Are Online Data Science Degrees Legitimate?

Over the last several years, online degree programs have become more widely available. As a result, the general view of online programs has shifted positively.

Today, many types of degrees, including degrees in data science, are available. But are these degrees legit? Online data science degrees earned from accredited universities are legitimate.

Do Employers Respect Online Data Science Degrees?

While this varies between employers, most employers today respect online data science degrees. Online degrees have become more and more common, and that has shifted the way employers think about them.

That being said, your degree still needs to come from a respected institution to be respected by employers. That's why it's so important for students to do their research before choosing a program.

What To Look For in an Online Data Science Degree Program

There are several factors to look for when choosing an online data science program. Quality indicators like accreditation, reputation, and nonprofit status can all help determine how respected your degree will be.

These things can also give you an insight as to how strong the program is, as can the graduation rate. We break all these down below.

Accreditation

The college or university you choose for your online data science degree program must be either regionally or nationally accredited by an agency approved by the U.S. Department of Education. Unaccredited institutions cannot grant valid degrees.

Regional accreditation is the most common and most preferred. National accreditation is primarily used by for-profit institutions and those with a specific career focus.

Before applying or enrolling in a university, verify its accreditation status to ensure that your degree will be legitimate.

Reputation

A school with a good reputation issues degrees that are respected. As a result, it's important to choose a program from a school with a positive reputation.

You can find out more about a school's reputation by looking at ranking lists like those produced by Forbes and the U.S. News and World Report. You can also read reviews from alumni and current students.

Graduation Rates

Graduation rate is one metric students can look at to determine how strong a program is. This metric looks at how many full-time, first-time students graduate within six years for a bachelor's degree and three years for a master's.

This data can often be helpful, but not in all situations. For example, it doesn't provide information on graduate programs and doesn't give a clear picture of institutions that primarily enroll adult or returning students.

Differences Between Online Data Science Degrees and Traditional Data Science Degrees

In a traditional data science program, students have on-campus classes at set times each week. In those classes, students listen to lectures, interact with peers, and complete assignments.

Online courses typically don't have a set meeting time. Instead, you're given assignments and a due date, but you can complete your work on whatever schedule works best for you.

Benefits of Earning Your Data Science Degree at an Online School

Many online students find that the biggest benefit of online degrees is the flexibility. This allows them to complete their degree while still working or caring for family.

Another benefit is that students aren't tethered to one location. They can earn a degree from a school anywhere in the country while being free to stay at home or travel the world.

Featured Online Data Science Degree Programs

Data science programs teach students how to collect, organize, and analyze data. These programs are available both on campus and online through reputable schools.

Below, we've featured some top online data science degree programs. All programs listed are regionally accredited and nonprofit.

1. Arizona State University

Arizona State University is a public research university in Tempe, Arizona. It offers a wide variety of online degrees and is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

The following data science degrees are offered online at ASU:

• Data Science - BS
• Biological Data Science - MS
• Social Data Science - MA
• Big Data Systems - MCS

2. Indiana University

Indiana University is a public research university based in Bloomington, Indiana. It's regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and offers several online degree programs.

The following data science degrees are offered online at Indiana University:

• Data Science - BS
• Data Science - MS

3. Maryville University

Maryville University of St. Louis is a private nonprofit university in Town and Country, Missouri. It offers a range of online degree programs and is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

The following data science degrees are offered online at Maryville University:

• Data Science - BS
• Data Science - MS

4. National University

National University is a private, nonprofit university based in San Diego, California. It's regionally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission.

The following data science degrees are offered online at National University:

• Data Science - BS
• Data Science - MS
• Data Science - PhD

5. University of Maryland Global

The University of Maryland Global is the online branch of the public University of Maryland. It offers a large number of online programs and is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

The following data science degrees are offered online at UMGC:

• Data Science - BS
• Data Analytics - MS
• Database Systems Technology - MS in Information Technology