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A Master of Science in Data Science degree from Grand Canyon University can prepare those with a strong aptitude for mathematical reasoning and statistical computing for a career path in data analysis The data science career path may be ideal for results-oriented professionals who are skilled in data analysis, data mining, computer programming and problem solving in order to make effective data-driven business decisions.
Students in the data science master’s degree program can gain a solid understanding and practical experience with the application of predictive analytics theory, principles, technical tools and industry-specific knowledge to a wide variety of problems in science, engineering and business.
This is a profession that may require data science professionals to be able to handle the entire data lifecycle:
Earning a STEM degree from GCU can prepare you for careers in your field. By earning your data science master’s from the College of Engineering and Technology, you will study material instilled with a Christian worldview, promoting human flourishing while serving others as you work to become a leader in your field. The faith-integrated curriculum at GCU advocates ethical decision making.
GCU’s College of Engineering and Technology offers this MS in Data Science program online to meet the needs of adult students and working professionals. By learning through an innovative digital learning platform, you have the opportunity to study from anywhere, anytime, according to your schedule.
Admission requirements for the MS in Data Science program include having earned a previous bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a GPA of 2.8 or higher. In addition, your degree must be in computer science, statistics, mathematics, physics or engineering. Alternatively, an undergraduate or graduate degree in a non-technology field along with completion of an applicable GCU bridge to master's program is also acceptable.
In the MS in Data Science online program, you will cover various topics and gain competence in areas designed to boost your knowledge of the field and set yourself up for potential advancement and opportunities.
The focus areas for the master’s in data science program include:
Predictive analytics and modeling
Computing
Statistics
Business intelligence
Machine learning
Software tools
The Master of Science in Data Science degree culminates in a capstone project course that provides an opportunity for you to develop an evidence-based practice project proposal that addresses a current problem, issue or concern in data science. You will have the opportunity to identify a problem amenable to research-based intervention, search literature, propose a solution and develop a plan to implement the solution, evaluate its outcome(s) and disseminate the findings.
Master’s degree in data science students can gain competencies in these domains:
Data Science Analytics
Apply data analytics and statistical techniques to discover and deliver meaningful insights for problems, processes and decision making
Data Science Engineering
Use engineering principles and modern computer technologies to develop new data analytics applications
Data Management
Develop enterprise data management, protection and storage systems
Research and Applications
Formulate research questions, design experiments, analyze results and communicate research findings
Business Analytics
Gain knowledge in business analytics and business intelligence (BI) methods and develop business-oriented data products
Professionalism, Ethics and Sustainability
Demonstrate ethical judgement for new data-driven business processes
The master’s degree in data science program is ideal for professionals who are interested in positioning themselves for possible career advancement, making discoveries with big data, working with new innovative technologies and pursuing research-oriented, forward-thinking leadership roles to impact business decisions.
Potential work settings in the field of data science include:
Read through some of the most frequently asked questions to learn more about pursuing a master’s-level data science degree and furthering your career in the field.
A data science master’s degree may be worthwhile for many students. Beyond earning a degree in a growing field, you can step into a position where you have the potential to make an impact. As data continues to evolve, skilled and effective workers are needed to advance technology and the future of our professional environment. The skills you learn in an MS in Data Science program teaches you these concepts so that you can set yourself up to potentially pursue your ideal career path.
Data science degrees require a combination of hard skills (like learning Python and SQL) and soft skills (like business concepts and communication best practices). Students looking to pursue this degree will need to have strong foundational knowledge in these areas. While difficult, the skills earned in a data science degree can be valuable as you continue on in your professional career.
While these programs both work with data, each requires a unique skill set. Data science involves multiple areas of predictive analysis, machine learning and algorithm development. Data analytics takes a broader view to interpret the data with an array of statistical tools. Those in data science may have a larger role in using programming language to process and verify the data, while a data analyst explores the data from a historical perspective.
According to survey responses from Payscale.com, data scientists received a job satisfaction rating of 3.98 out of 5 stars. Based on these responses, data scientists were rated as being highly satisfied with their jobs.2
The data scientist occupation is growing at a much faster than average rate compared to the average of all occupations, opening up the potential for job opportunities nationwide. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook estimates job growth for data scientists to increase by about 32% from 2022 to 2032, much faster than average, accounting for an estimated increase of 59,400 jobs in the field.3
You do not need a PhD degree to become a data scientist. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, data scientists need a minimum of a bachelor’s degree to be able to enter that occupation. However, some employers may require a higher level of degree, depending on the specific position requirements.4
If you’re looking to advance in the field of data science, fill out the form on this page to learn more about earning your MS in data science from GCU.
1 The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Computer Information and Research Scientists as of May 2022, retrieved on Sept. 15, 2023. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 and 2021 may be atypical compared to prior years. The pandemic may also impact the predicted future workforce outcomes indicated by the BLS. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers from across the country with varying levels of education and experience and does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as computer information and research scientists. It does not reflect earnings of workers in one city or region of the country. It also does not reflect a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. You may also wish to compare median salaries if you are considering more than one career path. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, and accept employment from, determines salary not only based on education, but also individual characteristics and skills and fit to that organization (among other categories) against a pool of candidates.
2 Payscale. (n.d.). Average Data Scientist Salary. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
3 COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 and 2021 may be atypical compared to prior years. The pandemic may impact the predicted future workforce outcomes indicated by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics as well. Accordingly, data shown is effective September 2023, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Data Scientists, retrieved on Sept. 15, 2023.
4 United States Department of Labor. (n.d.). Data Scientists. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
Online: $600 per credit [More Info]
Up to 12 credits or 1/3 of the total program requirements in transfer (whichever is less)
Credits: Fill out the Lopes Eval to find out what will transfer
Admission Requirements (Master's)
OR 2.5+ Unweighted GPA and
Admission requirements may differ based on degree level, program and modality, or transfer status. Some programs of study may require a higher GPA and/or other qualifying criteria for admission. Please review full admission and program requirements in the University Policy Handbook.
* Degree must be from an accredited college or program that has been approved by GCU.
** Combined verbal/quantitative, after August 2011 (1,000 combined verbal and quantitative, prior to August 2011).
