It would be an understatement to say that data is in high demand. These days, data drives every sector and technological initiative imaginable. As the pace of technological innovation accelerates, we face ever-increasing volumes of information—and exciting strategies for analyzing this data to secure actionable insights.
The result: a remarkable business transformation, in which data becomes embedded within every decision and interaction, further driving innovation across sectors. However, roadblocks are inevitable unless this transformation draws heavily on the distinctly human qualities that highly trained data analysts bring to the table.
This is where a master’s in data analytics can come into play. Professionals trained at the graduate level will gain extensive exposure to the cutting-edge concepts needed to thrive in the data-driven enterprises of tomorrow, along with a strong academic foundation to make future innovations easier to embrace. A graduate education in data analytics also means developing a blend of soft and technical skills. We will touch on these below while revealing the value of the online master’s in data analytics in a data-saturated world.
What Is Big Data Analytics?
Big data analytics represents the future of the digital landscape. It draws on the power of vast data sets, gathered through rapidly evolving sources, such as everyday digital browsing and even the Internet of Things (IoT). These huge volumes of data offer a world of potential but also significant challenges. Namely, they are often unstructured and may not appear particularly quantifiable. Big data analytics promises to bring a more structured approach to gathering and analyzing this data while revealing key patterns, trends, and market insights.
The Future of Data Analytics and Big Data Management
Data analytics is a rapidly evolving field, and the strategies we rely on today may be outdated in a few short years. Insights from McKinsey & Company suggest that moving forward, big data analytics will be built into every industry and at every level, with employees of all types expected to seamlessly navigate and make use of data-driven systems and insights.
Beyond the sheer scope of big data, changes will emerge in how it is gathered, transmitted, and processed. Real-time solutions will not just be available but, rather, standard practice. Meanwhile, data assets will be organized as products while undergoing an agile evolution that draws on continuous integration. Amid all these changes, there will be an increased need for effective big data management and leadership in data analytics, with experts from McKinsey anticipating that the influence of roles such as chief data officer (CDO) will expand greatly.
5 Benefits of Pursuing an MS in Data Analytics
If the expectations outlined above are any indication, there is a stronger need than ever for forward-thinking graduate students eager to embrace big data and make their mark in a rapidly growing field. The Master of Science in Data Analytics promises to satisfy this need by equipping ambitious students with a variety of skills, plus background knowledge that will make rapid skill development a cinch in the future. The benefits of pursuing this valuable degree include:
1. High Demand for Data Analysts
Demand is already exceptionally high in the field of data analytics, and this is only expected to grow in the next few years. Projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reveal an astounding job outlook of 35% for data scientists between 2022 and 2032, greatly exceeding the average of just 3% across all industries. Such a demand also goes above and beyond that seen in similar occupations, such as computer systems analysts (with an outlook of 10%) or database administrators (with an outlook of 8%).
While this high demand means it should be easy to find a job in data analytics, a graduate degree can enhance your prospects of landing a coveted position in this already competitive field. Many top employers cite a strong preference for job candidates with graduate-level credentials, and upon satisfying this requirement, aspiring data analysts find it easier to get their foot in the door.
2. Diverse Career Opportunities and Flexibility Across Industries
Data analytics delivers greater efficiency and innovation across numerous sectors. From finance to healthcare, eCommerce, and even agriculture, every industry can benefit from applying a data-driven approach to critical decision-making. This is advantageous from the perspective of the aspiring data analyst, as there truly is something for everyone in this quickly expanding field. Top job opportunities worth considering include:
- Data analyst
- Data scientist
- Business analyst
- Marketing analyst
- Data mining specialist
- Deep learning research scientist
3. Career Advancement and Security
While your big data analytics journey will likely begin with a job title such as data analyst, the right degree and a few years of experience should enable you to quickly climb the career ladder. Often, this means moving into management roles that grant you a greater say in how data is collected, analyzed, and interpreted. Data management is an especially exciting niche that will allow you to help shape the future of big data. As you continue to seek new responsibilities and opportunities, you can take comfort in knowing that the field’s extraordinary demand will keep you consistently employed.
4. Increased Earning Potential
As employers duke it out for the most qualified data analysts, scientists, and managers, many are willing to offer impressive compensation for employees and consultants alike. Data scientists, for example, earned a median of $103,500 per year as of 2022, although those involved with enterprise management saw median annual wages of $106,510, and research-oriented data scientists achieved an impressive median salary of over $118,000. This is only the beginning, as significant pay increases can be expected upon moving into senior and management positions, which are more attainable upon earning a master’s degree.
5. Advanced Technical Skills
As you study data analytics at the graduate level, you can expect to acquire and apply a variety of advanced technical skills. Your advanced skillset will help you hit the ground running as you enter the field. From machine learning to data mining algorithms, this in-depth exploration relies on state-of-the-art systems to drive cutting-edge insights. There’s no denying the value of these skills for obtaining (and thriving in) high-level data analytics positions, but the sheer joy of learning should not be discounted, especially when embarking on a journey of discovery in the still-emerging data analytics field.
UTC’s Master’s in Data Analytics Program
As you plan for a bright future in big data management, remember that the right master’s program can make a world of difference. We’ve highlighted the general advantages of the master’s in data analytics, but The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) goes above and beyond by establishing a strong data analytics foundation while allowing you to apply newly developed, high-level skills.
Program Overview
The MS in Data Analytics is a graduate-level program blending essential computer science concepts with high-level business analytics skill development. The goal is to help students develop an innovative mindset backed by concrete technical skills so they can use these comprehensive qualities to bridge the gap between management and cutting-edge technology. This program is available fully online or in a flexible format that includes in-person learning opportunities.
Curriculum Overview
Data literacy and visualization are core components of the MS in Data Analytics curriculum, emphasizing technical skills that support high-level data analytics. These skills are introduced and practiced during the program’s seven required courses which provide a valuable introduction to data analytics while building on foundational concepts to eventually explore advanced topics like natural language processing and quantitative analysis. The program’s core courses include:
- Programming Languages for Business Data Analytics
- Data Visualization for Business
- Machine Learning for Business
- Big Data Management and Analytics
- Databases and Data Warehouses
- Data Mining and Analytics
- Advanced Data Analytics
In addition to these core courses, this master’s degree also emphasizes practical experience. Such experience can be obtained by participating in an internship or project course.
Practicum, Project, and Internship Options
Skill development is important, but aspiring data analysts and data scientists also need ample opportunities to apply these skills in a real-world environment. Hands-on experience is a critical component of the MS in Data Analytics, which offers many exciting opportunities for analyzing and managing big data in a variety of settings and situations.
Skills Developed
Between compelling coursework and practical experiences, UTC’s online master’s in data analytics provides plenty of opportunities to hone your data management skill set. By the time you graduate, you can expect to acquire a wide range of in-demand skills, including:
- Data visualization involving programming languages like Python and Tableau
- Data processing and management via the framework Hadoop
- Application of machine learning techniques to AWS and other cloud computing platforms
- Conceptual and logical design for operational databases
- Data collection involving sources such as flat files, web logs, and videos
- Predictive modeling via data mining to forecast future outcomes
Expand Your Skill Set at UTC
Embrace the powerful potential of big data analytics. UTC’s MS in Data Analytics prepares you for tomorrow’s most influential job opportunities. Reach out to learn more about this exciting graduate program or get started by applying today.
