Business Analytics Minor

Department of Decision Sciences, College of Business and Economics

20 credits (not including prereqs)

Introduction

This program is designed to provide students with a solid foundation in business analytics. Specifically, the program will focus on the three fundamental areas in business analytics methods: descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive analytics. In addition, students will have an opportunity to gain exposure to application areas of analytics in business and economics.

Why Consider a Business Analytics Minor?

A minor in Business Analytics can provide a student with the concepts and tools necessary to succeed in today’s data-rich business world. The minor not only provides a solid foundation in basic analytics, but allows each student to choose analytics electives that are specific to their major or concentration. The Business Analytics minor will therefore strengthen a student’s depth of knowledge in their major or concentration while also introducing you to a new and increasingly critical area of study. Career opportunities for students with a background in analytics include data analysis, data science, business intelligence, and quantitative analysis.

How to Declare (Admission and Declaration Process):

Application to the program is open to students who have already been accepted as a major in the College of Business and Economics and are in good academic standing as defined by the retention standards for the College of Business and Economics.

How to apply: For consideration as a minor, complete the online application form at: cbe.wwu.edu/apply-cbe. Students will be contacted via their Western email and asked to complete an additional application for the minor. A Decision Sciences faculty admission committee will review all minor applications that meet the above requirements. Admission to the minor is based on:

• Space available in the minor
• Past academic performance
  • Western GPA is the primary factor considered but other factors may include:
    • Performance in business courses taken at Western
    • Trends in academic performance
    • Performance in courses taken at other institutions as listed on the Transfer Equivalency Report
• At the time of application, the applicant must have completed (or be in process of completing) at least two of the three minor pre-requisite courses:
  • DSCI 305/ECON 375
  • MIS 320/ACCT 321
  • OPS 360
• Admission priority will be given to students with the best academic performance relative to the rest of the applicant pool.
• Academic performance will be the primary decision factor, but other factors may be considered (e.g., rationale for pursuing field of study, related work experience, student leadership, etc.).

Grade Requirements

A grade of C- or better is required for a student’s major or minor courses, and supporting courses for majors and minors.