Business Analysis

Overview

The future of work is changing rapidly, and business analysts are increasingly important in supporting organizations to deploy or enhance business solutions. 

Aligned with the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA), you acquire a unique skillset and knowledge required to successfully influence changes that create value for stakeholders.

This graduate certificate program teaches you to:

• Use industry tools and software to analyze and optimize data, and recommend strategic solutions to stakeholders that validate business needs.
• Establish work plans to inform business solutions.
• Implement a project management process to support software development and project lifecycles.
• Manage process, monitor progress and implement communication strategies for the lifecycle of business analysis initiatives.
• Facilitate discussion, communicate and present complex information concisely and accurately.
• Comply with established ethical codes and legal procedures and articulate the legal ramifications of non-compliance when gathering and sharing data.

This program will prepare you for industry exams and certifications, enhancing your employability.

 

Work experience

• Field experience is a optional credit course, providing the opportunity to apply your knowledge and skills outside the classroom.
  • Opportunities are typically unpaid and last approximately 5 weeks.
• Transportation, accommodations and other costs related to work experience courses are your responsibility.
• For more information, visit work experience opportunities.

Choose NSCC

• This is a practical, hands-on program that provides you with a skillset that is in high demand in Nova Scotia and beyond. You graduate well-trained and ready to enter the workforce.

Other info

• The program is aligned with IIBA standards and provides the framework for program development and course delivery.  Students will begin their pursuit of professional certification with IIBA during program delivery.

September 2025

Campus	Full time/part time	Delivery	Availability
Ivany Campus Dartmouth	Full time	Blended Delivered through a combination of online and in-person classes. At least 50% of learning is in-person.	Seats available

Admission requirements

• Two-year diploma, advanced diploma, undergraduate degree or equivalent.
• High School Graduation Diploma plus minimum 5-years of industry experience may be considered for admission to this program under NSCC’s PLAR policy. For detailed information on the PLAR policy as it relates to this program, visit the Candidate Assessment for Business Analysis Graduate Certificatepage.
• International students – Submit your official post-secondary documents for assessment. View document and language requirements by country

Tuition, fees and program costs

In addition to annual tuition, there are program costs (books, tools, technology etc.) and student fees for College services, health and dental plans, your student association and parking.

View detailed program fees page(s). Please note that amounts on these pages are meant for planning purposes only. They don't represent final amounts owing.

• Business Analysis

Career options

• Graduates of this program are in high demand and find employment in a wide range of fields like accounting, finance, human resource management, sales, marketing and a variety of IT areas. Positions include the following, as well as roles in the areas of solution requirements, analysis and process improvement:
  • Business analyst
  • Business intelligence analyst
  • Business process analyst
  • Product/project manager
  • Business systems analyst
  • Business solution architect
  • Process architect
  • Digital media consultant
  • Insights analyst

Courses may include

These are some of the courses offered in this program. It is not a complete list and courses are subject to change in advance of the academic year.

Recognizing prior learning / transfer credits
If you have previous learning (course, employment, etc...) that's relevant to your program, you may be able to apply to earn credit. Not all programs are eligible. Learn about our recognizing prior learning (RPL) process.

BSAN 4101 - Introduction to Business Analysis
This Introduction to Business Analysis course will help students identify the functions and relevance of business analysis. IIBA concepts model will be used to introduce students to tools, strategies and key terminologies used in Business analysis.

BSAN 4102 - Business Analysis Planning and Monitoring
Planning activities involves organizing and coordinating the business analysis work to ensure successful outcomes for the business. Students will learn to develop an optimal plan for a given change initiative.

BSAN 4103 - Strategy Analysis
The purpose of a strategic analysis is to analyze an organization’s external and internal environment, assess current strategies, and generate and evaluate the most effective strategy. Students will learn how to perform analysis and identify the most effective way to apply the organization's resources to reach the desired objectives.

BSAN 4104 - Communication Strategies for Stakeholder Engagement
Stakeholder management involves identifying, analyzing and effectively engaging stakeholders to ensure successful change outcomes. This course will help students develop skills in negotiating, influencing, communicating and persuading internal and external stakeholders involved in an organization’s project.

BSAN 4105 - Requirements Management I
Requirement management involves the collection, analysis, and maintenance of required resources and solution design information for all stages of a project. In this course students will focus on establishing meaningful relationships between related business needs, requirements and solution designs.

BSAN 4106 - Trends, Perspectives, and Emerging Technologies in Business Analysis I
This course explores the current and potential future impacts of new, emerging, and rapidly evolving technologies on organizations. Students will examine the challenges and opportunities in designing projects that implement new and emerging technologies for organizations. This course introduces the students to the principles and fundamentals of Project management, Agile Organization change management, information technology, cloud computing, robotic process automation.

BSAN 4201 - Business Analysis Software, Tools and Technique
In this course students will explore a variety of software applications to support communication and collaboration. Students will focus on new and existing software's used in business analysis.

BSAN 4203 - Data Modelling
Data models are graphical illustrations used to capture and describe the data elements, their structure, and inter-relationships for a given technology system. They are typically used in software development to document data storage, usage, and interfaces to analyze, design, and communicate system requirements. Learners will explore: - The basic concept of data modelling - Its applications within the software development lifecycle - Fundamentals of data governance

BSAN 4204 - Quantitative/Qualitative Research
Business analysis professionals typically conduct research activities to uncover new information or gain better understanding of a business need. Quantitative and Qualitative Research methods are the strategies, processes or techniques utilized in the collection of data or evidence for further analysis. Learners will explore: - Various research methods, its goals, applicable techniques, and tools - Selecting an optimal approach for any given change initiative - Key research techniques: Benchmarking, survey, focus groups - Presentation of research information for decision making

BSAN 4205 - Quality Assurance Methodologies
Quality Assurance methodologies are techniques and procedures that ensure the quality of business solutions or services provided to the customers by an organization. It focuses on improving the solution and making it fit for purpose, efficient and effective as per the quality standards defined for the business solution. Learners will explore: - The various quality assurance methodologies - The need for quality, inspection and verification in any business analysis work, including technology or process focused - Various approaches to quality management - How to select an optimal approach for any given circumstance and change initiative

BSAN 4206 - Requirements Management II
Requirement management involves the collection, analysis, and maintenance of requirements and solution design information from inception to retirement. It establishes meaningful relationships between related business needs, requirements and solution designs, assessing changes to requirements and solution designs when changes are proposed, and analyzing and gaining consensus on changes. Students will explore: -Collects, analyze business analysis information -Translate business needs to requirements -Trace, maintain, prioritize, and approve requirements -Assess Impacts of changes to requirements -Model requirements and designs

BSAN 4207 - Trends, Perspectives and Emerging Technologies in Business Analysis II
This course explores the current and potential future impacts of new, emerging, and rapidly evolving technologies on organizations. Students will examine the challenges and opportunities in designing projects that implement new and emerging technologies for organizations. This course introduces the students to the principles and fundamentals of business process management, product management, cybersecurity, data analytics, artificial intelligence, digitization and automation, and design thinking.

BSAN 4301 - Work Experience
Students will explore key topics, including Business Process Management, Product Management, Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, Digitization, and Automation, as well as Design Thinking. Students will gain valuable insights into how modern businesses leverage technology and innovation to optimize their processes, make data-driven decisions, and stay competitive in today's dynamic market landscape.

SAFE 1000 - Introduction to WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information Systems)
This course offers learners basic overview of WHMIS principles and establishes a solid foundation to support workplace-specific training on the safe storage and handling of controlled/hazardous products. Upon successful completion of the course, students receive basic WHMIS certification.

SAFE 1001 - Introduction to NS OH&S Act
This course offers students an introduction to the Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) Act of Nova Scotia, which is required by any person employed in a Nova Scotia workplace. This is a generic, introductory course that provides basic knowledge of the Act for students and is considered to be the basis from which more specific training can be given.