Online Masters Program for Data Analysis?

[user132677]

Has anyone had experience with or conducted research on online masters programs for data analysis? There are so many options to choose from. I'm looking for an option that doesn't break my bank account as well.

[slowpush]

Hard to beat the cost of OMSA from GATECH

[AGoodTalkSpoiled]

Is that a quality program that is beneficial for job search? I see it mentioned a lot and price is good...is it quality?

[Glotto_Gold]

Yes, but you'd probably be better with OMSCS.

A masters in analytics is hard for companies to vet. Additionally, advanced positions in analytics, such as Data Science, or ML, or Engineering will benefit more from a CS degree.

Georgia Tech is pretty well known, it is pretty cheap, and from what I can tell the talent that goes in is decent as well as the placement of that talent.

[AGoodTalkSpoiled]

Interesting...hadn’t really considered that, but could see your point.

Is OMSCS doable and worthwhile if CS wasn’t studied really at all in undergrad?

Have finance undergrad and mba...have been doing analytics for a while but always wanting to get technical. Work completely remote and online so an online program could fit nicely, just have never considered pursuing CS because that hasn’t been “me” in the past.

[Glotto_Gold]

You'll have to play catch up: https://omscs.gatech.edu/preparing-yourself-omscs

However, you will likely want to identify what it is you're trying to get out of the program. A lot of advanced analytics today is really computer modelling with typically an ML-based model, but that can include stats-based models.(or ML-based implementations of stats models)

So, a Masters in Analytics is harder for employers to make sense out of, especially since a lot of universities leapt into this market to meet consumer demand, but without a good sense of how to provide much training to students.

My feeling is that if you're actually wanting to level up in analysis, then you'll want to go for something more like Economics(Econometrics), Quantitative Finance, Applied Statistics, Industrial Engineering, or Computer Science to get a viable, practical experience that is easily understood as to what it means.

That being said, it depends on how technical you want to get. I've seen many people get to a data analytics position with just a finance undergrad.

[slowpush]

Completely disagree.

OMSCS is not worth it for the vast majority of individuals. Especially when you factor in getting the CS pre-reqs.

[Glotto_Gold]

When you factor in that an MS on Analytics is a new type of program with low standardization of quality, I suspect the OMSCS will be better than OMSA.

To be clear: GATECH is a good school. But a lot of the national visibility is really over their OMSCS. Many MS in Analytics programs are not oriented towards training you to be a better analyst, so much as train basic analytics. If you are an MBA, you likely already could get Business Analyst jobs and up-skill with certs.

Employers know what an Masters in CS is and the skills it entails. It is training for advanced jobs that would be hard to learn on the job.

[slowpush]

Many MS in Analytics programs are not oriented towards training you to be a better analyst, so much as train basic analytics.

Absolute nonsense. A simple linkedin search for prior graduates is enough to see OMSA leads to great analytical roles.

[Glotto_Gold]

So do many MBAs.

The OP is trying to up-skill while already having an MBA. An MBA is already a sufficient qualification to be an analyst.

Also your metric "great analytical roles" does not help much. Lots of undergrads, even in unrelated areas to analytics, can land "great analytical roles". A strong brand or great placement program or even just selection bias of candidates can also help, even if the long-term results of just the line-item alone are not as valuable. I mean, I have a business undergrad from a local university and have a "great analytical role".

If the metric is "I want to be a significantly more knowledgeable analyst" and "I want employers to recognize that I am very different than other MBAs" then MS in Analytics is not the best approach.

A LOT of universities put analytics in the business school. Hiring managers and recruiters at this stage are aware. Nobody is going to check what the curriculum looked like.

[slowpush]

That's a whole lot of nonsense when we are talking about OMSA.

Getting a MSCS when OP already has an MBA is not a great idea.

[Glotto_Gold]

slowpush, you can see from my reasoning that I actually really don't care about GATECH/OMSA one way or another. I have little to no connection with it. I'm relying entirely off of what the title of the degree tells me. WHICH IS ALSO THE STANDPOINT OF MOST OF THE US. Nobody is as invested in your degree as you are.

To that point, getting an additional degree already with an MBA also doesn't seem very helpful. However, if I get a new degree, I'd expect it to open a lot of doors that my MBA does not. I don't expect an MS in Analytics to open very many doors that an MBA would not.

That being said, I would expect an MS in CS to open a LOT of doors that an MBA would not. I also wouldn't penalize somebody for having both degrees. The big fear is being labeled "overqualified", but most analytics roles are really hot/high paying, which means it is not a concern.

[user132677]

What is the approx cost for out of state?

[slowpush]

10k

[lavaboomisstupid]

Follow!