{"id":15221,"date":"2022-06-07T17:17:00","date_gmt":"2022-06-08T00:17:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/?p=15221"},"modified":"2022-06-07T17:20:43","modified_gmt":"2022-06-08T00:20:43","slug":"data-science-degree","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/data-science-degree\/","title":{"rendered":"Data Science Programs and Majors Explained: Degree Levels, Specializations, and Common Data Science Courses"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>If you want to break into the field of data science, you might be wondering what a data science degree is. Data is a valuable asset in today\u2019s world, and a data science degree can help you <a href=\"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/careers\/data-science\/\">become a data scientist<\/a>. Businesses, government agencies, and non-profit organizations all need data scientists to interpret data to help them make informed decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Data scientists have a great job outlook, with attractive salaries and rewarding career paths. After reading this article, you\u2019ll have a better understanding of the different kinds of data science programs and high-paying data science jobs to look forward to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-is-data-science\">What Is Data Science?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Data science is a field that uses statistics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and specialized programming to collect and extract value from data. Through analyzing large data sets, data scientists can create predictive models to help organizations find actionable insights and develop data-driven business strategies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-data-science-quick-facts-job-outlook-and-average-salaries\">Data Science Quick Facts: Job Outlook and Average Salaries<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bls.gov\/ooh\/computer-and-information-technology\/computer-and-information-research-scientists.htm#tab-6\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" rel=\"nofollow\">computer and information scientist jobs are expected to grow 22 percent<\/a> by 2030.<\/li><li>The BLS reports that the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bls.gov\/ooh\/computer-and-information-technology\/computer-and-information-research-scientists.htm#tab-5\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" rel=\"nofollow\">median salary for computer and information scientists is $131,490<\/a> per year.<\/li><li>Data scientists with a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.payscale.com\/research\/US\/Degree=Bachelor_of_Science_(BS_%2F_BSc)%2C_Business_Data_Analysis\/Salary\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" rel=\"nofollow\">Bachelor\u2019s Degree in Business Data Analysis earn $66,000<\/a> per year on average, according to PayScale.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-is-data-science-hard\">Is Data Science Hard?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes, data science is a relatively hard discipline to learn. Data science programs have lots of technical requirements for admission and graduation. You\u2019ll need to learn a wide variety of technologies, programming languages, and applications, as well as statistical analysis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In data science jobs, you\u2019ll need to be comfortable working with large data sets and staying up to date on the newest data science techniques. Data science careers require the ability to focus and a passion for lifelong learning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-is-data-science-a-good-major\">Is Data Science a Good Major?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes, data science is a good major when you consider the number of data science career opportunities. Although data science majors have different names at different schools, data science programs prepare you to work as a data analyst, database administrator, big data engineer, or data mining engineer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-why-should-you-get-a-degree-in-data-science\">Why Should You Get a Degree in Data Science?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You should get a degree in data science because it is the best way to get a job in data-related fields. Most data science careers require a bachelor\u2019s degree or higher, but you can get started in some data science jobs with an associate degree. Below are some of the reasons you should get a degree in data science.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Earn a required education credential. <\/strong>A degree in data science or a related field is a common education requirement for data science jobs.<\/li><li><strong>Build a foundation for further education. <\/strong>If you want to get a graduate degree, you need to start by earning a <a href=\"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/bachelors-degree\/\">bachelor\u2019s degree<\/a>. A master\u2019s degree makes you eligible for many managerial or senior positions.<\/li><li><strong>Join a rapidly growing field. <\/strong>According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for data science professionals is expected to grow by 22 percent by 2030, compared to eight percent for the average growth of all occupations. Data science jobs are some of the fastest-growing occupations in the United States.<\/li><li><strong>High job satisfaction. <\/strong>When evaluating career opportunities, one key metric you should look at is job satisfaction. According to Glassdoor, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.glassdoor.com\/blog\/jobs-highest-satisfaction-2019\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" rel=\"nofollow\">data science ranks number eight <\/a>for jobs with the highest job satisfaction.<\/li><li><strong>High earning potential. <\/strong>With a data science degree, PayScale reports that you can earn an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.payscale.com\/research\/US\/Job=Data_Scientist\/Salary\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" rel=\"nofollow\">average salary of $85,000 to $136,000<\/a> per year. This is significantly higher than the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bls.gov\/oes\/current\/oes_nat.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" rel=\"nofollow\">national average salary, which BLS reports as $58,260 per year.<\/a><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-data-science-major-what-degree-can-you-get-in-data-science\">Data Science Major: What Degree Can You Get in Data Science?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The degrees you can get in data science include an associate degree, bachelor\u2019s degree, and a master\u2019s degree. At each degree level, there are different types of degrees and different data science specializations. Below is an overview of the different degrees that you can get in data science.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-types-of-associate-degrees-in-data-science\">Types of Associate Degrees in Data Science<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The types of data science associate degrees are an Associate of Science and an Associate of Applied Science in Data Science. Most institutions offering these programs have transfer credit programs, which allow students to transfer to a four-year institution to complete a bachelor\u2019s degree after finishing their associate degree.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"accordions-112299\" class=\"accordions-112299 accordions\" data-accordions={&quot;lazyLoad&quot;:true,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;112299&quot;,&quot;event&quot;:&quot;click&quot;,&quot;collapsible&quot;:&quot;true&quot;,&quot;heightStyle&quot;:&quot;content&quot;,&quot;animateStyle&quot;:&quot;swing&quot;,&quot;animateDelay&quot;:1000,&quot;navigation&quot;:true,&quot;active&quot;:999,&quot;expandedOther&quot;:&quot;no&quot;}>\r\n                <div id=\"accordions-lazy-112299\" class=\"accordions-lazy\" accordionsId=\"112299\">\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n\r\n    <div class=\"items\"  style=\"display:none\" >\r\n    \r\n            <div post_id=\"112299\" itemcount=\"0\"  header_id=\"header-1654645086165\" id=\"header-1654645086165\" style=\"\" class=\"accordions-head head1654645086165 border-none\" toggle-text=\"\" main-text=\"Associate of Science (AS in Data Science)\">\r\n                                    <span id=\"accordion-icons-1654645086165\" class=\"accordion-icons\">\r\n                        <span class=\"accordion-icon-active accordion-plus\"><i class=\"fas fa-chevron-up\"><\/i><\/span>\r\n                        <span class=\"accordion-icon-inactive accordion-minus\"><i class=\"fas fa-chevron-right\"><\/i><\/span>\r\n                    <\/span>\r\n                    <span id=\"header-text-1654645086165\" class=\"accordions-head-title\">Associate of Science (AS in Data Science)<\/span>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n            <div class=\"accordion-content content1654645086165 \">\r\n                <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">An AS is a two-year program offered mainly by community and vocational colleges. This is an entry-level degree that prepares students to transfer into a bachelor\u2019s degree program. The curriculum covers foundational computer science, information technology, and data analysis.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Common Courses in AS in Data Science Curriculum\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Introduction to Databases<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Applied Statistics<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Fundamentals of Information Security<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n            <\/div>\r\n    \r\n            <div post_id=\"112299\" itemcount=\"1\"  header_id=\"header-1654645103106\" id=\"header-1654645103106\" style=\"\" class=\"accordions-head head1654645103106 border-none\" toggle-text=\"\" main-text=\"Associate of Applied Science (AAS in Data Science)\">\r\n                                    <span id=\"accordion-icons-1654645103106\" class=\"accordion-icons\">\r\n                        <span class=\"accordion-icon-active accordion-plus\"><i class=\"fas fa-chevron-up\"><\/i><\/span>\r\n                        <span class=\"accordion-icon-inactive accordion-minus\"><i class=\"fas fa-chevron-right\"><\/i><\/span>\r\n                    <\/span>\r\n                    <span id=\"header-text-1654645103106\" class=\"accordions-head-title\">Associate of Applied Science (AAS in Data Science)<\/span>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n            <div class=\"accordion-content content1654645103106 \">\r\n                <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">An AAS is a two-year program that prepares students to enter the workforce after graduation as IT professionals or data technicians. Most data science AAS degrees are called data analytics programs. While AAS degrees are not designed to prepare you to transition into a bachelor\u2019s degree, it is usually possible.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Common Courses in AAS in Data Science Curriculum\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Business Computer Applications<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Computing Fundamentals<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Introduction to Data Science Programming\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n            <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n            <\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Types of Bachelor\u2019s Degrees in Data Science<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The types of data science bachelor\u2019s degrees are Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science in Data Science. These programs have different curriculum requirements and lead to different careers in the same field. Below is a brief overview of the types of bachelor\u2019s degrees in data science.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"accordions-112300\" class=\"accordions-112300 accordions\" data-accordions={&quot;lazyLoad&quot;:true,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;112300&quot;,&quot;event&quot;:&quot;click&quot;,&quot;collapsible&quot;:&quot;true&quot;,&quot;heightStyle&quot;:&quot;content&quot;,&quot;animateStyle&quot;:&quot;swing&quot;,&quot;animateDelay&quot;:1000,&quot;navigation&quot;:true,&quot;active&quot;:999,&quot;expandedOther&quot;:&quot;no&quot;}>\r\n                <div id=\"accordions-lazy-112300\" class=\"accordions-lazy\" accordionsId=\"112300\">\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n\r\n    <div class=\"items\"  style=\"display:none\" >\r\n    \r\n            <div post_id=\"112300\" itemcount=\"0\"  header_id=\"header-1654645157471\" id=\"header-1654645157471\" style=\"\" class=\"accordions-head head1654645157471 border-none\" toggle-text=\"\" main-text=\"Bachelor of Science (BS in Data Science)\">\r\n                                    <span id=\"accordion-icons-1654645157471\" class=\"accordion-icons\">\r\n                        <span class=\"accordion-icon-active accordion-plus\"><i class=\"fas fa-chevron-up\"><\/i><\/span>\r\n                        <span class=\"accordion-icon-inactive accordion-minus\"><i class=\"fas fa-chevron-right\"><\/i><\/span>\r\n                    <\/span>\r\n                    <span id=\"header-text-1654645157471\" class=\"accordions-head-title\">Bachelor of Science (BS in Data Science)<\/span>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n            <div class=\"accordion-content content1654645157471 \">\r\n                <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A bachelor of science degree is a four-year program that focuses on mathematical, scientific, and analytical <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/data-scientist-skills\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">data science skills<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. Students complete core courses in programming, statistics, calculus, and big data, and they may be required to take some general education requirements in the social sciences.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Common Courses in BS in Data Science Curriculum\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Programming<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Algorithms and Data Structures<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Calculus<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n            <\/div>\r\n    \r\n            <div post_id=\"112300\" itemcount=\"1\"  header_id=\"header-1654645173929\" id=\"header-1654645173929\" style=\"\" class=\"accordions-head head1654645173929 border-none\" toggle-text=\"\" main-text=\"Bachelor of Arts (BA in Data Science)\">\r\n                                    <span id=\"accordion-icons-1654645173929\" class=\"accordion-icons\">\r\n                        <span class=\"accordion-icon-active accordion-plus\"><i class=\"fas fa-chevron-up\"><\/i><\/span>\r\n                        <span class=\"accordion-icon-inactive accordion-minus\"><i class=\"fas fa-chevron-right\"><\/i><\/span>\r\n                    <\/span>\r\n                    <span id=\"header-text-1654645173929\" class=\"accordions-head-title\">Bachelor of Arts (BA in Data Science)<\/span>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n            <div class=\"accordion-content content1654645173929 \">\r\n                <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/ba-versus-bs-degree\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">difference between a BS and a BA degree<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> is that a BA degree teaches students analytical skills, communication skills, and critical thinking skills, with a strong foundation in the humanities. A BA in Data Science still incorporates math, statistics, and programming course, but it gives students the flexibility to study topics in the humanities.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Common Courses in BA in Data Science Curriculum\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Foundations of Data Science<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Data Mining and Analytics<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Ethics in Science and Engineering<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n            <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n            <\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Types of Master\u2019s Degrees in Data Science<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The type of data science <a href=\"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/masters-degree\/\">master\u2019s degree<\/a> that you can get is a Master of Science in Data Science degree. Unlike other subjects, there are few to no master of arts (MA) options for students.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"accordions-112301\" class=\"accordions-112301 accordions\" data-accordions={&quot;lazyLoad&quot;:true,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;112301&quot;,&quot;event&quot;:&quot;click&quot;,&quot;collapsible&quot;:&quot;true&quot;,&quot;heightStyle&quot;:&quot;content&quot;,&quot;animateStyle&quot;:&quot;swing&quot;,&quot;animateDelay&quot;:1000,&quot;navigation&quot;:true,&quot;active&quot;:999,&quot;expandedOther&quot;:&quot;no&quot;}>\r\n                <div id=\"accordions-lazy-112301\" class=\"accordions-lazy\" accordionsId=\"112301\">\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n\r\n    <div class=\"items\"  style=\"display:none\" >\r\n    \r\n            <div post_id=\"112301\" itemcount=\"0\"  header_id=\"header-1654645221893\" id=\"header-1654645221893\" style=\"\" class=\"accordions-head head1654645221893 border-none\" toggle-text=\"\" main-text=\"Master of Science (MSc in Data Science)\">\r\n                                    <span id=\"accordion-icons-1654645221893\" class=\"accordion-icons\">\r\n                        <span class=\"accordion-icon-active accordion-plus\"><i class=\"fas fa-chevron-up\"><\/i><\/span>\r\n                        <span class=\"accordion-icon-inactive accordion-minus\"><i class=\"fas fa-chevron-right\"><\/i><\/span>\r\n                    <\/span>\r\n                    <span id=\"header-text-1654645221893\" class=\"accordions-head-title\">Master of Science (MSc in Data Science)<\/span>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n            <div class=\"accordion-content content1654645221893 \">\r\n                <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">An MSc in Data Science focuses on programming, engineering, and mathematics. They are typically two-year programs that will take your data analytics skills to another level. Among the technical skills you\u2019ll learn include machine learning, big data, anomaly detection, hypothesis testing, and graphical modeling.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Common Courses in Master of Science in Data Science Curriculum\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Computer Systems for Data Science\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Probability and Statistics for Data Science<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Exploratory Data Analysis and Visualization<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n            <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n            <\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Will You Learn in a Data Science Degree Program?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In a data science degree program, you\u2019ll learn how to do data analysis, computer programming, and predictive modeling. You\u2019ll gain valuable skills in data analysis and database management, which will make you eligible for several roles in the job market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The depth of the coursework depends on the degree level. With an associate\u2019s degree, you\u2019ll be introduced to many topics which will prepare you for coursework at university, but you won\u2019t become an expert. With a bachelor\u2019s degree, you\u2019ll learn data science techniques that will prepare you for career paths in diverse fields. With a master\u2019s degree, you\u2019ll become an expert in data science.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Popular Specializations for Data Science Degrees<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Data science is an evolving field, and new specializations are created as this area of study grows. Below are some of the most popular specializations for data science that you should consider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The 5 Most Popular Data Science Concentrations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Data Mining and Statistical Analysis<\/li><li>Data Engineering<\/li><li>Machine Learning<\/li><li>Data Visualization<\/li><li>Marketing Data Analysis<\/li><li>Artificial Intelligence<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Common Data Science Courses Across All Specializations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Regardless of your data science specialization, there are some common data science courses that all students take. Prospective students can expect to take most or all of the following classes in their data science programs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Introduction to programming. <\/strong>Programming skills are essential in data science. Data science degrees must have some form of a computer programming course. Universities offer programming classes in Java, Python, R, and C++.<\/li><li><strong>Data structures. <\/strong>A course in data structures introduces students to the process of collecting, organizing, and storing data effectively using data structures and algorithms.<\/li><li><strong>Computer science. <\/strong>You\u2019ll learn the basics of computer science as you advance your knowledge in problem-solving, structured programming, debugging, and the theory of computation.<\/li><li><strong>Linear algebra. <\/strong>Before taking upper-level courses, you\u2019ll have to take an introductory class in linear algebra. In this class, you\u2019ll learn how to solve linear equations using different methods.<\/li><li><strong>Calculus. <\/strong>You\u2019ll have to take a series of calculus courses in your data science degree, starting with an introductory course. You\u2019ll learn about optimization and solving complex functions.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Best Minors for Data Science Students<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The best data science minors give you the chance to explore a complementary field. You can follow your interests or choose a minor that prepares you for a particular career. Here are some of the best minors for data science students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The 5 Best Data Science Minors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Statistics<\/li><li>Business Analytics<\/li><li>Artificial Intelligence<\/li><li>Communications<\/li><li>Cognition and Behavioral Science<\/li><li>Marketing<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Best Major for Your Chosen Career Path<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>[query_class_embed] best-major-for-*subject<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Choose the Right Data Science Degree Program for You<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Choosing the right data science degree program is crucial to starting a successful career. Below are a few factors that you should consider to help you choose the right degree program.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"accordions-112302\" class=\"accordions-112302 accordions\" data-accordions={&quot;lazyLoad&quot;:true,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;112302&quot;,&quot;event&quot;:&quot;click&quot;,&quot;collapsible&quot;:&quot;true&quot;,&quot;heightStyle&quot;:&quot;content&quot;,&quot;animateStyle&quot;:&quot;swing&quot;,&quot;animateDelay&quot;:1000,&quot;navigation&quot;:true,&quot;active&quot;:999,&quot;expandedOther&quot;:&quot;no&quot;}>\r\n                <div id=\"accordions-lazy-112302\" class=\"accordions-lazy\" accordionsId=\"112302\">\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n\r\n    <div class=\"items\"  style=\"display:none\" >\r\n    \r\n            <div post_id=\"112302\" itemcount=\"0\"  header_id=\"header-1654645412692\" id=\"header-1654645412692\" style=\"\" class=\"accordions-head head1654645412692 border-none\" toggle-text=\"\" main-text=\"Practical Experience\">\r\n                                    <span id=\"accordion-icons-1654645412692\" class=\"accordion-icons\">\r\n                        <span class=\"accordion-icon-active accordion-plus\"><i class=\"fas fa-chevron-up\"><\/i><\/span>\r\n                        <span class=\"accordion-icon-inactive accordion-minus\"><i class=\"fas fa-chevron-right\"><\/i><\/span>\r\n                    <\/span>\r\n                    <span id=\"header-text-1654645412692\" class=\"accordions-head-title\">Practical Experience<\/span>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n            <div class=\"accordion-content content1654645412692 \">\r\n                <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Look for a program that allows you to gain hands-on work experience through a capstone project or internship. Data science is a practical discipline, and you really need on-the-job training experience to transform the data science theory you learn in classes into data science skills.<\/span><\/p>\n            <\/div>\r\n    \r\n            <div post_id=\"112302\" itemcount=\"1\"  header_id=\"header-1654645426657\" id=\"header-1654645426657\" style=\"\" class=\"accordions-head head1654645426657 border-none\" toggle-text=\"\" main-text=\"Learning Format\">\r\n                                    <span id=\"accordion-icons-1654645426657\" class=\"accordion-icons\">\r\n                        <span class=\"accordion-icon-active accordion-plus\"><i class=\"fas fa-chevron-up\"><\/i><\/span>\r\n                        <span class=\"accordion-icon-inactive accordion-minus\"><i class=\"fas fa-chevron-right\"><\/i><\/span>\r\n                    <\/span>\r\n                    <span id=\"header-text-1654645426657\" class=\"accordions-head-title\">Learning Format<\/span>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n            <div class=\"accordion-content content1654645426657 \">\r\n                <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If you just graduated from high school, an on-campus learning format will give you the traditional college experience. On the other hand, if you are a working professional or live in a remote area, you might be better off learning online. Pick a learning format that\u2019s in line with your schedule, professional and personal responsibilities, and preferred learning style. <\/span><\/p>\n            <\/div>\r\n    \r\n            <div post_id=\"112302\" itemcount=\"2\"  header_id=\"header-1654645581378\" id=\"header-1654645581378\" style=\"\" class=\"accordions-head head1654645581378 border-none\" toggle-text=\"\" main-text=\"Cost\">\r\n                                    <span id=\"accordion-icons-1654645581378\" class=\"accordion-icons\">\r\n                        <span class=\"accordion-icon-active accordion-plus\"><i class=\"fas fa-chevron-up\"><\/i><\/span>\r\n                        <span class=\"accordion-icon-inactive accordion-minus\"><i class=\"fas fa-chevron-right\"><\/i><\/span>\r\n                    <\/span>\r\n                    <span id=\"header-text-1654645581378\" class=\"accordions-head-title\">Cost<\/span>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n            <div class=\"accordion-content content1654645581378 \">\r\n                <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">You don\u2019t need to bury yourself in a mountain of student debt to get a degree. Weigh the costs and benefits of the program beforehand, and research financial aid and payment options to help you cover your education costs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If you're on a tight budget and want to enroll in a degree program, you could start with an associate degree at a community college and transfer to a bachelor\u2019s degree program. It is usually much cheaper than completing all four years of a bachelor\u2019s degree at a university.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n            <\/div>\r\n    \r\n            <div post_id=\"112302\" itemcount=\"3\"  header_id=\"header-1654645596242\" id=\"header-1654645596242\" style=\"\" class=\"accordions-head head1654645596242 border-none\" toggle-text=\"\" main-text=\"School Graduation Rate\">\r\n                                    <span id=\"accordion-icons-1654645596242\" class=\"accordion-icons\">\r\n                        <span class=\"accordion-icon-active accordion-plus\"><i class=\"fas fa-chevron-up\"><\/i><\/span>\r\n                        <span class=\"accordion-icon-inactive accordion-minus\"><i class=\"fas fa-chevron-right\"><\/i><\/span>\r\n                    <\/span>\r\n                    <span id=\"header-text-1654645596242\" class=\"accordions-head-title\">School Graduation Rate<\/span>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n            <div class=\"accordion-content content1654645596242 \">\r\n                <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The graduation rate informs students about the percentage of students who've completed their program. It gives you an idea of how well a school supports its students and how likely you are to finish a degree at that <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/college-versus-university\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">college or university<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/p>\n            <\/div>\r\n    \r\n            <div post_id=\"112302\" itemcount=\"4\"  header_id=\"header-1654645608521\" id=\"header-1654645608521\" style=\"\" class=\"accordions-head head1654645608521 border-none\" toggle-text=\"\" main-text=\"Career Services\">\r\n                                    <span id=\"accordion-icons-1654645608521\" class=\"accordion-icons\">\r\n                        <span class=\"accordion-icon-active accordion-plus\"><i class=\"fas fa-chevron-up\"><\/i><\/span>\r\n                        <span class=\"accordion-icon-inactive accordion-minus\"><i class=\"fas fa-chevron-right\"><\/i><\/span>\r\n                    <\/span>\r\n                    <span id=\"header-text-1654645608521\" class=\"accordions-head-title\">Career Services<\/span>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n            <div class=\"accordion-content content1654645608521 \">\r\n                <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Career services are a key resource for students preparing to enter the job market after graduation. A good career services office should have resources or workshops for resume preparation, social media profile management, salary negotiations, and interview preparation. <\/span><\/p>\n            <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n            <\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Best Data Science Colleges and Universities: Where to Find the Top Data Science Degree Programs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The best colleges and universities for data science degree programs include Harvard University, Cornell University, the University of San Francisco, and the University of Michigan. Here are the best schools to get an associate, bachelor\u2019s, and master&#8217;s degree in data science.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/data-science-associate-degrees\/\">Best Schools to Get an Associate in Data Science<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Northcentral Technical College<\/li><li>Saint Paul College<\/li><li>Tunxis Community College<\/li><li>Florida State College at Jacksonville<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/data-science-bachelors-degrees\/\">Best Schools to Get a Bachelor\u2019s in Data Science<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Boston University<\/li><li>Drexel University<\/li><li>Northeastern University<\/li><li>Penn State University<\/li><li>University of California, Berkeley<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/data-science-masters-degrees\/\">Best Schools to Get a Master\u2019s in Data Science<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Brown University<\/li><li>Columbia University<\/li><li>University of Michigan<\/li><li>Carnegie Mellon University<\/li><li>University of Washington<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Best College and University Data Science Schools<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>[query_class_embed]\u00a0best-schools-for-*subject<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Can I Pay for a Data Science Degree Program?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You can pay for a data science degree program using scholarships, FAFSA, loans, and grants. There are several different payment options at schools that offer data science degree programs. Here\u2019s a brief overview of how you can pay for a data science degree program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you need financial aid for your data science degree at college or university, the first thing you should do is fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This provides you with access to special loans, grants, and work-study funds from the federal government. The application is free and takes about 30 minutes to complete.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Work-Study Programs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Work-study programs are on-campus, part-time jobs that pay students. Employers know that they are hiring students whose primary responsibility is to study, so these jobs are more considerate of a student\u2019s schedule. Contact the financial aid office at your school to see what the specific requirements are for their work-study program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Scholarships<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Scholarships are need or merit-based awards that students can apply for to pay for tuition or specific school costs. Scholarships do not need to be paid back. Scholarship amounts vary depending on the school and program. Some scholarships are offered by private organizations, non-profit organizations, or professional associations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Loans<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Private student loans are a popular payment option that students use to cover the cost of tuition and living expenses. Private loans should be a last resort because they are very difficult to pay back. Before you commit to a private loan, speak to a financial advisor or your school\u2019s financial aid office to help you make an informed decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Grants<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Grants are similar to scholarships, but they do not need to be spent on tuition or school supplies. They are a type of financial assistance that does not need to be paid back, and students can decide how to spend grant money to best offset their personal costs during their degree. Most grants are offered by the federal government or third-party sources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Data Science Scholarships<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Scholarships are a popular financial aid award that can help cover partial or full tuition costs. Although there are many different scholarships, here are some of the most popular data science scholarships.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"accordions-112303\" class=\"accordions-112303 accordions\" data-accordions={&quot;lazyLoad&quot;:true,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;112303&quot;,&quot;event&quot;:&quot;click&quot;,&quot;collapsible&quot;:&quot;true&quot;,&quot;heightStyle&quot;:&quot;content&quot;,&quot;animateStyle&quot;:&quot;swing&quot;,&quot;animateDelay&quot;:1000,&quot;navigation&quot;:true,&quot;active&quot;:999,&quot;expandedOther&quot;:&quot;no&quot;}>\r\n                <div id=\"accordions-lazy-112303\" class=\"accordions-lazy\" accordionsId=\"112303\">\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n\r\n    <div class=\"items\"  style=\"display:none\" >\r\n    \r\n            <div post_id=\"112303\" itemcount=\"0\"  header_id=\"header-1654645770276\" id=\"header-1654645770276\" style=\"\" class=\"accordions-head head1654645770276 border-none\" toggle-text=\"\" main-text=\"CA Technologies Fellowship for Women | Amount: $14,670\">\r\n                                    <span id=\"accordion-icons-1654645770276\" class=\"accordion-icons\">\r\n                        <span class=\"accordion-icon-active accordion-plus\"><i class=\"fas fa-chevron-up\"><\/i><\/span>\r\n                        <span class=\"accordion-icon-inactive accordion-minus\"><i class=\"fas fa-chevron-right\"><\/i><\/span>\r\n                    <\/span>\r\n                    <span id=\"header-text-1654645770276\" class=\"accordions-head-title\">CA Technologies Fellowship for Women | Amount: $14,670<\/span>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n            <div class=\"accordion-content content1654645770276 \">\r\n                <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This generous scholarship pays the full tuition of a woman enrolled in a Master of Science degree in Complex Systems and Data Science at the University of Vermont. This student must have a minimum GPA of 3.0.<\/span><b><\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Eligibility Requirements: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Women enrolled in the University of Vermont\u2019s Master of Science in Complex Systems and Data Science, minimum 3.0 GPA<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Amount: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Full semester tuition up to $14,670 per semester<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n            <\/div>\r\n    \r\n            <div post_id=\"112303\" itemcount=\"1\"  header_id=\"header-1654645801776\" id=\"header-1654645801776\" style=\"\" class=\"accordions-head head1654645801776 border-none\" toggle-text=\"\" main-text=\"Jack Larson Data for Good Fellowship | Amount: $8,500\">\r\n                                    <span id=\"accordion-icons-1654645801776\" class=\"accordion-icons\">\r\n                        <span class=\"accordion-icon-active accordion-plus\"><i class=\"fas fa-chevron-up\"><\/i><\/span>\r\n                        <span class=\"accordion-icon-inactive accordion-minus\"><i class=\"fas fa-chevron-right\"><\/i><\/span>\r\n                    <\/span>\r\n                    <span id=\"header-text-1654645801776\" class=\"accordions-head-title\">Jack Larson Data for Good Fellowship | Amount: $8,500<\/span>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n            <div class=\"accordion-content content1654645801776 \">\r\n                <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Jack Larson Data for Good Fellowship is awarded to students studying a data science master\u2019s degree at the University of California, Berkeley. Students must demonstrate a clear vision for using data science to make society better in some way.<\/span><b><\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Eligibility Requirements: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Masters in Data Science student at University of California, Berkeley, previous public service through work or volunteering<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Amount: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">$8,500<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n            <\/div>\r\n    \r\n            <div post_id=\"112303\" itemcount=\"2\"  header_id=\"header-1654645817937\" id=\"header-1654645817937\" style=\"\" class=\"accordions-head head1654645817937 border-none\" toggle-text=\"\" main-text=\"MinneAnalytics Scholarships | Amount: $1,000\">\r\n                                    <span id=\"accordion-icons-1654645817937\" class=\"accordion-icons\">\r\n                        <span class=\"accordion-icon-active accordion-plus\"><i class=\"fas fa-chevron-up\"><\/i><\/span>\r\n                        <span class=\"accordion-icon-inactive accordion-minus\"><i class=\"fas fa-chevron-right\"><\/i><\/span>\r\n                    <\/span>\r\n                    <span id=\"header-text-1654645817937\" class=\"accordions-head-title\">MinneAnalytics Scholarships | Amount: $1,000<\/span>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n            <div class=\"accordion-content content1654645817937 \">\r\n                <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This scholarship is available to undergraduate students attending college or university in the Midwest. Students should be studying data analytics, with the goal of starting a career in data science. Students must also demonstrate a commitment to community engagement.<\/span><b><\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Eligibility Requirements: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Undergraduate student majoring in data analytics, a record of commitment to community<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Amount: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">$1,000<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n            <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n            <\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Most Popular Scholarships by Specialization<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>[query_class_embed]\u00a0*subject-scholarships<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Student Loans for Data Science Majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Loans are a common way of paying for an education. However, not many students are well-informed about different kinds of student loans, including both public and private loans. Here\u2019s a brief overview of how other students use loans to pay for different degrees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Is the Average Student Loan for Data Science Associate Degrees?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) reports that the <a href=\"https:\/\/nces.ed.gov\/programs\/digest\/d20\/tables\/dt20_331.95.asp?current=yes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" rel=\"nofollow\">average loan amount for associate degree students was $18,550<\/a> in 2016. This figure includes students in public and private institutions. The average amount of federal loans was $18,060, and the average amount of nonfederal loans was $9,950.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Is the Average Student Loan for Data Science Bachelor\u2019s Degrees?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>NCES found the average total loan amount for bachelor\u2019s degree students in 2016 was $29,910. The average loan amount for bachelor\u2019s degree students in public schools was lower, at $26,930. For private, for-profit schools and private, non-profit schools, the average loan amounts were $41,320 and $31,890, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Is the Average Student Loan for Data Science Master\u2019s Degrees?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2016, the <a href=\"https:\/\/nces.ed.gov\/programs\/digest\/d20\/tables\/dt20_332.45.asp?current=yes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" rel=\"nofollow\">average loan for graduate students in a master\u2019s program was $50,290<\/a>, according to NCES. When you include the remaining debt from previous bachelor\u2019s degrees, this figure jumps to an average student loan debt of $64,770.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Get Into the Best Schools for Data Science<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To get into the best schools for data science, you should first earn good grades in high school and in your undergraduate degree and earn high scores on the relevant standardized tests. For undergraduate programs, you\u2019ll need to take the SAT or ACT, and for graduate programs, you\u2019ll need to take the GRE.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Submitting your application early is a great way to improve your odds, either through early decision or early action programs or for schools with rolling admissions. When completing your application, you\u2019ll need to include an impressive personal statement and strong letters of recommendation to increase your chances of acceptance into your school of choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Top 5 Tips to Get Into the Best Programs at Data Science Schools<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Earn high grades in relevant coursework.<\/li><li>Complete a passion project to demonstrate your skills.<\/li><li>Participate in data science-related extracurriculars.<\/li><li>Earn a high score on the ACT, SAT, or GRE by studying months in advance.<\/li><li>Write a strong statement of purpose.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Get Into the Best Colleges and Universities<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>[query_class_embed] how-to-get-into-*school<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Can You Get a Data Science Internship While in College?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You can get a <a href=\"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/data-science-internship\/\">data science internship<\/a> while in college by networking with successful program alumni, asking local companies, or working with your school\u2019s career services. Internships present a great opportunity for students to gain valuable hands-on experience. Here are a few pointers to guide you through finding an internship program.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"accordions-112304\" class=\"accordions-112304 accordions\" data-accordions={&quot;lazyLoad&quot;:true,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;112304&quot;,&quot;event&quot;:&quot;click&quot;,&quot;collapsible&quot;:&quot;true&quot;,&quot;heightStyle&quot;:&quot;content&quot;,&quot;animateStyle&quot;:&quot;swing&quot;,&quot;animateDelay&quot;:1000,&quot;navigation&quot;:true,&quot;active&quot;:999,&quot;expandedOther&quot;:&quot;no&quot;}>\r\n                <div id=\"accordions-lazy-112304\" class=\"accordions-lazy\" accordionsId=\"112304\">\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n\r\n    <div class=\"items\"  style=\"display:none\" >\r\n    \r\n            <div post_id=\"112304\" itemcount=\"0\"  header_id=\"header-1654645948523\" id=\"header-1654645948523\" style=\"\" class=\"accordions-head head1654645948523 border-none\" toggle-text=\"\" main-text=\"Network with Successful Program Alumni\">\r\n                                    <span id=\"accordion-icons-1654645948523\" class=\"accordion-icons\">\r\n                        <span class=\"accordion-icon-active accordion-plus\"><i class=\"fas fa-chevron-up\"><\/i><\/span>\r\n                        <span class=\"accordion-icon-inactive accordion-minus\"><i class=\"fas fa-chevron-right\"><\/i><\/span>\r\n                    <\/span>\r\n                    <span id=\"header-text-1654645948523\" class=\"accordions-head-title\">Network with Successful Program Alumni<\/span>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n            <div class=\"accordion-content content1654645948523 \">\r\n                <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Do you know anyone who successfully completed a data science degree program and has a data science job? Connect with them through your school\u2019s alumni network. They may be able to help you find an internship at the organization where they work, or they might have some professional connections with internship opportunities.<\/span><\/p>\n            <\/div>\r\n    \r\n            <div post_id=\"112304\" itemcount=\"1\"  header_id=\"header-1654645963614\" id=\"header-1654645963614\" style=\"\" class=\"accordions-head head1654645963614 border-none\" toggle-text=\"\" main-text=\"Ask Local Companies\">\r\n                                    <span id=\"accordion-icons-1654645963614\" class=\"accordion-icons\">\r\n                        <span class=\"accordion-icon-active accordion-plus\"><i class=\"fas fa-chevron-up\"><\/i><\/span>\r\n                        <span class=\"accordion-icon-inactive accordion-minus\"><i class=\"fas fa-chevron-right\"><\/i><\/span>\r\n                    <\/span>\r\n                    <span id=\"header-text-1654645963614\" class=\"accordions-head-title\">Ask Local Companies<\/span>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n            <div class=\"accordion-content content1654645963614 \">\r\n                <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Reaching out to local companies directly is perhaps one of the most common ways to get an internship in this field. You can also look up available internships through company websites and LinkedIn pages or send an email directly to the human resources department. Be polite and professional in your communications. <\/span><\/p>\n            <\/div>\r\n    \r\n            <div post_id=\"112304\" itemcount=\"2\"  header_id=\"header-1654645975502\" id=\"header-1654645975502\" style=\"\" class=\"accordions-head head1654645975502 border-none\" toggle-text=\"\" main-text=\"Contact Your School\u2019s Career Services\">\r\n                                    <span id=\"accordion-icons-1654645975502\" class=\"accordion-icons\">\r\n                        <span class=\"accordion-icon-active accordion-plus\"><i class=\"fas fa-chevron-up\"><\/i><\/span>\r\n                        <span class=\"accordion-icon-inactive accordion-minus\"><i class=\"fas fa-chevron-right\"><\/i><\/span>\r\n                    <\/span>\r\n                    <span id=\"header-text-1654645975502\" class=\"accordions-head-title\">Contact Your School\u2019s Career Services<\/span>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n            <div class=\"accordion-content content1654645975502 \">\r\n                <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Your school\u2019s career services center should have a list of companies that have offered internships to students in the past. Ask for their help in finding an open internship opportunity that fits with your career goals.<\/span><\/p>\n            <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n            <\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Jobs Can You Get With a Data Science Degree?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The jobs you can get with a data science degree are data analyst, statistician, data scientist, business intelligence developer, database administrator, data manager, and data mining specialist positions. You can pursue these positions with a Bachelor\u2019s Degree in Data Science.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can do some entry-level jobs with an associate degree and relevant experience, but most data science employers prefer employing candidates with a bachelor\u2019s degree. The <a href=\"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/associate-degree-versus-bachelor-degree\/\">difference between an associate degree and a bachelor\u2019s degree<\/a> is two additional years of education, which makes a big difference in the highly technical field of data science.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A master\u2019s degree gives you the most job options in data science. According to a Burtch Works Study in 2018, over <a href=\"https:\/\/www.burtchworks.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Burtch-Works-Study_DS-2018.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" rel=\"nofollow\">43 percent of data scientists had master\u2019s degrees<\/a> and 48 percent had <a href=\"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/doctorate\/\">doctoral degrees<\/a>. This means that to get a good job in this field, you\u2019ll eventually need a graduate degree.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Data Science Degree Salary Outlook<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A typical data science degree salary is significantly more than the national average, which the US Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates is $58,260 per year. As you earn more advanced degrees, your earning potential increases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<table class=\"course-info-table\">\n<thead>\n  <tr>\n    <th>Degree Level<\/th>\n    <th>Average Salary <\/th>\n  <\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n  <tr>\n    <td>Data Science Associate Degree<\/td>\n    <td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.payscale.com\/research\/US\/Degree=Associate_of_Applied_Science_(AAS)%2C_Data_Processing\/Salary\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" rel=\"nofollow\">$81,000<\/a><\/td>\n  <\/tr>\n  <tr>\n    <td>Data Science Bachelor\u2019s Degree<\/td>\n    <td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.payscale.com\/research\/US\/Degree=Bachelor%27s_Degree%2C_Computer_Science_(CS)\/Salary\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" rel=\"nofollow\">$87,000<\/a><\/td>\n  <\/tr>\n  <tr>\n    <td>Data Science Master\u2019s Degree<\/td>\n    <td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.payscale.com\/research\/US\/Degree=Master_of_Computer_Science_(MCS)%2C_Business_Data_Analysis\/Salary\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" rel=\"nofollow\">$89,000<\/a><\/td>\n  <\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Data Science Degree Jobs and Career Outlook: What Can You Do With a Data Science Degree?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You can get many high-paying and in-demand jobs with a data science degree. Such jobs include data analyst, data scientist, business intelligence developer, database administrator, data manager, and data mining specialist. You can also pursue further education with a data science degree to increase your skills and overall marketability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Top Data Science Associate Degree Jobs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Database Administrator<\/li><li>Business Intelligence Developer<\/li><li>Statistician<\/li><li>Data Analyst<\/li><li>Data Scientist<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Top Data Science Bachelor\u2019s Degree Jobs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Information Officer<\/li><li>Data Mining Specialist<\/li><li>Data Manager<\/li><li>Business Analyst<\/li><li>Data Architect<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Top Data Science Master\u2019s Degree Jobs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Machine Learning Scientist<\/li><li>Machine Learning Engineer<\/li><li>Applications Architect<\/li><li>Data Engineer<\/li><li>Business Intelligence Developer<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Highest-Paying Data Science Jobs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<table class=\"course-info-table\">\n<thead>\n  <tr>\n    <th>Highest-Paying Data Science Jobs<\/th>\n    <th>Entry-Level Salary (0-12 Months)\t\t<\/th>\n    <th>Early-Career Salary (1-4 Years)<\/th>\n    <th>Mid-Career Salary (5-9 Years)\t<\/th>\n    <th>Experienced Salary (10-19 Years)<\/th>\n  <\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n  <tr>\n    <td>Data Scientist<\/td>\n    <td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.payscale.com\/research\/US\/Job=Data_Scientist\/Salary\/3eb9c016\/Entry-Level\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" rel=\"nofollow\">$85,456<\/a><\/td>\n    <td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.payscale.com\/research\/US\/Job=Data_Scientist\/Salary\/3eb9c016\/Early-Career\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" rel=\"nofollow\">$96,152<\/a><\/td>\n    <td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.payscale.com\/research\/US\/Job=Data_Scientist\/Salary\/29e9d532\/Mid-Career\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" rel=\"nofollow\">$110,685<\/a><\/td>\n    <td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.payscale.com\/research\/US\/Job=Data_Scientist\/Salary\/7e6f9c33\/Experienced\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" rel=\"nofollow\">$123,303<\/a><\/td>\n  <\/tr>\n  <tr>\n    <td>Data Engineer<\/td>\n    <td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.payscale.com\/research\/US\/Job=Data_Engineer\/Salary\/a7e0668c\/Entry-Level\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" rel=\"nofollow\">$77,735<\/a><\/td>\n    <td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.payscale.com\/research\/US\/Job=Data_Engineer\/Salary\/a7e0668c\/Early-Career\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" rel=\"nofollow\">$88,494<\/a><\/td>\n    <td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.payscale.com\/research\/US\/Job=Data_Engineer\/Salary\/c0462bfd\/Mid-Career\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" rel=\"nofollow\">$105,107<\/a><\/td>\n    <td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.payscale.com\/research\/US\/Job=Data_Engineer\/Salary\/d4d7ff3a\/Experienced\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" rel=\"nofollow\">$116,960<\/a><\/td>\n  <\/tr>\n  <tr>\n    <td>Data Architect<\/td>\n    <td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.payscale.com\/research\/US\/Job=Data_Architect\/Salary\/17815ec2\/Entry-Level\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" rel=\"nofollow\">$72,201<\/a><\/td>\n    <td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.payscale.com\/research\/US\/Job=Data_Architect\/Salary\/17815ec2\/Early-Career\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" rel=\"nofollow\">$86,162<\/a><\/td>\n    <td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.payscale.com\/research\/US\/Job=Data_Architect\/Salary\/1ee39ef2\/Mid-Career\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" rel=\"nofollow\">$112,475<\/a><\/td>\n    <td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.payscale.com\/research\/US\/Job=Data_Architect\/Salary\/5a6ead12\/Experienced\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" rel=\"nofollow\">$131,671<\/a><\/td>\n  <\/tr>\n  <tr>\n    <td>Information Security Analyst<\/td>\n    <td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.payscale.com\/research\/US\/Job=Information_Security_Analyst\/Salary\/630064a0\/Entry-Level\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" rel=\"nofollow\">$60,965<\/a><\/td>\n    <td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.payscale.com\/research\/US\/Job=Information_Security_Analyst\/Salary\/630064a0\/Early-Career\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" rel=\"nofollow\">$68,976<\/a><\/td>\n    <td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.payscale.com\/research\/US\/Job=Information_Security_Analyst\/Salary\/e6c433ce\/Mid-Career\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" rel=\"nofollow\">$83,878<\/a><\/td>\n    <td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.payscale.com\/research\/US\/Job=Information_Security_Analyst\/Salary\/42c0169d\/Experienced\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" rel=\"nofollow\">$97,521<\/a><\/td>\n  <\/tr>\n  <tr>\n    <td>Information Analyst<\/td>\n    <td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.payscale.com\/research\/US\/Job=Information_Analyst\/Salary\/6c391a99\/Entry-Level\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" rel=\"nofollow\">$52,988<\/a><\/td>\n    <td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.payscale.com\/research\/US\/Job=Information_Analyst\/Salary\/6c391a99\/Early-Career\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" rel=\"nofollow\">$60,343<\/a><\/td>\n    <td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.payscale.com\/research\/US\/Job=Information_Analyst\/Salary\/d576d0f5\/Mid-Career\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" rel=\"nofollow\">$73,807<\/a><\/td>\n    <td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.payscale.com\/research\/US\/Job=Information_Analyst\/Salary\/e5d841e3\/Experienced\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" rel=\"nofollow\">$85,572<\/a><\/td>\n  <\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Professional Data Science Organizations and Resources<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Professional organizations are a great source of information for new developments in the field of data science. These groups have a wealth of knowledge about internships, learning resources, career pathways, conferences, events, scholarships, and networking opportunities. Here are some professional data science organizations that you should consider joining.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"accordions-112305\" class=\"accordions-112305 accordions\" data-accordions={&quot;lazyLoad&quot;:true,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;112305&quot;,&quot;event&quot;:&quot;click&quot;,&quot;collapsible&quot;:&quot;true&quot;,&quot;heightStyle&quot;:&quot;content&quot;,&quot;animateStyle&quot;:&quot;swing&quot;,&quot;animateDelay&quot;:1000,&quot;navigation&quot;:true,&quot;active&quot;:999,&quot;expandedOther&quot;:&quot;no&quot;}>\r\n                <div id=\"accordions-lazy-112305\" class=\"accordions-lazy\" accordionsId=\"112305\">\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n\r\n    <div class=\"items\"  style=\"display:none\" >\r\n    \r\n            <div post_id=\"112305\" itemcount=\"0\"  header_id=\"header-1654646444497\" id=\"header-1654646444497\" style=\"\" class=\"accordions-head head1654646444497 border-none\" toggle-text=\"\" main-text=\"The Association of Data Scientists (ADaSci)\">\r\n                                    <span id=\"accordion-icons-1654646444497\" class=\"accordion-icons\">\r\n                        <span class=\"accordion-icon-active accordion-plus\"><i class=\"fas fa-chevron-up\"><\/i><\/span>\r\n                        <span class=\"accordion-icon-inactive accordion-minus\"><i class=\"fas fa-chevron-right\"><\/i><\/span>\r\n                    <\/span>\r\n                    <span id=\"header-text-1654646444497\" class=\"accordions-head-title\">The Association of Data Scientists (ADaSci)<\/span>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n            <div class=\"accordion-content content1654646444497 \">\r\n                <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This is a global body that serves professionals interested in data science and machine learning. Some services offered by this body include publication and access to peer-reviewed journals, national events for academics and professionals, and analytics certificates to assist members in furthering their education.<\/span><\/p>\n            <\/div>\r\n    \r\n            <div post_id=\"112305\" itemcount=\"1\"  header_id=\"header-1654646459341\" id=\"header-1654646459341\" style=\"\" class=\"accordions-head head1654646459341 border-none\" toggle-text=\"\" main-text=\"Associate for Computing Machinery Special Interest Group on Management of Data (ACM SIGMOD)\">\r\n                                    <span id=\"accordion-icons-1654646459341\" class=\"accordion-icons\">\r\n                        <span class=\"accordion-icon-active accordion-plus\"><i class=\"fas fa-chevron-up\"><\/i><\/span>\r\n                        <span class=\"accordion-icon-inactive accordion-minus\"><i class=\"fas fa-chevron-right\"><\/i><\/span>\r\n                    <\/span>\r\n                    <span id=\"header-text-1654646459341\" class=\"accordions-head-title\">Associate for Computing Machinery Special Interest Group on Management of Data (ACM SIGMOD)<\/span>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n            <div class=\"accordion-content content1654646459341 \">\r\n                <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This is an association of professionals and students who are interested in solving large-scale data management problems. Members of this association have access to database resources, content from sponsored events, and a bundle of SIGMOD-related publications.<\/span><\/p>\n            <\/div>\r\n    \r\n            <div post_id=\"112305\" itemcount=\"2\"  header_id=\"header-1654647190861\" id=\"header-1654647190861\" style=\"\" class=\"accordions-head head1654647190861 border-none\" toggle-text=\"\" main-text=\"American Statistical Association (ASA)\">\r\n                                    <span id=\"accordion-icons-1654647190861\" class=\"accordion-icons\">\r\n                        <span class=\"accordion-icon-active accordion-plus\"><i class=\"fas fa-chevron-up\"><\/i><\/span>\r\n                        <span class=\"accordion-icon-inactive accordion-minus\"><i class=\"fas fa-chevron-right\"><\/i><\/span>\r\n                    <\/span>\r\n                    <span id=\"header-text-1654647190861\" class=\"accordions-head-title\">American Statistical Association (ASA)<\/span>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n            <div class=\"accordion-content content1654647190861 \">\r\n                <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This is a non-profit association that serves members by offering practical resources and helping statisticians in their professional lives. They promote the field of statistics and strive to use data and statistics to inform decision-making processes. They publish magazines for the general public and technical journals for data scientists and statisticians.<\/span><\/p>\n            <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n            <\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Data Science in 10 Years: Is Getting a Data Science Degree Worth It?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes, getting a data science degree is worth it. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics recognizes some data science careers among the fastest-growing careers in the United States. For instance, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bls.gov\/ooh\/fastest-growing.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" rel=\"nofollow\">statistician and information security analyst jobs are expected to grow by 33 to 35 percent<\/a> through 2030, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Many businesses and organizations are investing tons of resources in the collection and utilization of data. Earning a data science degree increases your odds of employment in this competitive market. Additionally, you\u2019ll be earning significantly more than the national average with a degree in data science.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Additional Reading About Data Science<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>[query_class_embed] https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/introduction-to-data-science\/ https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/types-of-data-science-jobs\/ https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/best-programming-languages-for-data-science\/<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Data Science Degree FAQ<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\"><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1654647411584\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">What degree do you need to be a data scientist?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">You\u2019ll need a Bachelor\u2019s Degree in Computer Science, Data Science, or a related field to make you eligible for most entry-level data science jobs. Earning a master\u2019s degree is ideal for those looking for career advancement opportunities, but most employers hiring entry-level data scientists accept candidates with a bachelor\u2019s degree.<br\/><br\/><\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1654647420985\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Is data science an easy degree?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">No, data science is not an easy degree. An associate, bachelor\u2019s, or master\u2019s degree in this field requires coursework in math, statistics, programming, and database management. Many people find these topics challenging to learn.<br\/><br\/><\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1654647429021\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Is data science in demand?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Yes, data science is in demand. Businesses across all industries, from agriculture to shipping, use data science to streamline their work and make data-driven decisions. Whether you want to work for a large corporation or a non-profit, data science skills will be invaluable.<br\/><br\/><\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1654647436189\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Is data science a good career for the future?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Yes, data science is a good career for the future. Big data is one of the most valuable assets for businesses today. Organizations are collecting and using more data than ever before. This means that there will be many employment and career advancement opportunities for data scientists in the future.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"If you want to break into the field of data science, you might be wondering what a data science degree is. Data is a valuable asset in today\u2019s world, and a data science degree can help you become a data scientist. Businesses, government agencies, and non-profit organizations all need data scientists to interpret data to&hellip;","protected":false},"author":129,"featured_media":112298,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[25395],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-15221","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-degrees"},"acf":{"post_sub_title":"","sprint_id":"May 2","query_class":"*parentsubject-degree-guide","school_sft":"","parent_sft":"","school_privacy_policy":"","has_review":null,"is_sponser_post":"","is_guest_post":""},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.4 (Yoast SEO v27.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>What Is a Data Science Degree?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"This article describes the different types of data science degrees you can pursue, from associate to master&#039;s degrees.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/data-science-degree\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Data Science Programs and Majors Explained: Degree Levels, Specializations, and Common Data Science Courses\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"This article describes the different types of data science degrees you can pursue, from associate to master&#039;s degrees.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/data-science-degree\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Career Karma\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"http:\/\/facebook.com\/careerkarmaapp\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2022-06-08T00:17:00+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2022-06-08T00:20:43+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Data-Science-Programs-and-Majors.jpeg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"800\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"David Munyaka\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:description\" content=\"Want to become a #DataScientist? Then you need a #DataScienceDegree. An undergraduate or graduate degree can help you start a #DataScienceCareer at different levels. Read this article to learn more about different data science programs and jobs.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@career_karma\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@career_karma\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"David Munyaka\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"14 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/careerkarma.com\\\/blog\\\/data-science-degree\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/careerkarma.com\\\/blog\\\/data-science-degree\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"David Munyaka\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/careerkarma.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/13d9c1afbe47f6cb0157d4cd3f48660c\"},\"headline\":\"Data Science Programs and Majors Explained: Degree Levels, Specializations, and Common Data Science Courses\",\"datePublished\":\"2022-06-08T00:17:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2022-06-08T00:20:43+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/careerkarma.com\\\/blog\\\/data-science-degree\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":3085,\"commentCount\":0,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/careerkarma.com\\\/blog\\\/data-science-degree\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/careerkarma.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2020\\\/04\\\/Data-Science-Programs-and-Majors.jpeg\",\"articleSection\":[\"Degrees\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/careerkarma.com\\\/blog\\\/data-science-degree\\\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":[\"WebPage\",\"FAQPage\"],\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/careerkarma.com\\\/blog\\\/data-science-degree\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/careerkarma.com\\\/blog\\\/data-science-degree\\\/\",\"name\":\"What Is a Data Science Degree?\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/careerkarma.com\\\/blog\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/careerkarma.com\\\/blog\\\/data-science-degree\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/careerkarma.com\\\/blog\\\/data-science-degree\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/careerkarma.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2020\\\/04\\\/Data-Science-Programs-and-Majors.jpeg\",\"datePublished\":\"2022-06-08T00:17:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2022-06-08T00:20:43+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/careerkarma.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/13d9c1afbe47f6cb0157d4cd3f48660c\"},\"description\":\"This article describes the different types of data science degrees you can pursue, from associate to master's degrees.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/careerkarma.com\\\/blog\\\/data-science-degree\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"mainEntity\":[{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/careerkarma.com\\\/blog\\\/data-science-degree\\\/#faq-question-1654647411584\"},{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/careerkarma.com\\\/blog\\\/data-science-degree\\\/#faq-question-1654647420985\"},{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/careerkarma.com\\\/blog\\\/data-science-degree\\\/#faq-question-1654647429021\"},{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/careerkarma.com\\\/blog\\\/data-science-degree\\\/#faq-question-1654647436189\"}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/careerkarma.com\\\/blog\\\/data-science-degree\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/careerkarma.com\\\/blog\\\/data-science-degree\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/careerkarma.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2020\\\/04\\\/Data-Science-Programs-and-Majors.jpeg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/careerkarma.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2020\\\/04\\\/Data-Science-Programs-and-Majors.jpeg\",\"width\":1200,\"height\":800,\"caption\":\"A human brain and connections to a motherboard\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/careerkarma.com\\\/blog\\\/data-science-degree\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Blog\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/careerkarma.com\\\/blog\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Degrees\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/careerkarma.com\\\/blog\\\/degrees\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Data Science Programs and Majors Explained: Degree Levels, Specializations, and Common Data Science Courses\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/careerkarma.com\\\/blog\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/careerkarma.com\\\/blog\\\/\",\"name\":\"Career Karma\",\"description\":\"Latest Coding Bootcamp News &amp; Career Hacks from Industry Insiders\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/careerkarma.com\\\/blog\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/careerkarma.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/13d9c1afbe47f6cb0157d4cd3f48660c\",\"name\":\"David Munyaka\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/careerkarma.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2022\\\/04\\\/David-M-2.png\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/careerkarma.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2022\\\/04\\\/David-M-2.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/careerkarma.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2022\\\/04\\\/David-M-2.png\",\"caption\":\"David Munyaka\"},\"description\":\"David, a certified Executive Coach by the International Association of Professions Career College, is a business researcher, developer, and consultant. His writing has appeared online in various human resource and finance publications. David has over a decade of experience writing about career-related topics, and he also has a background in web development languages like HTML. He holds a Bachelor of Business in Commerce and Finance from Kenyatta University.\",\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.iapcollege.com\\\/iapo-professional-directory\\\/?iap_directory_search=munyaka\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.linkedin.com\\\/in\\\/david-munyaka-130915125\\\/\"],\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/careerkarma.com\\\/blog\\\/author\\\/david-munyaka\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/careerkarma.com\\\/blog\\\/data-science-degree\\\/#faq-question-1654647411584\",\"position\":1,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/careerkarma.com\\\/blog\\\/data-science-degree\\\/#faq-question-1654647411584\",\"name\":\"What degree do you need to be a data scientist?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"You\u2019ll need a Bachelor\u2019s Degree in Computer Science, Data Science, or a related field to make you eligible for most entry-level data science jobs. Earning a master\u2019s degree is ideal for those looking for career advancement opportunities, but most employers hiring entry-level data scientists accept candidates with a bachelor\u2019s degree.<br\\\/><br\\\/>\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/careerkarma.com\\\/blog\\\/data-science-degree\\\/#faq-question-1654647420985\",\"position\":2,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/careerkarma.com\\\/blog\\\/data-science-degree\\\/#faq-question-1654647420985\",\"name\":\"Is data science an easy degree?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"No, data science is not an easy degree. An associate, bachelor\u2019s, or master\u2019s degree in this field requires coursework in math, statistics, programming, and database management. Many people find these topics challenging to learn.<br\\\/><br\\\/>\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/careerkarma.com\\\/blog\\\/data-science-degree\\\/#faq-question-1654647429021\",\"position\":3,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/careerkarma.com\\\/blog\\\/data-science-degree\\\/#faq-question-1654647429021\",\"name\":\"Is data science in demand?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Yes, data science is in demand. Businesses across all industries, from agriculture to shipping, use data science to streamline their work and make data-driven decisions. Whether you want to work for a large corporation or a non-profit, data science skills will be invaluable.<br\\\/><br\\\/>\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/careerkarma.com\\\/blog\\\/data-science-degree\\\/#faq-question-1654647436189\",\"position\":4,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/careerkarma.com\\\/blog\\\/data-science-degree\\\/#faq-question-1654647436189\",\"name\":\"Is data science a good career for the future?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Yes, data science is a good career for the future. Big data is one of the most valuable assets for businesses today. Organizations are collecting and using more data than ever before. This means that there will be many employment and career advancement opportunities for data scientists in the future.\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"What Is a Data Science Degree?","description":"This article describes the different types of data science degrees you can pursue, from associate to master's degrees.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/data-science-degree\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Data Science Programs and Majors Explained: Degree Levels, Specializations, and Common Data Science Courses","og_description":"This article describes the different types of data science degrees you can pursue, from associate to master's degrees.","og_url":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/data-science-degree\/","og_site_name":"Career Karma","article_publisher":"http:\/\/facebook.com\/careerkarmaapp","article_published_time":"2022-06-08T00:17:00+00:00","article_modified_time":"2022-06-08T00:20:43+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1200,"height":800,"url":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Data-Science-Programs-and-Majors.jpeg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"David Munyaka","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_description":"Want to become a #DataScientist? Then you need a #DataScienceDegree. An undergraduate or graduate degree can help you start a #DataScienceCareer at different levels. Read this article to learn more about different data science programs and jobs.","twitter_creator":"@career_karma","twitter_site":"@career_karma","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"David Munyaka","Est. reading time":"14 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/data-science-degree\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/data-science-degree\/"},"author":{"name":"David Munyaka","@id":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/13d9c1afbe47f6cb0157d4cd3f48660c"},"headline":"Data Science Programs and Majors Explained: Degree Levels, Specializations, and Common Data Science Courses","datePublished":"2022-06-08T00:17:00+00:00","dateModified":"2022-06-08T00:20:43+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/data-science-degree\/"},"wordCount":3085,"commentCount":0,"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/data-science-degree\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Data-Science-Programs-and-Majors.jpeg","articleSection":["Degrees"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/data-science-degree\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":["WebPage","FAQPage"],"@id":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/data-science-degree\/","url":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/data-science-degree\/","name":"What Is a Data Science Degree?","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/data-science-degree\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/data-science-degree\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Data-Science-Programs-and-Majors.jpeg","datePublished":"2022-06-08T00:17:00+00:00","dateModified":"2022-06-08T00:20:43+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/13d9c1afbe47f6cb0157d4cd3f48660c"},"description":"This article describes the different types of data science degrees you can pursue, from associate to master's degrees.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/data-science-degree\/#breadcrumb"},"mainEntity":[{"@id":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/data-science-degree\/#faq-question-1654647411584"},{"@id":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/data-science-degree\/#faq-question-1654647420985"},{"@id":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/data-science-degree\/#faq-question-1654647429021"},{"@id":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/data-science-degree\/#faq-question-1654647436189"}],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/data-science-degree\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/data-science-degree\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Data-Science-Programs-and-Majors.jpeg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Data-Science-Programs-and-Majors.jpeg","width":1200,"height":800,"caption":"A human brain and connections to a motherboard"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/data-science-degree\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Degrees","item":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/degrees\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Data Science Programs and Majors Explained: Degree Levels, Specializations, and Common Data Science Courses"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/","name":"Career Karma","description":"Latest Coding Bootcamp News &amp; Career Hacks from Industry Insiders","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/13d9c1afbe47f6cb0157d4cd3f48660c","name":"David Munyaka","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/David-M-2.png","url":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/David-M-2.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/David-M-2.png","caption":"David Munyaka"},"description":"David, a certified Executive Coach by the International Association of Professions Career College, is a business researcher, developer, and consultant. His writing has appeared online in various human resource and finance publications. David has over a decade of experience writing about career-related topics, and he also has a background in web development languages like HTML. He holds a Bachelor of Business in Commerce and Finance from Kenyatta University.","sameAs":["https:\/\/www.iapcollege.com\/iapo-professional-directory\/?iap_directory_search=munyaka","https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/david-munyaka-130915125\/"],"url":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/author\/david-munyaka\/"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/data-science-degree\/#faq-question-1654647411584","position":1,"url":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/data-science-degree\/#faq-question-1654647411584","name":"What degree do you need to be a data scientist?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"You\u2019ll need a Bachelor\u2019s Degree in Computer Science, Data Science, or a related field to make you eligible for most entry-level data science jobs. Earning a master\u2019s degree is ideal for those looking for career advancement opportunities, but most employers hiring entry-level data scientists accept candidates with a bachelor\u2019s degree.<br\/><br\/>","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/data-science-degree\/#faq-question-1654647420985","position":2,"url":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/data-science-degree\/#faq-question-1654647420985","name":"Is data science an easy degree?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"No, data science is not an easy degree. An associate, bachelor\u2019s, or master\u2019s degree in this field requires coursework in math, statistics, programming, and database management. Many people find these topics challenging to learn.<br\/><br\/>","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/data-science-degree\/#faq-question-1654647429021","position":3,"url":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/data-science-degree\/#faq-question-1654647429021","name":"Is data science in demand?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes, data science is in demand. Businesses across all industries, from agriculture to shipping, use data science to streamline their work and make data-driven decisions. Whether you want to work for a large corporation or a non-profit, data science skills will be invaluable.<br\/><br\/>","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/data-science-degree\/#faq-question-1654647436189","position":4,"url":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/data-science-degree\/#faq-question-1654647436189","name":"Is data science a good career for the future?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes, data science is a good career for the future. Big data is one of the most valuable assets for businesses today. Organizations are collecting and using more data than ever before. This means that there will be many employment and career advancement opportunities for data scientists in the future.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15221","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/129"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15221"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15221\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/112298"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15221"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15221"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15221"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}