Are you looking to elevate your career in business intelligence? If so, you’ll want to have a solid understanding of how to leverage data strategically to drive organizational success — especially in today’s era of business where big data is the new oil.
By mastering the art of transforming raw information into actionable insights, you can position yourself to take your career to new heights. In particular, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Business Intelligence (BI) can help equip you with the foundational skills and technical expertise you need to succeed.
The Significance of Business Intelligence in Modern Business
In recent years, numerous industries have seen exponential growth in the amount of data being collected, stored, and used in various ways. With so much data being used, the demand for business intelligence professionals has also increased because companies need these experts to help them make informed decisions based on data insights. Supported by the right business intelligence skills, companies can use the information they collect to their short- and long-term benefit — empowering them to grow and compete with other businesses in their respective industries.
The Value of an MBA in Business Intelligence
No matter if you’re already working in business intelligence or have plans to break into this in-demand profession, the proper education can make all the difference. If you already have a bachelor’s degree in business or a related field, then the strategic focus of a master’s in business program combined with specialized business intelligence skills can empower you to make data-driven decisions as a business intelligence leader.
Specifically, the MBA in Business Intelligence at Baker College is designed to help students develop both their strategic leadership abilities and technical proficiency in business intelligence to gain a better-rounded view of the industry.
Integrating Course Learnings to Develop Comprehensive BI Skills
In the business intelligence MBA program, students will have the opportunity to combine technical courses with more “traditional” coursework in business management. The result is enhanced overall competency in both areas, empowering future professionals to make informed and data-driven decisions to improve efficiency and meet organizational goals.
In the evolving business world, it is no longer enough to possess data analytics skills or management skills alone. Rather, the most successful professionals are those who can combine both technical skills with effective business management practices.
Core Business Intelligence Courses and Corresponding Analytics Skills
What kinds of coursework can you expect to complete in a master’s in business intelligence program? Below is just a sampling of core courses in Baker College’s MBA in Business Intelligence program, along with the key business intelligence analyst skills that you can develop in each class.
Business Intelligence
This three-credit course is designed to introduce students to the concept of business intelligence as it relates to supporting strategic planning and decision-making within organizations. Students will explore relevant topics such as performance dashboard design, usage, and common business intelligence methodologies.
One of the key outcomes of this class for students is understanding how to align business intelligence initiatives with business objectives as well as gaining proficiency in the processes and tools used in business intelligence.
Data Warehousing
In the graduate-level Data Warehousing class, students learn about important design issues related to data warehousing, plus techniques for using data warehouses for business intelligence purposes. It also teaches methods to discover patterns and relationships in large datasets while understanding how to design and manage repositories for consolidated data storage.
Strategy in a Global Environment
In this program’s culminating capstone course for the MBA program, students apply concepts that they have learned across the program courses to analyze real-world business intelligence problems and complete a business simulation to combine their technical skills and business knowledge.
MBA Courses That Enhance Analytical and Strategic Skills
Along with courses to help expand analytics skills, the following courses in Baker’s MBA program can also empower students to develop their strategic skills in an increasingly complex business world.
Research and Statistics for Managers
Research and Statistics for Managers equips students with essential analytical and strategic skills by emphasizing data-driven decision-making in business environments. The course covers research design, enabling students to formulate and answer key business questions effectively. Through an applications-oriented approach, students learn to collect, analyze, and interpret data using both descriptive and inferential statistics. By critically evaluating primary research, they develop the ability to make informed strategic decisions, identify trends, and solve complex business challenges, preparing them for leadership roles in data-driven organizations.
The Marketing Environment
This course explores the marketing function and its alignment with a firm’s strategic decision-making process. Emphasizing the planning and management of marketing activities in multi-product firms, it provides insight into key factors that shape marketing strategies, tactics, and decisions. Students will also examine the practical aspects of implementing a marketing plan.
The Future of Business Intelligence Careers
While only time will tell what the future holds for careers in business intelligence, several trends are already on the horizon:
- Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) integration – As AI and machine learning technology continue to advance, they are likely to integrate into existing business intelligence roles through the use of predictive and prescriptive analytics.
- Growing demand for data privacy and ethics – As the focus on data governance and ethical practices increases, there will likely be heightened standards for data privacy and ethical practices across the industry.
- Remote work opportunities in BI – With the rise in remote business intelligence jobs following the COVID-19 pandemic, BI roles are better suited for virtual work than ever before.
- Continual learning and skill upgradation – As business intelligence technology continues to advance, the imperative for BI professionals to stay up to date on the latest tools and methodologies in order to remain competitive in the field will also increase.
Preparing for the Analytics Challenges Ahead
Whether you are already in the field or preparing to break into a career in business intelligence, staying current with the latest technologies (like AI and machine learning) is vital to remaining relevant in this dynamic industry. In addition to developing critical business intelligence technical skills, aspiring BI professionals should commit to a lifelong education while preparing to be pioneers in developing new business intelligence applications and making a real difference. This may include pursuing additional degrees, certifications, and other skills as the need arises.
Advantages of Baker College’s MBA in Business Intelligence
Through a business intelligence degree program, you can build your knowledge of key topics such as data mining, data analytics, data visualization, and overall business strategy. Of course, not all business intelligence degree programs are created equal — so it is crucial to select the program that will equip you with the most essential skills required for business intelligence career success.
At Baker College, our master’s in business intelligence program is specifically designed to prepare working professionals for the analytics challenges ahead. In this career-focused curriculum, students have the opportunity to learn from instructors with extensive industry experience in business intelligence and analytics while engaging in practical projects that effectively simulate real-world business intelligence challenges.
Plus, because this program is offered exclusively online, busy professionals can work toward an advanced degree without putting other areas of their lives on hold. Instead, you can complete your coursework at your own pace and on your own time.Reach out to our knowledgeable team to request more information about this degree program or any others offered at Baker College. Ready to apply? Get started with your application for admission.