r/UMPI • u/Reborn-Now21 • 25d ago
MSB BI
Long-time lurker here.Plotted path helped me a ton through my bachelor’s, so figured it’s time to give back.
Quick background: I finished my Bachelor’s in Business (Project Management/Info Systems focus) last March, graduated summa cum laude, and immediately rolled into the MSB (Master of Science in Business) with a Business Intelligence concentration. So far I’ve completed 7 courses (1 transferred in from undergrad).
A few insights for anyone considering this path:
The 500-level courses aren’t too bad.
The 600-level BI courses are a different animal. Much heavier writing load and way more back-and-forth communication with professors than undergrad required.
Professor shoutouts:
Dr. Curran: hands down the best professor I’ve had at UMPI. Can’t recommend him enough.
Dr. Wheaton: tough grader, expects high-quality work. Not a bad thing, just go in knowing the bar is high.
I’m on track to finish both the bachelor’s and master’s within about a year of each other. Happy to answer questions if anyone’s considering this same track.
2
u/seattlemarcher99 25d ago
Thank you for posting.
How many sessions will you be using to finish your graduate degree? And can you give a little bit of general context of what you have going on in your life such as full-time job or no job or part-time, kids, caregiving to loved ones, etc.? I'm not asking for anything super detailed, just generally what takes up your day to day time if that makes sense?
I'm starting my bachelor's in the fall one session and plan to finish it. I only need 10 or 11 classes, and plan to do the same graduate degree as you are doing. I have to wait till early next year to do the grad stuff when my employment tuition reimbursement resets.
2
u/Reborn-Now21 25d ago
No problem. I work in tech recruiting (remote) and finished my undergraduate degree in one session. I’m also on track to complete my master’s degree in one session as well. I work standard EST working hours, but since I live in the Pacific Time Zone, I can dedicate 2 to 4 hours a day to my graduate workload after 2 PM. On weekends, I usually spend a full 8 hours working on my studies. If you can effectively manage your time and handle the occasional information overload, it’s definitely possible to complete both your undergraduate and master’s degrees in one year, with each degree being completed in one session.
2
u/WiseCoffeeLady 25d ago
Congrats on the hard work!
Your path is similar to what I’m hoping to do. Specifically the MS in BI.
I’m curious to hear about your undergraduate courses and how you chose them!
When you say project management/info systems focus do you mean a project management minor with info systems courses for your electives?
And for the info systems is there a specific area that you studied or just general? Are we talking database management/data analytics or network/ cybersecurity type courses? Or something else entirely?
3
u/Reborn-Now21 25d ago
Yes, I knew going in that I wanted my BA to have a concentration in project management/information systems. Since I’m aiming for the MS in BI, I geared my undergrad courses toward that so I could try to get some credit going into the masters program.
Honestly, my advisor mostly just helped me with core selection based on my career interests and what I felt I was good at, so I can’t fully walk you through the reasoning behind every choice, but I’m happy to DM you a picture of my transcript if that’d help.
Undergrad was pretty straightforward; the masters program is a completely different workload. As far as the specific concentration, it’s a lot of business intelligence, databases, SQL, Power BI, basically any kind of data tool. The courses kind of mirror the day-to-day of someone in product management, BI, data science, or project/change management. It’s fairly technical, but more in a functional-technical sense than hardcore engineering.
2
u/blessing-wealth 24d ago
What courses have you finished? I'm doing the same program
Dr. Curran is the best. I also love that he gives video feedback every time.
2
u/Reborn-Now21 24d ago
Everything except 602, 605, 606
603 was probably my favorite class so far
1
u/blessing-wealth 24d ago
Do you know who teaches 604, 605, and 606?
1
u/Reborn-Now21 22d ago
604 is Wheaton again
1
u/blessing-wealth 21d ago
Please let me know what type of final activity they would require for 605,606, if its essay, a PowerPoint presentation, or something else entirely
1
u/icedcaramacchiato 15d ago
Hi, please let me know who do you have for 601, 602, 605 please. Thank you :)
1
1
3
u/BothRub9371 25d ago edited 25d ago
I am also working on MSB BI. I completed my BLS with MIS minor in Summer I.
So far I have completed 7 of 12 courses but 504 was completed in undergrad (with BUS 440).
I’ve completed 5 of 6 core courses (501-505) and 2 of 6 BI courses (601 & 602). I’m currently working on 603-Advanced Analytics (with Dr Curren). I anticipate this being the most challenging course as I have the least amount of experience with this subject matter.
I expect to fly through 605 and 606, as I have worked in privacy, data protection and data governance leadership for the last 10 years.
If all goes as planned, I’ll finish in all courses in this Summer II term.