Advanced Certificate in
Data Science (Online)

Degree Type

Advanced Certificate

Study Options

Online
Hybrid
On Campus

If you’ve already earned a master’s degree in computer science, information technology, or computer information systems, you may already be well on your way to a great career, but there’s still one frontier left to conquer: data science.

Data science lies at the intersection of statistical analysis, database management, coding, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and more. It’s challenging, engaging, and rewarding… and it’s becoming more valuable to businesses every single day.

With an accredited Advanced Certificate in Data Science from our King Graduate School, you’ll do more than grow your already-impressive skill set. You’ll boost your career prospects as well. And with our state-of-the-art online program, you can do it from anywhere — and on a schedule that works with the busy lives of working professionals.

Find Out About Our On Campus Data Science Certificate

Why an Online Certificate in Data Science?

As someone who holds a graduate degree in CS, IT, or CIS, you’re already looking at a favorable job market: positions for computer and information research scientists are growing at four times the average rate of total occupations. Compared to careers in data science, however, those numbers look small.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, careers in data science are exploding at a rate of 36% — more than seven times the national average. Employers in every sector need more data scientists with the theoretical, analytical, and practical skills to turn raw data into meaningful insights.

In real estate, finance, retail, health care, entertainment, and more, each new day brings massive amounts of new, unstructured data. Those who know how to use it have an incredible advantage in a field with exceptional levels of job satisfaction and stability.

Online Curriculum

Your online courses in Data Science will expand your existing knowledge base. You’ll take everything you’ve learned up to this point and direct it toward an intensive, multidisciplinary curriculum that covers:

Statistical and object-oriented programming
Statistical modeling
Big data analytics
Data management
Data modeling
Data visualization
Cloud technologies
Artificial intelligence
Machine learning

You’ll work in languages that include Python, R, and SQL (Structured Query Language), and learn how to apply them within industry-standard resources that include:

By the time you finish, you’ll be prepared to earn valuable certifications to advance your career, including:

It all comes together in the form of a professional-level applied data science project. Under the guidance of an assigned faculty mentor, you’ll design, create, execute, and implement a project that incorporates all of your new skills.

How Long Does It Take to Earn a Data Science Certificate Online?

Full-time students can complete the 18-credit advanced data science certificate in just three (3) semesters — that’s just one (1) year of study on our three-semester academic calendar. With prior approval from the dean, students may be able to complete the program in two (2) semesters.

We also offer on campus and hybrid programs to provide even greater flexibility.

Learn more about the requirements for an Advanced Certificate in Data Science.

See the Curriculum

Featured Course

Big Data: Management & Analytics

To manage the sheer volume of unstructured data they receive, organizations increasingly turn to parallel computing solutions like Apache Hadoop. Using the MapReduce programming model, Hadoop’s open-source software allows for the distributed processing of vast data sets across large clusters of computers. In this course, students will gain an in-depth understanding of both MapReduce and Distributed File Systems; Apache’s Hive and Pig platforms, used to create custom data processing applications; the Hadoop-based IBM InfoSphere BigInsights platform; and Apache’s Spark 2.0 analytics engine.

see the course catalog

Admission Requirements

Applicants to the Advanced Certificate Program in Data Science must hold a master’s degree (or its international equivalent) in a related field from an accredited institution, as well provide the following:

A completed application for admission.
A current résumé.
Transcripts from all prior educational institutions attended.
Two (2) professional letters of recommendation.

Data Science candidates must also participate in a pre-admission interview (either virtually or in-person).

Learn more about how to apply to Monroe University.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Year after year, Monroe University makes U.S. News & World Report’s list of Best Value Schools among Regional Universities North. We offer competitive tuition and fees, along with one-on-one counseling to assure you receive the maximum possible financial aid package.

Because the field is in such high demand, many employers may offer reimbursement towards professional development in data science. Monroe has partnered with more than 400 partner organizations in the private, government, and nonprofit sectors to provide eligible students with Corporate Partnership Grants that can cover up 20% of tuition costs.