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Data Analytics

Program(s) Available: M.S., Grad Cert

The Master of Science in Data Analytics program from Northwest Missouri State University readies you for a rewarding career using technology techniques to identify, collect, analyze and transform data. Besides acquiring experience in top programming languages, you will also gain hands-on practice with leading data analysis software and platforms. This online program is taught by experienced and dedicated faculty who will support your master's degree studies from start to finish. The on-campus program can be completed in 16 months.

Why Study Data Analytics at Northwest

The comprehensive curriculum in this master's in data analytics online program prepares you to contribute your expertise by learning how data affects decision-making through real-life project experiences.

Curious about the difference between our M.S. in Data Analytics and our MBA in Business Analytics? Upon completing the M.S. in Data Analytics program, you will be equipped to handle large data sets in a technical capacity, utilizing data science to uncover data-driven solutions. As a data analyst, your role would involve presenting information crucial for organizations to make well-informed decisions. On the other hand, our MBA in Business Analytics focuses on enhancing your comprehension of how data influences decision-making and honing your ability to communicate effectively across all business levels.

Graduates with an M.S. in data analytics will be able to:

  • Identify and evaluate moral and ethical issues in data analysis
  • Gain experience in top programming languages such as Python™ and SQL
  • Select the appropriate tools for analyzing data that helps businesses and organizations make informed decisions
  • Locate, extract and transform raw data into useful information
  • Apply descriptive and prescriptive analytic techniques to offer possible solutions to business problems
  • Construct and present compelling visuals to communicate a data-driven story
  • Gain familiarity in using data analysis software and platforms to**:
    • Process static data and streaming data to gain useful, actionable insights
    • Process data locally and on major cloud platforms (e.g., Amazon, Google Cloud Platform, Microsoft Azure)
    • Process data using popular analytics services, platforms, and APIs (e.g., Apache Kafka, Apache Spark, Apache Beam, Splunk, Tableau)
    • Process data using popular relational and NoSQL datastores (e.g., PostgreSQL, mySQL, MongoDB)
    • Collaborate professionally using modern version control systems and code hosting platforms (e.g. Git, GitHub, BitBucket)
  • Plan and execute an independent, real-world project using what you've learned about data analytics throughout the online program

**Most software will be free for student use, but there might be nominal fees associated with some of these.

Pick your path

On-Campus

The Data Analytics program is available on campus as a master of science degree as well as a graduate certificate. 

Online Programs

Earn your master’s degree or certificate on a schedule that works for you. Online options include

Career opportunities

  • Computer and Information Systems Manager
  • General and Operations Manager
  • Management Analyst
  • Information Scientist
  • Actuarial Analyst
  • Business Analyst
  • Business Intelligence Analyst
  • Crime Data Analyst
  • Data Analyst
  • Financial Analyst
  • Reporting Analyst
  • Information Technology Project Manager

More details

Admissions requirements

Candidates for the M.S. in Data Analytics should meet the following requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a 2.75 overall undergraduate GPA and one of the following:
    • 3 years of full-time work experience
    • GMAT score of 440 or GRE score of 285

Although students from any undergraduate background are eligible for admission to this program, the M.S. in Data Analytics will require becoming familiar with some technical knowledge or skills including awareness of basic scripting or programming as well as how data are collected, processed, stored, analyzed, and presented. Students are encouraged to visit the web-page for more information on this basic knowledge and skills.

Applicants who do not meet these requirements may be admitted by considering the full academic profile and/or professional experience. The GRE is optional but could be used to improve standing for admission to the program. A Master’s degree from an accredited institution with at least a 3.0 GPA could also be used to meet entrance requirements. The Computer Science and Information Systems area reserves the right of final decision in accepting students to graduate degree candidacy in the department. Criteria for admittance to the program and acceptance to degree candidacy may include academic qualifications and performance, number of applicants and available resources.

Some three-year undergraduate degrees are accepted as well. In countries that utilize the backlog system in higher education, students with excessive backlogs may be considered with a GRE score to improve standing for admission. Current information on backlog limits can be found on the department web page.

International admissions requirements

Before the program director is allowed to review your application, the Graduate School must verify your TOEFL score. The University sets the acceptable TOEFL score as:

  • 213 for computer-based TOEFL
  • 71 for the Internet-Based TOEFL
  • 550 for pencil-and-paper-based TOEFL
  • 6.0 overall for IELTS

More information for International Students

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