约翰·霍普金斯大学和芝加哥大学数据分析研究生项目

Continuing from my last article about popular graduate degree fields of study for current Chinese international students, this time I explored the field of Data Analytics while learning about the graduate programs in this area at Johns Hopkins University and the University of Chicago.   If you love math, statistics and computer science, this is the ideal career path for you, with exceptional career prospects in the United States.

What is Data Analytics?

Data analytics is the science of analyzing raw data to draw conclusions and is utilized practically in the business world to help companies maximize their performance, increase profits and efficiency, and inform decision making.  In summary, the most popular use of Data Analysts at the present time is to help businesses optimize the various aspects of their company, which can also inform strategic planning to maximize profits.  They work in many industries, including business, finance, criminal justice, science, medicine, and government.

Data Analytics Career Paths

Data analytics has various areas of inquiry and work: descriptive analytics will look at what occurred, diagnostic analytics look at why something occurred, predictive analysis will look at what may occur in the future and prescriptive analytics is used to suggest next steps.  Using various software tools, this field appears to merge computing and math learning, with data analysts relying on spreadsheets, data visualization, data mining–all with an end goal of data manipulation. Per dataquest’s website, “There’s never been a better time to learn data analytics and become a data scientist. The job outlook is promising, and the opportunities span multiple industries.” According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook (the projected percent change in employment from 2021 to 2031. The average growth rate for all occupations is 5 percent) is 36%, substantially higher than the average growth rate.  The median annual wage for data sc​​ientists was $100,910 in May 2021. A data analyst gathers, cleans, and studies data sets to help solve problems.

Graduate Studies at  Johns Hopkins University

Ranked #7 by U.S. News and World Report Johns Hopkins offers the Master of Science in Data Analytics and Policy (they also offer a Graduate Certificate in Data Analytics and Policy).  The program ranges in duration from 16-24 months, and is 36 credits delivered online (with an option to take electives on campus on the Washington DC campus). This master’s degree program consists of 12 courses where students focus on statistics, programming, data visualization, and communication.  Students choose from four concentrations: Statistical Analysis, Geospatial Analysis, Public Management and Political Behavior and Policy Analysis.  In this M.S. program, core courses include Data Visualization, Probability and Statistics, Programming and Data Management, Quantitative Methods, and a Capstone for Data Analytics and Policy. Students then have the option to select electives that include data mining, healthcare analytics, machine learning, and data analysis in non-profits.  Tuition is at $4,405 per course, but additional fees do apply.

Graduate Studies at The University of Chicago

The University of Chicago offers a Master’s of Science in Analytics (MScA) that can be completed part or full time (12-18 months full time, or 18 months part time).  This, unlike Johns Hopkins, can be either a fully in-person program or an online program with a total tuition cost of  $62,556.  They are currently accepting applications for a Fall 2023 start date (note: visa priority deadline is January 17, 2023 and only the full time, in-person program is visa eligible).  Admission applications are due March 1, 2023 for in-person programs, and rolling admissions for the online program.

Based on their downtown Chicago campus, they boast that alumni of the program have gone onto careers with Google, McKinsey, Argonne Labs, Goldman Sachs, and Proctor & Gamble.  This program is offered through the University’s Data Science Institute, where students learn “how to analyze data and apply it to critical real-world problems in medicine, public policy, the social and physical sciences, and many other domains.”

Foundational courses include Statistics, R and Python; these are taken online by all students in the five weeks prior to the first quarter of the program. Core courses include more Statistics, Data Mining Principles, Machine Learning and Predictive Analytics, and selections in the areas of Data Engineering and Leadership. A wide variety of electives include: Credit and Insurance Risk Analytics, Data Visualization Techniques, Health Analytics, and Digital Marketing Analytics. Students are also required to complete a Capstone Project over two quarters, covering research design, implementation and writing. A number of non credit workshops and short courses are also offered to supplement learning.

SUMMARY

With various options to complete a graduate degree in Data Analytics at a top ranked university that also ranks highly in this field, Johns Hopkins and the University of Chicago offer options that are flexible for those interested in online or in-person learning.  With numerous sources calling

Data Analytics a fast-growing field and that will continue to grow over the next decade, quantitatively inclined students could excel in a career that is an ideal fit for their skills.