Getting a Master’s in Data Management: What to Expect

Today, businesses rely on the wealth of data their customers produce to make impactful, data-driven decisions. However, as more and more data is produced daily, the need for professionals capable of managing it also grows.

One way to enter the field or advance your career is to obtain a master’s degree in data management. This specific degree is often from US—and UK-based universities. Data management tends to fall under data science and analytics degrees in India.

Learn more about US-based master’s degree programmes in data management, including what they cover, how they compare to bachelor’s programmes, and whether they’re worth it.

You’ll also find a list of jobs for which the degree prepares you and explore some cost-effective online courses to help you develop job-relevant skills today. 

Master of Science in Data Management

Businesses employ data management professionals because they ensure data is properly stored and easily accessible for business intelligence and data analytics purposes. 

A Master of Science (MS) in data management or a related subject can help you prepare for a career working with big data, overseeing data security, and managing business data solutions. Graduate programmes focused on data, and information management equips you with the technical skills you need to design data systems and maintain them securely. 

Curriculum 

The exact curriculum that you follow will vary from one database management degree programme to another. Nonetheless, you will likely take courses covering the following core topics:

• Data management concepts 

• Data warehousing 

• Data science and analytics

• Data security and protection 

• Data project management 

Master’s vs bachelor’s in data management 

Master’s and bachelor’s degree programmes in data management provide degree seekers with the core skills necessary to perform jobs in the field. However, the exact programme that you pursue will likely depend on your current education level, available resources, and professional goals. 

A bachelor’s degree in data management can help you build your skills to become a qualified data professional. In addition to gaining job-relevant skills like data analysis, data warehousing, data systems administration, programming languages, and IT fundamentals, you’ll also explore other subjects like maths, history, and writing. A master’s programme is more focused and tends to be more project-based.

To enter a bachelor’s degree programme, you will need a secondary school certificate or have passed 12th class or equivalent. They typically take four years to complete. 

To enter a master’s degree programme, meanwhile, you’ll either need a bachelor’s degree in a related subject, or you must be able to demonstrate that you have the prerequisite knowledge despite majoring in a different discipline. Master’s programmes typically take one to two years to complete. 

If you want a well-rounded or job-relevant programme, a master’s degree offers an excellent choice. Much like a bachelor’s degree programme, a master’s degree in data management will allow you to prepare for a career as a data professional. Unlike a bachelor’s degree, however, a master’s degree focuses solely on developing job-relevant skills and advancing the ones you already possess.

Alternative names and degrees

Few master’s programmes focus solely on data management. Instead, you’ll likely pursue a Master of Science in Information Systems Management, an MS in Data Science, or a master’s in another data-related discipline, all with a concentration in data management. Some of these degrees are also available from Indian universities.

Some of the graduate degree programmes you might pursue to enter data management include: 

- MS in Information Systems Management 

- MTech in Data Science 

- MS in Data Architecture and Management 

- MS in Data and Information Management (DAIM)

- MS in Computer Information Systems

Is a master’s in data management worth it? 

While a master’s degree is rarely required for data management positions, having one can make you a more competitive applicant and increase your earning potential. Master’s degrees tend to be a great chance for exposure to new opportunities and allow you to develop in-demand skills further. Those that specialise in data management help to provide both theoretical knowledge and practical skills, increasing your expertise and positioning you well in the field.

For reference, the average base salary for a worker with a general Master of Science (MSc) degree in India is ₹9,24,000 LPA [1], compared to ₹5,57,000 LPA for those with a bachelor’s degree [2].

Related jobs and salaries 

Data management ensures businesses have a stable and reliable data source. Whether designing the architecture of the databases that businesses use or maintaining the structure daily, the professional world seeks out the skills and expertise data management professionals offer. 

You can expect these base salary averages in various data management-related roles, according to Glassdoor as of November 2024:

• Data manager: ₹10,00,000 [3]

• Data architect: ₹25,25,000 [4]

• Database administrator: ₹7,50,000 [5]

Learn about data management on Coursera

A master’s degree in data management offers an effective way to develop important skills further and potentially increase your salary. If you’d like to pursue a career in data management, you might consider taking a cost-effective, flexible course through Coursera today. For example, with the IBM Data Warehouse Engineer Professional Certificate, you can acquire the essential skills to work with various tools and databases to design, deploy, operationalise, and manage enterprise data warehouses (EDWs).