Personalized attention. Professional growth. Community impact.

In as little as one year, learn how to apply the latest methods and technologies to gather, report, and analyze essential data to impact your job immediately.

Data-informed decision-making is in demand throughout:

  • Business
  • Finance
  • Health care
  • Insurance
  • Manufacturing
  • Non-profits
  • Politics
  • Real estate
  • Social services
  • Sports

Find the right information, understand what the data means, organize it effectively, create models to predict trends or explain patterns, and share your findings clearly with different groups. These skills will help you make better decisions at work right away. You’ll learn to turn data into useful insights for customers, coworkers, bosses, and even your community.

APPLICATION DEADLINES

Spring Semester: January 1
Fall Semester: August 1

Project-Oriented Learning

Through projects sourced from the surrounding community, you will have the opportunity to apply concepts and further develop critical technical skills.

Students are motivated not only by the authenticity of the projects, but the real value of improving the communities in which we live. Recent partners include local school districts, the Mechdyne Corporation, VGM Insurance, the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque, and others.

See Results Now

You don’t have to work at a large company or be a mathematician or statistician to analyze and leverage data for insights. Our program will position you and your employees to effectively handle complex data and capably implement various models to discern and take advantage of trends and opportunities.

Relevant to All Careers

No math expertise is needed. In fact, during your final semester, you will complete your capstone course, tailored to your career goal or your current job.

Learn More

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Quick Highlights

  • Fully online classes (synchronous)
  • 30 credits / 1 or 2-year completion
  • Analytics proficiency is in demand in all industries
  • Projects sourced from community partners

Admission Criteria & Eligibility

Students are eligible for this degree regardless of their undergraduate major. Programming knowledge or experience is not required, but familiarity with statistics is beneficial.

Application Checklist

Requirements, Outcomes & Schedule

Book a Grad Chat
or Campus Visit

It does not matter if you are near or far: we want to talk with you! Chat with us via Zoom or come take a personalized campus visit to learn more about the curriculum, program outcomes, internships, job market, enrollment process, and more.

Get in Touch

Megan Henderson 

Graduate Admission

Financial Aid

Advanced degrees are worth the investment. We have options to help you make your educational goal a reality, and financial aid helps open doors for your future.

Tuition & Fees

Understand the costs before applying. Review tuition, fees, and living expenses to create a realistic budget. Financial planning is key to success in an advanced degree.

Scholarships

Loras offers scholarships to new, incoming graduate students. Each master’s degree program has a one-time, $2,000 scholarship for one new student, each program entry term.

Straight Talk from a Duhawk

The analytics program provides a full foundational understanding of business analytics while also running the gamut of executive-level business skills and proficiencies.

— John Unsen, VP of Systems, VGM Insurance Services

Applied Analytics FAQ

Does this program require any specific undergraduate degree?

Students are eligible for this program regardless of their undergraduate major. Programming knowledge/experience is not required, but familiarity with statistics is beneficial. 

How long will it take to receive a decision regarding my application? How will I be notified?

Following our receipt of all your application materials, your file will be reviewed by the graduate admissions director. You will be notified of an admission decision in your online Applicant Status Portal typically within one week.

What is the class format?

Classes are held in a live, online format and each class is held one or two nights per week. This allows students in the program to work full or part-time. Our flexible scheduling allows you to either begin in the fall—with an option to complete the program in one year or two years—or spring, with an eighteen-month completion timeline. 

What kind of technology do I need to participate in the program?

You will need a computer that is able to run video conferencing (camera and microphone), an up-to-date operating system, and a stable high-speed internet connection.

How would earning this degree advance my career trajectory and salary potential?

Graduates of the program stand out in their abilities to competently handle data and provide timely and insightful recommendations regarding both tactical operations as well as strategic initiatives. Those in C-suite level positions readily recognize the critical need for such employees, especially those who not only know how to answer, but also ask good questions.

How long does it take to complete the program?

This degree has completion timelines ranging from 12 to 24 months.

Does the program accept transfer credits?

Students can transfer a maximum of 9 graduate credits into the program from a previous institution. The courses must be similar in content to coursework offered at Loras and approved by the program director.

How many courses are taken each semester?

Students take one to three classes per semester depending on their timeline for completing the program.

What is the time commitment outside of class?

As a general rule, students will spend four to six hours per week outside of classroom instruction on class-related work for each class.

Will there be an orientation prior to the first class?

Yes, students are required to attend the in-person or online Graduate Student Orientation prior to beginning coursework so they can become familiar with the faculty, campus services, and their peers.

Graduate Programs FAQ

What if I’m still finishing up my bachelor’s degree?

Applicants who are undergraduate students in the process of completing a bachelor’s degree may be awarded a provisional acceptance to Loras’ graduate programs based on receipt of your in-progress, unofficial transcript and all other application materials.

Full acceptance is contingent upon receipt of the final, official transcript(s) and the conferred undergraduate degree.

If a program has a minimum GPA requirement, you must meet the minimum GPA at the time the undergraduate degree is conferred for full acceptance.

Is there on-campus housing for graduate students?

Loras-owned housing is available for graduate and postbaccalaureate students in Smyth Hall. Smyth is an alternative residence hall located in the center of campus. Smyth is comprised of single and triple rooms, and is also home to the religious studies and theology faculty. Amenities include:

  • Free laundry facilities (washers and dryers)
  • Free wifi
  • Kitchen (stocked with pots, pans, baking sheets, etc.) on B level

Room Information

  • Rooms contain a bed/dresser/desk unit, desk chair, and wastebasket
  • Beds are XL Twin sized, so students are encouraged to bring extra-long sheets
  • Students may bring a mini-fridge under five cubic feet
  • Heat is included, but A/C is not, so students are welcome to bring their own window air conditioning unit (must be 5000 BTU or less) or else a portable A/C unit.
  • Basic cable is not provided, but students are welcome to bring a streaming device of their choice to use in Smyth.

View current housing costs.

Can I take some courses as a non-degree student?

Individuals who would like to take some graduate courses for professional development, continuing education credits, or just personal enrichment may take up to 9 graduate credits as a non-degree “Special” student.

Special Student Application

Special students may not enroll in practicum, clinical, or internship courses without approval from the program director.

In order to enroll in the course(s):

  1. Complete the free Loras College Special Course Application. Select “Graduate Course” as the Course Registration Type. You will need to upload copies of your unofficial transcript(s) from each college/university attended before submitting the application.
  2. The transcripts will be evaluated by the Program Director to ensure that any necessary pre-requisite course requirements have been met.
  3. After review of the transcript(s), the Registrar’s Office will be in touch with information about your next steps.
    • Please note that enrolled degree-seeking students have registration preference if a course is full.
    • After the completion of 9 non-degree credits, a student must then apply for formal admission into the graduate program in order to move forward and take additional courses.
    • Graduate courses completed by a Special student with a grade of B or better may be applied to a future graduate degree at Loras College with the approval of both the program director and the academic dean.
    • Financial aid is not available to non-degree Special students.
    • Students interested in any of Loras’ Professional Development programs should refer to the individual program webpage for application and enrollment instructions.

Is there an option for conditional admission?

A program director may require specific conditions be completed to meet the program requirements prior to full admission into a graduate program.

You may be awarded a conditional admission if the program director recommends the you complete additional undergraduate coursework to achieve a minimum GPA requirement of the program.

If you have not met all program requirements at the time of application, a student may be awarded a conditional admission per the discretion of the program director. Refer to the individual program policies and program directors for specific conditional admission policies.

What is a maximum course load per semester?

You are considered a full-time graduate student when enrolled in 6 credits per term. Please note,  you only need to take at least 3 credits per term to be eligible for federal financial aid.

May I play a sport while in graduate school?

Graduate students must be enrolled in a degree-seeking master’s program to be eligible to participate in NCAA athletics at Loras.

Student athletes enrolled in one of our degree-seeking master’s programs need to have full-time status (taking at least 6 credits per term) during the semester(s) you’re practicing or competing in the sport. You also need to be making satisfactory progress towards your degree.

If you wants to participate in athletics while being enrolled less than full-time, you will need to work with your coaches to determine if you are eligible for a waiver.

Please note that while 6 credits per term is considered full-time for graduate students at Loras, you only need to take at least 3 credits per term in order to be eligible for federal financial aid.


Meet Your Professors

Loras College Crest graphic

Robert Keller  PhD (MBA ’18)

Professor of Mathematics and Analytics

Loras College Crest graphic

Heleana Theixos  PhD

Assistant Professor of Philosophy
Andrew P. Studdert Chair of Business Ethics & Crisis Leadership