Earn your AS in Data Analytics:
- $320/credit (60 total credits)
- Transfer up to 45 credits toward your associate degree
- Apply all 60 credits toward BS in Data Analytics program
- Learn high-demand skills employers seek
- Get transfer credits for what you already know
- Participate in events like the Teradata competition
Associate in Data Analytics Online Overview
Get your foot in the door of a fast-growing field with the online Associate of Science (AS) in Data Analytics degree program from Southern New Hampshire University.
Big Data is a huge part of business today. But how do you break into the field? SNHU's data analytics associate degree program can provide the foundational knowledge you need to help launch or continue your career.
This 60-credit program is perfect for those looking to understand the basics of data analytics. It can also provide a seamless pathway to a bachelor's – as all 60 credits may be transferred to our BS in Data Analytics program.
Credits can also be applied to one of our many STEM degrees. Choose from a variety of full programs and concentration areas such as business management, cyber security, project management and software development.
As an online SNHU student, you'll also have access to a number of valuable learning and networking experiences, including:
- Teradata University Data Challenge. Compete alongside fellow students. Interpret datasets and submit projects that solve real-world problems.
- Grace Hopper Celebration. Join thousands of students, academics, industry experts and employers for the world's largest gathering of women technologists.
- ACM Richard Tapia Celebration of Diversity in Computing. Celebrate, connect and be inspired by students, faculty, researchers and professionals representing all backgrounds and ethnicities.
Plus, if you have some college experience already, we'll accept up to 45 credits toward your associate program – saving you time and tuition.
Learn how to:
- Solve organizational problems through data and communicate your findings to technical and non-technical audiences
- Apply data analytics standards and policies to meet the security, storage and privacy standards of organizations
- Use quantitative and qualitative data analytics methods to respond to business challenges
Career Outlook
With an increasing number of executive leaders turning to data to better manage their organizations, there are several different directions a professional with data analytics skills can go.
"The AS in Data Analytics allows students to gain a solid understanding of the methods for diagnosing organizational problems, gathering requirements and collecting data," said Dr. Susan McKenzie, associate dean of STEM programs at SNHU.
These skills, McKenzie notes, are valuable for many different roles in many different environments.
"By understanding current use of data analytics in different industries, you'll be prepared to communicate to all parts of an organization," McKenzie said. "These skills aid in how data analysis impacts organizational decision making."
While many employers say they require a minimum of a bachelor’s degree for a data analytics job, an associate degree can position you for many entry-level roles jobs in data – especially if, at the same time, you’re also pursuing a bachelor’s degree in data analytics. You may find junior roles for jobs like:
- Business analyst
- Business intelligence analyst
- Data analyst
- Data technician
- Operations analyst
That said, if you're looking to position yourself for a higher-level role, the AS in Data Analytics can provide a strong pathway to a bachelor's degree in a variety of STEM areas.
If you'd like to continue on and earn an advanced degree, you can take advantage of our master's degrees in data analytics online, in addition to many other online master's programs.
An advanced degree in data analytics can help prepare you for a number of different roles and industries. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, for example, notes that the top industries for operations research analysts in 20191 were:
- Finance and insurance
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Management of companies and enterprises
- Manufacturing
- Federal government
Start Your Journey Toward an Online Data Analytics Degree
Why SNHU for Your Associate in Data Analytics
Flexible
With no set class meeting times, you can learn on your schedule and access online course materials 24/7.
Affordable
Take advantage of some of the lowest online tuition rates in the nation, plus financial aid for those who qualify. We also make it easy to transfer to SNHU by accepting up to 90 credits for a bachelor's degree and 45 credits for an associate degree from your previous institution.
Respected
Founded in 1932, Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit institution with over 100,000 graduates across the country. SNHU is regionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), which advocates for institutional improvement and public assurance of quality.
Recently, SNHU has been nationally recognized for leading the way toward more innovative, affordable and achievable education:
- “Most Innovative” regional university honors from U.S. News & World Report each year since 2015
- A $1 million grant from Google.org to explore soft skills assessments for high-need youth
- Recognition as a 2017 Digital Learning Innovator by the Online Learning Consortium
Network
At Southern New Hampshire University, you'll have access to a powerful network of more than 200,000 students, alumni and staff that can help support you long after graduation. Our instructors offer relevant, real-world expertise to help you understand and navigate the field. Plus, with our growing, nationwide alumni network, you'll have the potential to tap into a number of internship and career opportunities.
Opportunities
Our goal has always been to provide opportunities for all learners – no matter where they started or where they hope to go. That's why, each year, we empower members of the online SNHU community to get involved in major industry events like the Teradata University Network Data Challenge, Grace Hopper Celebration and ACM Richard Tapia Celebration of Diversity in Computing. These efforts have even earned us a 2019 INSIGHT into Diversity magazine award for Inspiring Programs in STEM.
96.5% of students would recommend SNHU.2 Discover why SNHU may be right for you.
Admission Requirements
Part of our mission to expand access to quality higher education means removing the barriers that may stand between you and your degree. That’s why you can apply at any time and get a decision within days of submitting all required materials.
Acceptance decisions are made on a rolling basis throughout the year for our 6 (8-week) undergraduate terms.
How to Apply
Simply contact an admission counselor, who can help you explore financial options, answer all your questions and walk you through the application process. Start by:
- Completing a free undergraduate application
- Providing previous institutions attended – so we can retrieve transcripts for you at no cost
Test scores are not required as part of your application.
Courses & Curriculum
"In the data analytics associate program, you'll gain an understanding of the various technical areas of data analysis as well as the industries in which it is used," said Dr. Susan McKenzie, associate dean of STEM programs.
You'll explore critical IT and data analytics concepts with courses that cover:
- The role of data analytics in organizations
- Gathering requirements and collecting data
- Data policy and decision making
- Emerging technologies and Big Data
- Data validation and how to get the right data
In addition, all major courses and general education requirements are transferable to the BS in Data Analytics program – giving you a seamless pathway to achieve your educational goals.
Curriculum Requirements & Resources
- General education courses: All online associate degree students are required to take general education classes, if not obtained in prior coursework. Through these foundation, exploration and integration courses, students learn to think critically, creatively and collaboratively, giving you the edge employers are looking for.
- Technology resources: We provide cloud-based virtual environments in some courses to give you access to the technology you need for your degree – and your career. Learn more about our virtual environments.
- Earn math credits for what you already know: Save time and tuition with our Pathways to Math Success assessments. Depending on your scores, you could earn up to 12 math credits – the equivalent of 4 courses – toward your degree for less than $50 per assessment.
Earn Credits for What You Already Know
- Earn transfer credits for IT certifications and credentials: If you've earned IT certifications through organizations like Cisco, CompTIA, (ISC)2, Oracle or Thinkful, you may be eligible to receive credit toward your degree program. Or If you’re seeking certification, some IT and computer science courses can help you prepare for specific exams.
- Earn credits for work and life experience: Did you know certain work and life experience - like industry-recognized certifications, law enforcement training and math knowledge - could save you time and money at SNHU? Learn how you could get credit for work or life experience.
View Full Curriculum in the Catalog |
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AS in Data Analytics |
Courses May Include | ||
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AS in Data Analytics | ||
DAT 205 | Role of Data Analysis in Organizations | Students will analyze the role of data analysis and data analysts within organizations. Students will also gain an understanding of the various areas of data analysis as well as the industries in which it is used, and explore the types of professional roles that exist in the world of data. |
DAD 220 | Introduction to Structured Database Environments | Students will learn to create structured database environments that incorporate basic processing functionality and allow for data management, data manipulation, and data analysis. Students will also construct and analyze queries to address data requirements. |
DAT 223 | Gathering Requirements and Collecting Data | Students will examine methods for diagnosing organizational problems in order to determine the data requirements to solve them. In addition, students will learn how to gather data and supporting documentation necessary for effective data analysis. |
DAT 250 | Data Policy and Decision Making | Students will explore the emergence of data governance at both the legal/regulatory and organizational policy levels, with a focus on its implications for data analytics. Students will also learn how data analysts can act ethically when confronted with data privacy and security concerns. |
IT 140 | Introduction to Scripting | Students will learn the fundamentals of programming concepts including data types, variables, decision statements, loops, functions and file handling. By developing simple scripts, students will understand how to use common scripting language constructs including lists, literals, and regular expressions to build useful applications. |
Total Credits: 60 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between an associate and a bachelor's in data analytics?
The key difference between a bachelor's and associate degree in data analytics is the depth of the topics covered. Put simply, a bachelor's degree picks up where an associate degree leaves off.
With an associate degree in data analytics, you'll be better equipped to understand and share accurate information with stakeholders at a company.
A bachelor's will build upon those foundational skills.
"The BS in Data Analytics will expand your learning with technical abilities and professional skills," said Dr. Susan McKenzie, associate dean of STEM programs. You'll gain skills to help organizations leverage data through innovative practices and help inform decision-making. In addition, you'll learn about aspects of data science including data management and security. Upon graduation, you'll become skilled in interpreting business questions through a data lens, collecting and cleaning data, visualizing data and communicating analytical results and recommendations.
Typically, an associate in data analytics takes about 2 years to complete. A bachelor's takes 4 years. But here's what's great about earning your data analytics associate degree at SNHU: Once you finish, you can transfer all your credits toward your online bachelor's degree. That means, in 4 years, you can still earn your BS in Data Analytics, but also get an associate credential halfway through.
This is helpful not only as a way to show employers what you've learned, but also as a personal benchmark on the road toward reaching your goals.
What's the difference between data analytics and data science?
While it might be easy to confuse data analytics and data science, they are different. It helps to think about it in terms of what data analysts and data scientists actually do.
Simply put:
- Data analysts gather and analyze data
- Data scientists develop statistical models and apply scientific methods to make predictions
Take weather forecasts, for example. A data analyst would be in charge of collecting data such as humidity, temperature and barometric pressure. Then, that data would be handed off to a data scientist who would use it to predict a weather event, like a blizzard.
"They're looking at the data to identify patterns and to decide scientifically what the result is," said Dr. Susan McKenzie, associate dean of STEM programs. "The data analyst works on a subset of what the data scientist does."
Is a data analytics associate degree worth it?
Depending on your desired career track, a data analytics degree could help you build skills employers want to see.
Paulitia Sheldon, a data analytics instructor at Southern New Hampshire University, notes that a degree is important – not just for the credential, but as a way to establish a lifelong habit of exploration and learning.
"One thing I tell students is that these programs give you a terrific foundation of knowledge you need to succeed," Sheldon said. "However, as with most things, to differentiate, you have to commit to yourself that you will keep learning."
What can you do with an associate in data analytics?
There are a few different ways you can use an associate degree in data analytics. First, you can use it to pursue entry-level roles in data analysis or data management.
Your second option is to use your associate degree as a stepping-stone for further education. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth and salary projections for data roles with a minimum entry-level of a bachelor's appear promising in the coming years.1 Operations research analysts, for example, reportedly earned a median salary of $84,810 in 2019, and these occupations are set to grow 26% through 2028 – far faster than the national projections for all occupations.1
An associate degree can be the start of a rewarding journey toward career advancement. Each step can represent a new level of opportunity, with a bachelor's and above paving the way for roles such as operations research analyst, mathematician or statistician and market research analyst.
Perhaps not surprisingly, there is also evidence to show a correlation between level of education and earning potential. In 2019, the BLS reported weekly median earnings of $746 for high school diploma holders across all occupations.1 By comparison, those with an associate degree earned a weekly median wage of $887.1 That number continues to climb with each level of education, with bachelor's degree recipients earning $1,248 and those with a master's degree earning $1,497.1
How do I get an associate in data analytics?
The first step is finding schools that offer an AS in Data Analytics program. Then, compare them. Ask yourself, "Is this school – and this program – right for me?"
At SNHU, we offer:
- Low online tuition. As an accredited university built for people, not for profit, we are committed to making education more accessible by making it more affordable. That's why, while the cost of college has continued to climb throughout the US, we've frozen our online tuition rates every year since 2012. That means you get to pay the same low tuition rates we offered a decade ago.
- Transfer-friendly pathways. We want to make sure you're rewarded when you put in the work. That's why we accept up to 45 transfer credits toward your associate degree for previous college experience. Better yet, all of the credits you earn for your data analytics associate degree can be transferred to one of our bachelor's degrees in IT. That means, when you finish your associate degree, you're already halfway toward earning your bachelor's, too.
- Expert faculty. We pride ourselves on offering an excellent online learning experience. That quality can be credited to the work of our SMEs and instructors who leverage years of expertise to help prepare you for real-world success.
- Networking opportunities. Speaking of real-world success – we know the power of putting students in front of employers and industry experts. That's why we offer access to a number of annual events and competitions, including the Teradata University Data Challenge and the Grace Hopper Celebration.
University Accreditation
Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit institution accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) as well as several other accrediting bodies.
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References
Sources & Citations (1, 2)
1 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, on the internet, at:
- https://www.bls.gov/OOH/math/operations-research-analysts.htm (viewed June 9, 2020)
- https://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2020/data-on-display/education-pays.htm (viewed June 9, 2020)
Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.
2 According to a survey responses from over 9,200 SNHU online students conducted in the fall of 2019.