Data Science Graduate Programs in America

Data science is one of the hottest career paths in tech. It's a dynamic field that draws on multiple disciplines, including data analysis, machine learning, and graphic data visualization.

If you don't know what those words mean yet, don't worry — a good data science education will cover all of them.

In a data science grad program, you'll learn how to collect, manipulate, and analyze data using complex computer algorithms. You'll learn how to create those algorithms using popular programming languages like Python. Most importantly, you'll learn how these solutions relate to real-world business challenges.

Data is the driving force behind today's most important business insights. Companies need advanced-level professionals to turn that data into predictions and recommendations for future actions. That's what you'll learn to do as a data scientist.

While you don't need a master's degree to land a data science job, having one will help you advance faster and land higher-level positions. Employers appreciate the depth and breadth of knowledge that only a graduate program can provide.

Graduate programs are the best way to develop a strong core of data science knowledge while also grounding yourself in the latest methods. Data science is a dynamic and ever-changing field. As a grad student, you'll learn cutting-edge data methods that power the field's most exciting developments.

You'll need to be a college graduate to enroll in a master's in data science grad program. Some colleges offer data science majors, but it's not necessary. Most grad schools will consider you qualified with an undergraduate degree in computer science or another science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) field.

If your degree is in another field, like English or history, that's okay! You can still earn a spot in a data science grad program. You will have to complete prerequisite courses before you enroll.

Take classes in statistics, linear algebra, and programming. Python and SQL are good programming languages to learn if you plan to be a data scientist. They're must-have skills in the field.

Once accepted into a data science grad program, you'll spend one to two years getting your degree. Program length varies among graduate programs and depends on how quickly you complete the required coursework.

Data science grad programs combine technical skill development and theory. A typical curriculum will include computer science, data manipulation, math, and business courses. As you progress through the curriculum, you'll learn how these skills intersect and apply to real-world problems.

Some graduate programs let you specialize in specific data science disciplines. Common specializations include:

• Data Analytics
• Data Engineering
• Business Analytics/Business Intelligence
• Machine Learning Engineering
• Data Mining and Statistical Analysis

Specializing lets you develop advanced skills in a particular area — skills another candidate is less likely to have. As the field of data science evolves, more companies are likely to need those specialized skills, and you come out ahead.

Whether you choose a specialized or non-specialized program, a master's of data science program will open the door to some of today's hottest career fields.

Data scientists work in a range of industries, from healthcare to retail. You could be a data scientist, data engineer, data analytics manager — or something else entirely.

There are dozens of possibilities. A data science grad program is just the first step. At Niche, we can help you select the right graduate program in data science for you.