The 15 hours of advised electives within the economics degree can be used to complete an optional concentration in Business Analytics. This is the same concentration in Business Analytics as found in the Business Administration Major, as employers hire students from both majors who are interested in this career area.
About Our Program
Introducing the newest concentration at Poole College of Management: Business Analytics. In this dynamic field, students explore cutting-edge techniques to harness data for business success. From traditional statistics to advanced artificial intelligence (AI) methods, you will learn to collect, analyze and present data effectively to inform business decisions and be career-ready from day one.
Poole College’s Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Bachelor of Science in Economics both offer the opportunity for a Concentration in Business Analytics, by allowing students to use their 15 hours of advised electives to complete the concentration. The core economics curriculum explores economic theories, data analysis, and the impact of government policies on economies, gaining insights into issues like inflation, unemployment, and global trade. Students will develop a deeper understanding of market forces, price determination, and the impact of economic policies on individuals, firms, and financial markets.
Poole College’s Business Analytics Concentration will offer a one-of-a-kind curriculum designed to equip students with the skills needed for success in today’s data-driven business landscape. With courses in foundational statistics and advanced AI methodologies, this program will prepare students to excel in collecting, analyzing and visualizing data. Students will also learn how to effectively communicate their findings to a variety of business stakeholders.
“Our innovative curriculum integrates AI and machine learning across several courses. Through real-world projects and hands-on case studies, students learn to leverage AI, machine learning and related techniques to extract and communicate insights, make data-driven decisions and ultimately drive business outcomes.”
Shawn Mankad
Business Analytics Concentration Lead Assistant Professor in Business Analytics
What Will I Learn?
Business Analytics graduates will understand how to:
Utilize a diverse range of tools and techniques, from traditional statistical methods to cutting-edge AI approaches
Collect and clean data from a wide variety of modern data sources
Present detailed data analysis in a clear and concise way to business stakeholders
Gain comprehensive understanding of the rapidly evolving field of Business Analytics
Apply data management, data governance and business intelligence processes
Understand applications in marketing, economics, finance, accounting, entrepreneurship and supply chain/operations
Learning Outcomes
What are the outcomes of students graduating from Poole College?
Poole College of Management stands out for its business analytics education and research excellence, consistently earning top rankings from U.S. News & World Report within the top 20 nationwide.
Developed by industry experts for maximum industry impact, our curriculum equips students with the skills, background and knowledge required to add value in the workforce from day one. Building upon this foundation of excellence, we’ve launched the Business Analytics and AI Initiative, propelling the college even further as a hub for data analysis in business through education, research and thought leadership.
Enhancing Business Analytics Skills in Any Major
The Business Analytics Honors Program offers Poole undergraduate students in any major the opportunity to fill their toolkits with business analytics skills to gain a competitive edge.
Students start their time at NC State Poole College of Management as either a management first-year student (if you are a freshman) or in a major (if you are a transfer student). Regardless of your path, you will have plenty of time to explore the things you want to do in economics and business analytics.
The economics major requires that students complete 120 credits toward the degree, comprised of courses in humanities and social sciences, natural sciences, general electives and credits specific to the economics program. The business analytics concentration (requires 15 credits) rounds it out with specialized knowledge specific to the business analytics discipline.
If Interested in Business Analytics, Why Major in Economics?
Students who enjoy their introductory courses in economics should take a deeper dive and consider an economics major. Students in economics will explore economic theories, data analysis, and the impact of government policies on economies, gaining insights into issues like inflation, unemployment, and global trade. They will also develop a deeper understanding of market forces, price determination, and the impact of economic policies on individuals, firms, and financial markets.
An economics major will be able to offer an employer a more in-depth set of microeconomics and macroeconomics skills. Students completing “Intermediate Microeconomics- EC 301” are able to demonstrate an understanding of the optimal pricing and profit solutions for specific firms and markets, while students completing “Intermediate Macroeconomics- EC 302” are able to evaluate an economy’s performance using indicators that include measure of output, inflation and unemployment, in addition to explaining how the actions of government agencies such as the Federal Reserve affect firms, financial markets, and the economy.
An economics major also includes econometrics courses, which provide the tools to analyze economic data, test economic theories, and make informed decisions in various fields. Econometrics uses statistical and mathematical methods to quantify economic relationships, which enables economists and policymakers to understand how the economy works, predict future trends, and evaluate the impact of policies.
The economics major also includes a choice of economics elective courses which provide students the tools to understand and analyze the world around them, from individual markets to global economies. Students develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills, making graduates adaptable to various career paths. Furthermore, economics elective courses generally provide a framework for understanding how individuals, businesses, and governments make decisions and interact within a complex system.
To complete a B.A. or B.S. in Economics with a Concentration in Business Analytics, students will simply use their 15 credits of advised electives to complete the concentration.
For full degree requirements, visit the NC State Catalog. To view individual courses, descriptions and schedules, use the Course Search.
You will start your education by taking general education courses and a wide range of business courses. During your second and third year, you will narrow in and focus on business analytics courses.
Your academic advisor will help you explore your academic interests, identify resources for additional information and support, and develop plans of study.
Choosing the business analytics concentration will help you tap into the surging demand for career-ready graduates in corporate environments. According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for management/business analysts stood at $104,660 as of May 2022. Projections indicate a remarkable 11% increase in demand for management analysts from 2021 to 2031 — significantly outpacing the average growth rate for all occupations.
The BLS underscores the intense competition for management analyst roles owing to the field’s lucrative earning potential. In our Business Analytics Honors program, graduates command a salary approximately 20% higher than their counterparts.
Careers include:
Data Analyst
Business Intelligence Analyst
Data Scientist
Business Consultant
Market Research Analyst
Operations Analyst
Customer Relationship Manager
Supply Chain Analyst
Financial Analyst
… and more!
Launch your career– the Career Center at Poole is here to support you. #PoolePackAlum
