Data Science Bootcamp Vs Data Science Online Masters Degree

13 min readApr 22, 2021

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Big databases have the little benefit without the experience of experts who use data analysis tools to provide actionable insights. Data Scientists are being hired by an increasing number of companies to help them see the value of their datasets. They have the capabilities to extract and transform data, as well as the ability to solve complex challenges using data that is often chaotic and unstructured.

An MSc in Data Science degree or a Data Science Bootcamp is the two main paths to filling the skills void and pursuing a career as a Data Scientist. If you’re interested in the MSc Data Science, you’ll need an intermediate level in Python programming expertise, as well as some linear algebra and statistics. If you’re interested in the MSc Data Science, you’ll also need an undergraduate degree.

What is a Data Science Bootcamp?

A bootcamp is a modern approach to your IT education, an intensive, short-term, frequently immersive experience created to offer all the skills required to start a career in their chosen specialty to aspiring IT professionals.

Data science is a multidisciplinary field that incorporates statistics and computer science. The aim of data science is to extract insightful and meaningful information from databases that are often too broad for conventional analytics to handle. Anything from decoding dynamic genomic architectures to reading handwriting to optimizing a marketing campaign falls under this category.

Flatiron School’s Data Science Bootcamp

In NYC, Brooklyn, Washington, DC, Houston, Austin, Seattle, Chicago, Denver, and online, Flatiron School provides immersive on-campus and online programs in software engineering, computer science, and cybersecurity. Via comprehensive, market-aligned curricula and the guidance of experienced professors and personal career mentors, Flatiron School’s immersive courses strive to propel students into rewarding careers as software developers, computer scientists, and cybersecurity engineers. Flatiron teaches students to think and build like software engineers and data scientists through test-driven laboratories and portfolio projects.

General Assembly’s Data Science Bootcamp

The General Assembly provides full-time and part-time classes, seminars, and programs in person and online. There is a program for any data science ability you can think of in the full course list. Courses range from one-week intensives to full-time immersive 10- to 13-month classes, but students will have no trouble finding something that suits their timetable and budget. The General Assembly has a program for students, whether they are a young graduate looking to make a career change or a seasoned data scientist looking to improve their skillset.

Springboard’s Data Science Bootcamp

Springboard’s part-time bootcamps prepare students for jobs in as little as 6–9 months, and from the comfort of their homes. Thousands of students have benefited from Springboard’s expert-curated curricula and one-on-one mentoring. Springboard’s self-paced courses enable students to learn job-ready skills that they can demonstrate in a capstone or portfolio project that is industry-worthy. Students are supported in the journey by their industry mentor, as well as Springboard’s resident advisors and the wider student/alumni community.

How long does it take to complete the Data Science Bootcamp?

Usually, data science bootcamps can be completed in 3–6 months. This duration may vary depending on the courses offered, the mode (Part-Time / Full-Time) students enrolled, and also how many hours they invest in the study.

Duration of Flatiron School’s Data Science Bootcamp

The flatiron school’s data science bootcamp is offered both online and in-person. Students can take the full-time program and complete the program in 5 months by working 45–50 hours per week. Or they can choose a part-time option and graduate within 10 months by investing 25 hours per week. The program is also offered in a self-paced format, so students can complete the program at their own pace. But the course is only accessible for 15 months.

Duration of General Assembly’s Data Science Bootcamp

This full-time online program can be completed in 12 weeks.

Duration of Springboard’s Data Science Bootcamp

This fully online program can be completed in 24 weeks by investing 20 hours/week.

What do you learn In a Data Science Bootcamp?

What do you learn from Flatiron School’s Data Science Bootcamp?

This online data science training curriculum covers everything from Python to Machine Learning, giving students the scope and depth they need to become well-rounded data scientists. Students can also learn how to practice new approaches as their careers advance.

Every module will bring students to a new topic that expands on the previous section’s learnings while giving them ample time to dig deep into and topic for a better understanding of the subject matter.

Courses offered in Flatiron School’s Data Science Bootcamp

Introduction to Data with Python and SQL
Statistics, A/B Testing, and Linear Regression
Machine Learning
Big Data, Deep Learning, and Natural Language Processing
Data Science Advanced Project

What do you learn from General Assembly’s Data Science Bootcamp?

Students will gain hands-on experience with the knowledge they’ll need to extract value from complicated data in this program. They learn how to use Python, perform data analysis, and create mathematical models. Then move on to machine learning, where they will use algorithms ranging from decision trees and random forests to natural language processing and neural networks. After that, students will compile a professional-grade portfolio of persuasive stakeholder presentations and data visualizations by tackling five tasks. Students will also use machine-learning algorithms to solve a real-world data problem for your capstone project.

Courses offered in General Assembly’s Online Data Science Bootcamp

Data Science Fundamentals
Exploratory Data Analysis
Classical Statistical Modeling
Machine Learning Models
Advanced Topics and Trends

What do you learn from Springboard’s Data Science Bootcamp?

Working on actual projects developed by business professionals, students can master the data science process, from analytics and data wrangling to specialized subjects like artificial intelligence and data storytelling. You’ll graduate with an interview-ready portfolio and a network of data scientists. And they will be there with students every step of the way — until they’re employed.

Courses offered in Springboard’s Data Science Bootcamp

The Python Data Science Stack
Data Wrangling
The Data Story
Statistical Inference
Machine Learning
Software Engineering for Data Science
Data Science at Scale
Advanced Machine Learning

How much does a Data Science Bootcamp Cost?

The tuition cost associated with data science bootcamp may vary depending on the complexity, mode (Part-Time / Full-Time), and format (Online / In-Person) of the program. Typically the tuition cost can range from $4,000 — $19,000.

Tuition cost of Flatiron School’s Data Science Bootcamp

Total tuition cost — $16,900

Tuition cost of General Assembly’s Data Science Bootcamp

Upfront tuition cost — $15,950

Total tuition part-time — $3,950

Tuition cost of Springboard’s Data Science Bootcamp

Upfront tuition cost — $7,500

What are the Career benefits of doing a Bootcamp?

Data scientists, who process and interpret vast volumes of data in order to uncover new information, have been an increasingly important aspect of management teams in recent years. This helps to understand why the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 15% rise in demand for qualified data scientists over the next ten years. Completing a data science bootcamp will assist individuals in breaking into this in-demand sector while still increasing their profits.

For those looking for work in a rapidly rising field, data science bootcamps provide many advantages. Bootcamps are ideal for those who are looking to make a career transition after finishing an accelerated, rigorous data science curriculum because they are simpler and more economical than conventional degree programs due to their intense and concentrated nature.

Mentorship and tutoring are common features of bootcamps, as well as hands-on experience and real-world challenges using industry-relevant resources and technologies. You will learn up-to-date experience and insights into the field and they are often taught by industry experts. Data science bootcamps are also attractive because of their career programs, which typically include networking opportunities, job interview preparation, recruiting workshops, and post-graduation career counseling.

At a startup, a data scientist may be responsible for data architecture, data cleaning, and data interpretation. At a big consultancy company, anyone with the same job description may be helping clients create dashboards for their departments. Regardless, the data job market is rising and maturing, meaning a computer science bootcamp’s hard work pays off: Data Science Analysts earn an average of $80,265, while Senior Data Scientists and Technology Engineers earn an average of $105,909.

What is an Online Data Science Master’s Degree?

Data science is a rapidly evolving discipline that is becoming increasingly useful to a wide range of businesses, big and small. Data scientists play an important role in assisting companies in making rational decisions and optimizing outputs, from collecting data to communicating information. Whereas data technology used to be limited to data processing, programming expertise, and analyzing large collections of data, it has evolved to cover the whole data science life cycle.

Data science is used in the corporate community to assist companies in developing a better view of the customer and industry patterns. Among other fields, data analytics is used to compile data with various end purposes, such as collecting demographic data for public policy experts or epidemic statistics to inform public health policy, guidelines, and medical solutions.

Graduates with a master’s degree in data science are well-prepared for careers in technology and industry. Organizations that gather workplace data, such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics, do not collect data on data scientist employment because the profession is so recent. Individuals with a degree in data science will work as database and information analysis scientists, operations research analysts, and management analysts, among other jobs. Data scientists are known for their inherent curiosity and desire to solve complex problems. They take raw data and interpret it in terms that are understandable to the general public.

Online Master’s in Data Science by Northwestern University

In Northwestern’s online Master of Science in Data Science program, students will develop the critical research and leadership skills needed for careers in today’s data-driven world. To earn a master’s degree in data science, students must complete 12 courses successfully. Six core classes, a leadership or project management course, two mandatory courses that conform to a declared specialty, two electives, and a capstone project or thesis are all part of the qualifications.

Financial and risk analytics, artificial intelligence and deep learning, analytics systems analysis, and information processing, and real-time analytics are only a few of the elective courses available to students.

Online Masters of Data Science by University of Notre Dame

The Applied and Computational Mathematics Statistics (ACMS) at Notre Dame offers an online master’s degree in data science with professors from the Mendoza College of Business, the Office of Information Technologies, and the Hesburgh Libraries. The students will be exposed to a wide range of topics, programs, and points of view as a result of this combination of business and academic viewpoints. The Online Data Science courses are designed to work together as a whole, giving students the technological knowledge, mathematical aptitude, and strategic experience that the industry requires. Students take six classes per semester over five straight semesters to complete the 30 credit degree, which is split into 14 credit-earning classes.

Master’s in Data Science Online by University of California-Berkeley

The UC Berkeley School of Information’s online Master of Information and Data Science (MIDS) program trains data science practitioners to be pioneers in the industry. By combining a multidisciplinary curriculum, a seasoned faculty from leading data-driven organizations, a successful peer network, and flexible online learning, the WASC-accredited data science Berkeley program takes UC Berkeley to students wherever they are. Computer science, social sciences, statistics, management, and law are all included in the Masters of Information and Data Science (MIDS) program. Students deal with data at scale, draw knowledge from dynamic and unstructured data, and address real-world problems using the most up-to-date techniques and computational approaches.

The MIDS program includes a variety of classes that give students a thorough understanding of how data analysis can be used to help them make better decisions in their organizations. Students will take programming classes, such as the ones mentioned below, in addition to courses on the ethical implications of data science and how to successfully communicate information.

How long does it take to complete the online Data Science master’s degree?

A master’s degree in data science will require students to complete 20–30 credits hours. Students can achieve this in 1–2 years depending on the mode they enrolled in and the student’s experience.

Duration of Online Master’s in Data Science by Northwestern University

This online program can be completed in 18 months.

Duration of Online Masters of Data Science by University of Notre Dame

Structured program to be completed in 21 months of half-time enrollment (2 courses per semester over 5 semesters; students earn 30 credits to complete the degree)

Duration of Master’s in Data Science Online by University of California-Berkeley

The 27-unit online curriculum is tailored to the busy schedules of working professionals and can be completed in one of three ways: accelerated, standard, or decelerated.

Students on the accelerated track will take three classes each semester and finish the curriculum in as little as 12 months.

The standard program is geared for working adults and takes 20 months to finish with two classes per semester.

After the first term, students can drop down to one course each semester and finish the program in less than 32 months if they choose the decelerated direction.

What do you learn In an Online Data Science Masters Degree?

What do you learn in Online Master’s in Data Science at Northwestern University?

The Masters of Science in Data Science (MSDS) students learn essential skills for success in today’s data-driven environment. They learn to use relational and paper database structures, as well as analytics tools based on open-source platforms like R, Python, and TensorFlow. They learn how to use conventional statistics and machine learning approaches to make reliable forecasts.

Courses offered in Online Master’s in Data Science by Northwestern University

Core Courses:

Math for Data Scientists
Applied Statistics with R
Introduction to Data Science OR MSDS 403 Data Science in Practice
Database Systems and Data Preparation
Practical Machine Learning
Decision Analytics
Project Management, Business Leadership, and Communications, OR Data Governance, Ethics, and Law

What do you learn in Online Masters of Data Science by the University of Notre Dame?

By generating three-dimensional data scientists, this multidisciplinary Online Master’s in Data Science program offers students the advantage they need to achieve at the highest standards in the industry. A data scientist applies quantitative and analytical skills to transform and organize data, analyze it with programming, mathematics, and analytics, and turn it into useful information. A three-dimensional computer scientist, on the other hand, has the capacity to collaborate accurately and behave ethically in addition to quantitative and analytical data expertise. The courses in the Online Master’s in Data Science program are designed to work together as a whole, giving students the technological knowledge, mathematical aptitude, and strategic experience that the industry demands.

Courses offered in Online Masters of Data Science by the University of Notre Dame

Probability & Statistics for Data Science
Systems and Technologies: R
Systems and Technologies: Python
Introduction to Data Science
Linear Models
Databases & Data Security
Storytelling & Communications for Data Scientists
Ethics and Policy in Data Science
Behavioral Data Science
Statistical Learning for Data Science
Data Visualization
Data Science Now: Industry, Cases, and Projects
Generalized Linear Models
Time Series and Forecasting

What do you learn in Master’s in Data Science Online by the University of California-Berkeley?

Computer technology, social sciences, mathematics, management, and law are all used in this multidisciplinary Masters in Information and Data Science (MIDS) program. Students deal with data at scale, draw knowledge from dynamic and unstructured data, and address real-world problems using the most up-to-date techniques and computational approaches.

Courses offered in Master’s in Data Science Online by University of California-Berkeley

Research Design
Data Cleansing
Data Engineering
Data Mining and Exploring
Data Visualization
Information Ethics and Privacy
Statistical Analysis
Machine Learning

How much does an Online Data Science Master’s degree Cost?

The cost of a data science master’s degree can range between $500 — $3,000 per credit. This may vary depending on the institution, and students’ citizenship.

Tuition cost of Online Master’s in Data Science by Northwestern University

Total number of course — 12 courses

Cost per course: $4,550

Estimated cost for the entire program (total with technology fee): $56,100

Tuition cost of Online Masters of Data Science by University of Notre Dame

Total number of credits — 30

Cost per credit — $1,733

Total cost $52,000

Tuition cost of Online Master’s in Data Science by University of California-Berkeley

Total number of credits — 27

Cost per credit — $2,712

Total tuition cost — $73,224

What are the career benefits of doing an online masters in Data Science?

Glassdoor has ranked Data Scientists as the number one position in the United States over the last four years. Furthermore, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand for data science expertise will fuel a 27.9% increase in jobs in the industry from 2016 to 2026. There is not only a high demand for data scientists but also a noticeable lack of trained data scientists.

Experts in data science are wanted in almost every industry, not just technology. In reality, the five largest tech firms in the United States — Google, Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, and Facebook — employ just 0.5 percent of the skilled citizens. However, specialized preparation is usually expected to get into these high-paying, in-demand positions.

Data scientists are highly educated–88% have at least a master’s degree, and 46% have a PhD–and although there are significant exceptions, a very good educational experience is normally needed to develop the depth of expertise required to be a data scientist.

Data Scientist

Average Salary: $139,840

Machine Learning Engineer

Average Salary: $114,826

Data Architect

Average Salary: $108,278

Data Engineer

Average Salary: $102,864

Business Intelligence (BI) Developer

Average Salary: $81,514

Statistician

Average Salary: $76,884

Data Analyst

Average Salary: $62, 453

Which one should I take — Data Science Bootcamp or Online Data Science Master’s degree?

Students may prefer a data boot camp over a master’s in computer science if he or she is on a condensed timetable. Both data boot camps and master’s in computer science are open to students who choose to study part-time or full-time at an accredited university. Only the master’s program, however, will result in a graduate degree, which could result in a significant rise in pay and job opportunity. After completing the boot camp, students can receive professional certificates or be prepared to take certification exams, but no higher education degree is granted. It can, though, be a cost-effective way to learn practical skills or to apply to a student’s resume or CV. Students study basic analytics, data analysis, data visualization, and artificial learning in both courses. However, in the master’s degree, information engineering, cloud computing, and cryptography are all at a higher level, while in the data science boot camp, they are at a simpler level.

Overall, whether you can pursue a Masters in Data Science or a Bootcamp depends on the circumstances. A Masters degree is the best option if you want to spend more time learning philosophy, stretching your brain, and earning the ‘MSc’ degree.

A Data Science Bootcamp, on the other hand, could be for you if you want to become market ready, develop high-demand skills, and realistic skills to put you in a position to move jobs or upskill in your current career.

Data Science Bootcamp vs Data Science Online Master’s degree