Master of Science in Data Analytics OnlineMaster of Science in Data Analytics OnlineMaster of Science in Data Analytics Online

Data tells a story. What will yours be?

Start a new chapter in your career with an online master’s degree in data analytics from Maryville University. Grow your skills in computer science, statistics, data mining, data modeling, business intelligence, dashboards, and visualization to become an in-demand professional capable of helping organizations make strategic decisions based on deep knowledge and understanding.

Top career skills you can develop:

  • SQL, Python, R
  • Data collection
  • Dashboard
  • Business intelligence
  • Analytics
  • Data modeling

View our program guide for more information.

Get Curriculum Details

Develop critical, in-demand skills in leading technologies like R, Python, PowerBI, and more

No GMAT, GRE, or application fee

Nine courses, plus a capstone, for 30 credit hours total

Complete 100% online and choose from 6 start times per year

Why Earn Your Online Master’s in Data Analytics?

If you have a mind for business and a knack for numbers, an online master’s in data analytics may be for you. Data analytics professionals harness the power of big data, data collection, and data modeling to transform business intelligence into actionable insights that can help companies create opportunities and competitive advantages. More and more, data analytics professionals are the go-to problem solvers for top management, providing the key information decision-makers need to optimize efficiency, reduce costs, predict trends, and increase profits.

Data analytics professionals are in high demand. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts the employment of management analysts and operations research analysts, two of the most popular careers in data analytics, to grow by 11% and 25%, respectively, from 2019 to 2029.

What Can You Do with an Online Data Analytics Master’s Degree?

Earning your master’s in data analytics online can qualify you for a wide range of careers in which you can play a crucial role in an organization’s success. Data analytics professionals’ primary job is to transform business intelligence into business insights that allow their organizations to:

  • Identify new markets
  • Improve the customer experience
  • Optimize business intelligence strategies and processes
  • Competitively price products and services
  • Forecast sales and market trends

Data analytics professionals who possess a master’s degree are often more likely to advance to senior-level positions with higher annual salaries. Based on salary information from PayScale, data analytics professionals with a master’s degree could earn some $15,000 more than those with a bachelor’s degree.

Top Careers in Data Analytics

Earn your online master’s degree in data analytics from Maryville, and you can begin or prepare to advance your career as a:

In settings such as:

  • Business and finance
  • Energy
  • Government and defense
  • Healthcare
  • Manufacturing
  • Marketing
  • Travel and transportation

Find out more about careers in data analytics.

What is the Median Data Analytics Salary?

Your online master’s in data analytics can qualify you to pursue careers with median annual salaries such as these:

Operations Research Analyst

$86,200*

Financial Analyst

$83,600*

Logistician

$76,270*

Market Research Analyst

$65,810*

Management Analyst

$87,660*

Big Data Engineer

$90,000**

*BLS, May 2020; **PayScale, August 2021

What Is the Job Outlook for Data Analytics Graduates?

Pursuing your online master’s in data analytics can position you for new opportunities in a world dominated by big data collection and data modeling. Grand View Research predicts a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 26% through 2028 for the analytics technology and solutions market, as well as global advanced analytics revenue of $75 billion in 2028. Other promising predictions, according to the International Data Corporation, include:

  • Annual data created worldwide will skyrocket to 175 zettabytes (a billion terabytes) by 2025.
  • Top industries investing in business data analytics include banking, discrete manufacturing, professional services, process manufacturing, and federal/central government.
  • Industries showing the fastest data analytics investment growth are securities and investment services (15.3% CAGR) and retail (15.2% CAGR).
  • Strong growth will enable the retail industry to move into the top five industries investing in data analytics in 2022.

Our online master’s in data analytics program, which is part of the John E. Simon School of Business, prepares you for a career on the leading edge of data science. Led by an accomplished faculty who teach using real-world examples from up-to-the-minute business headlines, the online MS in Data Analytics provides an opportunity for current practitioners and career changers to obtain graduate-level credentials with a top-quality online business degree.

Student-centered learning you can apply now.

Gain practical knowledge that can be used immediately in your workplace today.

Learn how to combine operational data with analytical tools.

Be able to present complex information in ways that nontechnical stakeholders can easily understand.

Become a valued contributor who can deliver high-quality analytics on time, every time.

Why Maryville?

We’re distinguished by our dedication to your success

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Beth Cudney, program coordinator and associate professor of data analytics, has been teaching in higher education for more than 20 years. She also has industry experience at companies including Jacobs Vehicle Systems and Dana Corporation (Spicer Axle Division), and she is a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt.

We asked Beth to share her thoughts on the master’s in data analytics program. Here are her responses:

  • Many individuals are moving into the data analytics field without fully understanding the basics of data analytics, its practical applications, and the knowledge of what the data means. For example, you can create beautiful visualizations, but if you cannot properly interpret what the various statistical measures mean or understand why a specific analysis is more appropriate than other statistics, then incorrect conclusions are drawn, which can hurt businesses. While we are focusing on new trends, we are ensuring that the core foundations are not lost.

    Data analytics use in organizations is growing. Organizations are ramping up business value by integrating data and analytics throughout the company, making it the responsibility of all departments and employees. The data analytics department is now leading training to get everyone up to speed. This points to the need for data analysts to have a strong foundation in statistics and communication.

    In addition, we are focusing on how we can help organizations accelerate change with respect to data and analytics. Big data has been around for some time; therefore, we really have to focus on efficiently integrating diverse data sources. This means handling messy data from multiple sources that must be cleaned prior to integration while also focusing on developing agile data warehouses.

  • Always think about your audience. You will be presenting data and making recommendations to all levels of the organization, so you have to know who your audience is. You will need to effectively communicate your analysis and recommendations in a variety of contexts and modes.

    Understand how your analysis is linked to the key performance indicators (KPIs) of your organization. This will drive your analysis and recommendations. Make sure you give yourself ample time to develop thoughtful recommendations based on grounded assumptions and analyses.

    Know your data. Exploratory analysis is critical to understanding your data and the relationships within your data. You cannot jump straight to the analysis without properly evaluating your data first.

  • The courses are designed with a focus on hands-on application. Students learn the theory and then apply it directly to a real-world application. The courses are designed such that students can immediately apply what they learn to their jobs.

  • Data visualization. I really enjoy making data come to life by telling a story. That story tells you where you have been as an organization, which then points you in the direction of where you need to go. It is all about using data to continuously improve and grow your organization.

Master’s in Data Analytics Online Curriculum

As a student in Maryville’s data analytics master’s degree online program, you’ll gain in-depth knowledge and skills in key aspects of data analytics. Your studies will focus on looking for trends, identifying opportunities, making data-driven decisions, combining operational data with analytical tools, and presenting complex information.

Courses in this 100% online program include:

  • Data Analytics. Study the proper use of data, programming languages (SQL, Python, R) and how to draw insight from your discoveries.
  • Database Principles. Become familiar with data collection, database tools and architecture, and relevant security issues.
  • Data Visualization. Learn to turn data into charts, graphs, and maps, and to communicate more effectively with stakeholders to inform decision-making.
  • Forecasting and Predictive Modeling. Delve into the field of predictive analytics, where you’ll learn how to use information technology tools and modeling methods to inform business strategy.

For details on Master of Science in Data Analytics online program courses, please visit our curriculum page.

Master’s in Data Analytics Online: Admission Requirements

The following criteria are considered during the admission process for the Master of Science in Data Analytics:

  • Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
  • 2.5 cumulative GPA required for full admission, though applicants with a cumulative undergraduate grade point average below a 2.5 can be considered for conditional acceptance
  • Personal letter explaining qualifications for graduate work
  • International students must have a minimum TOEFL score of 563
  • No GMAT/GRE

Learn more at our admissions page.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Completing your online master’s in data analytics can qualify you for a wide range of careers in which you would play a critical role in an organization’s success.

    Popular careers for Maryville data analytics graduates include:

    • Big data engineer
    • Digital marketer
    • Logistician
    • Market research analyst
    • Operations research analyst
    • Quantitative analyst

    Find out more about careers in data analytics.

  • The median annual salary for professionals holding a Master of Science in Data Analytics was about $79,000 as of August 2021, according to PayScale.

  • Our online master’s degree in data analytics requires 30 graduate credit hours and can be completed in as few as 12 months. Students with eligible transfer credits may be able to complete it sooner.

  • Data analytics professionals are in high demand. For instance, the BLS projects that the employment of management analysts and operations research analysts will grow by 11% and 25%, respectively, from 2019 to 2029.

  • A data analyst focuses on identifying data trends and curating meaningful insights from their findings. A data scientist primarily collects data, with a focus on programming machines and optimizing systems.

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