payment and the card holder's name. If you did not receive a receipt following online payment, please contact your credit card company and verify the charge. If the charge is not verified, please resubmit payment.

My checklist shows my application as complete but I just received an email saying I have items outstanding

This is not an uncommon situation for international students. Most U.S. transcripts have a notation included that says, "degree conferred" or "degree issued". If your transcript does not state that your degree was issued, please include documentation that your degree was issued by your university. If you have completed the checklist in your application and yet still receive a message that your application is not complete, please email the MSBA admissions team.

If you are re-applying within a year of your original application, we will keep your file open, and request to you send updated resume, transcript (if applicable), and essay. If you are re-applying after a year, please resubmit a new application and all supporting documentation.

Candidates who are waitlisted in one round will be moved to the next round and the application will be reassessed. You may check your status online on the next decision notification date. If your waitlist status did not change, it means that you have remained on the waitlist and your file will be reassessed in the next round.

Yes, loans are available and students may borrow up to the budgeted cost of attendance. View MSBA tuition costs. For domestic students, loans include the Federal Stafford Loan, Graduate Plus Loan, and Private Loans are available. To learn more about options, please visit our Emory Financial Aid Website. For our international students, please connect with your admissions advisor to discuss loan options.