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Data Management/Data Analytics – B.S.

Bachelor of Science Data Management/Data Analytics

The world runs on information. Where others see only raw data, you find valuable correlations. Earn the degree and certs you need for a data management career. Drive corporate success with your information analysis skills.

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A course in this online degree program won a coveted CODiE award from the Software & Information Industry Association.

A course in this program won a coveted CODiE award from the Software & Information Industry Association.

2016 CODiE SIIA Award Winner for Best Learning Management Solution

Overview
Earn your data management and analytics bachelor’s degree and industry certifications online.

In addition to increasing your earning potential and opportunities for advancement, earning your bachelor’s degree in data management/data analytics also puts you right at the center of turning raw data into usable information. This degree program provides a solid background in database management, as well as applications in data wrangling, analysis, and visualization. It includes multiple industry-recognized certifications from such organizations as Oracle, CompTIA, and CIW. These IT certifications are built into the curriculum and do not add time or cost to your degree program—certifications that will boost your résumé as soon as you've earned them, even before you complete your WGU degree.

And, you'll earn a Udacity Nanodegree! The technical skills you'll accumulate in the courses leading to this credential will be invaluable in your career—but that's not the only benefit. Udacity Nanodegree holders enjoy ongoing support from Udacity that includes employment placement, résumé support, networking and LinkedIn guidance, etc. Earning your Udacity Nanodegree as part of your WGU B.S. Data Management/Data Analytics program entitles you to all the benefits offered by Udacity—all without adding any cost or time to your degree program.

Certifications, a nanodegree, and a bachelor's degree add up to make you a well-rounded graduate with the latest technical skills, the "soft skills" you'll need to thrive professionally, and ongoing post-graduation career support.

Employer approval rate of

87%

In a 2018 Harris Poll survey of employers, 87% said their WGU grads' technical skills were either excellent or very good.
See career outlook

Tuition per 6-month term is

$3,225

Tuition charged per term—rather than per credit—helps you control the ultimate cost of your degree. Finish faster, pay less!
See how time is money

On average, students transfer

27 credits

Certifications, an associate's degree, or previous college credit may waive some courses. A transcript review will determine your transfer credits.
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Tuition as of January 1, 2019.

Today’s information economy needs big-data experts.

Nearly every transaction, whether it's social, commercial, medical, or academic, requires the expert management and in-depth analysis of big data. And with the continuing, exponential growth of data, the corresponding need for data managers and data analysis is also on the rise. Students who earn a data management/data analytics degree will be prepared for a wide variety of rewarding careers.

Learn about our grads' careers
Relevant, up-to-date bachelor's degree curriculum developed by big-data experts.

The WGU B.S. Data Management/Data Analytics degree program was designed, and is regularly updated, with input from the experts on our Information Technology Program Council, ensuring you learn best practices in systems and services, networking and security, scripting and programming, data management, and the business of IT.

Download Program Guide

Earning a data management and analytics degree that's been designed by industry experts adds theoretical depth to the practical knowledge you already have. The experts who sit on the WGU IT Program Council know exactly what it takes for a graduate to be successful in the fast-paced, ever-changing world of information technology.

See the current members of the WGU IT Program Council.
Core Subject Areas

Lower-division courses may be cleared through transfer credit. Following are some examples:

Critical Thinking and Logic

Introduction to Communication

English Composition I

American Politics and the US Constitution

Applied Probability and Statistics

Introduction to Humanities

Introduction to Geography

Applied Algebra

More

See all courses
Key Subject Areas

Courses specific to the fields of IT and data management/analytics include:

Introduction to IT

IT Foundations

IT Applications

Network and Security - Foundations

Networks

Scripting and Programming - Foundations

Introduction to Programming in Python

Integrated Physical Sciences

Natural Science Lab

Spreadsheets

Scripting and Programming - Applications

Web Development Foundations

More

See all courses
Credentials and Certs Included

Your coursework incorporates certifications, with no added time or cost. This program includes:

Udacity Nanodegree

CompTIA A+ (Parts 1 and 2)

CompTIA Network+

CompTIA Project+

CompTIA IT Operations Specialist

Oracle Database 12c: Administrator Certified Associate

Oracle Database SQL

CIW Data Analyst

CIW Site Development Associate

Explore the curriculum
A supported, personalized experience.

WGU is unlike any university you’ve experienced before—in the best possible way! Take a look at what we mean:

Faculty Learning Assessment Capstone Alumni Support

Faculty

SUPPORTING YOU: Faculty focused on students.

An entire team of faculty members has one goal in mind: your success. Your Program Mentor is your individually assigned faculty member, providing regular program guidance and instruction from the day you start, to the day you graduate. In addition, Course Instructors provide regular, subject-matter instruction and support, typically one-on-one, throughout each course you take.

Learning

YOUR ROADMAP: A personalized learning plan.

Your program is made up of a series of courses, each a personalized journey toward subject mastery. A preassessment provides insight into what you already know. You’ll then learn what you still need to learn, using online learning resources—available 24/7—along with one-on-one or cohort-based faculty instruction.

Assessment

PROVE IT: Show you know your stuff.

WGU measures learning, not time, so each course culminates in an assessment—a test, paper, project, or certification that allows you to prove what you know. As soon as you’re ready, take the assessment—including the ability to take proctored exams from the comfort of your own home— via webcam, any time of day!

Capstone

APPLY IT: Solve a problem.

Throughout your program, you will focus on acquiring and proving specific competencies. At program’s end, you’ll complete a final capstone project that allows you to show off everything you’ve learned by proposing a solution to an relevant issue in your industry. Your mentor can help you select your capstone topic.

Alumni Support

ALWAYS a Night Owl.

Continued support after you graduate includes many opportunities for professional development and enrichment, career support, and networking. Night Owls may be independent learners, but they also become highly engaged in our active alumni community through apps, groups, and events.

The accreditation you need, plus industry respect and recognition.

Accredited

Western Governors University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), which provides the accreditation of many other major institutions, such as the University of Washington, University of Oregon, Gonzaga University, University of Utah, University of Idaho, and Brigham Young University, to name just a few.

Respected

Recognized

“I’m impressed by the results in places like Western Governors University. Its low-cost online programs rely on competency-based progression, not class time or credit hours. It uses external assessments to evaluate student proficiency.”
Bill Gates
“Why American Colleges Have to Change”

Accredited

Respected

Recognized

Our programs check all the boxes. If this degree is your goal, get started toward becoming a student today—programs start the first of each month.

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Cost & Time
When we say affordable, we mean it.

$3,225

Tuition per 6-month term

+

+$295

Resource and Program Fees, per term

=

=$3,520

TOTAL PER TERM

+$65

One-time application fee

Apply FREE this week

$295 per-term fees include Resource Fee of $145 (covers all e-books and learning resources, saving you hundreds per term) and Program Fee of $150 (covers additional costs specific to this program).
Control the cost of your program: Our tuition links cost to time.

By charging per term rather than per credit—and empowering students to accelerate through material they know well or learn quickly—WGU helps students control the ultimate cost of their degrees.
Flat-rate tuition of $3,520 per term links cost to time.

By charging per 6-month term rather than per credit hour—and empowering students to accelerate through material they know well or can learn quickly—WGU helps students control the ultimate cost of their degrees.

Adjust the time and see your costs change

Your time

2 yrs

Your cost

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There's help if you need it.

Financial aid is available.

WGU is approved for federal financial aid and U.S. veterans benefits.

View more about financial aid.

WGU students borrow less than half the national average.

Our goal: You graduate with little or no debt.

The average student loan debt of WGU graduates in 2016 (among those who borrowed) was less than half the national average. WGU’s three-pronged approach to keeping your debt low and your return on investment quick: One, provide useful information and advice on responsible borrowing before enrollment. Two, keep tuition low while you're enrolled. And three, offer degree programs that lead to better-paying jobs after graduation.

Read about our Responsible Borrowing Initiative.

Degree Cost Comparison*

For-Profit Online University

Other Nonprofit Online University

WGU

A B.S. Data Management/Data Analytics degree for about half of what you’d pay elsewhere.

Low tuition and the ability to accelerate make WGU more affordable than most other schools. When you compare us with other programs, WGU’s Bachelor of Science Data Management/Data Analytics degree program offers rigorous curriculum with competitive post-graduation results for about half what you'd pay at another university—or even less.

*Estimates based on July 2017 WGU and comparable universities' tuition data. Learn more about WGU's tuition and how it compares.

Transparent fees and no hidden costs.

Earning a degree often has costs beyond tuition and fees—things like books, lab fees, and parking. At WGU, the amount you see listed is the amount you pay—no hidden costs, no surprise fees. Even your industry-recognized IT certifications are included at no extra charge.

Other universities bury you in unexpected costs. Not WGU.

Click to explore the extra costs:

Tuition Books

Parking Gas

Library / resource fees Babysitter every week for
nighttime classes

WGU

Other online college

Traditional
4 year school

This demonstration shows how various costs—including official fees and incidental costs of attending school—can add up in different learning environments. It's meant as an illustration only.

Scholarships make our already-low tuition even more affordable.

Many scholarship opportunities are available. Here are a few you may be eligible to apply for:

$2,000

Superhero within Scholarship

$2,000

Institutional Partner Scholarship

$2,000

Community College Partner Scholarship

The affordable, flexible programs offered at WGU put high-quality education within your reach. Start working toward your future.

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Courses & Competencies

Curriculum that ensures you graduate with the skills and knowledge employers want.

Program consists of:
36 Courses What about transfer credit?

At WGU, we design our curriculum to be timely, relevant, and practical—all to ensure your degree is proof you really know your stuff.

Every course focuses on a set of clearly defined competencies that you must prove you’ve learned—through tests, papers, projects, or other assessments. Demonstrating mastery is how you pass a course, so learning what it takes to be outstanding in your career is at the heart of WGU’s Bachelor of Science Data Management/Data Analytics curriculum.

That means what you learn is often directly applicable the next day at work—and it means what you’re doing at work frequently informs the work you’re doing in your courses. It’s all about real-world applicability so every moment spent studying is time well spent.

Courses in this program.

This online degree program is composed of the following courses. Some may be waived through transfer from your previous college experience. The rest you will typically complete one at a time as you progress through your program, working with your Program Mentor each term to build your personalized Degree Plan. You’ll work through each course as quickly as you can study and learn the material. As soon as you’re ready, you’ll pass the assessment, complete the course, and move on. This means you can finish as many courses as you're able in a term at no additional cost.

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IT Fundamentals

Introduction to IT

Introduction to IT examines information technology as a discipline and the various roles and functions of the IT department as business support. Students are presented with various IT disciplines including systems and services, network and security, scripting and programming, data management, and business of IT, with a survey of technologies in every area and how they relate to each other and to the business.

IT Foundations

IT Foundations is the first course in a two-part series preparatory for the CompTIA A+ exam, Part I. Students will gain an understanding of personal computer components and their functions in a desktop system; computer data storage and retrieval; classifying, installing, configuring, optimizing, upgrading, and troubleshooting printers, laptops, portable devices, operating systems, networks, and system security; recommending appropriate tools, diagnostic procedures, preventative maintenance and troubleshooting techniques for personal computer components in a desktop system; strategies for identifying, preventing, and reporting safety hazards and environmental/human accidents in a technological environments; and effective communication with colleagues and clients as well as job-related professional behavior.

IT Applications

IT Applications is a continuation of the IT Foundations course preparatory for the CompTIA A+ exam, Part II. Students will gain an understanding of personal computer components and their functions in a desktop system. Also covered is computer data storage and retrieval including classifying, installing, configuring, optimizing, upgrading, and troubleshooting printers, laptops, portable devices, operating systems, networks, and system security. Other areas include recommending appropriate tools, diagnostic procedures, preventative maintenance, and troubleshooting techniques for personal computer components in a desktop system. The course then finishes with strategies for identifying, preventing, and reporting safety hazards and environmental/human accidents in a technological environment, and effective communication with colleagues and clients as well as job-related professional behavior. This course builds on the understanding of hardware from IT Foundations and is designed to build the skills to support 4 core components: Operating Systems, Security, Software Troubleshooting, and Operational Procedures. These are core competencies for IT professionals from cloud engineers to data analysts, and will empower you with a better understanding of the tools used during your career. The following course is a prerequisite: C393 IT Foundations.

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General Education

Critical Thinking and Logic

Reasoning and Problem Solving helps candidates internalize a systematic process for exploring issues that takes them beyond an unexamined point of view and encourages them to become more self-aware thinkers by applying principles of problem identification and clarification, planning and information gathering, identifying assumptions and values, analyzing and interpreting information and data, reaching well-founded conclusions, and identifying the role of critical thinking in disciplines and professions.

Introduction to Communication

This introductory communication course allows candidates to become familiar with the fundamental communication theories and practices necessary to engage in healthy professional and personal relationships. Candidates will survey human communication on multiple levels and critically apply the theoretical grounding of the course to interpersonal, intercultural, small group, and public presentational contexts. The course also encourages candidates to consider the influence of language, perception, culture, and media on their daily communicative interactions. In addition to theory, candidates will engage in the application of effective communication skills through systematically preparing and delivering an oral presentation. By practicing these fundamental skills in human communication, candidates become more competent communicators as they develop more flexible, useful, and discriminatory communicative practices in a variety of contexts. Note: There are references within this video to Taskstream. If Taskstream is not part of your student experience, please disregard, and locate your task(s) within your course.

English Composition I

Technical Communication examines communication types and strategies that information technology executives will use to communicate effectively within an organization. As leaders, IT executives frequently contribute to business goals by designing and communicating specialized information in a variety of media to customers, clients, and other departments. In this course, candidates learn to communicate accurately, effectively, and ethically to a variety of audiences. Candidates choose, design, and deliver the communication product and assess the effectiveness to improve future communication. This course has no prerequisites.

American Politics and the US Constitution

American Politics and the U.S. Constitution examines the evolution of representative government in the United States and the changing interpretations of the civil rights and civil liberties protected by the Constitution. This course will give candidates an understanding of the powers of the branches of the federal government, the continual tensions inherent in a federal system, the shifting relationship between state and federal governments, and the interactions between elected officials and the ever-changing electorate. This course will focus on such topics as the role of a free press in a democracy, the impact of changing demographics on American politics, and the debates over and expansion of civil rights. Upon completion of the course, candidates should be able to explain the basic functions of the federal government, describe the forces that shape American policy and politics, and be better prepared to participate in America��s civic institutions. This course has no prerequisite.

Applied Probability and Statistics

Applied Probability and Statistics helps candidates develop competence in the fundamental concepts of basic statistics including introductory algebra and graphing; descriptive statistics; regression and correlation; and probability. Statistical data and probability are used in everyday life, science, business, information technology, and educational settings to make informed decisions about the validity of studies and the effect of data on decisions. This course discusses what constitutes sound research design and how to appropriately model phenomena using statistical data. Additionally, the content covers simple probability calculations based on events that occur in the business and IT industries. No prerequisites are required for this course.

Introduction to Humanities

This introductory humanities course allows candidates to practice essential writing, communication, and critical thinking skills necessary to engage in civic and professional interactions as mature, informed adults. Whether through studying literature, visual and performing arts, or philosophy, all humanities courses stress the need to form reasoned, analytical, and articulate responses to cultural and creative works. Studying a wide variety of creative works allows candidates to more effectively enter the global community with a broad and enlightened perspective.

Introduction to Geography

This course will discuss��geographic concepts, places and regions, physical and human systems, and the environment.

Applied Algebra

Applied Algebra is designed to help candidates develop competence in working with functions, working with the algebra of functions, and using some applied properties of functions. Candidates will learn how to apply different kinds of functions to relevant, real-life examples. From there, the algebra of several families of functions will be explored, including linear, polynomial, exponential, and logistic functions. Candidates will also learn about relevant, applicable mathematical properties of each family of functions, including rate of change, concavity, maximizing/minimizing, and asymptotes. These properties will be used to solve problems related to a WGU major and make sense of problems in everyday living. Candidates should complete Applied Probability and Statistics or its equivalent prior to engaging in Applied Algebra.

Ethics in Technology

Ethics in Technology examines the ethical considerations of technology in each of four categories: privacy, accuracy, property, and access. The course presents a range of technologies and issues that challenge technologists in the field of information ethics. Candidates are introduced to a decision-making process as informed by ethical frameworks that outline key ethical considerations within the technologies presented. Candidates will study specific cases to help inform their professional responsibilities in how to navigate the important controversies in topics such as surveillance, social media, hacking, data manipulation, plagiarism and piracy, artificial intelligence, responsible innovation, and the digital divide. This course has no prerequisites.

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Network and Security

Network and Security - Foundations

Network and Security - Foundations introduces students to the components of a computer network and the concept and role of communication protocols. The course covers widely used categorical classifications of networks (e.g., LAN, MAN, WAN, WLAN, PAN, SAN, CAN, and VPN) as well as network topologies, physical devices, and layered abstraction. The course also introduces students to basic concepts of security covering vulnerabilities of networks and mitigation techniques, security of physical media, and security policies and procedures. This course has no prerequisites.

Networks

Networks for undergraduates focuses on the general concepts and applications of computer operating systems and network topologies. The fundamental knowledge and skills gained in this course prepares students for the CompTIA Network+ (N10-007) certification exam. C172 is a prerequisite for this course and should be completed prior to beginning Networks, C480.

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Scripting and Programming

Scripting and Programming - Foundations

Scripting and Programming - Foundations provides an introduction to programming, covering basic elements such as variables, data types, flow control, and design concepts. The course is language-agnostic in nature, ending in a survey of languages and introduces the distinction between interpreted and compiled languages. There are no prerequisites for this course.

Introduction to Programming in Python

Introduction to Programming in Python provides the fundamentals of the Python language and its features to control program flow and to manipulate data sets. This course teaches how to develop Python scripts that extract and manipulate data from unstructured data sources. Python libraries including acquisition and configuration are also covered. Scripting and Programming Foundations and Web Development Foundations are prerequisites to this course.

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General Science Content

Integrated Physical Sciences

This course provides students with an overview of the basic principles and unifying ideas of the physical sciences: physics, chemistry, and earth sciences. Course materials focus on scientific reasoning and practical, everyday applications of physical science concepts to help students integrate conceptual knowledge with practical skills.

Natural Science Lab

This course gives you an introduction to using the scientific method and engaging in scientific research to reach conclusions about the natural world. You will design and carry out an experiment to investigate a hypothesis by gathering quantitative data.

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Spreadsheets

Spreadsheets

The Spreadsheets course will help students become proficient in using spreadsheets to analyze business problems. Students will demonstrate competency in spreadsheet development and analysis for business/accounting applications (e.g., using essential spreadsheet functions, formulas, charts, etc.)

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Software

Scripting and Programming - Applications

Scripting and Programming - Applications for undergraduates explores the various aspects of the C++ programming language by examining its syntax, the development environment, and tools and techniques to solve some real-world problems.

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Web Development

Web Development Foundations

This course prepares students for the CIW Site Development Associate certification. The course introduces students to web design and development by presenting them with HTML5 and Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), the foundational languages of the web, by reviewing media strategies and by using tools and techniques commonly employed in web development.

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Data Management

Data Management - Foundations

This course introduces students to the concepts and terminology used in the field of data management. Students will be introduced to Structured Query Language (SQL) and will learn how to use Data Definition Language (DDL) and Data Manipulation Language (DML) commands to define, retrieve, and manipulate data. This course covers differentiations of data��structured vs. unstructured and quasi-structured (relational, hierarchical, XML, textual, visual, etc); it also covers aspects of data management (quality, policy, storage methodologies). Foundational concepts of data security are included.

Data Management - Applications

This course covers conceptual data modeling and provides an introduction to MySQL. Students will learn how to create simple to complex SELECT queries including subqueries and joins, and students will also learn how to use SQL to update and delete data. Topics covered in this course include exposure to MySQL; developing physical schemas; creating and modifying databases, tables, views, foreign keys/primary keys (FKs/PKs), and indexes; populating tables; and developing simple Select-From-Where (SFW) queries to complex 3+ table join queries.

Database Server Administration

This course covers the installation, configuration, and administration of database servers. Students will be introduced to all the logical and physical components of a database server and learn to set up a server in a network environment. Tools and strategies for access and space management will be covered, as well as backup, restoration, and upgrade techniques.

Data Wrangling with MongoDB

This course elaborates on concepts covered in Introduction to Data Science, helping to develop skills crucial to the field of data science and analysis. It explores how to wrangle data from diverse sources and shape it to enable data-driven applications��a common activity in many data scientists' routine. Topics covered include gathering and extracting data from widely-used data formats, assessing the quality of data, and exploring best practices for data cleaning. This course also introduces MongoDB, covering the essentials of storing data and the MongoDB query language together with exploratory analysis using the MongoDB aggregation framework.

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Technical Communication

Technical Communication

This course covers basic elements of technical communication, including professional written communication proficiency; the ability to strategize approaches for different audiences; and technical style, grammar, and syntax proficiency.

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Business of IT

Business of IT - Project Management

In this course, students will build on industry standard concepts, techniques, and processes to develop a comprehensive foundation for project management activities. During a project's life cycle, students will develop the critical skills necessary to initiate, plan, execute, monitor, control, and close a project. Students will apply best practices in areas such as scope management, resource allocation, project planning, project scheduling, quality control, risk management, performance measurement, and project reporting. This course prepares students for the following certification exam: CompTIA Project+.

Business of IT - Applications

Business of IT��Applications examines Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL��) terminology, structure, policies, and concepts. Focusing on the management of information technology (IT) infrastructure, development, and operations, students will explore the core principles of ITIL practices for service management to prepare them for careers as IT professionals, business managers, and business process owners. This course has no prerequisites.

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Data Manipulation

Structured Query Language

This course prepares the student for the Oracle Database SQL (1Z0-071) certification exam. Students will master the SQL language that will allow them to restrict and sort data; create schema objects; control user access; and manage data, objects, and tables.

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Data Science

Introduction to Data Science

This course introduces the data analysis process and common statistical techniques necessary for the analysis of data. Students will ask questions that can be solved with a given data set, set up experiments, use statistics and data wrangling to test hypotheses, find ways to speed up their data analysis code, make their data set easier to access, and communicate their findings.

Machine Learning

This course presents the end-to-end process of investigating data through a machine learning lens. Topics covered include techniques for extracting data, identifying useful features that best represent data, a survey of commonly-used machine learning algorithms, and methods for evaluating the performance of machine learning algorithms.

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Data Analytics

Data Analysis with R

This course focuses on exploratory data analysis (EDA) utilizing R. EDA is an approach for summarizing and visualizing the important characteristics of a data set. Exploratory data analysis focuses on exploring data to understand the data's underlying structure and variables to develop intuition about the data set, to consider how that data set came into existence, and to decide how it can be investigated with more formal statistical methods.

Data Visualization

Data Visualization covers the application of design principles, human perception, color theory, and effective storytelling in the context of data visualization. It addresses presenting data to others and advancing technology with visualization tools, enabling data scientists to share their findings and support organizational decision-making processes. Additionally, this course focuses on how to visually encode and present data to an audience.

Data Analytics

This course covers the most common tools, techniques, and procedures involved in data analytics. Students will review all the disciplines involved with data analytics learned in previous courses and get a better understanding of how they all relate to one another.

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Computer Science

Data Structures and Algorithms I

Data Structures and Algorithms I covers the fundamentals of dynamic data structures, such as bags, lists, stacks, queues, trees, hash tables, and their associated algorithms. With Python software as the basis, the course discusses object-oriented design and abstract data types as a design paradigm. The course emphasizes problem solving and techniques for designing efficient, maintainable software applications. Students will implement simple applications using the techniques learned. This course has one prerequisite: Software 1.

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Capstone

IT Capstone Written Project

The capstone project consists of a technical work proposal, the proposal��s implementation, and a post-implementation report that describes the graduate��s experience in developing and implementing the capstone project. The capstone project should be presented and approved by the program mentor in relation to the graduate��s technical emphasis.

Plan to work hard: Program requirements and expectations.

The B.S. Data Management / Data Analytics program is an all-online program that you will complete by studying and working independently with instruction and support from WGU faculty. You will be expected to complete at least 12 competency units (WGU's equivalent of the credit hour) each 6-month term. (Each course is typically 3 or 4 units).

The first person you speak with at WGU will be your Enrollment Counselor, who can explain requirements and expectations in more detail. You can also read more about each course in the Program Guide.

Request info from an Enrollment Counselor.

Download the Program Guide.

Special requirements for this program:

Capstone project: At the end of your program, you will complete a capstone project that represents the culmination of all your hard work—a research project applicable to the field of data analytics and management that aims to expand the body of knowledge in the profession.

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Quality you can trust: Curriculum developed with guidance from IT employers and experts.

Program councils—teams of industry and academic experts—drive the ongoing development of our programs and curriculum, providing input on the competencies a successful graduate needs to have mastered.
How You'll Learn

Competency-based education puts working IT professionals in the driver’s seat of their education.

Competency-based education allows you to speed up your progress through your online degree program—no waiting for other class members to catch up or for a new semester to start.

Taking a course covering concepts you’ve been using for years at work? Review the course material, take the assessment, and move on. Taking a course in a subject you’ve never tried? Maximize all available resources to ensure you’re comfortable with the material by the time you take the assessment. It's your personalized journey—driven by technology—to learn, pass courses, and earn your degree.

“WGU’s advantage is its flexibility. The education itself is top-notch, and the flexibility allows busy people to get through school. I recommend WGU to everybody, particularly in IT fields. The certifications you get at WGU are fantastic—some of the best in the industry.” Ken Krauss
M.S. Information Security and Assurance, 2015

Designed for professionals with tech talent.

You’ve worked in tech for years, and have achieved the biggest promotion you can get until you earn your degree. But your experience should count for something. You deserve a degree program that will take into account all the know-how you’ve gained over the years, and maybe even offer an opportunity to graduate faster. That’s where WGU’s competency-based degree programs can help. You can move through courses as quickly as you master the material: no waiting for other students, or the next semester. And because we charge tuition at a flat rate, you save both time and money.

Competency-Based Education (CBE)

How it helps you

Efficient

Save time and money by focusing your efforts where they matter the most.

How much do you already know? How fast can you learn? Today’s adult students come from different professional backgrounds with varying levels of knowledge and experience. Competency-based education empowers you to take the most efficient path to complete your studies.

Flexible

Learn on your own terms.

Some people do their best studying in the early mornings, before going in to work; others are most energized when they come home in the evenings. Sometimes work gets crazy; and sometimes, it gets really crazy—deadlines loom, you hit the busy season, and then you enjoy the relative quiet of “down time.” While you will be required to maintain a base level of consistent progress through your program, WGU is designed to empower you to maximize your personal schedule by allowing you to build a study plan that fits into your life—not one that requires you to rearrange it.

Results

Know you’re learning real-world skills.

You earn an IT degree for results—not simply to accrue credits. Competency-based education centers on competencies—the clearly defined knowledge and skills that leading employers are looking for. How do we know what they’re looking for? They tell us—and their input drives our curriculum.

Finish courses by proving what you know, as soon as you’re ready.

With competency-based education at WGU, success is measured by actual learning, not class time. You advance by demonstrating that you've mastered the course subject matter—whether you learned it through your study at WGU or picked up that knowledge through years of work experience.

Your progress through a course is driven by you.

How quickly you learn

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The time you devote to studying

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How much previous knowledge you bring

Your experience pays at WGU.

Why start from square one when you could already be well on your way to a degree?

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Career Outlook
An IT security degree program will pave the way to your future in information assurance.

Our economy runs on data, and the amount of data we use is growing at an unprecedented rate. Every industry from advertising to zoology is going digital, and the big organizations need experts who can manage their big data. When you have completed your data management and analytics degree online, you will find that your skills as a data analyst are in high demand. The knowledge, techniques, and certifications you’ll earn as you complete your degree will provide you with all the tools necessary for a for a successful career in big data.

Explore a career in data science.

Get salary info, job and industry outlook, work environment description, and more.

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WGU is a university committed to producing successful grads.

The ultimate test of your degree's value is whether it helps you become an outstanding employee and advance your career. Our happy grads—and their happy employers—confirm that WGU is the path to that kind of degree.
Happy employers

Happy grads

They're Prepared.

Employers said that WGU graduates were prepared for their jobs.

They Perform.

Employers rated WGU graduates' job performance as very good or excellent.

They Wow.

Employers said their WGU graduates have exceeded their expectations.

They're Confident.

Graduates said the majority of their coursework was related to their jobs.

They're Working.

Graduates are working full-time.

They're Satisfied.

Graduates said their degrees were worth the cost of their education.

Source: 2016 Harris Poll survey of 301 employers; 2016 Harris Poll Online survey of 1,403 new college graduates nationwide compared with survey of 1,207 WGU graduates; WGU--Gallup 2016 Report
"WGU gives students the ability to really assemble the complete package, from the subject matter to the specific skills to the certification that gives employers confidence when they're making a hiring decision." Brad Smith
President and Chief Legal Officer, Microsoft

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Your Enrollment Counselor is there to help you make an informed decision.
The first step toward change can be the hardest—we get it. Your "welcoming committee" at WGU is made up of Enrollment Counselors, Admissions Specialists, and faculty members. Your initial interactions at WGU will be guided by an Enrollment Counselor who specializes in the programs you're interested in.

Your Enrollment Counselor is ready with as much help as you may need:

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Admission requirements unique to this degree.
To be considered for enrollment into the Bachelor of Science Data Management/Data Analytics degree program, you must possess a high school diploma or its equivalent. You must also be able to demonstrate IT experience through at least one of the following:

Option 1: Possess an associate’s degree in information technology or equivalent (A.S. or A.A.S. acceptable).

Option 2: Possess a high-level IT certification in network, security, programming, data management, operating systems, or hardware management earned within the last five years.

Option 3: Provide your résumé showing three-plus years of IT work experience.

Option 4: Show completion of high-level IT coursework within the last five years:

Two or more upper-level networking courses; OR

Two or more upper-level object-oriented programming courses (Java, C#, etc.); OR

One or more upper-level operating systems courses; OR

One or more upper-level information security and assurance courses.

View general admissions requirements
Making an informed admission decision.

WGU seeks to admit individuals who have the capacity and determination to complete a rigorous WGU degree program … and graduate. The admission process is designed to help you and the university reach an informed decision about your likelihood of success.

At WGU we want you to graduate, not just enroll. Consequently, not every applicant is admitted because not every individual has the capacity and determination to complete a rigorous WGU degree program.
Your existing IT certifications may transfer to WGU.

See which certs transfer.

Common questions about enrolling in a College of IT degree program.

What if I can't meet the eligibility requirements to enroll in the IT program I am interested in?

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You should speak with an Enrollment Counselor. WGU can often provide advice or resources to help a prospective student fulfill enrollment prerequisites.

Why are certifications and other prerequisites required?

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When you enroll in a WGU degree program, our goal is to see you through to graduation. Admission requirements are designed to increase your likelihood of success. Years of data and experience with the nontraditional students WGU serves have shown us how various types of academic and professional experience can be highly important in helping a student persist to graduation. Industry certifications are one of many ways a student can meet eligibility.

Why doesn't WGU accept certifications that are older than five years?

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WGU has an obligation to our graduates—and their current and future employers—to ensure WGU alumni have mastered the the most up-to-date, current competencies and skills needed in the workplace. Recency of certifications helps us ensure that students have demonstrated competency in skills as they are needed in today's working world.

Is this program truly "at your own pace"?

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As a full-time student, you will be required to maintain a minimum pace of 12 competency units (CUs) per term for undergraduate programs or 8 CUs per term for graduate programs. However, there is no maximum speed—once you complete a course, you move immediately to the next, and you complete a course not by waiting for the syllabus, the professor, or the rest of the class. You progress by learning the material and proving it—so you can move through your coursework at the speed of your own learning and experience.

If there aren't classes or lectures, what role do Course Instructors play?

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Course Instructors are highly educated, experienced experts in the subject matter of a course. Unlike in a traditional university where going to class means listening to an instructor lecture while you take notes and try to learn in a group setting, WGU's Course Instructors provide one-on-one instruction and support when you need it—tailoring the instruction to your precise needs when you need it. Course Instructors also provide additional resources, lead topical discussions in online communities, and find countless other ways to bring a specific course to life for students.

Have more questions? We're here to answer them!
Speak with an Enrollment Counselor.

“From the very beginning, the whole process was very smooth. My enrollment counselors were knowledgeable and helpful. If I did run into any kind of little snag, somebody was always there to help me.” Cindy Krupinski
B.S. Information Technology

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