Master’s in Data Science Programs in Connecticut

Wondering what the Tri-State area holds for data scientists? We’ve put together a quick guide to the Constitution State, with details on everything from schools and scholarships to conferences and jobs. Already have a university in mind? Skip ahead to our list of all the data science programs in Connecticut.

Studying Data Science in Connecticut

Connecticut is taking baby steps toward data science. On the upside, it has an Ivy League school, solid public universities, a strong stake in bioscience and medical research, and a tradition of diverse businesses.

To inject some energy into the tech sector, the state has developed initiatives like Connecticut Innovations, a venture capital fund, and the five-year CTNext program. Meanwhile, hubs like Innovation Destination: Hartford are partnering with local universities to attract early stage companies to its tech incubator.

Data Science Research & Initiatives at Connecticut Universities

Whether they succeed or not will probably depend on the state’s universities. For example, the University of Bridgeport has partnered with Connecticut Innovations to develop to support high-tech start-ups. And UConn’s Technology Incubation Program is fostering businesses in Storrs, Farmington, and Avery Point.

But there’s no question that Yale is the juggernaut. The Yale University Open Data Access (YODA) is promoting the sharing of clinical research data; the Institution for Social and Policy Studies (ISPS) has its own data archive; and the Digital Humanities Lab is building big data applications. Other highlights include:

• The Yale Center for Research Computing, which was built in 2015 and has a substantial computational infrastructure for researchers working on all kinds of projects.
• Yale Big Data to Knowledge (Yale-BD2K), which is developing approaches and tools that can produce meaningful actions from complex healthcare data collections.
• The Yale Institute for Network Science (YINS), which is taking an interdisciplinary approach to network science, with the aim of improving public health and public policy through applied research.

UConn is working hard, too. Its Department of Operations and Information Management (OPIM) is focused on the business end of big data, while its Institute for Advanced Systems Engineering is deeply involved with the big data applications in smart manufacturing. Big data divers should also check out the research labs in the Booth Engineering Center for Advanced Technology (BECAT).

Online Data Science Programs in Connecticut

Your choices for online programs in data science in Connecticut will be limited to smaller schools—Yale and UConn aren’t on the list. But this doesn’t necessarily mean a drop in quality.

Since we cover general things to look for in an online data science program elsewhere, we’re focusing purely on Connecticut options.

Online Graduate Certificates in Data Science

Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) is your go-to university for an online qualification, with an 18-credit Graduate Certificate in Data Mining. Applicants are expected to have completed a second semester course in undergraduate or graduate statistics. Course credits can be transferred to CCSU’s Master of Science in Data Mining.

Do you have more specific applications in mind? Be sure to look at our national directory of Online Graduate Certificates in Data Science. This has a list of offerings from universities across the country.

Online Master’s Degrees in Data Science

Quinnipiac’s online Master’s in Business Analytics is targeted at data-focused professionals who are looking for a degree from an AACSB-accredited business school. Thanks to a partnership with SAS, all graduates of this program are also issued a Certificate in Business Analytics Using SAS.

Aspiring CEOs may also want to check out University of Bridgeport’s online MBA with Analytics Intelligence. This is intended to help students gain a practical foundation in analytic intelligence, with a focus on helping companies increase their efficiency and profits.

Need something less business focused? CCSU claims to be the first university to offer an online Master of Science in Data Mining, and its degree is focused on technical nuts and bolts—data mining software, techniques, applications (e.g. mining genomics data), etc. Graduates tackle a wide range of research areas.

Data Science Scholarships in Connecticut

For this section, we limited our list to university scholarships and awards that would cover the school’s data science program. But this is just the beginning! The Graduate Studies Office at your school will have more details on general aid and alternative financing options.

Central Connecticut State University

• School of Graduate Studies – Scholarships: Graduate students at CCSU are eligible for a variety of graduate scholarships, including funds distributed by the academic school and awards for academic achievement.
• Mathematical Sciences Graduate Scholarship: Graduate students in the Department of Mathematical Sciences, which includes data mining programs, are eligible for a scholarship up to $10,000 per academic year. Applicants are judged on academic merit and other considerations as established by each program.

Quinnipiac University

• Outside Business Scholarships: Although Quinnipiac Online doesn’t offer specific scholarships for its online Master of Science in Business Analytics, it does list local scholarship opportunities for School of Business students.

University of Connecticut

• MSBAPM Scholarships: UConn offers a limited number of semester-based scholarships to current students in its MSBAPM degree program. Awards are based on merit and do not require an application. MSBAPM students are also eligible for merit-based scholarships sponsored by VLink.

University of New Haven

• Experiential Graduate Assistantship Program (EGAP): High-achieving, full-time graduate students are eligible for the EGAP. In return for 15-20 hours per week of work in a university department, EGAP students receive a 75% tuition discount and hourly wage. There’s no application process—a committee will take a look at your academic file when you are accepted into the program.

Data Science Events in Connecticut

Data Science Meetups & Communities in Connecticut

Pick a city, any city, and you’re likely to find a data science meetup to suit your interests. Along with the 5 we’ve listed here, you may also want to explore hands-on groups like NewHaven.IO and Connecticut R Users Group, where you’ll have a chance to play.

1. Connecticut Big Data: This large group of data geeks meets monthly to explore technical tools and big data from a business perspective. Professionals, students, and enthusiasts are welcome to attend.
2. CT Predictive Analytics: CT is one of the biggest meetups in the state, with 400+ members in fields such as healthcare, pharmaceuticals, media, marketing, and insurance. Presentations are heavily focused on practical tools and techniques.
3. Hartford Artificial Intelligence & Deep Learning: Sponsored by H2O.ai and founded in February 2017, this group aims to explore areas related to the intersection of AI and big data. Locals can also investigate the Hartford Tech Meetup.
4. New Haven Data Science: Folks in New Haven Data Science are often treated to talks & workshops that focus on the data science toolkit—Automated Machine Learning, Text Analytics, Health Care Fraud Detection—you name it. Members also participate in events like Civic Hack Days.

Data Science Conferences & Workshops in Connecticut

Because NYC is just around the corner, Connecticut is not often on the map for data science conferences (e.g.Strata Data Conference, Predictive Analytics World, IEEE Conferences, SIGKDD, The Machine Learning Conference etc.). However, there are smaller events where you can grow your skills and network. These include:

1. Hartford Regional Tech Summit: Though it’s not specifically focused on data science, the HTS is a useful place to start building business contacts. Most topics address the latest IT trends and knowledge.
2. Innovation Summit: The Connecticut Technology Council (CTC) organizes an annual conference for entrepreneurs and start-ups. The day includes networking, investor meetings, informational workshops, and more. Check out CTC’s Events Calendar for further opportunities.
3. UConn Events: UConn often hosts workshops (e.g. Introduction to SAS) and larger events related to big data (e.g. 2017 Conference on Lifetime Data Science). Check the events calendar in your department or school (e.g. School of Business) for more ideas.
4. Yale Customer Insights Conference: Organized by the Yale School of Management, this conference is a mix of global leaders in business, academia, and society who are using data to drive growth. Topics cover everything from marketing strategy and consumer choice to product innovation.
5. Yale Day of Data: Very useful to bookmark! Every year, Yale’s big data centers and research groups get together to host an interdisciplinary symposium. The event includes workshops, keynotes, presentations, and lightning talks.

Data Science Jobs in Connecticut

A lot of data-driven companies tend to live in a high tech corridor that runs from Hartford and Farmington through to New Haven, Bridgeport, and Stamford:

• Hartford is home to major insurance names like Aetna, Hartford Financial Services Group, and Cigna, as well as institutions that are deeply invested in medical care and research.
• Outside of the center city, you’ll also discover companies such as VLink Inc. and the well-known Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, which is right next door to UConn Health in Farmington.
• Thanks to the efforts of initiatives like the Tsai Center for Innovative Thinking at Yale Yale Entrepreneurial Institute and the Office of Cooperative Research, a variety of Yale-grown start-ups are now clustered in the New Haven area. The city is also home to young but fast-growing companies such as Arvinas (pharmaceuticals), SeeClickFix (digital communications), and Continuity (compliance management systems).

In addition to traditional job sites, it’s worth checking the Marcum Tech Top 40, which lists Connecticut’s fastest growing tech companies, and Innovation Hartford’s map of start-ups throughout the state.

Data Scientist Salaries in Connecticut

Salary figures will depend on the employer, but most seem happy to pay for talent. From 11 reported salaries out of Hartford, a data scientist averages $105,133 as of February 2018. New Haven and Bridgeport have less than five reported data scientist salaries per Glassdoor, but their average is similar to Hartford’s.

You may also be interested in your long-term return on investment (ROI). Yale may be initially expensive, but in Payscale’s College ROI Report, as of 2017, it was ranked #45 in 20 year net returns. UConn came in at #137.

Data Science Programs in Connecticut

We found 6 universities in Connecticut offering Masters of Data Science programs (and/or closely related programs, like MS in Analytics / Masters in Business Analytics).

If you represent a university and would like to contact us about editing any of our listings, or adding new programs, please send an email to info@mastersindatascience.org.