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Business Data Science Graduate Certificate

John Chambers College of Business and Economics

Colleagues review data together on a computer

The Business Data Science Graduate Certificate, offered by the WVU John Chambers College of Business and Economics, focuses on advanced analytical methods and visualizations to help you make the most of your data and communicate your findings. If you’re equally interested in applications and the infrastructure and theory underpinning the world of data, this might just be for you.

Cost:

$1,043 / Cost per credit hour *

Courses and Credits:

4 Courses / 12 Credits

Duration:

One year / 8-week terms

Dates:

Next Start: August 18, 2026 Admission Term: Fall

Learning Format:

Online courses

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Program Overview

Unlock the World of Big Data

The Business Data Science Graduate Certificate is a 12-credit program completed over one and a half semesters, designed to equip professionals with the tools to uncover hidden patterns in large datasets. By combining statistics, machine learning, and information technology, students learn to extract meaningful insights that support smarter, data-driven business decisions.

  • Integrated Skillset: Learn to organize and securely retrieve data from warehousing systems while applying advanced statistical and machine learning techniques.
  • Predictive Power: Use statistical software to perform predictive analytics and clearly communicate results to stakeholders.
  • Big Data Expertise: Deploy machine learning to mine large-scale datasets and uncover trends that inform business strategy.
  • Cross-Industry Relevance: Apply data science in marketing, finance, HR, operations, and supply chain management to improve performance and decision-making.
  • Career-Ready Training: Prepare for growing demand in data science roles as businesses increasingly rely on analytics to stay competitive.

Curriculum

The Business Data Science Graduate Certificate requires 12 hours of course work taken over the span of one and one-half semesters. The coursework unifies statistics, machine learning and information technology to make discoveries otherwise out of sight. The methods emphasized in this certificate are capable of discovering hard-to-find trends in large, population-sized data sets.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this certificate, students will be able to:

  • Organize and securely retrieve data from data warehousing infrastructure.
  • Perform advanced predictive analytic techniques using statistical software and communicate their results.
  • Deploy machine learning for mining big data.

The Certificate in Business Data Science requires 12 credit hours, the coursework unifies statistics, machine learning and information technology to make discoveries otherwise out of sight. The methods emphasized in this certificate are capable of discovering hard-to-find trends in large, population-sized data sets.

Required Courses

  • BUDA 515: Big Data Technologies for Business, 3 credit hours
  • BUDA 525: Business Statistical Methods I, 3 credit hours
  • BUDA 530: Business Statistical Methods II, 3 credit hours
  • BUDA 535: Business Data Mining, 3 credit hours
Total: 12 Credit Hours

Connect With Us

Aaron Rose John Chambers College of Business and Economics

304-293-4364 Aaron.Rose1@mail.wvu.edu

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Program Requirements and Eligibility

Successful Completion of an bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution.

Admissions Process and How to Apply

To apply to West Virginia University as a graduate applicant:
  • Review the requirements for the program and learn what materials are needed to apply.
  • Create an account, start your application and follow the instructions.
  • Pay the application fee.
  • Submit your application.

Tuition, Fees and Financial Aid

Since certificates are considered non-degree-seeking programs, they don't qualify for financial aid. However, many certificate programs allow you to transition into a full degree, at which point financial aid can be applied.

Tuition and fees are usually not the only educational expenses you may have while pursuing a degree. You may have other costs such as books, supplies, and living expenses. Visit the Estimate Costs and Aid webpage to estimate and plan for other potential expenses.

Tuition per credit hour is listed on the page of your program of interest. Please note, tuition and fees are reviewed and subject to change at the start of each academic year.

Careers and Employment

The demand for data scientists is projected to increase due to a growing need for data-driven decision-making. Over the next decade, the amount of available data and its potential applications are expected to rise. Consequently, organizations will likely require more data scientists to extract insights and analyze the vast amounts of information gathered. Through their analyses, data scientists will aid organizations in making informed decisions, enhancing business processes, creating innovative products, and improving marketing strategies.

Business data science is used in various fields, including marketing, finance, human resources, operations, and supply chain management. For example, a company may use data science to optimize their marketing campaigns, identify cost-saving opportunities, and improve customer satisfaction. In essence, business data science helps organizations turn their data into actionable insights, allowing them to make more informed decisions and stay competitive in their respective industries.

Career Paths

  • Business Intelligence Analyst
  • Data Scientist Projected
  • Database Architect
  • Management Analyst 

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Get in Touch

The WVU Online team is here for you during your online learning journey. We can help you navigate the curriculum of your program of interest, understand the application process, and keep you posted on upcoming events and deadlines.

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