Undergraduate Catalog 2026-2027

Business Data Analytics, Bachelor of Science (504)

Department website: http://www.wku.edu/ais/


Program Coordinator

Ray J. Blankenship, ray.blankenship@wku.edu, (270) 745-5952

The Business Data Analytics major requires 66 semester hours. The major is designed to prepare students for professional careers using data analytics and technology. Students are trained to use data to improve decision making and gain insight. Local and global businesses are increasingly relying on the acquisition, management, and analysis of data. As the amount of data increases from all aspects of society so does the need for employees trained in data analytics. The Business Data Analytics major will provide students with a solid business foundation combined with a relevant study of data analytics. This major will help strengthen the knowledge economy in Kentucky and increase the availability of trained data analysts. 

Program Requirements (66 hours)

A baccalaureate degree requires a minimum of 120 unduplicated semester hours. More information can be found at www.wku.edu/registrar/degree_certification.php.

Students who began WKU in the Fall 2014 and thereafter should review the Colonnade requirements located at: https://www.wku.edu/colonnade/colonnaderequirements.php.

Business Foundations
MATH 123Mathematical Applications for Business 13
ACCT 110Accounting for Decision Makers3
BDAN 250Introduction to Analytics3
ECON 202Principles of Economics (Micro)3
ECON 206Statistics3
FIN 330Principles of Finance3
MKT 220Basic Marketing Concepts3
MGT 210Organization and Management3
MGT 498Strategy and Policy3
or ENT 496 Hilltopper Student Consulting Experience
Career Preparation
BA 170Business Student Basics 21
or BA 175 University Experience-Business
or BA 220 Special Topics in Business Administration (Lower Division)
MGT 261Business Communication Fundamentals3
BDAN 399Career Readiness in Business Data Analytics1
BDAN 499Senior Assessment in Business Data Analytics1
Required for All Business Data Analytics Majors
MGT 200Legal Environment of Business3
BDAN 305Data Modeling and Analysis3
BDAN 310Business Data Analytics3
BDAN 330Structured Data Analysis3
BDAN 350Data Management3
BDAN 410DSS Analysis and Design3
BDAN 420Predictive Modeling3
BDAN 430Data Visualization3
Select 9 hours from the following:9
Analytics and Technology 3
ACCT 3@
ACCT 4@
BDAN 3@
BDAN 4@
ECON 3@
ECON 4@
ENT 3@
ENT 4@
FIN 3@
FIN 4@
MGT 3@
MGT 4@
MKT 3@
MKT 4@
Advanced Presentational Speaking
Persuasion
Small Group Communication
Organizational Communication
Introduction to Law Enforcement
Criminology
Juvenile Delinquency
Argument and Analysis in Written Discourse
Business Writing
Technical Writing
Advanced Composition
Writing and Technology
Geographic Information Systems I
Geographic Information Systems II
GIS Analysis & Modeling
GIS Programming
Health Care Organization and Management
Human Resources Management for Healthcare Managers
Quality Management for Healthcare
Health Systems Management
Ambulatory Care Administration
Principles and Methods of Health Planning
Health Care Finance
Health Care Informatics
Army Training Management and Warfighting Functions
Applied Tactical Army Leadership
Professional Leadership Skills
Total Hours66
1

Or any calculus class, or math ACT score of at least 26, or math SAT score of at least 610

2

BA175 is only for Business LLC students. BA220 is only for transfer students and students who choose a business major as a sophomore or later.

3

CIS 141 is highly recommended for Business Data Analytics majors, especially those without training on Microsoft Office

Finish in Four Plan

Business Data Analytics

First Year
FallHoursSpringHours
Colonnade: Natural & Physical Sciences3Colonnade: Arts & Humanities3
ECON 2023COMM 1453
ENG 1003HIST 101 or HIST 1023
MATH 1233ACCT 1103
BDAN 2503ECON 2063
BA 170, BA 175, or BA 2201 
 16 15
Second Year
FallHoursSpringHours
ENG 2003BDAN 3103
Colonnade: Natural & Physical Sciences with lab3-4BDAN Elective3
MGT 2003MGT 2613
MGT 2103MKT 2203
BDAN 3053General Elective3
 15-16 15
Third Year
FallHoursSpringHours
CIS 205 (Colonnade: Connections (Local to Global))3Colonnade: Connections (Social & Cultural)3
ENG 3003BDAN 3503
BDAN 3303BDAN 4103
BDAN Elective3BDAN Elective3
FIN 3303General Elective3
BDAN 3991 
 16 15
Fourth Year
FallHoursSpringHours
Colonnade: Connections (Systems)3MGT 498 or ENT 4963
BDAN 4203BDAN 4303
General Elective3General Elective3
General Elective3General Elective3
General Elective3BDAN 4991
 15 13
Total Hours 120-121