BS-MS Option in Business Analytics

Baccalaureate degree-seeking students with high grade point average (GPA) can get pre-admitted in the Master’s in Business Analytics (MBAN) degree program and earn graduate credits while still fulfilling the requirements for the BS or BA degree. This option offers these students a quicker path to complete their targeted Master’s degree within 9 months instead of the current one year 3 months after the Bachelor, with proper advising and guidance. The pre-admission option will be offered for students studying in the BS or BA programs who may want to earn a Master’s degree in one of the Master programs they are eligible for. Each college offering Bachelor-Master programs will provide a full list of the Master programs that can be selected by students studying in specific Bachelor programs.

Objectives

1. Make it easier for BS/BA students to continue on to graduate study to provide them advanced knowledge, skills, and attributes to become independent learners and leaders in Business Analytics or in an interdisciplinary area and open up opportunities for successful careers at the forefront of industrial development, governmental, consulting, or academic areas.
2. Shorten the study period to earn graduate degrees for outstanding students, as they may be able to complete their MBAN degree within 9 months after the BS/BA instead of the typical 1 year 3 months in the regular admission route.
3. Better prepare the graduates for the current and future requirements of professional registration with the UAE and internationally, for which having a MBAN degree would be an advantage as its accredited by CAA and AACSB.
4. Foster a tradition of graduate research activity in the discipline with the expectation that there will be ancillary benefits to the undergraduate program.

Credit Requirements

Students must complete all BS/BA degree requirements within their college. After completing the BS/BA degree, students can earn a Masters degree by completing the required credit hours of graduate course work for the thesis or non-thesis option. The Bachelor-Master students will be advised on their training/internship, electives, and senior project selections so as they are oriented earlier for graduate study in their selected discipline. As an incentive, Bachelor-Master students will also be allowed to earn their Masters degree by completing up to 6 CH less than the standard route. The 6-CH difference is accounted for by double counting up to two 500-level courses from the Master program. The double counted courses are typically applied courses that provide additional instruction to students beyond the core BS/BA courses making them suitable for both undergraduate and graduate credits. The Bachelor-Master students will not pay fees for the double counted courses because they part of the requirements for the Bachelor’s degree which is covered by the Federal Government. Students may also take 1-2 graduate study courses during their senior year and complete the rest of the MBAN requirements within one additional year after completing their BS/BA degree.

General Admission Requirements

1. Advanced level (Junior or Senior) status in a relevant BS or BA program. The applicant may apply for the BS-MS option after successful completion of 65 CH; however, the applicant must have successfully completed a minimum of 80 CH in the Bachelor degree program with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
2. Proficiency in English demonstrated by a score of 6.0 or higher in the IELTS or equivalent.
3. Proficiency in English demonstrated by a score of 6.0 or higher in the IELTS or equivalent.
4. A statement of professional goals.
5. Clearing the Interview

Early Admission Procedure

Interested students should first check on their eligibility with their respective Graduate Program Coordinator, then submit an application as specified by the University’s Admission office to the Departmental Chairperson by the announced deadline. Such an application should be simpler than the regular graduate program application, as the student information is already on file with the Registrar’s office. Once the early admission requirements are reviewed by the respective Graduate Program Committee, its recommendation for admission is forwarded to the University’s Admission Office for official preadmission by the announced university deadline for regular admission to graduate programs. The deadline for filling an application with the department should allow students completing 80 CH or more in any particular semester to apply for Bachelor-Master status starting in the following semester.

Academic Advising Guidelines

During the first semester, the Bachelor-Master student will confer with the respective Graduate Program Coordinator and faculty members who correlate with his/her research interests. After potential research areas have been identified and mutually agreed upon with a faculty member and the Graduate Program Committee, the designated faculty member will become the student’s academic advisor to recommend and approve his/her course schedule for the rest of the duration of the program. This academic advisor will also supervise the student’s thesis if the thesis option is chosen.

Probation and Dismissal from the BS-MS Status

All applicable UAEU policies and procedures regarding academic progress of students will apply to the undergraduate portion of the studies and the graduate portion. Thus, if for example, the Bachelor-Master student cannot maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) in the graduate courses taken at UAEU of 3.0 or more, he/she will be placed on probation with possible dismissal from the MBAN eligibility for failing to raise the GPA within the specified number of semesters.

Degree Requirements

Required Credit Hours : minimum 145 hours

BS-MS Courses