MS Data Analytics vs MS Data Science

[smartdegree]

Hi everyone.  I know the MS Data Science at Eastern University has been discussed in many threads.  However, I noticed that Eastern U now also offers a "Data Analytics" masters separate from the MS Data Science. 

https://www.eastern.edu/academics/colleg...matical-15

Just looking at the course requirements, it looks like the masters in data analytics are "easier" courses (less technical and more applied).  Can anyone here enrolled at Eastern confirm?

Also, is there any difference in recruitment opportunities for "Data Analytics" vs "Data Science" masters.  In many universities, they are used interchangeably.  In other universities that offer both, the "Data Analytics" degree seems to be "easier" so I wonder if it will be perceived as lesser by recruiters.   On the other hand, schools like Georgia Tech offer a masters in analytics that could arguably be just as rigorous and have the same recruitment opportunities as a masters in data science.

Thoughts?

[bjcheung77]

There's a thread on the sister board about this offering from Eastern, it's new, here's the link: https://www.degreeinfo.com/index.php?thr...10k.62571/

[ThatBankDude]

While Data Science and Analytics/Data Analytics are all over, what a university seems to be important topics to cover is still not uniform. For instance, several programs have courses that utilize PowerBI, Tableau, etc. for visualization and also teach SQL whereas other programs may not teach those things but put more emphasis on R and Python.

These programs are not as established as a degree in accounting, finance, economics, etc. I am not sure they ever will be with how fast technology changes.

[smartdegree]

While Data Science and Analytics/Data Analytics are all over, what a university seems to be important topics to cover is still not uniform. For instance, several programs have courses that utilize PowerBI, Tableau, etc. for visualization and also teach SQL whereas other programs may not teach those things but put more emphasis on R and Python.

These programs are not as established as a degree in accounting, finance, economics, etc. I am not sure they ever will be with how fast technology changes.

I agree, things are moving fast. It wouldn't surprise me if in 5 years we won't even need R or Python for machine learning – perhaps something like ChatGPT in a Microsoft environment will be sufficient, and we'll just need to instruct it in basic English.

I noticed you have a degree in business analytics. How do tech recruiters view that degree? Does it open up opportunities similar to those available to individuals with an MS in Data Science?

[ThatBankDude]

While Data Science and Analytics/Data Analytics are all over, what a university seems to be important topics to cover is still not uniform. For instance, several programs have courses that utilize PowerBI, Tableau, etc. for visualization and also teach SQL whereas other programs may not teach those things but put more emphasis on R and Python.

These programs are not as established as a degree in accounting, finance, economics, etc. I am not sure they ever will be with how fast technology changes.

I agree, things are moving fast. It wouldn't surprise me if in 5 years we won't even need R or Python for machine learning – perhaps something like ChatGPT in a Microsoft environment will be sufficient, and we'll just need to instruct it in basic English.

I noticed you have a degree in business analytics. How do tech recruiters view that degree? Does it open up opportunities similar to those available to individuals with an MS in Data Science?

I am not in the tech industry so I am not certain how they view it. I am in the finance industry albeit, a technical role. My degree and where I got my degree were large talking points during interview.

I think the degree naming is interesting. MS Data Science, MS Analytics, MS Data Analytics, MS Business Analytics, MS Quantitative Management. All different degree titles with pretty similar curriculum.

[Pats20]

While Data Science and Analytics/Data Analytics are all over, what a university seems to be important topics to cover is still not uniform. For instance, several programs have courses that utilize PowerBI, Tableau, etc. for visualization and also teach SQL whereas other programs may not teach those things but put more emphasis on R and Python.

These programs are not as established as a degree in accounting, finance, economics, etc. I am not sure they ever will be with how fast technology changes.

I agree, things are moving fast. It wouldn't surprise me if in 5 years we won't even need R or Python for machine learning – perhaps something like ChatGPT in a Microsoft environment will be sufficient, and we'll just need to instruct it in basic English.

I noticed you have a degree in business analytics. How do tech recruiters view that degree? Does it open up opportunities similar to those available to individuals with an MS in Data Science?

I’m not sure, but with Duke in the name it prolly doesn’t much matter. It will be respected.

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The two Eastern degrees look very similar. I’d go with whichever path you want to pursue. Business or tech.

[mcjon77]

I'm going to give you my perspective as a current data scientist who was a senior data analyst before that and graduated from Eastern's Masters in data science program.

When it comes to these Analytics type programs, you really can't compare programs with the same name across different universities.  In the case of Eastern I can say pretty confidently that if you want to become a data scientist you should go the Ms and data science route.

This data analytics degree would be great for someone who wants to stay in the data analyst / senior data analyst/analytics manager roll. There doesn't appear to be much of any machine learning and the statistics requirement is significantly less. Several of my data analyst colleagues for my previous job would be well suited for this degree.

However, we really can't take this same concept and apply it to other analytics programs. For example, in my opinion Georgia Tech's Masters in analytics is probably the most comprehensive program for data scientists I've ever seen. It covers both statistics and computer science in more than enough depth for all but the PhD level data scientists while also covering core Business concepts and how to apply these analytical skills in a manner that will provide value for your company.

Northwestern's Masters in data science actually used to be called a masters in predictive Analytics, so this is another indication of how interchangeable these titles are. Also, most masters degree programs in business analytics typically don't have enough statistics courses to prepare someone for data scientist position.

The real question is what do you want to do.

[ThatBankDude]

I'm going to give you my perspective as a current data scientist who was a senior data analyst before that and graduated from Eastern's Masters in data science program.

When it comes to these Analytics type programs, you really can't compare programs with the same name across different universities.  In the case of Eastern I can say pretty confidently that if you want to become a data scientist you should go the Ms and data science route.

This data analytics degree would be great for someone who wants to stay in the data analyst / senior data analyst/analytics manager roll. There doesn't appear to be much of any machine learning and the statistics requirement is significantly less. Several of my data analyst colleagues for my previous job would be well suited for this degree.

However, we really can't take this same concept and apply it to other analytics programs. For example, in my opinion Georgia Tech's Masters in analytics is probably the most comprehensive program for data scientists I've ever seen. It covers both statistics and computer science in more than enough depth for all but the PhD level data scientists while also covering core Business concepts and how to apply these analytical skills in a manner that will provide value for your company.

Northwestern's Masters in data science actually used to be called a masters in predictive Analytics, so this is another indication of how interchangeable these titles are. Also, most masters degree programs in business analytics typically don't have enough statistics courses to prepare someone for data scientist position.

The real question is what do you want to do.

I agree with most of this.

What I will say is that most folks I know who go for a business analytics masters are not looking to become Data Scientist. Do some achieve that? Yes. However, I think the whole purpose is to become knowledgeable enough in Data Science to have an impactful conversation with a Data Science team and then relay the information effectively to the decision makers.

I personally tell folks if they want to become a Data Scientist, pursue a MS in Statistics from NC State or Purdue since they are online programs and most folks I know are looking for an online program.

[spohara]

It looks like there is broad overlap in the curriculum. Unless you really want the business or finance courses because they suit a particular need, I'd just go the data science route. I'm not sure there is anything necessarily easier in the data analytics curriculum.

[Pats20]

It looks like there is broad overlap in the curriculum. Unless you really want the business or finance courses because they suit a particular need, I'd just go the data science route.  I'm not sure there is anything necessarily easier in the data analytics curriculum.

I agree with this.