Getting A Master’s in Data Analytics: What You Need to Know

A master’s in data analytics prepares degree holders for a career within the field of data analytics, whether they're an established professional or someone looking to start a new career. As a result, a Master's of Science (MS) in Data Analytics program can cover introductory to advanced courses, providing an opportunity for course takers to learn new skills or deepen old ones.

In this article, you’ll learn more about master’s degrees in data analytics, whether you should consider pursuing one, and the different types of degrees available to you. At the end, you’ll also find suggested courses to help you get started today. 

Overview: Master’s Degree in Data Analytics

A master's degree in data analytics is typically designed either for individuals who are looking to enter the field through a career shift or who want to advance their current career by attaining a higher educational qualification. In effect, a master's degree in data analytics can either supplement undergraduate work in the field or provide groundwork for a career shift to those who have studied another discipline.

Here's what you need to know about a master's in data analytics, how it compares to similar degrees, and what you can expect from it:

Master’s vs. bachelor’s degree in data analytics 

A master’s degree shares many similarities with a bachelor’s degree in data analytics. But, there are some key differences that degree seekers should keep in mind.

Generally, both a master’s degree and a bachelor’s degree in data analytics will cover much of the same material, such as data analysis, computer science, and statistics. However, some master's programs may cover these topics in greater depth than what you would encounter in an undergraduate course of study.

But, while the programs might cover much of the same material, they usually do so within very different timelines. For example, while a bachelor's degree usually takes four or more years to complete, a master's degree can take just one to two years to complete depending on the program, your course load, and whether you're full- or part-time student. In order to enroll in a master's program, though, you'll already need to have a bachelor's degree.

Curriculum

The exact curriculum that you’ll follow as a graduate student in data analytics will vary from program to program, but you can expect to take courses in such common topics as data analysis,  statistics, computer science, and machine learning.  

To help you better understand what you can expect from a master’s program, here is the curriculum for Oregon State University’s Master of Science in Data Analytics program [1]:

• 45-credits worth of courses on topics such as computer science, statistics, and statistics electives. Required courses include:

  • Foundations of Data Analytics

  • Data Analytics

  • Data Analytics II

  • Multivariate Analytics

  • Time Series Analytics

  • Capstone Project

  • Programming and Data Structures

  • Data Science Tools and Programming

  • Applied Machine Learning

  • Plus 12 credits of electives

• Oral examination in which the master’s student defends their capstone project.

Is a Master’s in Data Analytics worth it? 

Depending on your own goals, resources, and background, an MS in data analytics could be well worth the effort. Or, it could be an unnecessary detour that isn't needed get to where you want to be. Typically, a master’s is well-suited to individuals who don’t already possess a bachelor’s degree in data analytics or who wish to continue studying data analytics from an academic perspective. Individuals who previously received a bachelor’s degree in a related field like statistics or computer science, might consider obtaining a master’s in data analytics in order to gain a deeper understanding of the field and to market their skill set to potential employers. 

According to research conducted by Career One Stop, the percentages of data scientists with a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree are as follows [2]:

• Bachelor’s degree – 37%

• Master’s degree – 35% 

• Doctoral or professional degree – 14%

This educational breakdown suggests that a bachelor’s degree could be sufficient for job seekers to land a role. However, a master’s could positively highlight your skills and abilities to employers, making you a more competitive applicant overall. In some cases, an employer may even explicitly require a master’s degree for senior positions. 

Read more: What Degree Do I Need to Become a Data Analyst?

Master’s in data analytics salary 

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the higher a degree someone holds, the more they’re likely to earn. In their “Education Pays, 2021” study, for instance, the BLS breaks down the median weekly pay for various degrees as follows [3]: 

While this research is not specifically focused on master’s degrees in data analytics or a related profession, it does suggest that a graduate degree could have a positive impact on your earning potential.

Data analytics jobs

There are a variety of jobs that a degree in data analytics can prepare you for. While some of these jobs can be attained with a data analytics bachelor’s degree, more senior roles may require an advanced degree, such as a master’s degree. 

Here are some of the positions you might consider pursuing with a master’s in data analytics: 

• Data analyst 

• Business analyst 

• Data scientist 

• Statistician 

• Business systems analyst

• Business intelligence analyst

Masters in data analytics program comparisons

Just as there are numerous reasons that you might pursue a master’s degree in data analytics, so too are there a wide range of different types of master's degrees that you can pursue. If you’re considering a future as a graduate student, then you’ll want to consider these three types of programs before applying: 

In-person master’s degree in data analytics 

An in-person master’s degree is a program in which you attend classes alongside your peers in a real-world classroom. As a result, this option provides a more traditional college experience, which includes more face-to-face time with your peers and instructors, often allowing you to have more direct guidance and networking opportunities. However, in-person degrees often cost more and are more rigidly structured than other program types. 

Master’s in data analytics online

Online master’s programs are becoming increasingly popular due to the flexibility they provide course takers and their often lower cost of attendance. While some programs may follow traditional application timelines, others might have more relaxed admissions requirements that allow applicants to apply on a rolling basis. However, while these programs usually provide more flexible schedules and cost less, there may be less opportunity for networking and mentorship than more traditional options. 

Hybrid programs 

A hybrid graduate program pairs elements of in-person and online programs to provide a greater degree of flexibility in completing course material while also allowing for more networking opportunities. Depending on your circumstances and personal objectives, a program of this nature could either offer the best of both worlds or be a more compromised version of your ideal program that doesn’t fit your needs.  

Learn more about data analytics 

To master data analytics, you need to learn all you can. If you're considering a career in data analytics, you might consider taking an online specialization through Coursera. 

The University of Michigan’s Data Analytics in the Public Sector with R Specialization equips course takers with fundamental technical skills using the R programming language to gather, manipulate, analyze, visualize, and interpret data to inform public policy and public administrative functions.

Macquarie University's Excel Skills for Data Analytics and Visualization Specialization, meanwhile, teaches course takers how to bring data to life using advanced Excel functions, creative visualizations, and powerful automation features.