Why Colorado Technical University?
Classes in the Master of Science in Computer Science – Data Science program through Colorado Technical University begin every eight weeks, and applicants will find few barriers to admission with a minimum recommended GPA of only 2.0 required. This for-profit university, based in Colorado Springs and employing primarily part-time instructors, does not require students to submit standardized test scores. Applicants should demonstrate skills in discrete math and object-oriented programming, and those that have not covered these topics as undergraduates can take Colorado Tech’s Master of Science in Computer Science Foundation Courses. The CTU program may be especially attractive to aspiring data scientists with a military background, as the university continues its founding mission of training former military personnel in technical and professional domains.
Program Snapshot
| University Name | Colorado Technical University |
| Location | Colorado Springs |
| State | Colorado |
| Niche.com Grade | C+ |
| Name of Degree | Master of Science in Computer Science – Data Science |
| School or Department Administering Program | Computer Science |
| Credits | 48 quarter credits, equivalent to 32 semester credits |
| Cost per credit | $610 |
| Tuition for Entire Program | $29,280 |
| Test Requirements | TOEFL if applicable |
| Minimum GPA | 2.00 |
| Prerequisite Courses and Skills | Undergraduate degree in computer science or coursework in discrete math, object-oriented programming, data structure and algorithms, and algorithm analysis |
| Campus Visit Required? | No |
| Typical Time to Complete | 18-24 months |
| When Can Students Start the Program? | Every eight weeks |
| Program Concentrations | Data Science is a concentration within the Computer Science MS |
| Synchronous classes | No |
| Required Courses |
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| Does the Program Include a Capstone? | Yes |
| Does the program include a practicum or internship? | No |
| Other Features that Make the Program Unique | Classes that start every eight weeks |
| Program Objectives (quoted directly from the program) | Explores how to extract insights and knowledge from structured or unstructured data. This concentration presents an opportunity to use the open-source language R for statistical inference, regression, predictive analytics, and data mining in data analytics. |
| Program Description | Data Science is a concentration within this Master of Science in Computer Science degree, completed in 32 credits. Students complete core computer science coursework in networking, programming, algorithms, security, databases, and systems engineering, and are also required to take a capstone course. Data science concentrators learn to use the open-source language R for statistical inference, regression, predictive analytics, and data mining. |
What will I Learn?
Since the Data Science concentration is a specialty within the broader Master of Computer Science degree offered by Colorado Technical University, the curriculum is aimed at students seeking broad foundations in several areas of computer science. Students must complete the required coursework in networking, programming, algorithms, security, database, and systems engineering and are also required to take a capstone course. Data science concentrators learn to use the open-source language R for data mining, statistical inference, regression, and predictive analytics.
How much will the program cost?
Students finish their degree within 18-24 months and pay $610 per credit for a total of 48 credits, or just under $30,000 for the entire degree.
How does the program fit into my life?
Due to its use of the quarter system, the CTU program offers a flexible accelerated schedule. The degree can be completed in as little as 18 months, although many students take 24 months to finish. The program is 100% online, and no campus visits are required.
Summary
Online education in technical subjects is the focus of Colorado Technical University, particularly aimed at former military personnel. The Data Science option within CTU’s online Master of Science in Computer Science may be an attractive option for aspiring data scientists, who have non-traditional academic backgrounds and would struggle to be accepted to a more selective program. Students who wish to dip their toes into data science approaches while gaining employable skills across computer science may be interested. Still, those looking for a research-intensive specialist program should seek their degree elsewhere.
