Master of Business Administration - Accounting
The MBA program at the University of the Potomac typically consists of 12 courses, tota...
M.S. in Data Analytics
Washington, D.C., Virginia
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Program Overview
The MSDA program at the University of the Potomac is typically a 36-credit-hour curriculum, often completed within two years for full-time students. It features eight core courses that provide a foundational understanding of data analytics principles, alongside four concentration courses that allow for specialized learning. The program emphasizes hands-on application of knowledge, preparing students to evaluate data from acquisition through cleansing, warehousing, analysis, and visualization, leading to impactful business decisions.
STEM-designated: Yes, the University of the Potomac's Master of Science in Data Analytics (MSDA) program is STEM-designated. This is a significant advantage, particularly for international students, as it grants them eligibility for the STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT) extension in the United States. This extension allows for an additional 24 months of work authorization beyond the initial 12-month OPT period, providing international graduates with up to three years of valuable professional experience in the U.S.
Curriculum: The 36-credit MSDA curriculum is structured around 24 core credits and 12 credits from one of several specialized concentrations. Core courses include essential topics such as Executive Leadership, Management and Information Systems, Enterprise Data Management and Administration, Database Organization II, Data Integration, Warehousing, Provenance, and Analysis, Data Presentation and Visualization, Optimization and Risk Assessment, and Advanced Data Analytics. The program offers diverse concentrations including Artificial Intelligence (e.g., Data Mining, Machine Learning, Data Preparation and Analysis, Data Integration, Warehousing, Provenance, and Analysis), Business Analytics (e.g., Business Analytics, Data Driven Decision Making, Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management, Capstone in Data Analytics), Marketing Analytics, Financial Analytics, Big Data Science, and Geospatial Intelligence. This rich curriculum ensures graduates are well-versed in both foundational data science principles and niche applications.
Research Focus: The MSDA program at the University of the Potomac integrates an applied research focus throughout its curriculum. Students are prepared to use statistical and quantitative methods, computational tools, and predictive models, all of which are fundamental to practical data research. While not a purely theoretical research degree, the program's emphasis on data-driven decision-making, forecasting, and risk assessment naturally involves significant analytical and investigative work. The capstone course, often integrated into the concentrations, provides a culminating opportunity for students to apply their learned research methodologies to real-world data problems. Faculty members, who often have real-world professional experience, further enhance this practical research orientation.
Industry Engagement: The University of the Potomac's MSDA program is designed with a strong focus on industry relevance and preparing graduates for immediate impact. The curriculum, shaped by industry demands, equips students with programming, analytics, and communication abilities highly sought after by organizations across all economic sectors. The program emphasizes the ability to "sort through massive data sets to get a competitive advantage or develop a prediction tool." The numerous concentrations, such as Business Analytics, Marketing Analytics, and Financial Analytics, directly align with specific industry needs. The university's locations in major U.S. cities like Washington D.C. provide proximity to numerous government agencies, non-profits, and businesses, fostering opportunities for real-world application and professional networking.
Global Perspective: The University of the Potomac fosters a global perspective within its MSDA program through its diverse student body and a curriculum designed to address the challenges and opportunities of an interconnected world. The universal applicability of data analytics skills across various industries and geographic regions ensures that the knowledge acquired is relevant globally. The program prepares graduates to assist not only U.S. businesses and government agencies but also international entities, recognizing the global nature of data and business operations. The flexibility of online learning also allows the program to attract and serve students from around the world, enriching the classroom with diverse viewpoints and experiences.
Location
Washington, D.C., Virginia
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
USD 22250
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Academic Qualifications: Applicants for postgraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 60% or above in their bachelor's degree.
English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS: Overall band score of 6.5 or 7.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
- TOEFL: Overall score of 79 or higher.
- PTE: Overall score of 59 or higher.
- DET (Duolingo English Test): Minimum score of 100.
The University of the Potomac is dedicated to making education affordable and accessible for international students by offering a variety of scholarship opportunities. These scholarships aim to recognize academic excellence, leadership potential, and financial need, helping reduce the overall cost of education for deserving students from around the world.
Merit-Based Scholarships: International students demonstrating strong academic performance may qualify for merit-based scholarships. These awards reward high GPA, outstanding achievements, and exceptional contributions in previous educational settings. Merit scholarships can significantly lower tuition fees and encourage students to maintain high academic standards throughout their studies.
Need-Based Scholarships: The university also offers need-based scholarships designed to assist international students facing financial challenges. Applicants are encouraged to submit detailed financial information during the admissions process to be considered for these scholarships, which aim to bridge the gap between the cost of education and the student’s financial resources.
Special Program Scholarships: Certain academic programs at the University of the Potomac provide dedicated scholarships for international students, especially in fields such as business administration, information technology, and cybersecurity. These program-specific awards support students pursuing careers in high-demand industries.
A Master of Science (M.S.) in Data Analytics (MSDA) from the University of the Potomac is a STEM-designated program designed to equip graduates with the skills necessary to excel in the data-driven world.
Data Analyst: This is a fundamental role for MSDA graduates. They collect, clean, process, and perform statistical analyses on large datasets to identify trends, patterns, and anomalies, providing insights that support strategic planning and operational improvements across various business functions.
Business Intelligence (BI) Analyst: Specializing in transforming raw data into understandable and actionable business insights, BI analysts utilize data visualization tools to create dashboards and reports. They help organizations track performance, monitor key performance indicators (KPIs), and make informed business decisions.
Data Scientist: Building on the program's strong foundation in advanced data analytics, including AI and machine learning concentrations, graduates can pursue roles as Data Scientists. They design and implement predictive models, develop algorithms, and perform complex statistical analysis to solve intricate business problems.
Financial Analyst (with Data Analytics Focus): With a concentration in Financial Analytics, graduates can apply their skills to analyze financial data, predict market trends, assess investment risks, and optimize financial strategies for corporations, investment firms, or financial institutions.
Marketing Analyst: Leveraging the Marketing Analytics concentration, graduates can analyze consumer behavior, market trends, and campaign effectiveness. They help businesses optimize marketing spend, identify target audiences, and personalize customer experiences through data.
Big Data Engineer/Scientist: The Big Data Science concentration prepares graduates to work with massive, complex datasets. They design, build, and manage large-scale data processing systems and platforms, ensuring data availability and performance for analytical purposes.
Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) Analyst: For those in the Geospatial Intelligence concentration, careers involve analyzing spatial data, satellite imagery, and geographic information to provide insights for defense, urban planning, environmental management, and emergency services.
Operations Research Analyst: These professionals use advanced analytical methods, including optimization and risk assessment from the curriculum, to improve efficiency and decision-making within organizations. They apply mathematical modeling to solve complex problems in logistics, supply chain, and resource allocation.
AI/Machine Learning Engineer (Applied): With the Artificial Intelligence concentration, graduates can contribute to the development and deployment of AI and machine learning applications. They work on projects involving natural language processing, computer vision, and advanced automation.
Data Analytics Consultant: Graduates can work for consulting firms, applying their diverse data analytics skills to help various clients across different industries. They assess data challenges, develop customized analytical solutions, and provide strategic recommendations to improve performance and achieve business objectives.
