EMC Data Scientist Summit

My colleague and partner Julie Lockner was quoted today by the WSJ (Dow Jones newswire) in a short piece about the shortage of skilled data scientists: IBM, EMC Target Analytics, But Data-Scientist Shortage Looms

Masters degrees in Predictive Analytics

If you are looking enhance your data scientist resume, two very reputable universities are now offering online master’s degree programs in the field of analytics. Northwestern University offers a fully accredited and completely online Masters of Science in Predictive Analytics (MSPA) degree program. The courses cover all the basis from database systems, to applied statistics, with advanced courses in predictive modeling.  The curriculum also allows for a bit of specialization in electives if you want to focus on Risk, Web or Text analytics.

DePaul University, in partnership with IBM, is also offering a MSPA designation.  The courses look to be a little more technical in focus and may have a stronger programming leaning than the Northwestern program.  The DePaul program is brand new with the first class beginning in September 2011. The cost of the Northwestern program looks to be in the neighborhood of $35k. It’s not clear what the DePaul program will run you but plan on it being in the same range.