UW-Madison makes it easier to pursue a career in data science and analytics

A new website makes it easier for professionals to tap into UW–Madison graduate programs that prepare them for careers in the burgeoning field of data science and analytics.

The demand for data science and analytics jobs is projected to grow 15 percent between 2015 and 2020, with an average annual salary of more than $80,000.

The University of Wisconsin–Madison has many flexible post-baccalaureate programs that prepare students for these jobs, geared toward busy professionals who need a convenient way to continue their education.

Now, AdvanceYourCareer.wisc.edu/Data-Science-Analytics-Theme lets people to compare programs and pick the one that will lead to a dream career.

“The new website is a gateway to finding work in engineering, computer science, economics, statistics, and many other specialized fields that require data science and analytics skills,” says Jeffrey S. Russell, dean of Continuing Studies and vice provost for Lifelong Learning. “It provides tools for prospective students wondering which path to take, including job-outlook statistics, average yearly salaries, and information about UW–Madison’s accessible degree and certificate programs.”

Those interested in data science and analytics but unsure of which path to pursue can take a quiz at AdvanceYourCareer.wisc.edu/Data-Science-Analytics-Theme-Quiz. Their answers to seven questions will help direct them to the right degree or certificate.

AdvanceYourCareer.wisc.edu/Data-Science-Analytics-Theme showcases nine UW–Madison programs:

• The Professional Capstone Certificate Program in Computer Sciences is for those who earned a bachelor’s degree in a different field and want to qualify for a job as a software developer. Classes are on evenings and weekends, and students can attend part- or full-time for four to six semesters.
• The accelerated Master of Science in Statistics: Data Science Option is a 12-month program in which students learn to make sense of big data to realize organizational goals.
• The accelerated Wisconsin Economics Master’s Program trains students for high-level careers in government and industry or for further study in Ph.D. programs.
• In the online Master of Engineering: Engineering Data Analytics, students gain the technical expertise to find innovative solutions to engineering problems that can save an organization time and money.
• In the Professional Master’s Program in Computer Sciences, students take as many courses as they can handle in a semester on evenings and weekends, earning their degree in two to three years.
• The accelerated professional master’s program in Resource and Energy Demand Analysis prepares students for careers with utilities, consulting firms, regulators, and other organizations involved in protecting natural resources.
• The Online Professional Master’s Program in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Web Map Programming is for working professionals and international students in the GIS field who want to master programming and transition from desktop to web GIS. Students can customize the program to fit their schedules and earn a master’s degree in under a year.
• The professional master’s program in Environmental Observation & Informatics leads to an environmental science career in industry, government, or academia. The 15-month program combines in-person, online, and distance learning.
• In only nine months, the Capstone Certificate in Actuarial Science teaches students to calculate the costs of new risks for businesses and industries, equipping them to pass industry exams.

For each of these programs, the new website will help students make the right choice based on their interests. It also details the flexibilities that can allow working professionals to keep their current jobs while pursuing their education.

UW-Madison’s data science and analytics programs have a track record of success for those who want to establish a career, change careers, or make progress in their current jobs.

After earning his undergraduate degree, for example, Jordan Paszek enrolled in the Capstone Certificate in Actuarial Science as a quick path into the actuarial profession. The program helped him land a job at the consulting firm Pinnacle Actuarial Resources, Inc.

“The capstone program seemed like the best transition to making my goal attainable,” Paszek says. “Within one year of completing the program, I felt like I got an adequate return on my investment and know that it will continue for years to come.”