Online Master's in Data Science

A master’s in data science is a graduate degree that builds on what you learned in your bachelor’s degree program and data science career. The program often attracts data science professionals with several years of experience. It offers data scientists the chance to explore a new direction in the field, build career-specific skills, or prepare for potential leadership opportunities.  

As the data science field expands, businesses may seek experts with the advanced capability to extract knowledge from large data sets in order to gain insights in a wide array of disciplines. In addition, there’s increased demand for professionals with skills in information visualization, data integration, graphic design, and communication. Earning your master’s in data science could be one way to stand out from the competition and gain an edge in your career. 

Pursuing an advanced degree is an investment in your future, and earning a master’s degree in data science from University of the Cumberlands may be worthwhile for several reasons: 

You could prepare for leadership opportunities. Many organizations prefer to hire data science professionals who hold a graduate degree. These career paths may become increasingly complex as businesses rely on data gathering and interpretation to help make major decisions. Earning a master’s could help you prepare for these and other challenges and opportunities in a leadership role.  

You could boost your earnings and job security. Master’s degree-holders earned a median annual salary of nearly $12,475 more than bachelor’s degree-holders in 2021. In addition, those with a master’s degree had an unemployment rate of just 2 percent, compared to 5 percent for the working population as a whole.    

Earning a master’s doesn’t have to put your career on pause. The online master’s in data science at University of the Cumberlands is designed for working adults. You can study in a flexible format, enhance your skillset, and prepare for new professional challenges—all while keeping your current job.  

This degree is a 31-credit hour degree, and each class is worth 3 hours, except for the final project, which is worth 1 hour. Each class is offered in an 8-week term format, and you will be able to take classes at your own pace. If you take 12 hours per semester (2 classes each bi-term), you could be able to finish this degree in as little as 3 semesters! 

You will not need to come to campus for this degree. This degree is offered in a 100% online format, so you can earn your degree without ever coming to campus. 

Earning a master’s degree could be a way to boost your credentials and build new skills – and may even be a requirement for entry level positions in some careers. So, what kinds of careers could you pursue with a master’s in data science? 

• Actuary
• Economist 
• Cartographer 
• Computer and Information Research Scientist 
• Computer Systems Analyst 
• Financial Analyst
• Mathematician or Statistician 
• Medical Records and Health Information Specialist
• Operations Research Analyst
• Survey Researcher 
• And more!

Each course lasts eight weeks, called a bi-term. There are two bi-terms per semester, and three semesters per year (fall, spring, and summer). Classes are asynchronous, meaning there is no set login time; you can work on schoolwork whenever you find time. Cumberlands provides free rental textbooks to online students as part of its One Price Promise.