Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is proud to unveil its newest online graduate degree: a fully online Master of Science in Business Analytics with a focus on enhancing human insight and decision-making through leveraging and integrating artificial intelligence (or AI). The degree will be known as the MSBAi and will enroll its first cohort in Fall 2026. This AI-native, human-centered degree is designed for working professionals looking to upskill, as well as career pivoters seeking to transition into analytics and AI-driven roles. The fully online Master’s in Business Analytics blends rigorous analytics coursework with advanced artificial intelligence applications – making it one of the first programs of its kind rooted in AI-native instruction and project-driven learning.
Unlike other programs that treat artificial intelligence as an elective or standalone course, the MSBAi embeds AI tools and applied machine learning into every core analytics course. Graduates leave with both advanced analytics expertise and practical AI fluency that amplify human insight and drive measurable business impact.
Legacy of Innovation, Commitment to Expanding Access
Delivered fully online with no on-campus requirement, the MSBAi adds to Gies Business’ highly successful selection of online graduate degrees and builds on the College’s longstanding legacy of innovation. In addition to the MSBAi, Gies Business offers a fully online MBA (iMBA®) – which is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2026 – online master’s in management (iMSM), and online master’s in accounting (iMSA). Altogether, Gies currently enrolls more than 6,000 online degree learners and has graduated more than 11,000. Now, through the MSBAi, the College is further pushing the envelope by redefining how analytics and AI are taught through immersive, practice-driven, AI-native learning that keeps human insights and decision-making at the center of problem solving.
The MSBAi expands access to education by removing traditional barriers and meeting learners where they are – professionally, geographically, and academically. Delivered 100% online with both asynchronous materials and live engagement opportunities, the program enables working professionals to earn a rigorous graduate degree in just 15 months without pausing their careers. By combining flexible delivery, high-touch support, and globally connected classrooms, the MSBAi opens doors for a broader, more diverse population of learners to gain in-demand analytics and AI capabilities, regardless of location or prior background.
“The launch of the MSBAi reflects the Gies Business commitment to embracing what’s next and reflects a defining shift in business education – where analytics plus artificial intelligence help business leaders make the most informed, strategic decisions,” said. W. Brooke Elliott, Josef and Margot Lakonishok Professor in Business and Dean of Gies College of Business. “We are equipping leaders not just to understand data, but to harness AI as a strategic partner that amplifies human judgment, decision making, innovation, and impact.”
AI at the Core – Not Optional
At the heart of the MSBAi is a commitment to an AI-native, human-centered philosophy. Every course integrates practical usage of AI tools, with students gaining hands-on experience using leading large language models and AI platforms such as ChatGPT, Claude, and GitHub Copilot. Rather than learning AI theory in isolation, students apply AI across every stage of analytics workflows – from data exploration and hypothesis generation to model building, debugging, and storytelling. Each course also includes a project component, ensuring learners can clearly explain their work – an important signal of credibility for employers.
“This unique approach will prepare our students to meet the evolving demands of employers who increasingly expect professionals to combine domain expertise with AI-powered problem solving and automation capabilities,” said Vishal Sachdev, clinical associate professor of business administration and academic director of the MSBAi. “By the time students graduate, they will understand how to deploy AI strategically to augment human judgment and drive business solutions.”
Project-Based, Portfolio-Driven Learning
The MSBAi’s curriculum design reflects a strong emphasis on applied, experiential learning. Each eight-week course centers on one major applied project rather than traditional exams, reinforcing a portfolio-building model that showcases real work outcomes. This portfolio becomes a career asset for students; it demonstrates their ability to tackle complex analytics and AI-augmented challenges, which are key differentiators in competitive job markets.
Students will complete one significant project per course, building a comprehensive portfolio across the program using Python and Jupyter Notebooks as the universal computational backbone. Graduates emerge with a public-facing GitHub portfolio demonstrating reproducible analytics workflows, AI-assisted modeling, and executive-ready data storytelling.
A Curriculum Built for Today’s Data Leaders
The MSBAi curriculum blends foundational analytics with advanced topics central to modern business:
- Data Foundations & Storytelling – grounding students in SQL, Python, and data narrative craft.
- Analytics for Business & Decision Intelligence with AI – applying predictive methods and AI tools to strategic solutions.
- Big Data Infrastructure & Machine Learning – teaching scalable data systems, cloud computing, and machine learning pipelines.
A number of elective options are available to expand students’ expertise. One of those courses is Agentic AI for Analytics, which focuses on prompt engineering, AI-supported workflows, and ethical considerations. Other industry-specific electives are available as well, targeting finance, healthcare, marketing, and supply chain analytics.
“One of the best and most unique aspects of the MSBAi is the two-part, final practicum, where students apply their analytics and AI skills to a comprehensive project,” said Ravi Mehta, Walter H. Stellner Professor of Marketing and associate dean of graduate programs. “Not only will students emerge with a degree from one of the top business schools globally, but they’ll also curate and present a professional portfolio that highlights their strongest work. It bridges academic knowledge with practical business application and gives them a compelling story to share with the right stakeholders.”
Career Impact and Industry Readiness
Graduates of the MSBAi program will be equipped for a range of high-impact, data-centric roles such as data analyst, business analyst, analytics consulting, decision intelligence, and product analytics. The degree positions learners to lead in sectors where data-driven decision making and AI adoption are critical competitive differentiators.
“The MSBAi arrives at a moment when business analytics and AI expertise are among the most sought-after skills globally,” said Elliott. “This enables Gies Business to further its mission of preparing purpose-driven leaders ready to lead at the intersection of business strategy and emerging technology.”