MS-QA Program

MS - Quantitative Analysis Program: a master's degree in operations research, management science, and applied statistics

The MSQA (officially MSBA-QA internal to UC) is a Master of Science degree combining operations research, management science, and applied statistics, using applied mathematics and computer applications, in a business environment. The subject of this unique program has helped our students get rewarding professional jobs and excel in all corners of the business world. The program is housed in the Department of Quantitative Analysis and Operations Management (QAOM) in the College of Business (CoB) at the University of Cincinnati (UC). We are not newcomers to this area -- the QAOM Department has been offering this degree since the late 1970s and its popularity has flourished in the past several years.

Depending upon background, full-time students can complete the program in as little as nine months (three quarters).  Part-time students are welcome and accommodated by evening and late-afternoon class times.  Some financial aid is available, in the form of scholarships and assistantships, and is awarded on a competitive basis.  Placement is excellent, with interesting and challenging positions as analysts in many functions, including logistics, manufacturing, operations, health-care analysis, marketing research, financial risk analysis, consumer-product design, information technology, and consulting.  Some students continue into PhD programs, either in QAOM or elsewhere.

A solid grounding in all of the fundamentals, plus flexibility, are the hallmarks of the program. Students who finish the degree are prepared with:

  • Mathematics prerequisite courses in calculus (through multivariate), matrix methods or linear algebra, and a fundamental knowledge of computing and programming.
  • Business prerequisite courses in economics, finance, and accounting, plus any two of operations management, information systems, marketing, or management.
  • Program core courses in Optimization Modeling, Optimization Analysis, Probability, Stochastic Modeling, Simulation Modeling, Methods of Statistics, and Regression Analysis.
  • Four to six focus area elective courses -- quantitative, technically-oriented courses from a wide variety of areas such as optimization, simulation, statistics, operations management, supply-chain management, finance, marketing, economics, computer science, mathematics, and others.
  • Having researched, written, and presented a Research Project.
Please see a roster of some of our current and recently graduated students.

Companies and organizations that have hired our graduates include:
  • Procter and Gamble (Cincinnati)
  • Great American Financial Resources (Cincinnati)
  • General Electric Aircraft Engines (Cincinnati)
  • i2 Technologies (Dallas)
  • Morgan Stanley (New York)
  • Chase Manhattan Bank (New York)
  • Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu (Washington, DC)
  • US Airways Decision Support (Phoenix)
  • Ford Motor Company (Detroit)
  • Best Buy (Minneapolis)
  • LexisNexis (Dayton)
  • Frontline Systems (Incline Village, Nevada)
  • Praxair, Inc. (Buffalo)
  • Information Resources, Inc. (Chicago and Cincinnati)
  • Cinergy/Duke Energy (Cincinnati)
  • dunnhumby Marketing (Cincinnati)
  • Kendle International, Inc. (Cincinnati)
  • LeanCor Logistics (Cincinnati)
  • LDS Consulting (Cincinnati)
  • Merck Institute (Washington, DC)
  • RCI, Inc. (Parsippany, New Jersey)
  • HSBC Bank Group (Chicago; Buffalo; Portland, Oregon)
  • Fair Isaac Corporation (San Francisco)
  • The Ipsos Group (Cincinnati)
  • eBay, Inc. (San Jose, California)
  • Yahoo! Inc. (Sunnyvale, California)
  • Limited Brands (Columbus)
  • FedEx (Memphis)
  • Discover Financial Services of Morgan Stanley (Chicago)
  • Wal-Mart Supply Chain (Bentonville, Arkansas)
  • Kiva Systems (Boston)
  • Sullivan Direct (Cincinnati)
  • Bank One (Columbus)
  • American Greetings (Cleveland)
  • CUNA Mutual Insurance Group (Madison, Wisconsin)
  • Landrum and Brown Airport Consultants (Cincinnati)
  • Household Credit Services (Las Vegas)
  • University of Cincinnati
  • NDC Health Information Services (Phoenix)
  • GE Capital (Cincinnati)
  • Mead Corporation (Dayton)
  • Firstar Bank and USBank (Cincinnati)
  • R-Systems Inc. (Sacramento, California)
  • Federal Home Loan Bank (Seattle, Cincinnati)
  • Fortress Investment Group (New York)
  • DHL International, Ltd. (Wilmington, Ohio)
  • Duke Energy/Integra Analytics (Cincinnati)
  • Epsilon Data Management (Cincinnati)

Some comments from current students and recent graduates:

'The MSQA is a very unique program.  The blend of mathematical orientation and business perspective of the program gave me an edge over people from similar backgrounds.  The courses have exposed me to a variety of topics, and through electives I got a chance to concentrate on what I was interested in.  The diverse group of students brought different perspectives to the table.  Whenever possible, use of the latest software was incorporated into the courses, which helped me learn necessary skills to excel in my job.  Joining the MSQA program was the best decision.  I will recommend this program to anyone without a second thought.'

'The MSQA program is THE best program one can opt for.  The program is a blend of statistics, simulation, operations research, and also business skills, which gives more options for a career path.  With this degree, looking for a job was a piece of cake!  It was a great education, with excellent teaching in a very good university.  Overall my Masters in Quantitative Analysis from UC is an important asset for my career.  I would highly recommend this program to everyone.'

'I am happy to let you know that I am moving to a Senior Analyst position with my current employer.  I could not be more grateful for the training that I received from the MSQA program.  The MSQA is a great program that sets us way up in the job market with unparalleled knowledge and experience that every industry craves for.  The exclusive skill set that I achieved through the MSQA put me in a position where I had multiple job offers from within and outside the organization.  And I am absolutely happy that I made the right decision to join MSQA.'

'Thank you very much for forwarding the open position emails from various employers.  My search for more rewarding employment began over a year ago but had been to no avail.  Two weeks ago I ended up receiving four job offers; two of them were through your forwards and one of which I have accepted.  I know you forward the emails as a courtesy/service to both students and employers, and that you're not necessarily vouching for us (the students) or the companies in doing so.  However, it was tremendously helpful and I doubt I would have found these opportunities with out it.  Thanks again'

'It is unusual to move from a junior analyst to a senior analyst in only 18 months, but I am glad to let you know that I just did it.  The business knowledge and quantitative skills I obtained from my education in the MSQA program have not only helped me solve real problems in industry, but also differentiated me from other candidates in the job market.  Joining the UC MSQA program was the best investment in my life, and now I am being rewarded.'

So please explore the links on the upper left to learn about admissions, tuition & fees, financial aid, and our curriculum (including the Research Project).  Feel free to contact us with any questions -- Uday Rao, Program Director.

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