STEM Designation
The MSBA/MSM is a dual degree program with a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) designation. Due to the demand of graduates with expertise in STEM fields, the Department of Homeland Security permits international students graduating from STEM programs to apply for a 24 month extension of their initial year of Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more detailed information, please visit the ISSO website.
Curriculum
16 Courses
46 Credits
Program Length:
Full-time in as few as 16 months
Part-time in as few as 28 months
Required Introductory MSBA Course (1 credit)
Must be taken in first semester of program.
| ISOM-700 | Preparing for Your Professional Future | 1 |
Business Analytics Core Courses (18 credits)
If waived, ISOM-801 must be substituted with an ISOM elective.
| ISOM-631 | Data Analytics with SAS Base | 3 |
| ISOM-801 | Solving Business Problems Using Advanced Excel | 3 |
| ISOM-821 | Data Management and Modeling | 3 |
| ISOM-825 | Enterprise Data Management | 3 |
| ISOM-827 | Data Warehouse and Business Intelligence | 3 |
| ISOM-835 | Predictive Analytics | 3 |
Marketing Core Courses (15 credits)
If waived, MKT-810 must be substituted with approved MSM elective course. If waived, MKT-815 must be substituted with MKT elective course.
| MKT-810 | Marketing Research for Managers | 3 |
| MKT-815 | Marketing Foundations and Strategy | 3 |
| MKT-819 | Global Perspectives in Consumer Marketing | 3 |
| MKT-850 | Customer Centricity and Creativity in Marketing | 3 |
| MKT-860 | Qualitative Methods and Customer Insights | 3 |
Marketing Analytics Course (3 credits)
Choose one of the following.
| MKT-869 | Machine Learning for Marketing With Python | 3 |
| MKT-870 | Advanced Marketing Analytics With R | 3 |
Marketing Experiential (3 credits)
Choose one. May be waived with prior relevant work experience. If waived, must substitute with an approved MSM elective course.
Capstone Courses (6 credits)
Should be taken as late in the program as possible.
MSBA Capstone
| ISOM-837 | From Data Mining to Business Insights | 3 |
MSM Capstone
Choose one of the following.
Elective Courses
Elective courses are only taken if a student has courses waived. If waived, MKT-810 and the Marketing Experiential must be substituted with any MSM elective below. If waived, MKT-815 must be substituted with a MKT elective below. If not taken to fulfill the Marketing Analytics Course Requirement or the MSM Capstone Requirement, MKT-869, MKT-870, and MKT-818 may be taken as an elective.
Approved MSM Electives by Discipline:
Marketing
| MKT-818 | Global Product Innovation | 3 |
| MKT-845 | Advanced Digital Analytics | 3 |
| MKT-855 | Digital Marketing Challenges | 3 |
| MKT-869 | Machine Learning for Marketing With Python | 3 |
| MKT-870 | Advanced Marketing Analytics With R | 3 |
| MKT-877 | Neuromarketing: an Experiential Perspective | 3 |
| MKT-910 | Directed Study in Marketing | 1-3 |
| MKT-920 | Marketing Internship | 3 |
| MKT-930 | Marketing Practicum | 3 |
Advertising, Public Relations, and Social Media
Graphic Design
This course can only be taken with instructor permission and is only open to students who have declared a concentration in Customer Experience.
Information Systems and Operations Management
| ISOM-840 | Security and Privacy | 3 |
| ISOM-845 | Business Intelligence, Data Visualization, and Storytelling | 3 |
| ISOM-861 | Project Management: Gaining Competitive Advantage | 3 |
International Business
Management and Entrepreneurship
Organizational Behavior
Strategy
Approved ISOM Electives
If waived, ISOM-801 must be substituted with an approved ISOM elective.
| ISOM-730 | Python for Business Analytics | 3 |
| ISOM-829 | Advanced Data Management Leveraging ETL Tools | 3 |
| ISOM-839 | Prescriptive Analytics: Modeling & Optimization | 3 |
| ISOM-840 | Security and Privacy | 3 |
| ISOM-845 | Business Intelligence, Data Visualization, and Storytelling | 3 |
| ISOM-851 | Supply Chain Management | 3 |
| ISOM-861 | Project Management: Gaining Competitive Advantage | 3 |
| ISOM-910 | Directed Individual Study | 3 |
| ISOM-920 | ISOM Internship | 0-3 |
Concentrations
Students that waive a combined 3 courses (MKT-815, MKT-810, and the Marketing Experiential) may be able to use substituted courses towards a concentration in Marketing Analytics and Insights, Digital Marketing, or Customer Experience. Students may declare a concentration with three (3) electives from the same functional area. The schedule of when courses within a concentration are offered varies by semester.
Students who declare a concentration must submit an SBS Graduate Program Concentration Request Form. Students are encouraged to meet with their advisor before they declare a concentration.
The concentration appears on the transcript, not the diploma.
Digital Marketing
Chose three courses. At least one must be a marketing content course (MKT-845 or MKT-855).
Marketing Analytics and Insights
Choose three courses. If not taken to fulfill the Marketing Analytics Course Requirement, MKT-869 or MKT-870 can be used towards the Marketing Analytics and Insights concentration. At least one must be a marketing content course (MKT-845, MKT-869, MKT-870, or MKT-877).
| MKT-845 | Advanced Digital Analytics | 3 |
| MKT-869 | Machine Learning for Marketing With Python | 3 |
| MKT-870 | Advanced Marketing Analytics With R | 3 |
| MKT-877 | Neuromarketing: an Experiential Perspective | 3 |
| MKT-930 | Marketing Practicum | 3 |
| ISOM-845 | Business Intelligence, Data Visualization, and Storytelling | 3 |
Customer Experience
Choose three courses. If not taken to fulfill the MSM Capstone Requirement, MKT-818 can be used towards the Customer Experience concentration. At least one must be a marketing content course (MKT-818 or MKT-877).
Course Substitution Policy
If waived, ISOM-801 needs to be substituted with an approved ISOM elective. To waive ISOM-801, a student must have successfully completed equivalent academic coursework at the undergraduate/graduate level in the seven (7) years prior to MSBA matriculation and earned a grade of "B" or better, and provide official transcripts (with English translations, if applicable). Students may also elect to take a proficiency exam, for a fee, to gain a waiver. Proficiency exams must be taken in the first semester and are administered on the Boston Campus.
To substitute an approved elective for another Business Analytics core course, a student must have successfully completed equivalent academic coursework at the graduate level in the seven (7) years prior to MSBA matriculation, “B” or better, and provide official transcripts (with English translations, if applicable).
To substitute an approved MSM elective for MKT-810 and the Marketing Experiential, or approved MKT elective for MKT-815, a student must successfully complete equivalent academic coursework at the undergraduate/graduate level in the seven (7) years prior to the MSBA/MSM matriculation, with a grade of "B" or better, and students must provide official transcripts (with English translation, if applicable).
All substitutions are evaluated upon a student's acceptance into the MSBA/MSM program.
All MSBA/MSM students must complete a minimum of 46 graduate credits (15 courses and ISOM-700) in the Sawyer Business School.
Transfer Policy
Any candidate seeking transfer credits taken at the graduate level from an AACSB-accredited graduate program in business will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. These credits may be considered for transfer if the credits do not apply to a previously completed degree and must be substituted with an approved elective.
Transfer credits must have an earned grade of "B" or better and be taken within seven (7) years prior to entering the Suffolk MSBA/MSM program.
Students Who Leave Boston Before Their Degree is Complete
Occasionally, Suffolk MSBA/MSM students must leave the Boston area having not yet completed their degree. The Business School has several options available to ensure completion of the Suffolk MSBA/MSM. You may be able to transfer in six (6) credits of elective courses from an AACSB-accredited program close to your new place of residence. Courses must be pre-approved by Suffolk’s Assistant Dean of Graduate Programs and have a grade of “B” or better.
Students who leave the area may also be able to complete a portion of the MSBA on a part-time basis online. The MSM degree is not available online.