Online Master's in Data Analytics and Data Science Programs in Tennessee

Austin Peay State University is currently the only school in Tennessee that provides students with the option of earning a master’s degree in analytics online. The Department of Computer Science and Information Technology at Austin Peay offers both a Master of Science (MS) program and a Professional Science Master’s (PSM) program in Computer Science and Quantitative Methods. Each of these programs has two concentrations that, based on their curricula, are classified as master’s in data analytics programs by OnlineEducation.com. The two concentration options are: Data Management and Analysis; and Predictive Analytics.

Austin Peay’s online MS and PSM data analytics programs both offer all of their didactic coursework via a learning management system (LMS) that supports both asynchronous instruction and real-time, synchronous lectures and discussions. However, most of the required coursework in these programs is delivered using asynchronous instruction, which means students can access pre-recorded lectures and other course materials at their convenience, 24-7. While neither program requires students to attend any campus visits, the Predictive Analytics concentrations have an internship requirement in which students are assigned to an industry partner to work on a semester-long project for roughly 15 hours per week. The MS program’s Data Management and Analysis concentration has a master’s thesis and/or capstone research project that students complete in lieu of an internship.

The Data Management and Analysis, and Predictive Analytics concentrations offered by Austin Peay are similar in that they both provide training and instruction in the principles and practices of data analytics, as well as in various tools, technologies, and methodologies associated with data analytics. Students in the MS and PSM in Computer Science and Information Technology programs are required to take three core professional skills courses: Leadership and Communication; Leadership for the Scientist-Manager; and Probabilistic and Statistical Reasoning. The Data Management and Analysis concentration includes courses in Data Management Applications, Database-Driven Web Development, and Data Mining. Students in the MS program take a Data Science in Python programming course, while PSM program students take a course in SAS Programming. The Predictive Analytics concentration has the following course requirements: Database Management Concepts; Data Mining Applications; Regression Analysis; The Generalized Linear Model; Time Series Analysis; SAS Programming; and Predictive Analytics.

The online MS and PSM in Computer Science and Quantitative Methods programs offered by Austin Peay are designed to accommodate working professionals and others who may have commitments outside of school. These programs are part-time and can be completed in roughly two years. Austin Peay has three start date per year for the online MS and PSM in Computer Science and Quantitative Methods programs, in the fall, spring, and summer terms.

In addition to the programs offered by Austin Peay State University, there are currently 76 out-of-state schools that accept applicants from Tennessee that offer online master’s in analytics programs. This may be particularly relevant for prospective applicants who are interested in exploring online master’s programs in data science and business intelligence. Of these schools, the majority offer programs that are 100% online; however, there are programs that do require students to attend limited campus visits. Tuition for out-of-state online students is often the same as tuition for in-state students, although applicants should always confirm tuition costs directly with prospective programs before applying, as some schools do charge higher rates for students who are not residents of the state in which their campus is located.

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Online Data Analytics and Data Science Programs in Tennessee

*Programs with fully online instruction do not require students to visit the campus during the program. Programs marked “No” require students to visit the campus two or fewer times per year for on-campus orientations or intensive sessions.