Considering a data degree in the heart of the nation’s capital? We’ve put together a short guide to the capital. It has details on schools and big data research to scholarships and job prospects. Already have a university in mind?
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Feel free to skip ahead to our list of all the data science programs in Washington, D.C.
Studying Data Science in Washington, D.C.
- Research at Federal Statistical Research Data Centers, the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), and the Office of Financial Research.
- Counter-terrorism and counter-intelligence work at the DHS’s Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A).
- The Big Data to Knowledge (BD2K) initiative at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, has its own Center for Data Analysis (CDA). There’s also the Center for Data Innovation; ethics discussions at the Future of Privacy Forum; public policy research at the Brookings Institution; data visualizations from the Urban Institute—the list of institutions that are investigating the possibilities of big data.
Data Science Research & Initiatives at Washington, D.C. Universities
As you might expect, many Washington, D.C. schools have a strong focus on government, public affairs & international policy. American University (AU), George Washington University (GW), and Georgetown are often ranked in the top 25 of Best Public Affairs Schools by U.S. News & World Report.
This has led to an interest in interdisciplinary partnerships. For example, Georgetown’s most prominent data project is the Massive Data Institute (MDI), one of only 23 Federal Statistical Research Data Centers in the country. Biodata geeks should also check out the Innovation Center for Biomedical Informatics at the Georgetown University Medical Center.
GW has developed initiatives such as:
- The Center for the Connected Consumer, with a large research stake in the Internet of Things (IoT).
- The Institute for Integrating Statistics in Decision Sciences (I²SDS), which focuses on modern statistical methodologies and their applications.
- The Shenkman Initiative: Applying Big Data for Political Success, which is devoted to studying the intersection of big data and politics.
It’s equally important to note that GW’s Virginia Science & Technology Campus is deeply involved in data science research & initiatives, with a commitment to centers Institute for Nuclear Studies Data Analysis Center (DAC) and investment in Colonial One (a high performance computing center).
Meanwhile, over at AU, members of the Department of Information Technology are leading the Center for Information Technology in the Global Economy (CITGE), which is supported by corporate sponsors and the Department of Homeland Security. The Kogod School of Business also runs the American University Center for Innovation, which provides students and alumni with a business incubator and entrepreneurial funds.
Online Data Science Programs in Washington, D.C.
Compared to larger states (e.g. California and Illinois), the District of Columbia has fewer options for distance learners. We cover general things to look for in an online data science program elsewhere, so here we profile a few options in D.C.
Online Graduate Certificates in Data Science
There are plenty of respected schools throughout the country that offer online certificates in all kinds of specialties (e.g. data mining, healthcare informatics, etc.) that residents of DC can enroll in. We’ve compiled a list of them in our directory of Online Graduate Certificates in Data Science.
Data Science Bootcamps in Washington, D.C.
For those in Washington, D.C. looking to enter into the field of data science or data analytics, a bootcamp may be useful. Bootcamps are intensive training courses that can quickly introduce you to data science, the study of extracting information from data, or data analysis, the process of pulling practical conclusions from data. Bootcamps in DC may focus exclusively on data science, data analytics, or both data science and data analytics. See our guides to learn more about data science bootcamps or data analytics bootcamps in Washington, D.C.
Data Science Scholarships in Washington, D.C.
We’ve highlighted scholarships & assistantships (i.e. institutional aid) with direct relevance to the school’s data program. However, the Graduate Studies Office will have more info on general aid (e.g. GW’s Office of Graduate Student Assistantships and Fellowships) and alternative financing options (e.g. outside awards & low-interest loans, etc.).
American University
- United Methodist Graduate Scholarship: If you’re considering AU’s online degrees, the Office of Graduate Studies allows full-time graduate students in distance learning programs to apply for this scholarship. Applicants must be a full member of the United Methodist Church for at least two years prior to application.
George Washington University
- Columbian College of Arts and Sciences (CCAS) Graduate Aid: CCAS administers the MS in Data Science, and it offers a variety of scholarships, assistantships, and fellowships to graduate students.
- School of Business Graduate Assistantships & Fellowships: GW’s School of Business handles the MS in Business Analytics, and it has a number of scholarships for business students, including master’s students interested in a career in local, state, or federal government.
Georgetown University
- Master of Science in Analytics Scholarships & Assistantships: Georgetown offers merit-based scholarships to a limited number of incoming and current graduate students in its MS in Analytics program. Research & teaching assistantships are also available.
- Master in Data Science for Public Policy Scholarships and Assistance: The McCourt School of Public Policy offers merit-based scholarship funding and graduate assistantships to students in the Master in Data Science for Public Policy program. No application is required, and awards are based on a number of factors, such as grades and professional experience.
Data Science Events in Washington, D.C.
Data Science Meetups & Communities in Washington, D.C.
As the hub of the capital region, Washington, D.C. is a great place to network. One active organization in the region is Data Community DC, which connects folks to jobs and promotes the work of data professionals. We’ve highlighted a few of its many meetups below, but please check the website for a full list of Data Community DC’s meetups.
- Data Science DC: This super-popular meetup is organized by Data Community and meets monthly to cover topics like deep learning, statistical modeling, big data tools & technologies—anything that’s relevant.
- Data Visualization DC:It’s all about the visuals. This Data Community meetup features tutorials, case studies, presentations on tools and technologies, parties & hacks.
- DC Analytics: This meetup covers the gamut—from big data & predictive analytics to social media, text, and more. A number of meetings feature IBM projects (e.g. Watson).
- Geared towards anyone involved in the specialty (creator or user), this meetup often invites companies to give talks on the latest IoT technologies and tools.
- Gender Diversity Around the Axis (GDATA):C: Organized by Data Community, this meetup is for womxn, trans men, and nonbinary people. There are talks, workshops, networking events, and opportunities to hear about job openings.
Data Science Conferences & Workshops in Washington, D.C.
Major data science conferences like Strata+Hadoop World occasionally land in D.C.—IEEE International Conference in Big Data (IEEE Big Data) was here in 2016. Surprise, surprise, the capital also plays host to a number of conferences and summits focused on federal government.
- ATARC Federal Big Data Summit: The Advanced Technology Academic Research Center (ATARC) is a non-profit organization tackling emerging technology challenges in government and industry, and it hosts a number of data-focused summits.
- Government Analytics Breakfast (GAB) Forum: Co-hosted by Johns Hopkins University and REI Systems, GAB is a popular bi-monthly meeting in D.C. that attracts government workers, industry professionals, and academics. The main focus (as the title suggests) is data-driven decision-making in the public sector.
- Data Driven Government: This conference is a smorgasbord of data analytics case studies and workshops, with tons of real-world examples from government agencies. Attendees include government experts (federal, state & local), analysts, and program managers
Data Science Jobs in Washington, D.C.
You won’t have to look hard to find data science jobs in the DMV area (District of Columbia, Maryland & Virginia). In addition to federal job opportunities, there should be plenty of opportunities in organizations that rely on government data.
Along with the examples we’ve already mentioned, D.C. is home to the Pew Research Center, American Institutes for Research, Gallup, and a global office of the Berkeley Research Group. What’s more, it’s the headquarters of major unions, which are increasingly relying on data geeks.
There are also consultancy firms that are taking advantage of available data to further the causes of their clients. For instance:
- Quorum Analytics has developed an online legislative strategy platform to generate data-driven insights about Congress.
- BlueLabs, which was created by senior members of the Obama for America analytics team, uses data science in the service of its political clients.
- Arc Aspicio is an IT and management consulting company that focuses on homeland security and intelligence.
To this list, you could add Aquicore (energy data), AgSquared (agricultural data), Vero Analytics (SQL IDE), and many, many more.
Data Scientist Salaries in Washington, D.C.
According to O*NET OnLine data, in 2019 the average salary for data scientists was $94,280.
Interested in STEM Careers?
If you’re looking for information on career paths that involve STEM, see our guides below:
Data Science and Analytics Careers:
- Data Scientist
- Statistician
- Data Architect
- Data Engineer
- Data Analyst
- Business Analyst
- Business Intelligence Analyst
- Financial Analyst
- Quantitative Analyst
Computer Science, Computer Engineering and Information Careers:
- Computer Engineer
- Computer Scientist
- Information Security Analyst
- Computer and Information Research Scientist
- Computer Systems Analyst
Marketing and User Research Careers:
Compare Careers and STEM Fields:
- Data Analyst vs Data Scientist
- Computer Science vs. Computer Engineering
- Cybersecurity vs. Computer Science
- Data Analytics vs. Business Analytics
- Data Science vs. Machine Learning
Related Graduate STEM Degrees
- Master’s in Business Analytics
- Master’s in Information Systems
- Master’s in Computer Engineering
- Master’s in Computer Science
- Master’s in Cybersecurity Programs
- Master’s in Accounting Analytics
- Master’s Applied Statistics
- Master’s in Business Intelligence
- Master’s in Data Analytics for Public Policy
- Data Science MBA Programs
- Master’s in Geospatial Science and
- Geographic Information Systems
- Master’s in Health Informatics
- Master of Library and Information Science
Related Undergraduate STEM Degrees
- Online Bachelor’s in Data Science
- Online Bachelor’s in Computer Science
- Sponsored: Computer Science at Simmons
Data Science Programs in District Of Columbia
We found 3 universities in District Of Columbia offering Masters of Data Science programs (and/or closely related programs, like MS in Analytics / Masters in Business Analytics). The university’s website will have the most up to date information on specific programs.
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.
This page includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
American University
Master of Science in Analytics
Online MBA with Analytics Concentration
