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Data, management and a career: your gateway to all three

The future belongs to those who can decode data and drive business decisions. Whether you're switching careers or advancing your skills, the route to data mastery starts here. Built for forward-thinking professionals, this program is your gateway to learning both the technical and management sides of data-driven decision-making. One program, three essential opportunities: mastering data analytics, developing management capabilities and accessing multiple career options. Join a diverse group of global professionals and gain the comprehensive skill set employers are seeking—and your path to success.

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Program description

In today’s data-driven world, the collection, analysis and interpretation of data have become essential business functions, influencing nearly every decision-making process. The non-credit Diploma in Data Analytics for Management Science (DAMS) is designed to provide learners with a robust and comprehensive skill set, integrating skills in data analysis with strategic business competencies. This program combines foundational technical knowledge with specialized skills, empowering learners to analyze patterns and trends across diverse data types, lead data-driven projects, present data compellingly and make informed business decisions.

A focus on management science for solving business problems

With a unique focus on management science—using models, statistical analysis and optimization techniques to solve complex business problems and improve decision-making processes—the DAMS program ensures learners not only understand data interpretation, but also how to apply analytical methods to enhance business strategies and operations. Participants in the DAMS program will master the art of identifying and evaluating various data sources, which is crucial for developing innovative and effective business strategies.

Essential data skills for industry leadership

The DAMS curriculum is tailored to meet the ongoing demand for data collection, analysis skills and strategic competencies across multiple industries, ensuring learners are prepared to meet strong labour market demands and lead data-driven initiatives in their respective sectors.

Flexible electives to match your goals

DAMS offers a wide range of elective courses that provides both applied and academic study opportunities, allowing learners to select from essential areas such as finance, marketing, communications, organizational behaviour and management, conflict resolution, creative problem-solving, analytical tools and leadership management concepts. These courses are designed to equip learners with practical strategies and insights, enabling them to navigate and excel in the dynamic and evolving field of data analytics and management science.

Hands-on learning with real-world applications

By emphasizing hands-on learning and real-world applications, participants will engage with real business data collection and business-case scenarios, applying knowledge and skills in practical settings. This experiential learning approach ensures that learners are not only proficient in theoretical concepts but also adept at implementing them in real-world situations and ensuring they will be well-equipped to drive success and innovation in any professional environment.

Program highlights


Credibility
The University of Victoria is one of Canada's leading universities, recognized for preparing students for careers in a wide range of disciplines. Upon successful completion of this program you will receive a diploma.

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Teaching Talent
Our instructors are industry professionals with years of experience. They’re dedicated to helping you develop the knowledge and skills to realize your full potential.

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Networking Opportunities
Collaborate with, learn from and find support in a network of professional colleagues who are as passionate about adult education and lifelong learning as you are.

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Stackable
This program will give you laddering opportunities into other micro-credentials or to non-credit programs.

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Supportive Services
Get access to a range of services and resources before, during and after your time in the program. This includes a new student orientation day, career services, immigration advising, non-academic support and on-campus services.

Program outcomes

Upon completion, learners will be able to:

  1. identify and apply the benefits of management science, data analytics and visualization tools
  2. identify and evaluate data sources for use in management science and data analytic projects
  3. examine how data analytics can reinforce biases in systemic social and economic inequities, and apply an ethical lens for data interpretation and how it is used in decision making
  4. plan, design, and build solutions and solve complex business problems using demonstrated skill sets in data analytics, programming and visualization
  5. complete projects using real datasets from multiple industries, including IT, finance, healthcare, public service, social services, marketing, retail and more
  6. develop skills to enable, communicate, and promote data-driven decision-making across an organization

Who is this program for?

The Diploma in Data Analytics for Management Science is for analytically minded problem-solvers from diverse industries who are eager to blend technical expertise with strategic management skills while building a career. As ethically conscious and culturally aware global citizens and professionals, you thrive in a global environment while developing a future-proof skill set valued by employers and needed for success in today's data-centric business landscape.

If you see yourself reflected in any of the following, this program could be a good match:

Education Level 

  • you hold at least a high school diploma and have two years of professional or academic experience.

 Career Stage 

  • you are a mid-level professional looking to transition into analytics-focused or leadership roles.
  • you are a recent graduate aiming to deepen your analytical and strategic skills.

Professional Background

  • you have a background in diverse industries, including healthcare, public service, IT, retail, finance, marketing, or social services, seeking to upskill in data analytics for decision-making and management roles.

Career Growth and Aspiration 

  • you want to enhance your professional competencies with a future-proof skill set.
  • you are motivated by career advancement and the desire to be competitive in a data-centric job market.
  • you are eager to develop a blend of technical and strategic management skills
  • you aim to move into a leadership role with a focus on data, ethics and meeting the evolving needs of businesses in today’s globalized economy
  • you seek practical, hands-on experience and prefer learning that involves real-world applications, such as working with actual business datasets and engaging with business case scenarios.

Curious and Analytically-Minded 

  • you are a detail-oriented problem-solver with an open mind.
  • you are drawn to solving complex business problems using data and seek methods to optimize operations and improve decision-making processes.

Ethically and Socially Conscious

  • you are a professional who appreciates the ethical implications of data-driven decision-making.
  • you value inclusivity, understanding how data can impact social systems, and aim to promote fair and unbiased data usage in your future roles.

Career options

Some of our learners pursue careers in the following roles:

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Courses and fees

The DAMS program requires the completion of 12 courses in total (seven required courses and a choice of five electives).

Seven (7) required courses

  1. Business Intelligence and Data Analytics Fundamentals (DAMS 301)
  2. Data Analytics Coding Fundamentals (DAMS 302)
  3. Data Ethics and Security (DAMS 303)
  4. Data Storytelling, Visualization and Reporting (DAMS 304)
  5. Advanced Data Visualization and Reporting (DAMS 404)
  6. Data Provisioning, Importing, Extracting, and Manipulation (DAMS 405)
  7. Data Strategy Development (DAMS 410)

Five (5) elective courses

Plus five (5) elective courses, which are thematically aligned in the following clusters. Students must complete at least one course from the "Business management and human resources" elective courses:

Business management and human resources

  1. Business Administration (BMBA 100)
  2. Business Ethics (BMBA 440)
  3. Business Law (BMBA 300)
  4. Change Management (BMBA 380)
  5. Human Resource Management (BMBA 150)
  6. Leadership Skills Development (BMBA 480)
  7. Operations Management (BMBA 260)
  8. Project Management (TECH 110)
  9. Small Business Management (BMBA 290)
  10. Strategic Leadership (BMBA 410)

Advanced analytics

  1. Applied AI (AAA 01)
  2. Final Project in Data Analytics for Management Science (DAMS 490)
  3. LiDAR Fundamentals for Climate Change Risk Analysis (LiDAR 01)
  4. Machine Learning Fundamentals (DAMS 407)
  5. Predictive Data Analytics and Modeling (DAMS 406)

Finance

  1. Economics (BMBA 230)
  2. Finance (BMBA 360)
  3. Financial Accounting (BMBA 140)
  4. Management Accounting (BMBA 220)
  5. Managing in the Digital Economy (BMBA 470)

Marketing and communications

  1. Marketing (BMBA 240)
  2. Marketing Communication (BMBA 330)
  3. Digital Communication (TECH 120)
  4. Social Media Marketing (BMBA 450)
  5. Professional Sales Skills (BMBA 270)

Fees Canadian Students

Fee description Part-time Full-time
Program application fee (non-refundable) $150 $150
Tuition per course $725 per course $8,700
Student services fees N/A $1,604
Textbook costs (estimated) $125 per course $1,500
Total   $11,954

 

Fees International Students

Fee description Part-time Full-time
Full-time program application fee (non-refundable) $300 $300
Non-refundable program deposit (due within 3 weeks of program offer) $3,500 $3,500
Student services fee N/A $1,879
Tuition (includes deposit, if applicable) $885 per course $10,620
Textbook costs (estimated) $125 per course $1,500
Total   $14,299

IMPORTANT NOTE:
Fees listed are an estimate for the full two-year program. Total program fees may vary depending on delivery format, tuition rate, course selections, student services fees, textbooks and taxes. Tuition and fees are subject to annual increases.

Application information

Admission requirements

Applicants for the diploma must be secondary school graduates with at least 2 years professional full-time work experience or have previously completed the equivalent of two years of post-secondary study. Previous experience in data analytics or coding will not be a requirement for entry.

If your first language is not English, you will need to provide evidence of proficiency.

Learners who have completed, or are in-progress within, the existing Business Intelligence and Data Analytics micro-credential program, can ladder into this diploma program, receiving credit for the (up to) three-courses completed for BIDA.

How to apply

It is recommended that all students review the program policies page prior to applying for the program. You will find detailed information about application fees and requirements, course requirements, advanced standings, English Language proficiency and more. If you have any questions about our policies, don’t hesitate to contact our team.

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Application dates

Starting in
September 2025
Availability
Not Currently Accepting
Apply by
Dates TBD
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Starting in
January 2026
Availability
Not Currently Accepting
Apply by
Dates TBD
Contact us for more info