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A flexible program for college grads and working professionals.
January 2019 – Drew University’s new master of science in data analytics focuses on drawing information from data in a variety of applications.
This is the third new graduate program that Drew’s Caspersen School of Graduate Studies has introduced in the past year, following master’s degrees in finance and education. Here are five key points about the latest offering.
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1. It’s a growing field.
From archives to business transactions to social media, the amount of information that’s digitized is incredible. The corresponding demand for skilled professionals who can make sense of the information makes data analytics one of the world’s fastest-growing fields.
2. You build skills through hands-on work.
To prepare students for an expanding job market with strong skills, work experience and portfolios from a variety of industries. The curriculum emphasizes broadly-applicable skills and technologies used to understand data sets and the ability to communicate findings. Students will work with large data sets, master analytical techniques and collaborate across disciplines.
3. There are plenty of jobs.
Beyond traditional data-driven roles like clinical researcher, pollster and actuary, there are myriad opportunities in other industries, according to Program Director Sarah Abramowitz. “The music industry needs people who can look for trends in what users of Spotify and other music services are doing,” Abramowitz said. “Newspapers are expanding their data journalism departments so they can create interesting data visualizations. Doctors monitor and guide patient health through data from fitness trackers. Retailers use data analytics to connect shoppers with relevant items to maximize sales. Finally, trends from social networks are applied to commerce, public health and safety and politics.”
4. It’s unique.
“Drew’s program is designed to serve students in any discipline,” Abramowitz said. “Students participate in individualized, hands-on data analytic experiences that enable them to build a portfolio of their work that can help them advance in their career.”
5. It enhances your work and career.
College graduates and working professionals without significant experience or coursework in data analytics can build their skills, enhance their work and grow their careers.
The program is flexible depending on what participants need, be it a 12-credit certificate or a 30-credit MS, which can be achieved in either one year or two. Learn more about the degree at the Caspersen site.
