Why Choose the Master of Science in Business Research
Advance your career with the M.S. in Business Research, where academic rigor meets practical impact. Build advanced analytical skills and gain hands-on research experience through immersive in-person courses, interactive seminars and real-world projects. Designed as a research-intensive alternative to the MBA, the master’s in business research equips you with a strong foundation in research methodologies and statistical modeling. Customize your path from a list of electives or select a concentration that aligns with your professional goals. All 30 credit hours seamlessly transfer to Carlos Alvarez College of Business Ph.D. programs. Competitive funding opportunities, including tuition support, scholarships and graduate assistantships, may be available.
Excel with XQuant
XQuant is an Alvarez College of Business initiative focused on boosting student success in quantitative business master’s programs like the M.S. in Business Research. Students who qualify for federal financial aid may receive tuition scholarships. All participants benefit from a pre-program mathematics and statistics boot camp, one-on-one mentorship and academic coaching—resources designed to build confidence and ensure success from day one.
Explore XQuant
Register for an Information Session
Interested in learning more about the Master of Science in Business Research program? Join an upcoming Information Session to explore admissions requirements, application procedures and get your questions answered.
Admission & Application Requirements
Applications are submitted through the UT San Antonio Graduate Application. Please upload all required documents (listed below) on your UT San Antonio Graduate Application. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure completion and submission of the application, a nonrefundable application fee, and all required supporting documents are on file with UT San Antonio by the appropriate application deadline.
| Business Research (MS) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Required Degree | Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in the United States or have proof of equivalent training at a foreign institution. | |
| Minimum GPA | 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) Departments may consider GPA of last 60 semester credit hours. Otherwise qualified individuals with a GPA below 3.0 may still be eligible for admission consideration. For further information, please contact [email protected]. | |
| Coursework | Completed adequate credit hours or foreign institution equivalent coursework as preparation for the program. Students interested in this program who have previous education in non-business fields are encouraged to apply. | |
| Transcripts* | Required from all institutions attended; international transcripts must be recorded/translated to English | |
| Credential Evaluation | Required if you have earned university-level credit from foreign institutions. Submit an evaluation of your transcripts from FCSA or any NACES-approved credential evaluation agency. | |
| English Language Proficiency | 79 TOEFL iBT / 6.5 IELTS / Duolingo 100 For exams taken on or after January 21, 2026: We require a minimum TOEFL iBT score of 4.0. |
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| Purpose Statement | Required | |
| Resume | Required | |
| Letters of Recommendation | 2 academic or professional reference(s) demonstrating your attributes for successful completion of this program (you will request these through the Graduate Admissions Application; let your recommenders know of your deadline to ensure submissions are on time) | |
| *Unofficial transcripts will be taken into consideration for admissions; however, if admitted into the program, you must submit official transcripts to the University. | ||
Application Deadlines
Applicants are encouraged to have their admission file completed as early as possible. All applications, required documents and letters of recommendation, if applicable, must be submitted by 5:00 PM U.S. Central Time on the day of the deadline. Deadlines are subject to change.
| Business Research (MS) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Timing on Admission Decision: Completed applications will be reviewed for admission on a rolling basis. Decisions generally will be made and sent to applicants within 4 to 6 weeks of receiving the application | |||
| Application Deadlines for: | Priority | International | Domestic |
| Fall 2026 | June 1 | August 1 | |
| Spring | Not Available | Not Available | |
| Summer | Not Available | Not Available | |
Funding Opportunities
XQuant Financial Support
Visit our XQuant information page for details about this initiative funded by the U.S. Department of Education and to review the qualification process for funding.
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Graduate Student Opportunities and Scholarships
Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTAs) and student grading positions are available to master’s students on a competitive basis. Graduate Research Assistant and Graduate Administrative Assistant positions may also be available, depending on departmental and college needs.
$1,000 Graduate Competitive Scholarship for Non-Resident Students
Non-resident graduate students who have been admitted or are continuing their studies may apply for a competitive scholarship worth $1,000 that also grants in-state tuition rates.
Career Options
UT San Antonio prepares you for future careers that are in demand. The possible careers below are based on data pulled by a third-party tool called Emsi, which pulls information from sources like the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau, online job postings, other government databases and more to give you regional and national career outlook related to this academic program.
STEM Designated Degree Program
This program in the Carlos Alvarez College of Business is included on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s STEM Designated Degree Program list.
STEM Designated Degree Programs provide several benefits, including:
- High career growth potential and competitive salaries
- Development of transferrable skills such as adaptability, critical thinking, research and analysis
- International students on an F-1 visa are eligible for up to 24 months of Optional Practical Training (OPT)
- Dell Technologies
- H-E-B
- Medtronic
- Northwestern Mutual
- South Alamo Medical Group
- Southwest Research Institute
- USAA
- U.S. Army
- Statistical Methods in Research and Practice
- Quantitative Methods for Business and Economics
- Econometrics I
- Research Methods I
- Applied Econometrics in Marketing and Business Research
- Introduction to Statistical Learning
Frequently Asked Questions
The Master of Science in Business Research (MSBR) is a STEM-designated 30-credit-hour graduate program focused on advanced research design, quantitative methods and analytical skills used in academic, consulting and research-oriented careers. Students develop strengths in research design, statistical methods in research, data analytics and modeling, econometrics or applied statistics, experimental and survey methods and electives in an area such as accounting, economics, finance or marketing. Highlights include evening class format to support busy schedules. You’ll also have access to advising and career resources that help connect your coursework to post-graduation opportunities.
Yes. The Master of Science in Business Research (MSBR) at UT San Antonio is a research-focused, STEM-designated program that helps you build the academic foundation needed for a PhD in business. In this program, you can take courses alongside PhD students, collaborate on faculty-led research projects and develop advanced quantitative and research methods skills. That structure helps you strengthen your research experience, clarify your academic interests and become a more competitive applicant if you plan to apply to a PhD program later. At the same time, this program can also prepare you for research-intensive careers in areas like analytics, consulting and market research, so you can keep both academic and professional pathways open. All 30 SCH count toward a PhD in the Carlos Alvarez College of Business.
In the UT San Antonio Master of Science in Business Research program, you’ll build a strong foundation in both research methodology and quantitative analysis. This program is designed to help you develop skills in research design, statistical modeling and applied business research, with coursework that combines academic rigor and hands-on research experience. As you move through the curriculum, you can expect to learn how to design research studies and surveys, develop effective research questions and choose appropriate methods for different business problems. On the quantitative side, you’ll build skills in probability, hypothesis testing, regression analysis, descriptive statistics and data visualization. The curriculum also includes qualitative research methods such as case studies, ethnography, grounded theory and narrative analysis, plus newer tools like AI/NLP-based text analysis for qualitative data. This mix of methodological and analytical training helps you prepare for PhD-level research and for research-focused careers in analytics, consulting and market research.
With a MS in Business Research from UT San Antonio, you can prepare for research-focused careers in both industry and academia. This program is designed to help you build advanced research and analytical skills that support career paths in analytics, consulting, market research and related business research roles. It also serves as a strong pathway if you want to continue into a PhD program in business. As a student in this program, you’ll strengthen your quantitative and research skills through seminars, faculty collaboration and hands-on projects, which can help you stand out for roles that require strong analysis, problem-solving and evidence-based decision-making. You can also tailor your coursework through electives or a concentration to align with your professional goals. Because this program is research-intensive and STEM-designated, it can help you stay flexible as you prepare for either immediate career opportunities or further doctoral study.
To apply to the UT San Antonio Master of Science in Business Research, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution (or equivalent international degree) and must meet the university’s graduate admission requirements. This program also expects adequate prior coursework (or equivalent preparation) for graduate-level business research, but students from non-business backgrounds are encouraged to apply. A minimum 3.0 GPA is required, but the program may also consider your GPA in your last 60 credit hours; applicants below a 3.0 may still be considered. For your application, the program typically requires transcripts from all colleges/universities attended, a statement of academic interests and goals, two letters of recommendation and a resume or CV. You’ll submit materials through the university’s graduate application system, and international transcripts must be translated to English (if applicable).
The MS in Business Research at UT San Antonio offers concentrations in Accounting, Business Analytics, Economics, Finance, Marketing, Management and Information Technology.
