Information Systems Business Analysis Program (with experiential learning capstone) (Postgraduate) (T405)

Program Description

Program Overview

The rapid growth in the deployment of and enhancements to information technology solutions in business settings over the past 10 years has thrust the business analyst/information technology (IT) consultant into an increasingly prominent role throughout many sectors, including government, finance, health care and telecommunications. A crucial role in the software/system development life cycle, the business analyst gathers business requirements from various areas in the organization, and translates them into functional system design specifications that can be successfully executed by IT development teams. The role of the business analyst or information technology consultant is often critical to increasing project success rates.

Full Description

The Information Systems Business Analysis graduate certificate program at George Brown College is designed to meet the urgent need for professionals who can be the key liaison between business and information technology functions within an organization. Further, George Brown is recognized by the International Institute of Business Analysis as an Academic Member, and is proud to prepare graduates to write the Entry Certificate in Business Analysis™.

This intensive program is designed for IT or business professionals who aspire to enter into a business analyst role, or practitioners who wish to enhance their experience with formal education. A deeper level of understanding of the business analyst role will be developed through unique learning techniques and invaluable practical experience. Participants will be engaged and supported by a team of business analyst consultants and faculty in developing critical skills and competencies in the areas of:

  • problem identification
  • documenting and analyzing user requirements
  • process and workflow modelling
  • communication and facilitation
  • project management
  • technical writing
  • leadership and management
  • decision-making

A key characteristic of this program is the applied nature of the curriculum. As a student in this program, you will be immersed in the process of business analysis through case histories of real-world business issues, and are responsible for developing solutions. The uniqueness of this program is in creating a practising business analyst rather than creating someone who knows how to do it. This program creates work-ready graduates who can do, and have done, the business analysis process through applied, hands-on experience.

Delivery

  • This full-time program is delivered in a blended format, combining face-to-face sessions with online delivery.
  • You will generally meet late afternoons, evenings and weekends. This delivery format accommodates those who wish to work while taking this program.

IIBA Academic Membership

Academic Membership in the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) offers colleges and universities that have Business Analyst curriculums and care about advancing the BA profession within their student population the opportunity to participate in IIBA membership and benefit from IIBA’s other products and services. The Academic recognition programs offer the students of business-analyst-related programs the opportunity to receive recognition from the IIBA.

New – Graduates Prepared to Write the IIBA Entry Certification in Business Analysis (TM) Designation (ECBA)

Students who successfully graduate from the program will be prepared to write the IIBA Entry Certification of Business Analysis designation from the International Institute of Business Analysis. This professional designation recognizes the student’s theoretical understanding of the Business Analyst Body of Knowledge (BABOK), as well as the context of business analysis applied across industries.

Learn more about the Entry Certification in Business Analysis (www.iiba.org).

NEW – UI Path Academic Membership

T405 – Information Systems Business Analysis introduces our students to the latest technologies, including Robotics Process Automation (RPA) technologies. To support students, we are proud to announce our membership as part of the UI Path Academic Alliance, providing excellent resources and materials that will enable our learners to succeed with RPA!

Technology Requirements

This program requires students to have access to a personal computer with the following specifications: 

  • 8 GB minimum (16 GB RAM recommended0 
  • 256 GB SSD Hard Drive (500+ GB is optimal) 
  • Quad-core i5/i7 2.4GHz or better 
  • Webcam

Your Field Education Options

In semester 3, students complete a Work Integrated Project, or qualified students are eligible for co-op. Learn more about how to qualify, apply, and important dates for co-op on the Centre for Arts, Design & Information Technology Experiential Learning page.

Career & Postgraduate Study Opportunities

Career Options

According to the Information and Communications Technology Council (2011), “the most rapidly growing information and communication technology (ICT) occupations are those which combine ICT skills with an understanding of business needs.”

  • There are approximately 150,000 business analysts and related professionals in Canada.
  • BA roles have been the fastest-growing ICT employment occupation in Canada from 2000 to 2010, growing approximately 120 per cent in that time.
  • ICTC recognizes “pervasive shortages” for information systems analysts and consultant professionals through and beyond 2016.

Common job titles include:

  • business analyst
  • business systems analyst
  • computer systems analyst
  • informatics consultant
  • information systems business analyst
  • information systems quality assurance analyst
  • Management Information Systems (MIS) analyst

Industry

Industry Feedback

“I wanted to thank you for sending such great candidates to our attention. The top two people interviewed for our IT analyst position were from George Brown.”

Catherine Commins, General Manager, Advanced Chemistry Development, Inc. (ACD/Labs)

“Porter Airlines has utilized George Brown College’s business analyst students within our IT Division for over two years with great success. The Information Systems Business Analysis program’s flexibility in allowing its students to work with industry partners, like Porter Airlines, while learning is invaluable for learners, and for industry. The business analysts come to us well trained, are keen to add value to projects, and blend well in our business environment. This year, we even hired one full-time before he graduated! Thank you!”

Lynda Neil, PMP Manager, Project Management Office, Porter Airlines Inc.

“By having students from the Information Systems Business Analysis program work with us, we were able to ensure quality work was accomplished on a very important project. These students were able to gain significant experience working in the field with a large team, dealing with various employees and stakeholders. Everyone involved was able to walk away having gained important experience and achieved positive results, and we look forward to continuing a relationship with George Brown College.”

Amos Adler, President, MEMOTEXT Inc.

Visit and discover life in our campus

Book campus tour

Get answers to your questions

Book info session

Sign up to receive tailored resources to make your application, your way.

Sign up and learn more about your options, our programs, and life at George Brown.