Canisius University launches sport data analytics program

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Canisius University is launching their new Sport Data Analytics program in the Fall 2025 semester.

The university says the fully online, 12-credit advanced certificate in sport data analytics will prepare students for success in a $4.4 billion global market that is expected to grow by more than 30% each year.

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“The field is evolving quickly, with more than three-quarters of professional sports teams now using real-time analytics to gain a competitive advantage,” says Shawn O’Rourke, Dean of the Division of Business, Communications & Health Studies.  “This program equips professionals to interpret complex data and apply it in ways that directly impact performance, strategy and decision-making.”

The program is designed to be completed in one year or less and offers flexibility for working professionals, recent graduates, and career changers. Students will get hands-on experience with real sports datasets and become comfortable using industry-standard tools like R and Tableau.

“What sets this program apart is its blend of technical rigor and real-world application,” O’Rourke. “We train students to work with the exact types of data, tools and challenges they’ll encounter in the industry, whether in a professional team’s Analytics Department, a sports tech company or a betting firm.”

Applicants must already have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience before applying.

The program complements Canisius’ existing graduate programs in data analytics and business analytics. The university also offers 4+1 degree in mathematics leading to an MS in data analytics and a 4+1 degree in psychology leading to an MS in data analytics.