Why Rutgers University
The online Master’s of Business and Science: Discovery Informatics and Data Sciences offered by Rutgers University is a hybrid program taught with a combination of online and in-person classes. Rutgers University, a large public research university with several campuses in New Jersey, has designed the program to meet the needs of working adults desiring a degree combining general business courses and specialized data science training.
Prerequisite courses and degrees vary according to the applicant’s intended choice of concentration and are outlined in detail in the table below. All concentrations require an undergraduate degree in a field relevant to the concentration, and a year of calculus. Other quantitative courses can be substituted for calculus in some instances. The GRE is required but can be substituted with the MCAT or GMAT for applicants to the health informatics concentration, or with the GMAT only for Business Intelligence and Analytics applicants. A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 is expected for all concentrations.
Program Snapshot
| University Name | Rutgers University |
| Location | Several |
| State | New Jersey |
| Niche.com Grade | A |
| Name of Degree | Master’s of Business and Science: Discovery Informatics and Data Sciences |
| School or Department Administering Program | School of Graduate Studies |
| Credits | 34 |
| Cost per credit | $900 |
| Tuition for Entire Program | $30,600 |
| Test Requirements | GRE (MCAT or GMAT can be substituted for applicants intending to choose the Health Analytics concentration; GMAT can be substituted for applicants intending to choose the Business Intelligence and Analytics concentration) |
| Minimum GPA | 3.0 |
| Prerequisite Courses and Skills | Prerequisites vary according to the applicant’s intended concentration:
|
| Campus Visit Required? | Hybrid program – some courses may require in-person attendance on campus. |
| Typical Time to Complete | Two years |
| When Can Students Start the Program? | Fall, Spring, Summer |
| Program Concentrations |
|
| Synchronous Classes | Yes |
| Required Courses |
|
| Does the Program Include a Capstone? | Y |
| Does the Program Include a Practicum or Internship? | Y |
| Other Features that Make the Program Unique |
|
| Program Objectives (quoted directly from the program) | The MBS Analytics curriculum brings together the fields of computer science, statistics, machine learning, data mining, and big data. Students will obtain a variety of skills, including the ability to analyze large datasets, the ability to develop modeling solutions to support decision making, and a thorough understanding of how data analysis drives business decision making. |
| Program Description | This 34-credit program combines general business courses and specialized courses in data science. Students acquire skills in finance, accounting, market assessment and analysis, professional communication, and management. A course in Ethics prepares them to navigate complex environments. Students also acquire skills in analytics, data management, cloud computing, and working with big data. A science and technology capstone class is required, as is an analytics practicum. |
What will I Learn?
Students in the Rutgers online/hybrid MBS program in data science follow a structured curriculum consisting of courses in business fundamentals and key data science skills. The program is designed for working adults aiming to be data-driven professionals solving business problems ethically and effectively. Students gain real-world experience through a required Science and Technology Management Capstone Course. They are also required to take an Analytics-focused practicum course and may choose to complete an optional externship with one of the university’s industry partners. Key technologies used throughout the program are Python, R, SAS, weka, MatLab, SQL, Tableau, and Spark/Hadoop. Career and professional skills are also emphasized, with career services and executive coaching integrated into the student experience.
- Principles of Finance and Accounting
- Market Assessment and Analysis
- Principles of Communication and Professional Development
- Science and Technology Management Capstone
- Ethics
- Fundamentals of Analytics
- Database and Data Warehousing
- Introduction to Cloud Computing and Big Data
- Regression Analysis
- Advanced Analytics and Practicum
How much will the program cost?
Students finish their degree within two years and pay $900 per credit for a total of 34 credits, or $30,600.
How does the program fit into my life?
The Rutgers MBS in Data Science is a hybrid online/in-person program, so students should be located within commuting distance of the Rutgers campus in Piscataway, NJ. However, most courses are offered at least partially online, so the program offers much more flexibility than a traditional in-person degree. Some online classes are offered at scheduled times, allowing students to participate in lectures and group activities in “real-time.” Other classes asynchronous, meaning that instructors create learning materials such as lectures, activities, quizzes, assignments, and group discussions in weekly modules, and students are responsible for completing the module on their own schedule within the given week. Because of the project-based nature of the program, students can expect to need to schedule time to work with classmates or meet with instructors.
The program can be completed within two years. Students may enter the program in the Fall, Spring, or Summer semesters. The program does not require an internship, but students can choose to complete an externship with an area employer or organization. Externships can be completed on weekends or during evenings, and are designed to mesh with the needs of working adults. Externships can be taken for course credit or as volunteer experience. Students may also wish to attend Data Science workshops outside of class time. Finally, students will need to attend colloquia to meet program requirements, which will require either campus visits or scheduled online attendance.
Summary
The online/hybrid data science Master’s at Rutgers University will be very attractive to aspiring data scientists who would also like to have a stronger foundation in general business skills in management, finance, accounting, and marketing. For those who already live within commuting distance of the university, the program is also a good value when compared to other similar programs at flagship state universities, especially considering the in-person instruction provided. The Rutgers MBS is clearly designed not only to provide relevant coursework but to enrich the student experience so that graduates are well prepared to enter the job market. However, the emphasis on extracurricular components such as volunteer externships, career coaching, workshops, and colloquia may be off-putting for applicants who have very limited time in which to pursue their degrees. The prerequisite degrees and courses for each concentration are also fairly restrictive.
Related posts:
Stevens Institute of Technology Online Master’s in Business Intelligence and Analytics, Concentration in Data Science, New Jersey
Southern Methodist University Online Master of Science in Data Science, Texas
George Mason University Online Master of Science in Data Analytics Engineering, Virginia
Oklahoma State University Online Master of Business Administration: Data Science, Oklahoma