Data Analytics (MS)

Today's businesses, government, health care organizations, manufacturing operations, and information technology security organizations (among many others) are wrestling with how to effectively leverage "big data" for competitiveness, risk-assessment, mission-critical decision-making, and organizational effectiveness. Data has become increasingly ubiquitous, particularly in unstructured formats and through disparate sources, requiring organizations to become more advanced in the collection, storage, analysis, security, and reporting of data. With increasing demand within organizations to make big decisions with big data, so too does the need for professionals with specialized skills and education in data analytics to fill the talent gap that exists today. The M.S. in Data Analytics focuses on the strategic and advanced uses of data analytics across a broad range of industries and occupations. Students in the program are engaged in advanced technologies for data mining, visualization, modeling, and optimization while understanding the requirements and needs of the organizational environment through business research and in-depth analysis. The ethical uses of data and ensuring appropriate security measures for data collection and storage are a key feature of the program and students will engage in advanced techniques for protecting the integrity and privacy of data, organizations, and consumers. The graduate degree program prepares students to position themselves as a strategic asset to any organization by making data immediately beneficial to strategic decision-making for any organization.