The Department of Business Analytics and Statistics and the Master of Business Administration program offer a coordinated dual program leading to the conferral of both the Master of Science  degree with a major in Business Analytics and the Master of Business Administration  degree with a major in Business Administration. The dual program saves the student approximately 15 credit hours (one semester) over the time that would be required to earn both degrees independently.

The establishment of the dual program recognizes the increasingly complex world of business and the importance of technical and analytical skills in using data to make strategic and tactical business decisions, the complementary nature of the graduate MS Business Analytics and MBA programs, and the intellectual benefits inherent in concurrent study of both business modeling and analytical tools.

Option Available

Business Analytics — Course Only without Comprehensive Exams

Business Administration — Course Only without Comprehensive Exams

Campus Code

Knoxville Campus

Admissions Standards/Procedures

• Applicants for the MS-MBA Business Analytics program must make separate application to and be accepted by the Office of Graduate Admissions for the Master of Science with a major in Business Analytics and the Master of Business Administration.
  • Students should indicate on both applications the intent to pursue the dual MS-MBA program.
• After the MBA application deadline of February 1, applications by United States citizens and permanent residents will be considered as space allows.
  • Additional information is required and different application dates are established by Graduate Admissions for international students.
• The MBA Program requires a GMAT score for admissions consideration.

Academic Standards

• Students accepted for both the MS and MBA degree programs will be assigned to an advisor from the business analytics MS program and another from the MBA program.
• These advisors will be responsible for course approval and supervision of the students’ progress through the dual program.
• A grade of D or below in any core course is grounds for dismissal from the Master’s in Business Analytics Program.

Credit Hours Required

• 62 graduate credit hours
• Dual Course Requirements
  • The Department of Business Analytics and Statistics will award up to 9 credit hours toward the MS Business Analytics  for acceptable performance in approved courses offered in the Master of Business Administration .
  • The Master of Business Administration will award up to 15 credit hours toward the MBA for acceptable performance in approved graduate-level courses offered in the MS Business Analytics Program.
  • The approval of courses is the responsibility of the student and the student’s assigned advisors.

Required Courses

• Core Requirements for Business Analytics (29 credit hours)
  • BZAN 530  
  • BZAN 531  
  • BZAN 533  
  • BZAN 535  
  • BZAN 540  
  • BZAN 542  
  • BZAN 543  
  • BZAN 544  
  • BZAN 545  
  • BZAN 550  
  • BZAN 548  
• Core Requirements for MBA (24 credit hours)
  • ACCT 505  
  • ACCT 506   
  • BZAN 505  
  • BZAN 507 
  • ECON 505  
  • ECON 506  
  • FINC 505  
  • FINC 506 
  • FINC 507 
  • MGT 505  
  • MGT 506  
  • MARK 505  
  • MARK 506  
  • SCM 505  
  • SCM 506  
  • BUAD 516  
• Six additional hours of BZAN 500-level courses approved by the advisor and for which the student is eligible to register
• Three additional hours of Haslam College of Business 500-level courses approved by the advisor and for which the student is eligible to register

Non-Course Requirements

• Program Enrollment
  • Students must begin their studies in the MS Business Analytics program. During the first year in the MSBA program, students register as Master of Science in Business Analytics program students. After the first year, they are classified and registered as MBA students.
• Graduation Requirements
  • A dual program candidate must satisfy the graduation requirements of both the MS in Business Analytics and the Master of Business Administration.
  • Students withdrawing from the dual program before completing both degrees will not receive credit toward graduation in either degree program for courses taken in the other degree program, except as such courses qualify for credit without regard to the dual degree program.
  • The MS and the MBA degrees will be awarded upon successful completion of the requirements of the dual program.