Pepperdine MS in Business Analytics Students Harness Generative AI for Real-World Insights

At Pepperdine Graziadio, students in the Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) program are leveraging cutting-edge AI tools to solve real-world business challenges.

In the Predictive Analytics course, students work hands-on with Python and cloud-based platforms like Google Colaboratory (Colab) to apply machine learning techniques. With integrated access to Generative AI tools such as Gemini, they can troubleshoot code, clarify complex concepts, and interpret results on the spot, enhancing both accuracy and analytical thinking.

“AI tools embedded in our coursework allow students to complete complex analyses more accurately and efficiently, providing them with the opportunity to focus on analytics translation,” said Alfonso Berumen, MSBA program faculty member. “They’re not just learning technical skills like coding—they’re developing critical thinking and learning to apply modern, data-driven approaches to real business questions."  

This applied learning continues in the program’s capstone experience. In a recent Capstone project with tech and restaurant innovation company Franklin Junction, students used the Google Cloud Platform—including BigQuery, Colab, and Sheets—as well as Tableau (Salesforce), to analyze operational data from mobile apps. With the help of AI, they streamlined SQL and Python code and advanced statistical analyses to uncover insights on customer behavior, sales trends, marketing effectiveness, and business performance.

By weaving AI into every stage of the curriculum, Pepperdine equips MSBA students with the skills to lead in today’s data-driven economy, ready to make smarter, faster decisions in the workplace.

Learn more about the Pepperdine Graziadio MS in Business Analytics program.