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What Can I Expect from an Online Master’s in Database Management Program?
Online master’s in database management programs offer the same academic quality as on-campus programs, providing the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in upper-level and managerial roles in this field. Also, by eliminating the need to commute to campus, online programs make it easier for working students to maintain their job responsibilities while they further their education. Remember that no two online master’s in database management programs are exactly alike, so you should carefully review each option to find the best match for your needs and professional goals.
Available concentrations
Database management is often offered as a concentration within an online computer science, data science, information management, or information systems master’s program. When database management is provided as its own master’s program, you may be able to focus your studies on a particular specialty, such as:
Software Design and Programming: Learn about generating program code, creating database queries, and developing web-based software for traditional client-server and contemporary cloud-based architectures.
Telecommunications Technology: Explore wireless data concepts, including the leading standards and protocols, plus next-generation technologies.
Technology Management: Review the leadership skills you will need to manage your technology team, department, or organization.
Cybersecurity: Focuses on analyzing security needs, navigating cybersecurity challenges, and providing effective solutions.
Survey Methods: Learn how to frame questions, make inferences, and collect data using advanced quantitative research methods.
Social Networks: Covers how social networks operate and their effect on the general consumption and dissemination of information.
Common degree curriculum
In addition to coursework, you may need to complete a capstone or research project to finish your degree. While the exact curriculum depends on which school you attend and whether you select a concentration, some topics are covered in just about every master’s in database management program, including:
Database Design and Implementation: Addresses database design and development, database integrity, security schemes, and emerging data warehouse technologies.
Data Warehousing Design: Learn various data warehousing concepts, including partitioning, metadata, and methods for linking data sets to create complex searchable databases.
Data Mining: Explore automated analytical search tools for detecting patterns in large data sets.
Database Programming: Covers the programming languages used to build large-scale relational databases.
Information Security Management: Examine risk assessment and mitigation for information systems analysis, design, and operations.
Database Administration: Covers the primary roles, responsibilities, knowledge, and skills needed to function as a database manager, typically focusing on dominant global database platforms like Oracle and Microsoft SQL Server.
Database Management Systems: Review the principles of database management systems and how they work.
Certification and license preparation
In addition to your master’s degree, you should consider earning professional certifications to bolster your resume further and advance your career. Such certifications are especially important in the tech industry, where employers often look for experienced workers with a particular platform or programming language. Some of the most valuable certification programs for database managers include:
Oracle MySQL Database Administration Certification: There are three levels of this certification available (Associate, Professional, and Specialist), demonstrating your proficiency with MySQL and Oracle Cloud.
Only apply to schools approved by a DOE-recognized regional accrediting organization, such as the New England Commission of Higher Education or Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. These organizations evaluate the faculty and curriculum of postsecondary education institutions to ensure they offer students a high-quality academic experience. If your school doesn’t have regional accreditation, you may be unable to access financial aid or transfer credits to another institution if needed.
Program completion timeframe
Most online master’s in database management programs require about 36 credit hours, but some require 50 or more. Full-time students should be able to graduate within two years, while part-time students may need up to five years. If you can transfer in credits from previous attempts at earning a master’s degree, this will reduce the amount of time it takes to complete the program. Some schools will even credit you for earning database management-related professional certificates.
Employment Outlook for Master’s in Database Management Graduates
A master’s in database management is one of the best degrees available for earning a significant income. Indeed, jobs in this field usually offer six-figure salaries.
However, you should adjust your salary expectations according to where you plan to work. Areas with a higher cost of living tend to offer higher pay. For example, the average salary for database administrators is over $50,000 higher in New Jersey than in West Virginia.
Also, most occupations related to database management are expected to grow at an above-average rate over the next decade. That means there should be plenty of employment opportunities in this field, making it easier to find a job and negotiate pay raises.
Database administrators and architects set up and manage databases according to the needs of their employers. They ensure databases operate efficiently by monitoring performance, implementing upgrades, and testing modifications. Other responsibilities include backing up and restoring data as needed and making sure data is easily accessed by approved users while protected from unauthorized access.
These professionals design new computer systems and improve the performance of existing systems. They also prepare flowcharts and other diagrams to help explain computer systems to programmers and engineers.
Computer and information systems managers plan, implement, and supervise computer-related activities within an organization. They help determine their employer’s overall information technology goals as well.
$164,070
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Professional organizations
Database managers are continually challenged with ever-changing technology. Professional organizations provide resources that will help you stay on top of industry developments and offer other benefits such as networking and certification opportunities. Whether you’re just starting your career or you’ve been working in the field for years, you should check out the following organizations that cater to data management professionals:
Society for Clinical Data Management: SCDM is an international organization dedicated to data management professionals involved in clinical research. Some of the many membership benefits they offer include exclusive publications, annual conferences, online courses, and certification programs.
Data Management Association International: DMAI is a global data management community that provides an online dictionary of data management terms and education and training programs. They also offer discounts on data management books and conference attendance fees.
CompTIA: The membership benefits of this organization include industry news, job postings, on-demand training, and local chapters that you can use to connect with nearby professionals.
Financing Your Online Master’s in Database Management Degree
Online programs are generally more affordable than on-campus programs, but you still may need help paying for your degree. In that case, start by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine your eligibility for federally funded loans and grants. Your college may also require this form for their scholarship programs. Many industry associations, nonprofit organizations, and private companies also offer financing opportunities.
Student Finance Resources and Guides
There are so many financing options available, each with its own set of eligibility requirements and application deadlines, that it can be difficult to determine what you should do after submitting your FAFSA. The resources listed below will help you sort through all this information and save as much money as possible.
Learn more about online degrees, their start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
