Data analyst positions require a bachelor's degree, which typically takes around 3-4 years to complete. A master’s degree or MBA can be completed in under two years, and a post-master’s certificate can be completed in under a year.

It is important to note that the time depends on the specific program, the amount of education you’ve already earned, and the number of credits you are eligible to transfer into the next degree program.

Based on a few of the most common career paths for data analytics professionals, average annual salaries can range from $78,880 for Market Research Analysts to $107,530 for Computer Systems Analysts, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.*

How much you can potentially make depends on many factors, including state of employment, experience, education level, job roles and responsibilities, and much more.

Learn more about the earning potential in the field of data analytics, including estimates for additional types of jobs.

Yes!

Data analytics is a vital skill integral to a wide variety of occupations. The job outlook for data analyst-related jobs is projected to be notably higher than the average U.S. occupation.

Becoming educated is the first step to competing for a growing number of jobs in data analytics and earning a post graduate certificate is one of the fastest ways master’s degree holders can prepare themselves for the next big step in their career. You can transition your current skills into a variety of different jobs in the field of data analytics (such as going from accounting to data analyst). 

Succeeding in a career in data analytics requires soft skills such as problem solving, critical thinking, mathematical and analytical thinking, attention to detail, creativity and ingenuity. A great data analyst has a knack for identifying the key takeaways from a dataset and understand how to communicate it to many different types of people, from fellow analysts to C-suite executives looking for actionable insights.

Every job will come with its own requirements for technical skills and programming languages, including SQL, Python, SAS, Git, Excel, R, or many more.

Some jobs with a business emphasis may place a higher value on your ability to communicate the numbers rather than crunch them. Data analytics can become a valid career path for students with all sorts of different educational and professional backgrounds, such as going from accountant to data analyst.

Data analysts can wear many hats. We offer educational programs in data analytics across the spectrum of business and technology to equip students with the tools necessary to thrive in a wide variety of potential career pathways.

Data analysis and data science are not the same thing. Here’s a general way to think about it:

• Data analysts examine big data sets to identify trends and create visualizations to help businesses make decisions. They build reports using the tools and materials provided to them using predetermined models. The scope is very focused.
• Data scientists concern themselves with the tools, materials, and models provided for analysts. It’s up to the data scientists to design and construct new processes to unearth new pathways to organizational insights. The scope is very broad.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, earning jobs in the field of data science often requires a master’s degree in computer science or something similar.

Data analysts can be found in just about every industry, including the financial industry, market research, healthcare, government, education, and IT. Some analysts work in an office setting, while others may work remotely from home.

Some data analysts choose to work as an independent consultant on a freelance or project basis. They may provide research or even training for companies on an as-needed basis.

Some potential data analytics job titles include:

• Data Analyst
• Business Analyst
• Computer Support Specialist
• Database Administrator
• Network Engineer

Yes. Herzing University offers multiple online programs for students seeking both foundational and advanced training in the fundamentals of data analytics:

• Bachelor of Science in Information Technology with a Concentration in Data Analytics
• Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Data Analytics
• Post Master’s Certificate in Data Analytics

Our goal is to provide you with the career-focused education you need to become a data analyst and advance your career—and make it as flexible and convenient as possible for your life circumstances.

Graduate with a certificate in data analytics from Herzing University and you will qualify to become certified as an Associate Certified Analytics Professional (aCAP). This certification is designed for the entry-level professional who has earned education in the analytics process but does not yet have practical experience.

There are many other potential certifications for which career experience is required, but the aCAP certification is a great starting point to help get your foot in the door for your first entry-level position as a data analyst.

Graduate certificates, alternatively referred to as post master’s certificates, typically take less time to complete than a full-time master’s degree program. Certificate programs focus on skills and competencies related to a particular career specialization rather than a broader master’s degree curriculum.

These advanced certificate programs are designed for students who already hold a master’s degree in another field. Depending on your current job and desired career pathway, earning a certificate can make more sense in terms of time and cost than working towards another master’s degree.

Working towards a graduate certificate can potentially be the best option for full-time working professionals looking to go back to school yet continue working.