MSBA 4 + 1 Pathway
Bachelor's Degree Plus One Year to a Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA)
Hamline's 5-year MSBA pathway:
From first-year student to master's degree
Why earn your MSBA through Hamline's pathway program?
Save money
Courses that count toward both degrees—plus a 10% alumni discount—equals big savings
Save time
You'll have your degree months earlier than students who take the traditional route — all with a flexible format that works with your schedule
Propel your career
In a tough job market, a master's degree separates you from the fray, gives you job stability, and opens the door to higher-level challenges
MSBA 4 + 1 pathway program details
How the program works
MSBA course credits taken as an undergraduate will count towards the 128 minimum credits needed to graduate. These classes can be taken as electives, general studies, or as another flexible option within your major.
After students receive their BA/BS degree, they transition fully into Hamline's Master of Science in Business Analytics program.
The majority of Hamline's MSBA degree is offered asynchronously online, allowing you to complete your work at a time that suits your schedule. Each course also requires one two-day residency, taking place on our Saint Paul campus on a Friday (3 to 8 p.m.) and Saturday (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.).
This low-residency format provides the flexibility of an online program with the community of an on-campus experience, allowing you to network with professors and peers without sacrificing your schedule. Many of our MSBA students continue to work full-time while earning their degree.
Start dates and deadlines
Interested students apply for admission to the 4+1 program no later than the summer before their senior year for a fall start, or in the fall of their senior year for a spring start. Admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis, however, so we encourage you to apply early to secure your spot.
- Fall 2026 program start: Applications for the pathway program are due by August 1, 2026. Students beginning the pathway in the fall of their senior year will take one MSBA course in the fall term and one course in the spring term.
- Spring 2027 program start: Applications for the pathway program are due by December 1, 2026. Students beginning the pathway in the spring of their senior year will take two MSBA courses during the spring term.
After receiving their BA/BS, students will take the final 6 courses of the MSBA in Hamline's flexible hybrid program.
Your Master's in Business Analytics can be obtained by successfully completing eight courses. Two of these courses will be taken as an undergrad.
MSBA degree requirements
- MSBA 8100 - Statistical Foundations of Business Analytics (to be taken as an undergraduate student)
- MSBA 8110 - Databases
- MSBA 8125 - Principles of Data Analytics
- MSBA 8140 - Programming for Data Analytics (to be taken as an undergraduate student)
- MSBA 8150 - Data Visualization
- MSBA 8170 - Machine Learning I
- MSBA 8180 - Machine Learning II
- MSBA 8490 - Business Analytics Practicum
Please use the link below to access our Bulletin for course descriptions.
Apply to the MSBA 4 + 1 Pathway program
The MSBA 4 + 1 Pathway program is ideal for students studying business analytics, economics, finance, accounting, or computational data science – but students pursuing other majors may qualify as well. Knowledge of data analytics is not necessary to begin the program.
To be accepted into the pathway program, students must satisfy the following criteria:
- An undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
- An online application including a personal statement of up to three pages, answering the three HSB grad program admission questions (see application for questions)
- A resume
Frequently asked questions about Hamline's MSBA 4 + 1 pathway
Contact information
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Undergraduate Admission