Online Master of Science in Data Science

Model the future.
Then make it your own.

The digital age has fundamentally changed the way we live. A generation of young people have never lived in a world without internet, and their digital footprint has left a deep impression. Innovations in technology, communications, and social media have ushered in an age of interconnectivity in our society, and that means there’s more information available today than ever before.

The exponential growth of big data means big opportunity for you — and we’re here to help you take advantage. Earn your online master’s in data science from Maryville, and you can maximize your potential in data science. Our program was designed with input from employers and partners that use big data across industries, so you can build proficiency in the most in-demand areas of the modern data science world — then pursue a career in nearly any field.

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Apply with no entrance exams or fees, and choose from 3 start dates.

Explore eligible transfer credit options.

Access 100% online coursework with no campus visits required.

Develop critical, in-demand coding skills in Python, SQL, R, and SAS.

Build proficiencies in machine learning, data mining, big data, and deep learning.

Earn an experience-driven degree and learn from industry leaders.

Why earn your online M.S. in Data Science?

A recent report by IBM Marketing Cloud indicated that 90% of all data in the world had been produced in just the two previous years.* And the rate of data creation continues to grow at an astounding pace: Projections indicate that as early as 2020, 1.7 megabytes of data will be generated every second for everyone on the planet.**

And as business, communication, entertainment, and information go increasingly digital, organizations across all industries will need bold data science leaders to explore the data, manage teams, and create strategies informed by empirical evidence.

When you earn your online master’s degree in data science at Maryville, you get the opportunity to study with a faculty of data science experts as you learn the top skills that employers demand. In our program, you can build your proficiency in areas like coding in R, SQL, Python, and SAS; machine learning; data mining; big data; and deep learning. You also can personalize your educational experience through a variety of elective courses that cover topics like statistics and probability, business, and actuarial science.

Our master’s program doesn’t just help you build these skills. We help you put them to work, so you can become proficient — and then lead your team or organization as the field evolves. By collaborating with employers across industries, we designed a degree that can help you lead in your current career as you prepare for future opportunities in data science.

*IBM Marketing Cloud, “10 Key Marketing Trends for 2017”
**Domo.com, “Data Never Sleeps 6.0”

Not quite ready for a full master’s degree? We’ve got you covered.

We offer two online professional certificate programs related to data science that can give you a more streamlined approach toward earning a graduate-level education.

If you already have your bachelor’s degree, you can earn your professional certificate in big data or machine learning, and you can start building graduate-level understanding in one of these in-demand fields in just five classes (15 credit hours), less than half the time of a full master’s degree. Then, if you decide to continue your education, you can apply all 15 credits toward a future master’s in data science.

Flexible, affordable, and highly personalized.

Study on your schedule. Access 100% online coursework with no campus visits required.

Benefit from streamlined admissions. Apply with no entrance exams or fees, and choose from three start dates.

Personalize your education. Choose from a robust list of electives that support your career goals and interests.

Gain real-world experience. Complete project-based coursework that explores practical challenges and issues.

Learn from leaders in data science. Engage with dedicated faculty, who help connect the curriculum to actual industry scenarios.

Maryville is transfer credit friendly. Explore eligible transfer credit options.

What can you do with a data science degree?

The numbers associated with big data are almost incomprehensible. Each minute, thousands of new accounts are created across social platforms, and thousands of packages are ordered and shipped across the country. Hundreds of thousands of hours of video are streamed. And the number of texts we send, social posts we create, and searches we process reaches into the tens of millions.

Everywhere the internet reaches, we create, share, and store information — exponentially more than any other point in our history. And that means corporations, governments, nonprofits, and other organizations across all fields need experts to help them brave the mountains of data to discover narratives and trends, extract meaningful information, and drive business.

Wherever you want to go in your career, we can help you become the data science authority your organization needs to lead on the digital frontier.

You can work in a variety of settings, including:

Large corporations
Small businesses
Government agencies

Manufacturing firms
Financial companies
Colleges and universities

Insurance agencies
Technology firms
Nonprofit organizations

You can also qualify for in-demand jobs with potential career paths that include:

Data scientist
Senior data analyst
Data engineer

Financial analyst
Business analyst
Computer systems analyst

Pricing analyst
Marketing analyst
Research analyst

Statistician/mathematician
Statistical data analyst
Operations research analyst

What’s the market outlook
for M.S. in Data Science graduates?

Data experts are highly valued.

While you can start your career in data science with a bachelor’s degree, many top positions require more experience or education. With your master’s in data science, you can prepare to take advantage of growing opportunities in this lucrative field. In fact, Glassdoor named data scientist the best job in America, according to its 2018 rankings.

And according to a recent report by IBM and Burning Glass Technologies, the average data science career comes with a salary of about $105,000, with jobs related to machine learning pulling in $114,000.* The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics lists median salaries approaching and exceeding those numbers for careers like computer systems analyst ($88,270), mathematician/statistician ($84,760), and computer/information research scientist ($114,520).**

Data scientists are in demand.

Businesses and organizations of all types are searching for data science leaders to help increase efficiency, reduce costs, evaluate investments, and enhance operations.

That’s why the BLS projects higher-than-average growth for jobs like mathematician/statistician (33%), operations research analysts (27%), computer and information research scientists (19%), and management analysts (14%).**

And the demand for experts in this field outweighs the supply. By 2020, projections indicate that there will be more than 2.7 million data science and analysis jobs in the U.S., and much of this demand comes from lucrative sectors like finance, insurance, professional services, and IT. Moreover, data science jobs remain open an average of five days longer than the average job listing, indicating a shortage of qualified candidates to fill the positions.**

Leadership skills mean business.

Data scientists and advanced analysis are among the country’s fastest-growing roles — and among those most challenging to fill. Employers are willing to pay a premium (approximately $8,736 above median bachelor’s and graduate-level salaries) for professionals with expertise in these areas.**

Employers often look for candidates to have advanced knowledge in areas like data science, machine learning, deep learning, and big data analytics. When you earn your master’s in data science, you can develop your proficiency in the skills that drive the job market. You can also enhance your resume with coursework that covers coding in Python and SQL, data visualization, and predictive analysis. That way, you can do more than help improve your organization with data analysis. You can lead in it.

*Based on data compiled by IBM/Burning Glass Technologies/Business-Higher Education Forum in the report “The Quant Crunch: How the Demand for Data Science Skills Is Disrupting the Job Market”
**Based on salary data compiled by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Why choose Maryville University’s online data science degree?

Enhance your data science career skills today and prepare for leadership and advancement tomorrow through Maryville University’s dynamic, outcomes-focused online master’s in data science. Prepare to push your team forward, drive strategy, pursue promotion, and lead your organization with advanced data science skills and techniques.

Choose Maryville, and you’ll learn by doing. We built our program with input from top employers who utilize data science across industries, so our curriculum focuses on the most in-demand skills in the modern data science toolbox, like computer programming in a variety of languages, machine learning, predictive modeling, and big data analytics. And you’ll learn from a faculty of top practitioners and experienced data scientists who can help you bridge the gap between theoretical and practical application. What you learn in the classroom can have a clear connection with what you do in your career.

You’ll also have the opportunity to:

Select electives that support your unique goals and interests.
Build your advanced skill set as a data analyst through project-based learning.
Gain practical knowledge through an optional field experience.
Benefit from a dedicated student support advisor from application through graduation.

Additionally, you’ll access your coursework through our innovative, easy-to-use online learning platform, with technical support available 24/7. As you build your skills in data analysis, you can easily connect with classmates, colleagues, and professors at your convenience through intuitive systems.

Maryville University was founded in 1872 and has been dedicated to providing accessible, top-quality education ever since. We have a demonstrated history of service to and care for our students, and we judge our success by yours. Ninety percent of our full-time faculty hold a PhD or the highest degree in their field. We’re proud of our reputation for quality academics and affordability, because it demonstrates our devotion to meeting the highest possible standards in data science education.

We’re continually recognized for excellence:

Maryville University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission

Connect to industry-leading
experts in data science.

Guangwei Fan, Director of the Actuarial Science, Data Science and Mathematics/Professor of Mathematics and Actuarial Science

Meet Guangwei Fan.

Guangwei Fan is an industry-leading scholar, published author, and passionate educator. With nearly 30 years of experience as an academic leader, Professor Fan has helped many of Maryville’s graduates find work in their desired field. Now he can help you do the same.

Professor of Mathematics, Actuarial Science, and Data Science

PhD
Master of Science
Bachelor of Science

In his research, Professor Fan has investigated ways to expand how data scientists communicate with teams. He also looks for ways to expand how mathematicians function in organizations around the world. He brings this same sensibility into his courses, helping students build relevant career skills through coursework and projects. With his help, you can better analyze information and communicate your findings in a wide range of business settings.

With so much opportunity for graduates in the job market, it’s Professor Fan’s goal to prepare you to thrive in data science at a time when the field is rapidly growing and changing. That starts by connecting you to Maryville’s extensive network of resources, including:

Actively employed alumni
Data science faculty mentors
Data Science Club
Data Science Career Fair
Industry partners (including MetLife, Edward Jones, and Wells Fargo)

Online Master’s in Data Science Curriculum

At Maryville, we believe that hands-on experience helps you see the practical application of your work. That’s why we built our 36 credit hour program with input from a variety of employers and influencers in the data science industry. When you earn your online master’s in data science here, you learn from an experiential, forward-facing, relevant curriculum designed to give you high-level proficiency in the most in-demand skills to thrive in the modern industry.

Required Data Science Core: Expand your fundamental and high-level data science knowledge with advanced coursework in high-demand areas like computer programming in R, Python, SAS, and SQL; machine learning; big data analytics; forecasting principles; and deep learning. Then, combine what you’ve learned with an experiential capstone project.

Data Science Electives: Where do you see your data science career taking you? Expand your data science toolbox with a list of exciting electives that can help you meet your professional and personal aspirations. Choose from subjects like statistical modeling, probability, financial mathematics, and actuarial science.

Get a head start on your online data science degree.

Want to finish your online master’s in data science more quickly? If you’re a current Maryville undergraduate student, we’ve got you covered.

Early Access

If you have a GPA of 3.6 or better and you’ve completed 60 credit hours or more, with at least 30 at Maryville, you may be eligible to get a head start on your M.S. in Data Science through Early Access.

During the last leg of your undergraduate degree, Early Access allows you to earn up to 12 credits toward your master’s degree. Then, you can complete the 24 credits required for your master’s degree in just one year.

To learn more about Early Access, or to find out if you’re eligible, contact your academic advisor.

Learn more about the online master’s in data science at Maryville University.

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Master of Science in Data Science