UM-Flint's online bachelor's in data science ranked No. 3 by TechGuide

TechGuide.org has recognized the University of Michigan-Flint's online bachelor's degree in data science as the No. 3 program of its kind in the nation. 

According to its website, TechGuide "provides actionable information to help readers make data-driven decisions on the best tech-related educational and career opportunities. We work with some of the world's best universities and educational institutions to help connect students and early career professionals with leading degree programs, bootcamp, and certification opportunities. We never take money from any special interest group, political group, or religious group."

The ranking comes from results compiled from the Integrated Post-Secondary Education Data System and College Navigator. When available, TechGuide also uses additional criteria such as accreditation or designations by outside organizations or agencies. UM-Flint is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, one of six regional accrediting agencies in the United States.

"Employers don't hire transcripts, they hire problem-solvers," said Amal Alhosban, director of UM-Flint's College of Innovation and Technology's computing division. "An online BS in data science turns theory into impact by training students on the tools teams use, like Python, SQL, R, and cloud platforms, and having them apply real-world analyses and dashboards. The result is graduates who can clean data, build models, and explain the 'so what' to organizations from day one."

UM-Flint has made substantial investments in data science and allied fields in recent years. In addition to offering bachelor's and master's level degrees in data science and data analytics, the university also established the Institute for Data Engineering, Analytics and Science in 2023. IDEAS coordinates the teaching, research and use of data-related concepts, pairing UM-Flint faculty expertise and student energy with community partners and industry needs.

"We have a perfect marriage of needs – our community partners have reams of data whose careful analysis could greatly support their missions, and we have students with energy and data-science skills that need honing on the messy realities of real-life datasets," McLeman said. 

The university hosted its first Data Science Day in 2024, keynoted by U.S. Army First Lieutenant Alma Cooper. The Okemos native and reigning Miss USA shared her passion for mathematics with attendees, including area high schoolers. Students who participated in the event earned a scholarship allowing them to take a data science course for free.

Students studying both online and in-person benefit from CIT's close partnership with industry leaders. These relationships help UM-Flint create cocurricular experiences, innovation and entrepreneurship opportunities, and leadership training for students studying data science and related areas. CIT industry partners include Consumers Energy, Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Lear Corporation, Verizon Wireless and more.

Learn more about earning a data science degree online with UM-Flint by visiting the program's webpage.