University of Missouri - Online Master of Science in Data Science and Analytics Program
The University of Missouri offers an online Master of Science in Data Science and Analytics (DSA) program that focuses on IT proficiencies and data management and analysis skills used to solve problems in various professional settings. The degree has five discrete areas of concentration: Data Journalism/Strategic Communication; Biotechnology; Human Centered Design For Data; High Performance Computing; and Geospatial analytics. Students complete 19 credit hours of core DSA coursework, nine credits of emphasis area coursework, and six credits in a Big Data Analytics Case Study and Big Data capstone project to reach the 34 credits needed for graduation. The program requires two on-campus visits, and can be completed in two years of part-time enrollment.
OnlineEducation.com classifies the University of Missouri’s online MS in DSA program as a master’s in data analytics program, based on its curriculum.
The MS in DSA program at the University of Missouri utilizes a cohort model in which students proceed as a group through the core curriculum. Courses are taught online using a learning management system (LMS) that allows for both synchronous and asynchronous instruction. This means that lectures and course materials are available on-demand through the LMS, but students may also be required to be present for online presentations. In addition, students must attend a week-long session in the spring semester of the program’s first year, during which they execute an analytics project from beginning to end. A second mandatory campus session is held for online students in the spring semester of the second year, during which they participate in another intensive applied analytics project in collaboration with industry professionals.
The DSA curriculum at the University of Missouri includes seven instructional courses: Introduction to Data Analytics; Statistical and Mathematical Foundation for Data Analytics; Database & Analytics; Data Mining & Information Retrieval; Big Data Security; Data Visualization; and Data & Information Ethics. The Big Data Analytics Case Study and the Big Data Capstone involve the application of analytics skills to real-world data. Students complete the program’s crediting requirements by choosing three courses in one of the program’s five concentration areas.
The University of Missouri is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.