Online Master's in Data Science
What is an online data science degree?
Find opportunities for a diverse field of careers in engineering, statistics, and business with a degree in data science. Working as a data scientist can be intellectually challenging, analytically satisfying, and put you at the forefront of new advances in technology. Data scientists have become more common and in demand, as big data continues to be increasingly important to the way organizations make decisions.
In a data science degree program, you’ll learn how to collect and manage data responsibly and ultimately use it to make informed decisions. This degree program is an interdisciplinary field of study that incorporates computer science, statistics, mathematics, business, and social sciences. During your study, you may work in teams or independently to analyze data and solve complex problems.
Demand for skilled data scientists is growing — the World Economic Forum Future of Jobs 2020 report listed this career as number one in terms of increasing demand. And hiring data professionals is a top priority across a range of industries, including technology, financial services, health care, information technology, and energy.
According to the Robert Half Salary Guide, data scientists in the US make an average of $135,000 depending on skills and experience. That means the energy you invest now in a degree could pay off later with an in-demand, well-paying career.
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Why get an online data science degree?
Careers as data scientists consistently rank among the top jobs in America. Glassdoor ranks data scientists as the third best job in America in their 2022 50 Best Jobs in America report. The job ranks high on best jobs lists because data scientists tend to command high salaries while experiencing high levels of job satisfaction. If you are thinking about becoming a data scientist, you could be setting yourself up for a satisfying career.
Earn your degree from a top university.
Earn your online data science degree from leading universities around the globe without having to relocate or commute. You can change your entire career trajectory from your couch, all at your own pace.
Build in-demand skills.
Develop technical skills that employers are hiring for, including statistical analysis, machine learning, data visualization, and popular programming languages like Python, R, and SQL.
Join a fast-growing field.
The future is bright for aspiring data science professionals. In 2020, IBM predicted there would be 2.7 million open jobs across data science and related careers and 39 percent growth in employer demand for data scientists and data engineers.
Make the world a better place.
Data scientists have been behind high-impact projects around the globe ranging from more efficient contact tracing of COVID-19 to improved placing of refugees in neighborhoods where they’re most likely to find jobs.
What do data science students have to say?
Hear from current students and graduates who've studied at top universities on Coursera about what it's like to earn your data science degree online.
"Applying my knowledge to something meaningful based on real-life scenarios is important to me. It helps me maintain a level of curiosity that drives my passion."
— Stacy B.
Master of Applied Data Science
"The big draw of this program was that it was an online program for students with diverse educational backgrounds. I am amazed at how much I have been able to learn in such a short amount of time."
— Jenna M.
Master of Applied Data Science
"I really love how innovative and engaging I’ve felt the content has been so far. It really is like no other education I’ve had before."
— Ani M.
Master of Applied Data Science
Types of data science degrees
For many, a bachelor’s degree in data science or a related field can help you gain leverage as an applicant. From these programs, you’ll learn how to analyze data, and use numbers, systems, and tools to solve problems.
As of 2020, 94 percent of data scientists hold a master's or PhD, according to a survey from Burtch Works Executive Recruiting. If you want to be a competitive candidate in this field, then earning a master’s degree in data science could be an advantage. In a data science master’s degree program, you'll dive deeper into your understanding of statistics, machine learning, algorithms, modeling, and forecasting, and potentially conduct your own research on a topic you care about.
Depending on the school and online degree program, you may take coursework in the following:
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Frequently Asked Questions About Data Science Degrees
A data science master's degree is relatively new an graduate program that combines core concepts from mathematics, computer science, statistics, and information science to leverage insights and help data scientists improve operational and business processes. A data science master's is best positioned for someone who is interested in furthering their data science career, or interested in building or expanding skills in machine learning, cluster analysis, databases, data visualization, statistics, data mining and more.
Coursera's Data Scientist Allie says: "I took on an entry-level role that had flexibility in the job description. I was not expected to be a data expert, by any means. But with the flexibility, there were tasks that really piqued my interest. From there, I could move from operations analytics to other functions."
You can learn data science anytime and anywhere in the world – All you need is an internet connection.
For students that go through data science degree courses on Coursera that are accredited by our university partners, all of the content is created by university faculty members who are subject matter experts. Your degree will be conferred and accredited by the universities themselves.
Which you choose is largely a matter of preference. If you’re mathematically minded and enjoy the technical aspects of coding and modeling, a data science degree could be a good fit. On the other hand, if you love working with numbers, communicating your insights, and influencing business decisions, consider a degree in data analytics. Whether you study data science or data analytics, you’ll be building skills for an in-demand, high-paying career.
