The use of technology and analytics to help organizations achieve business strategy
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Amy BennettAssistant Director of Admissions
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Business Systems and Analytics (BSA) is the academic discipline that studies how people and organizations can use technology and data analytics to effectively and efficiently solve business problems. The BSA major is designed to prepare students for careers that blend a strong business acumen with information systems and data analytics. If you enjoy working in teams, analyzing data, solving problems and want to use technology to make a positive impact on society, then you have what it takes to major in BSA.
The future of business will continue to be driven by technology and our ability to transform data into insightful information. BSA is at the core for preparing students with the necessary skills to help organizations communicate more effectively with customers and industry partners, track sales, predict trends, project future profitability, and better manage business processes and people. Since technology is always changing, the BSA major will help prepare you for exciting and ever-changing careers.
The BSA major allows students to choose from one of three tracks depending on your desired career path.
- Business Systems Track
- Business Analyst
- Information Systems Manager
- IT Consultant
- Project Manager
- Systems Analyst
- Technical Support Specialist
- Business Analytics Track
- Business Analyst
- Data Analyst
- Database Administrator
- Financial Analyst
- IT Auditor
- IT Consultant
- Marketing Analyst
- Product Analyst
- Cybersecurity Track
- Penetration Testers
- Computer Forensic Analyst
- Information Security Analyst
- Electives Track
The Business Systems track is designed for students who desire to serve as the "bridge" between business leaders and IT specialists. Students who enjoy problem solving, working in teams, can think strategically about technology, possess excellent communication skills, and enjoy developing and implementing technological solutions are well suited for the Business Systems track. Students will take courses in Project Management, Enterprise Systems, Business Systems and Analysis, and Operations Management.
Potential Jobs
The Business Analytics track is designed for students who want to analyze data to solve business problems. Students take courses in Database Modeling and Design, Predictive Analytics, Big Data Analytics, Data Visualization and Analysis, and capped off with a Project Practicum course that connects teams of students with industry partners to experience the analytics process through real-world business problems with actual consequences. The courses in the Business Track are designed to equip students with skills for transforming data into information and actionable insights, improving business processes, and helping shape organizational strategy. Students can find employment in careers that require data-centric decision making that span functional and industry boundaries including IT, accounting, economics, finance, and marketing.
Potential Jobs
The Cybersecurity track is designed for students who want to protect data, information, computer networks and digital assets from hackers and other external threats. The courses in the Cybersecurity track are designed to equip students with the skills needed to build, test, and analyze systems to help deter unauthorized access from malicious or restricted users, protect against internal and external threats, and help reduce vulnerabilities caused by natural disasters, power loss, and other unplanned disruptions. Students can find employment in areas that seek to protect businesses, governments, and communities from potential threats.
Potential Jobs
BSA majors work in a number of different industries, providing their organizations with a range of services. Our graduates utilize experiences from their business and technical training to help their organizations operate more efficiently and compete more effectively through the strategic use of information technology and data analytics. Further, our graduates are able to lead exciting projects that involve high degrees of personal interactions with various stakeholders.
The BSA faculty at Belmont have developed close relationships with industry leaders in Middle TN. From the moment you enter our program, you will be mentored by and given the opportunity to meet senior level IT managers from Fortune 500 companies, such as CAT Financial, Hospital Corporation of America, Nissan North America and Tractor Supply. Building relationships and real world experiences between faculty, students and corporations are at the core of our program.
A degree in BSA will prepare you for a career in a dynamic and growing industry. In fact, BSA professionals are among the most sought-after graduates in the job market today! According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook, employment of computer and information technology occupations is projected to grow 13 percent from 2016 to 2026, with a median annual wage for computer and information technology occupations at $84,580 in May 2017.
The types of students and the number of reasons for majoring in BSA at the Jack C. College of Business can vary greatly, but some of the most important reasons include:
- High placement rate – 100% for the Jack C. College of Business
- High starting salaries – average starting salary in Middle TN is approximately $55,000
- Challenging opportunities– the technology field is always changing, which provides BSA professionals with numerous opportunities to learn and develop new skills
- Exciting careers – BSA graduates work with people who span organizational and functional boundaries using rapidly changing technologies