Discover a New Career in Big Data

Build a career in this fast-growing profession.

Let’s start at the very beginning: what is data science? Whether you’re well-versed in the field and looking to earn a graduate degree or you’re just starting your journey, we’re here to break it down for you.

Data. Is. Everywhere. Data science is a combination of statistics, computer science and computer systems that is used to produce analysis for successful decision making. In other words: decisions backed by data. This information extends beyond numbers, too — there are a wide variety of data types that can be analyzed, including data derived from documents, images and even videos.

From insurance companies to retail brands and everything in between, most industries recognize the importance of data scientists who can analyze and interpret with precision. When the Regis M.S. in Data Science and Undergraduate and Graduate Certificate in Data Science programs were first envisioned, they were crafted by real, working professionals. Courses and pathways were decided by those who had extensive experience within the industry and knew what students needed to thrive after graduation.

In our on-campus and online M.S. in Data Science degree program, students balance fundamentals and theory with industry-relevant applications and projects that help solve real-world problems. Students also explore two primary components of data science: data engineering and data analytics, with an emphasis on ethics in data and how it can be used for the good of society.

Spotlight on…
Leidy Boyce, ‘20
M.S. Data Science

Leidy Boyce came to Regis to explore new career opportunities in data science after working in the oil and gas industry for 12 years. Originally from Colombia, she holds an undergraduate degree in petroleum engineering from her home country, but decided she wanted to explore new career opportunities through Regis. She now works at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory where she uses her data science skills to process and analyze transportation data, create dashboards, and perform statistical modeling and demand prediction for the Mobility, Behavior & Advanced Powertrains team.

What drew you to the Regis M.S. in Data Science program?
I spent my early career working in geoscience and engineering for 12 years. I decided to learn new skills, branch out to a different field and learn something that can be applicable to any industry.

How did Regis prepare you for a career in data science?
Learning new open-source software and programming languages like Python and R can help you find any job in data science. Coding using Python and R, I use them in 90% of my daily work.

Any advice for aspiring data science professionals?
There are two tools used in the world of data science that you should master: programming languages like Python or R, or both, and learning GitHub skills and how to present your project work.

As data collection continues to change with the evolution of technology, this in-demand career path is for those who are up for the challenge. But in today’s world, it’s much more than just the analysis of data and programming skills — data science professionals must be flexible, agile and able to understand all phases of the data science lifecycle to bring meaningful insights back to their organization.

According to Glassdoor, Data Scientist routinely ranks as one of the top 3 jobs in America, with a median base salary of more than $113,000. With more than 463,000,000 terabytes of data being created daily across the globe, it’s no wonder that the number of data scientist jobs is projected to grow by 21% through 2029.

A Note on Python
Python is a general-purpose programming language used by data scientists for various projects and applications. It provides great functionality to deal with mathematics, statistics and scientific function, and is an essential skill for any data scientist to master. To that end, one of the prerequisites for the M.S. Data Science program is MSC 575 Statistical Computing. However, the prerequisite course can be waived with proof of experience in Python programming (work or education). Students also have the option to test-out of the prerequisite.

With the increasing demand for these valuable professionals, large corporations throughout the world seek data-driven scientists to help make business decisions. The best part? The demand for data scientists isn’t showing any sign of slowing down. It’s a no-brainer for digital techies to enroll in an advanced data science master’s program or certificate.

Data is all around us. It fuels our analyses and drives our business decisions. If you’re ready to break into this fulfilling and financially rewarding field, get started today using our no-fee application.