Business analysts lead efforts to define needs and design solutions that deliver value to stakeholder organizations. The complex role utilizes business strategy, operational processes and procedures, requirements management, and subject matter expertise to lead organizations through complex changes. They manage stakeholder expectations, focus on requirements and solutions, measure performance, and, when necessary, suggest and implement corrective actions.
In order to master the skills necessary to qualify for this in-demand position, you'll take courses that focus on key knowledge areas so that you are well-equipped to apply a wide-range of business analysis techniques to any future endeavor. For example, according to Glassdoor and market research, the starting annual salary for data analysts range from $70,000 to $90,000. Business analysts in IT roles or strategic initiatives will see up to a 19-percent job growth in the next 10 years. You can also move into roles such as product management, consulting, senior-level IT or business management, solution or enterprise architects, and business process ownership. Salaries in those roles average nationwide between $120,000 to $175,000.
In addition, you'll be well-prepared to take the International Institute of Business Analysis' Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP®) exam or the Project Management Institute's Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA©) certification.
This Business Analysis Competency Model® identifies the foundational skills, tasks, techniques and personal characteristics necessary to perform business analysis, and the five levels of proficiency in the profession. It also includes the perspectives—included in the BABOK® Guide—used within business analysis work that provides focus to tasks and techniques specific to the context of the initiative.
This guide supports the four levels of IIBA's Multi-Level Competency-Based Certification program by highlighting the key competency components associated with each business analysis task. This allows you—whether you’re new to business analysis or advancing in your position—to identify the areas of focus to develop skills in order to meet the needs of organizations and your own career growth.
Image courtesy: International Institute of Business Analysis™ (IIBA®)
Typically, business analysts hold bachelor’s degrees and receive additional training in business analysis, although a bachelor's degree isn't always mandatory. If you intend to sit for the CBAP® exam, you must also meet the requirements of the IIBA® in order to take the exam. Find out more about the CBAP® exam requirements.
You should also be aware of the PMI-PBA® certificate requirements if you want to pursue that certification.
Start the certificate by enrolling in Business Analysis Fundamentals BUS ADM X423.8 and then complete the four remaining courses. Courses should be taken in the order listed below:
All certificate courses have fixed start and end dates, with assignments and project work assigned throughout the course. Course content can be consumed asynchronously; there is no live content associated with the courses. This enables you to work at anytime from anywhere with network connectivity.
Check the start dates for the courses to plan your course schedule in advance. Most of the courses are available in the fall and spring semesters. Please note that course availability is subject to change. Most students complete the program in two years.
Students must take all courses for a letter grade and complete each course with a grade of C or better.
You must pay a nonrefundable registration fee in order to register for the certificate. All coursework must be completed within five years.By registering, you declare your intention to complete the curriculum. To register online for the Certificate Program in Business Analysis, complete these two steps:
You should register for the certificate before you complete your first course in the curriculum.
Each course is priced individually, and you pay the course fee at the time of enrollment. The certificate has an estimated cost of $5,225 (not including course materials or registration fee). Course fees are subject to change.
If you have completed Business Analysis Planning and Methods BUS ADM X448.1 before March 15, 2018, and you are completing the certificate under the old requirements, please email extension-records@berkeley.edu to request your certificate.
After your records have been reviewed, verified and approved (usually within two to three weeks), your certificate will be mailed to you.
Our New Career Services team provides individualized career services and training to our current, future and former students. We help you close your individual skills gap, and gain access to the relevant professional experiences and expert networks to expand your professional ecosystem. Get started today.
UC Berkeley Extension is an endorsed education provider of the International Institute of Business Analysis® (IIBA). Our courses count as continuing development units (EEP number E234), which can be applied toward the Professional Development Criterion to sit for the Certified Business Analysis Professional® (CBAP) exam.
We are also a registered education provider with the Project Management Institute, and you can ear professional development units (PDUs) by completing our business analysis classes. PDUs can be used to maintain certifications such as the PMP®, PMI-PBA® and PMI-ACP®.
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