Discover the Best Data Science Classes in Boston
The field we know today as data science slowly took shape through the second half of the 20th century and the early years of the 21st, as rapidly advancing technology created heaps of data requiring professional processing. By 2010, an article in The Economist defined the Data Scientist’s job as one that “combines the skills of software programmer, statistician and storyteller/artist to extract the nuggets of gold hidden under mountains of data.”
The Data Science Association defines data science as “the scientific study of the creation, validation and transformation of data to create meaning.” In the 2020s, a number of career tracks utilize data science, including Data Scientists, Data Analysts, Statisticians, and Data Engineers, just to name a few. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects data science job outlooks as considerably higher than average. By 2031, projections show Data Scientist employment growing by 36%.
Best Data Science Classes & Schools in Boston
Harvard Extension School—Data Science Graduate Certificate Online or 51 Brattle St, Cambridge, MA 02138
Harvard Extension School’s catalog of certificate programs includes a Data Science Graduate Certificate designed to teach students the most cutting-edge theory, concepts, and skills of data analysis and computation. Participants also have the opportunity to take two elective classes in specializations of the student’s choice, such as game theory, data visualization, or exponential smoothing. Experienced instructors lead all participants to an in-depth understanding of machine learning, advanced statistics, modeling, and programming skills.
The average cost of Harvard Extension School’s Data Science Graduate Certificate is $12,880. No application is required, but prior statistics, basic programming, and Python knowledge are recommended. Requirements to secure the certificate include completing all four courses within three years and earning at least a B in each one.
Suffolk University Sawyer Business School—Graduate Certificate in Data Science 73 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02108
Suffolk University’s Sawyer Business School offers its Graduate Certificate in Data Science as an in-person program in Boston. Students will take three courses, including Python for Business Analytics, Advanced Data Management Leveraging ETL Tools, and Prescriptive Analytics: Modeling & Optimization. By the end of the program, graduates will have the skills and knowledge of data science that are most relevant for business applications. The courses of this certificate program may be applied to an MS in Business Analytics at Suffolk University if participants desire to pursue the degree program in the future.
The cost of Suffolk University’s Graduate Certificate in Data Science is $15,444, which includes fees and tuition for nine credits. Federal student loans and other financial aid options may be utilized to pay for the program. The application process consists of a $50 application fee, unofficial transcripts of post-secondary work, and a goal statement in the form of an essay. This program is only offered on campus and may be completed as a full-time student in one semester or as a part-time student in two semesters. The admittance committee is looking for prerequisite coursework in data analytics or data management and modeling.
Noble Desktop—Data Science Certificate Online
Noble Desktop’s online Data Science Certificate prepares students with everything they need to know to be competitive candidates for entry-level data science and Python engineering jobs. Students will learn Python programming fundamentals, how to perform data analysis and manipulate databases, and how to create machine learning models. Participants will also discover how to make dashboards and visualizations with Python’s Matplotlib, Seaborn, Plotly, and Dash Enterprise. Upon completing the program, students will begin their job hunt with an impressive certificate, portfolio of real-world projects, and solid knowledge of programming languages and libraries necessary in data science.
The price of Noble’s online data science certificate program is $3,995. An installment plan and a 0% interest tuition financing plan are available. The course includes 114 hours of hands-on instruction, as well as one-on-one mentoring with an instructor to ensure you are prepared for your upcoming career in data science. Full-time students can complete the course in 19 sessions, or you may attend part-time, meeting twice a week for 40 three-hour sessions. Beginners with no prior experience are welcome in this data science certificate program.
NYC Career Centers—Data Science Certificate Online
If you’re searching for a beginner-friendly online Data Science Certificate program, NYC Career Centers’ program is ideal for building the skills you need to be a competitive candidate for entry-level data science and Python engineering positions. You will learn Python programming fundamentals, how to create machine learning models, and the steps to making dashboards and visualizations. With the portfolio you build through the course, you will be a top candidate for the entry-level job of your dreams.
The price of NYC Career Centers’ online Data Science Certificate course is $3,995. Payment plans are available. The program includes 114 hours of instruction and one-on-one mentorship time, which may be used to support your job hunt and career preparation. You may take the course as a part-time class, meeting Monday and Wednesday evenings for three-hour sessions over 19 weeks. Alternatively, the program may be approached as a full-time student, meeting seven hours a day over four weeks. Basic computer knowledge is the only prerequisite for this course.
Boston Industries That Use Data Science
Data science specialists are in demand across multiple industries in Boston, including tech, finance, healthcare, and a variety of businesses with a significant amount of data to process. The exceptionally high demand for Statisticians and Data Analysts in the Boston and Cambridge metropolitan area is thanks to the area’s 44 colleges and universities and the numerous research institutes operating in the education-centered cities.
While many of the data science opportunities in the Boston region are in universities and research institutes, Boston’s unique tech sector also boasts plenty of career opportunities in the field. Route 128 was known as “America’s Technology Highway” before Silicon Valley’s rise in the 90s, and the same conditions that nurtured those earlier tech ventures continue to make Boston one of the top cities for startups today. With the innovative energy of MIT and Harvard and a strong and steady flow of venture capital, Boston’s tech industry employs hundreds of data science professionals under several different job titles.
Data Science Jobs & Salaries in Boston
Data science careers are abundant in Boston, though most do not feature the job title of Data Scientist. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 950 Data Scientists worked in the entire state of Connecticut. The annual mean wage reported in May 2022 was $121,000.
On the other hand, the BLS reports Computer and Information Scientist employment in the Boston area is the fourth highest in the U.S. Boston was home to 1,560 Computer and Scientists in 2022, and they reported an annual mean wage of $154,000.
While many other jobs in the Boston region fall under the umbrella of data science, Statisticians are arguably the most populous. The BLS’s 2022 report showed 2,320 Statisticians working in the area for an annual mean wage of $113,000, making it the metropolitan area with the second-highest number of employed Statisticians in the U.S.
