Overview

Understanding how to access and utilize corporate information is crucial in today's data-driven business environment. 

This program will provide practical, hands-on experience using Microsoft SQL Server, one of the industry's leading relational database management systems. You'll become adept in writing SQL queries, managing databases, and understanding data structures. You'll have the knowledge and skills to make data-driven decisions that can contribute to business success. 

You'll learn:

  • to query, administer and maintain databases through tasks such as database backup and recovery, security management and optimization for performance
  • data analysis proficiency and how to extract valuable insights from data, perform data cleansing and transformation, and apply statistical and analytical techniques
  • industry-standard data management best practices and techniques
  • how to design and maintain databases and business intelligence software that align with industry standards, ensuring data accuracy, security and reliability
  • the essential skills and experience to complete the relevant Microsoft certifications related to business intelligence, like Microsoft Power BI, making you even more competitive in the job market
  • to bridge the gap between theory and practice by applying your skills in real-world business scenarios.

As a graduate, you can pursue various career opportunities, including database administrator, business analyst or data analyst roles or business intelligence consultant. The skills you acquire will be valuable in multiple industries and organizations. 

Due to the tight integration of the courses in the Business Intelligence Data Analysis and Reporting program, credit for prior learning is not available.

Those working in the business intelligence and data analysis field tend to be innovative, methodical and directive. 

You need:

  • to learn quickly, think logically and study information 
  • to build abstract structures that represent complex relationships 
  • to focus on details without losing sight of the whole 
  • an awareness of legal, policy and privacy restrictions 
  • speaking, listening and writing skills 
  • to work well in a team 
  • an active interest in keeping up with changes in technology. 

The ideal candidate for the Business Intelligence program has: 

  • previous post-secondary education in business or technology 
  • a technical aptitude and a desire to combine their business and technology skills to assist businesses through technology solutions 
  • experience with relational databases, computer programming or operating systems (for example, Linux/Unix, Windows). 

To do well in this field, you should enjoy working with a variety of people in a team setting and solving problems. 

In your second semester, you'll participate in a practicum placement with an employer where you'll apply the skills and knowledge you've learned in an industry environment. 

This program, offered in conjunction with the Microsoft IT Academy initiative, is delivered using Microsoft Official Curriculum for many courses. 

With additional relevant work experience and exam preparation, you'll be prepared to challenge and complete appropriate Microsoft Certifications. 

Upon successful completion of this program, you'll receive a SAIT Business Intelligence: Data Analysis and Reporting certificate.

Download program info

Careers and opportunities

Each year, SAIT conducts a survey between February and April to determine the employment rate, salary and satisfaction of our newest SAIT alumni. 

people icon 87% graduate employment rate

salary icon $70,000 average starting salary

Find out more about our graduate employment statistics >

Our graduates may work in the following occupations. Some careers require additional experience and education.

Associated National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes: 21223, 21221, 11201, 21211, 41402.

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Career counselling and support

Unsure which career path is for you? SAIT offers career planning services to help you decide your future.

You can also get started by taking our online career finder quiz, which can help you narrow down your search based on your current skills and interests.

Finally, you can also head to Alberta alis for various tools and resources, including additional quizzes and labour market information to help you narrow down a career path.

Courses

The Business Intelligence Data Analysis and Reporting requires 19.5 credits (nine courses) to complete.

The program spans 24 weeks, with one semester of study and a second semester practicum placement.

View classes by semester

Course Credits

This course introduces the student to the principles of Developing, Administering and Querying a SQL Server Database. Students will learn to administer a SQL Server from installation, through to back-ups, performance monitoring, and the foundations of developing databases. As students' progress through this course, they will learn and use T-SQL language elements and gain the ability to use SQL Management Studio tools to query and maintain a SQL environment. Students will use Microsoft Azure Data Services to explore relational data in a Cloud environment.

3

This course prepares students to capture the business and technical requirements for a Business Intelligence solution with an emphasis on assessment and development of a Business Intelligence project lifecycle. Students will also learn how to create, manage and maintain databases and database elements such as triggers, views, stored procedures, views and tables. Students will examine Cloud-based data services related to data storage, provisioning, processing, and consumption.

1.5

This course will introduce students to Designing and Developing the Extract, Transform and Load processes. Students will implement control flow, data flow, and logging as they create and debug Integration Services packages to enable the ETL process. Students will then deploy these Integration Services packages. Working with SQL Server Integration Studio (SSIS), students will plan data transfer and staging solutions for ETL operations. These packages will require the student to implement error handling, optimization and reliability as they work towards deployment and operation of an SSIS solution. Students will explore data ingestion, preparation, and quality management, while building solutions that use a variety of data discovery control methods. Students will also build skills in the implementation of an Azure Data Solution.

1.5

This course introduces students to designing, developing and deploying Business Intelligence applications. Students will complete reporting and analytical interfaces, which are optimized for execution performance. Using reporting services, students will create and manipulate data sets and look for opportunities to enhance reports to business functional areas.

1.5

In this course, students will plan, design, implement and optimize the infrastructure for an OLAP (Online Analytical Processing) solution. Students will create the logical design and physical storage for multidimensional solutions. Students will implement KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) and associated actions, stored procedures and data sets. As students deploy, manage and maintain an Analysis Services Solution, they will implement data mining solutions. Students will work with SQL Analysis Services to create Multidimensional Analysis Solutions, work with Measures and Measure Groups and execute queries against Multidimensional Analysis Solutions. By customizing cube functionality as they deploy and secure an Analysis Services Database, students will look at Data Mining activities. Students will design for various data platforms such as on-premise, cloud, and hybrid. They will also learn about data scenarios involving relational data, NoSQL, and Data Warehouse Architectures.

1.5

This course is an introduction to the role of business analysis in a business development lifecycle. Students will learn the business intelligence lifecycle, the role of corporate performance management, business intelligence value within various business functional groups (i.e. finance, supply change management), and business requirements gathering for corporate performance management methodologies. Students will gain familiarity with several strategic design methodologies and the role data plays in their success (SWOT, PESTLE, PEST, Five Forces, etc). The use of Balanced Scorecards and data-driven business processes will also be examined in the context of building data-literate organizations.

1.5

This course introduces students to the principles of creating and using performance management tools and methods in organizations.  Students will learn how to design and create compelling performance management applications such as scorecards, dashboards, and reports that are used for decision making at all levels of an organization.

3

This is a practicum conducted off campus at a participating corporation or business. It provides learners with a realistic taste of what it is like to work in the technology industry. Learners are involved in all steps of the practicum process.

3

This course will thread throughout the program and learners will incorporate all the elements of the program into a final project based on a business intelligence case study.

3

Progression

You must attain a PGPA and/or a CGPA of 2.0 or better each semester and pass the prerequisite courses to progress through the program.

To qualify for graduation, you must pass all courses, attain a CGPA of 2.0 or better and complete course requirements within the prescribed timelines.

Review our grading and progression procedure > 

Admission requirements

Applicants educated in Canada

Applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency and completion of the following courses or equivalents:

  • at least 60% in English Language Arts 30-1 or 30-2, and
  • at least two years of post-secondary education from a recognized university, institute or college.

SAIT accepts high school course equivalents for admission for applicants educated outside Alberta.

All applicants who were educated outside of Canada must demonstrate English language proficiency and provide proof they meet the program admission requirements with an international document assessment. Find accepted educational documents and assessment options

SAIT may also accept courses completed at certain international post-secondary institutions.

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Academic Upgrading

Missing an admission requirement for this program? Upgrade your prior education to help you receive admission into one of SAIT's career programs.

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English language proficiency

All applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency prior to admission, including students educated in Canada.

Transfer agreements

At SAIT, we evaluate post-secondary credit you have previously earned and apply it to your SAIT credential. Explore our formal transfer agreements available for this program.

We can evaluate your prior education, even if we don't have a formal agreement in place.

Submit a transfer credit application

There are no formal transfer agreements currently in place for this program.

Transfer options for graduates

Build on the knowledge you’ve learned at SAIT. The opportunity to advance your education at an accredited post-secondary institution may be available.

🔗 Visit Transfer Alberta search tool for all transfer agreements in Alberta (including UCalgary, MRU and BVC).

If there are transfer agreements with other institutions outside of Alberta, nationally or internationally, they will be listed below.

Available intakes

Winter 2025

Start dates:

Domestic students: Open
  • Application deadline: Oct. 25, 2024
International students: Closed
  • Application deadline: Sept. 30, 2024

Spring 2025

Start dates:

Domestic students: Open
  • Application deadline: April 30, 2025
International students: Open
  • Application deadline: March 28, 2025

Fall 2025

Start dates:

Domestic students: Open
  • Application deadline: June 30, 2025

Costs

2024/25 tuition and fees

The following estimated costs are effective as of July 1, 2024.

Domestic students

The estimated total cost of tuition and fees for domestic students is based on the recommended course load per year.
Year Number of semesters Tuition fees Additional fees Total per year
1 1.5 $11,115 $1,211 $12,326
Total cost:
$12,326

Year Number of semesters Tuition fees Additional fees Total per year
1 1.5 $17,472 $1,211 $18,683
Total cost:
$18,683

Textbooks and virtual lab access will be provided at no additional cost.

This is a bring-your-own-device program with a power-user hardware and software requirement. See the specific requirements on our computers and laptops page.

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Financial aid

Paying for your education may feel overwhelming, but we have resources and programs that can help, including information about payment options, student loans, grants and scholarships.

Application process

Ready to apply?

Follow our step-by-step guide to submitting a successful application.

Learn how to apply

Communication during admission

Email is the primary source of communication during the selection process. Ensure your personal email account is managed appropriately to receive our emails, files and communications. We recommend you add the sadt.advising@sait.ca domain to your safe senders' list or you risk missing critical email messages.

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Begin your application

Apply now using the online application portal. 

Ensure you have a valid Visa or Mastercard to pay the non-refundable application fee of $120 for domestic applicants or $175 for international applicants. 

Information sessions

Prepare for a strong start in your chosen program or get the details you need to decide your future path.

Our expert staff and faculty are ready to answer your questions and provide information about the following:

  • What sets SAIT apart
  • An introduction to the program and area of study
  • Admission requirements
  • Future career paths
  • Information on the earning potential and graduate employment rates.

Contact us

School for Advanced Digital Technology Advising

Phone
403.284.8543
Email
sadt.advising@sait.ca

International Student Advising

Phone
403.284.8852
Email
international@sait.ca
a view of the moutains and stream in between

Oki, Âba wathtech, Danit'ada, Tawnshi, Hello.

SAIT is located on the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of Treaty 7 which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut’ina and the Îyârhe Nakoda of Bearspaw, Chiniki and Goodstoney.

We are situated in an area the Blackfoot tribes traditionally called Moh’kinsstis, where the Bow River meets the Elbow River. We now call it the city of Calgary, which is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta.