The College of Arts and Sciences Launches New M.S. Data Science  

Seton Hall University's College of Arts and Sciences proudly announces its newest graduate degree program, the Master of Science in Data Science. Launching in Fall 2019, the program builds on the success of the College's popular certificate program in Data Visualization and Analysis (DAVA), which has shown tremendous growth since its launch in 2012. The first of its kind in New Jersey to be offered entirely online, the M.S. in Data Science will allow students to select one of two specialization tracks: Capstone Project and Master's Thesis. Each track will consist of 30 credits and can be completed within 16 months.

Quickly emerging as a critical field in a variety of industries, data science encompasses activities ranging from collecting raw data and processing and extracting knowledge from that data, to effectively communicating those findings to assist in decision making and implementing solutions. Data scientists have extensive knowledge in the overlapping realms of business needs, domain knowledge, analytics, and software and systems engineering.

Students in the Data Science program, with its strong focus on computer science, statistics and applied mathematics, will graduate with the knowledge and competencies required to become data science and analytics professionals. They'll also gain skills in cloud computing technology and in Tableau, allowing them to pursue certification in both Amazon Web Services and Tableau. Their education will be further bolstered by real world projects and internships, made possible through the program's active relationships with such leading companies as Barnes and Noble, Google, Facebook, Celgene, Comcast, Chase and Amazon.

Upon completion of the program, they'll emerge ready to address the needs of a job market that should, per current trends, welcome them with open arms. According to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of mathematics and statistics occupations is projected to grow by 33% through 2026 – nearly five times faster than the average projected growth for all occupations. A recent report based on data from the Education Advisory Board also states that between September 2016 and October 2018, both regional and national employer demand for master's level professionals with data science skills increased about 240-250%.

According to Manfred Minimair, director of the new program: "In addition to graduate courses from DAVA, the M.S. curriculum includes courses on topics such as Big Data Analytics, Machine Learning and Text Mining and a capstone project preparing the students to succeed as data science professionals."

The Master of Science in Data Science is one of three new graduate degree programs that the College of Arts and Sciences has launched within the past four years, alongside the Master of Science in Physics and the Master of Social Work. Featuring innovative technology and varied opportunities for experiential learning and collaborative research – all with a liberal arts foundation that fosters critical and creative thinking – the College of Arts and Sciences is Seton Hall's largest and oldest college, with an eclectic array of programs for undergraduate and graduate students alike. Students who graduate from the College are poised for both personal fulfillment and success in the workplace, using their professional and critical thinking skills to make a difference in their communities.

For more information about the new Master of Science in Data Science, please contact Manfred Minimair at dava@shu.edu.