Question: Are There Any Online Master's in Data Analytics / Data Science Programs with 100% Online Instruction (No Campus Visits Required)?

Answer: Yes, there are data analytics and data science master’s programs offered by accredited, non-profit colleges and universities that have 100% online instruction and that do not require students to attend campus-based sessions. Indeed, while some online master’s programs require a limited number of campus visits, most online master’s in data analytics and data science programs are fully online and can be completed without having to travel to a college or university campus.

The structure of online master’s programs can vary by school, by program, and by discipline. For example, in some areas of study, online master’s programs may be more likely to require a limited number of on-campus instructional sessions than in other areas of study. However, analytics and data science master’s programs generally do not require online students to attend campus-based classes, in-person workshops, or other types of learning activities that entail traveling to a campus location. Indeed, most online master’s in data analytics and data science programs offer all of their coursework online and do not require students to travel to a campus location for instructional sessions.

Of the 60 programs that OnlineEducation.com currently classifies as online master’s in data analytics programs, which includes programs with a business analytics curriculum, 50 have 100% online instruction. The other 10 programs offer most of their instruction online, but require students to attend in-person sessions once or twice per year. Similarly, of the 29 online master’s in data science programs that are currently offered by accredited, non-profit colleges and universities in the US, 25 are fully online, with only 4 programs requiring a limited number (one or two per year) of campus visits.

How OnlineEducation.com Classifies Online Master’s Programs

A fully or 100% online master’s program is a graduate program that confers a master’s degree and that does not require students to attend any campus-based sessions. These sessions, sometimes referred to as on-campus intensives, residencies, or immersion sessions, are a required component of some master’s programs. They are generally short in duration, lasting as little as two-to-three days or as long as five-to-ten days. They may include orientations, workshops, seminars, and other types of instructional activities, and provide students with opportunities to meet face-to-face with lecturers and instructors. These sessions can enhance the online learning experience. However, they involve travel and students may incur expenses in addition to a program’s tuition and fees while attending on-campus sessions. Programs that utilize online instruction but that require more than two campus visits per year are classified as hybrid programs by OnlineEducation.com and are not currently listed on the site.

Fully Online Master’s in Data Analytics, Business Analytics, and Data Science Programs

For students who cannot or would prefer not to travel to a school’s campus or a third-party location for in-person instruction, there are numerous online master’s in data analytics, business analytics, and data science programs offered by accredited, non-profit colleges and universities that do not require campus visits.

Among these fully online master’s in analytics and data science programs there are other structural variations that prospective applicants may want to explore. For example, some online programs are offered full-time, which may allow students to complete their degree in one-to-two years, while other programs have longer, part-time enrollment plans, which may be preferable for students who have work or other commitments outside of school. There are also programs that have flexible enrollment, allowing students to choose the number of courses taken per term provided they complete the program requirements in a certain number of years (generally five-to-seven years).

There are also two different modes of online instruction, which is another factor that prospective applicants to online master’s in data analytics and data science programs may want to explore. Some programs utilize synchronous instruction for some of their online courses. Synchronous instruction takes place in real time and requires students to be logged on to a program’s online learning platform at specified times for lectures and other instructional activities. In contrast, asynchronous instruction does not include a real-time component and provides students with on-demand access to lectures and other class materials. Some programs utilize both synchronous and asynchronous instruction, while other programs offer all of their coursework through asynchronous instruction.

It is important to note that students in an online master’s in data analytics or data science program may be required to take exams in the presence of a proctor. However, online students typically do not have to take proctored exams on campus. Most online master’s programs give students the option of completing exams that require the oversight of a proctor at a site near their place of residence, such as a local college or library.

For further information on various types of online master’s in data analytics and data science programs, refer to our Online Analytics Degree Programs section, where there are pages dedicated to Online Master’s in Data Analytics Programs, Online Master’s in Data Science Programs, and Online Master’s in Business Intelligence Programs.

Campus Visit Requirements by Online Master’s in Data Analytics and Business Analytics Programs:

Campus Visit Requirements by Online Master’s in Data Science Programs:

Additional FAQs about Online Analytics Programs: