Master's in Predictive Analytics Online

“Big Data.” You can find the term everywhere in the media tied to growth and innovation across the public and private sectors in nearly every major industry. But what does “Big Data” really mean? More importantly, how can organizations benefit from it? With new data acquisition technologies come vast new sources of data that can be analyzed to enhance organizational effectiveness, customer service, returns on investment, and a myriad of other business goals.


The Master of Science in Predictive Analytics (MSPA) program, established in 2011, is a fully online part-time graduate program, one of the first to offer dedicated training in data science. Fully accredited graduate-level courses cover business management and communications, information technology, and modeling. Small class sizes promote extensive online interaction among students and our elite faculty, who possess extensive education and business experience. Students gain critical skills for succeeding in today's data-intensive world, including business case study, data analysis, and making recommendations to management. They learn how to utilize database systems (SQL and NoSQL) and analytics software built upon R, Python, and SAS. They learn how to make trustworthy predictions using traditional statistics and machine learning methods. With a wide range of elective courses to choose from, students can customize their studies across a variety of data science disciplines, including marketing analytics, risk analytics, text analytics, and web and network data science. Special topic electives are offered each term, providing additional study opportunities, including decision analytics, financial market models and time series forecasting, sports analytics, geographical information systems, operations management, mathematical programming, simulation methods and analytics for total quality management. All courses are available in an asynchronous online format, with recorded lectures and tutorials.

About the Program

Masters in Predictive Analytics Program Goals

  • Articulate analytics as a core strategy
  • Transform data into actionable insights
  • Develop statistically sound and robust analytic solutions
  • Demonstrate leadership
  • Formulate and manage plans to address business issues
  • Evaluate constraints on the use of data
  • Assess data structure and data lifecycle

Analytics at Northwestern

Northwestern University offers two master’s degree programs in analytics that prepare students to meet the growing demand for data-driven leadership and problem solving.

Master of Science in Predictive Analytics (Northwestern University School of Professional Studies)
  • Online, part-time program
  • Builds expertise in advanced analytics, data mining, database management, financial analysis, predictive modeling, quantitative reasoning and web analytics, as well as advanced communication and leadership

Master of Science in Analytics (McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science)
  • 15-month, full-time, on-campus program
  • Integrates data science, information technology and business applications into three areas: predictive (forecasting), descriptive (business intelligence and data mining) and prescriptive (optimization and simulation)

MS in Predictive Analytics Online Courses

Courses range from statistical analysis to database systems to practical machine learning. Explore all the MS Predictive Analytics Online Courses for full detail on the program's offerings.

Predictive Analytics Curriculum

Students are required to complete 12 courses to earn the degree. The curriculum covers eight core courses, two elective courses, a leadership or project management course, and a capstone (498) or thesis (590) project. Review Predictive Analytics Curriculum details and elective choices while you consider applying to this program.

Masters in Predictive Analytics Admission

A variety of factors are considered when your application is reviewed. Background and experience vary from student to student. For a complete list of requirements, see the Masters in Predictive Analytics Admission page.

Tuition and Financial Aid for Predictive Analytics

Tuition for the Masters in Predictive Analytics program at Northwestern is comparable to other competitive online analytics programs across the nation. Financial aid opportunities exist for students at Northwestern. Complete details can be found on the Tuition and Financial Aid for Predictive Analytics section of our website.

Registration Information for Predictive Analytics

Already accepted into the Masters in Predictive Analytics program? Get ahead and register for your classes as soon as possible to ensure maximum efficiency in your trajectory.

Predictive Analytics Careers

Careers for those with a Masters in Predictive Analytics degree are ever expanding. Nearly every industry is looking for trained professionals in managing and interrupting big data to improve business solutions.  Explore the never-ending possibilities on our Predictive Analytics Career Options page.

Predictive Analytics Program Faculty

Instructors in the Masters in Predictive Analytics program at Northwestern are world-renowned experts in the field. They bring practical real-world experiences to the online classroom and engage with students on an interpersonal level. Get to know the instructors on our Predictive Analytics Program Faculty page.
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