East Carolina University Online Master of Science in Data Science, North Carolina

Why East Carolina University?

East Carolina University’s Master of Science in Data Science offers a unique focus on data science for the health care industry. Students must take required courses in health informatics and decision support in health care, and many health-related electives are also offered by this university located in Greenville, North Carolina. With the strong job market for health care careers and the increasing importance of data-driven decision-making in today’s hospitals and medical clinics, East Carolina University’s program is an attractive choice. Applicants are expected to enter the program having completed at least one undergraduate course in calculus, probability and statistics, and linear algebra.

Strong prior background in programming is also expected, with prerequisite coursework in algorithmic problem-solving using a higher-level programming language such as Java, Python, or C++ as well as a course on data structures and algorithms. ECU leaves the door open for students without a quantitative academic background and may accept relevant work experience instead of coursework. An undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 is expected, and no standardized test results are required.

Program Snapshot

University Name	East Carolina University
Location	Greenville
State	North Carolina
Niche.com Grade	B+
Name of Degree	Master of Science in Data Science
School or Department Administering Program	Computer Science
Credits	30
Cost per credit	$840
Tuition for Entire Program	$25,200
Test Requirements	None required
Minimum GPA	3.00
Prerequisite Courses and Skills	Waiver possible with work experience, or one course in each of: Algorithmic problem-solving using a Higher-level programming language such as Java, Python, or C++ Data structures and algorithms Discrete structures Integral and differential calculus Probability and statistics Linear algebra
Campus Visit Required?	N
Typical Time to Complete	Two years
When Can Students Start the Program?	Fall, Spring, Summer
Program Concentrations	None
Synchronous classes	No
Required Courses	Data Science Methods I Data Science Methods II Big Data Analytics and Management Machine Learning Information Extraction and Retrieval Computational Analysis of Natural Languages Health Informatics Decision Support in Health Care Data Science Practicum
Does the Program Include a Capstone?	No
Does the program include a practicum or internship?	Yes
Other Features that Make the Program Unique	Required courses in health informatics and decision support in health care The program focus on data science in healthcare as a sole domain area
Program Objectives	Ability to develop and use computational techniques to clean, transform, integrate and aggregate data from diverse sources and determine the suitability of resulting data for a given purpose Ability to use computational and statistical knowledge and skills for building descriptive, diagnostic, predictive and prescriptive models Application of Big Data analytics and machine learning methods to analyze vast and heterogeneous datasets to generate actionable insights Ability to think critically in making decisions based on data and deep analytics Practical communication skills that facilitate the presentation of analysis results to diverse audiences in both oral and written forms Ability to function effectively on multidisciplinary teams to accomplish a common goal Knowledge of contemporary issues appropriate to the data science discipline
Program Description	This 30-credit program, focusing on data science within healthcare, teaches students to clean, transform, integrate and aggregate data, determine the suitability of datasets, build descriptive, diagnostic, predictive, and prescriptive models, and use analytics and machine learning methods to generate actionable insight. Critical thinking, knowledge of contemporary issues, communication, and teamwork skills are also emphasized. The program can be completed within two years and includes a mandatory practicum.

What will I Learn?

Students in the ECU MSDS learn about the processes of data science from data collection to actionable insight through a program that emphasizes communication, teamwork, and critical thinking about contemporary issues. The required coursework provides a robust general education in theory and techniques of data cleaning and collection, statistical model, analytics, and machine learning. Students then delve more deeply into domain knowledge with required courses on natural language processing, health informatics, and decision support within health care. The program provides a rigorous curriculum for aspiring data scientists who want to explore the use of big data within patient care, electronic health records, health policy, and other topics.

How much will the program cost?

Students finish their degree within two years and pay $840 per credit for a total of 30 credits, or just over $25,200 for the entire degree.

How does the program fit into my life?

The program is designed for the busy professional looking for flexibility while completing a rigorous academic program. Classes are 100% online, and no visits to campus are required. All classwork is completed asynchronously, meaning that the instructor provides course material such as lectures, discussion, and activities as a series of weekly modules, and students can choose when to complete that week’s content. Entry dates in Fall, Spring, and Summer mean that students can begin the program at the time most convenient for them.

Summary

The ECU program stands out for its clear and relevant learning objectives, its focus on data science for health care, and its range of exciting electives. Students who have less academic preparation in mathematics, statistics, or programming, or who want to pursue a domain specialization outside health care, may want to consider other programs.