Track: Data Science
Focus: Analytics, Modeling, Statistics
Est. Cost: $261
Time to Complete: ~9 Months
Target Degree: B.A. in Liberal Arts, Specialization in Psychology
Why: Data Science is ultimately the study of Human Behavior (Behavioral Analytics). By pairing data skills with Psychology, you create a powerful “Behavioral Data Science” degree that is highly valuable in marketing and tech.
Specialty Core (30 Credits)
Strategy: Google for tools (R/SQL), Saylor/CLEP for Math/Econ.
| Course / Certification | Provider | Est. Cost | Credits | Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Azure Data Fundamentals | Microsoft (Exam) | $99 | 3 | Cert #1: Enterprise Data Concepts |
| Google Data Analytics | Google (Coursera) | ~$147 | 13 | Cert #2: R, SQL, Tableau |
| BUS204: Business Statistics | Saylor | $5 | 3 | Core Analysis Math |
| Calculus | Modern States | $0 | 3 | Advanced Models |
| Macroeconomics | Modern States | $0 | 3 | Predictive Modeling |
| Microeconomics | Modern States | $0 | 3 | Behavioral Modeling |
| Information Systems | Modern States | $0 | 3 | Big Data Infra |
Recommended Electives (15 Credits)
| Course Name | Provider | Cost | Credits | Relevance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intro to Psychology | Modern States | $0 | 3 | User behavior analysis |
| BUS203: Marketing | Saylor | $5 | 3 | Market segmentation |
| BUS206: Mgmt Info Systems | Saylor | $5 | 3 | Data Warehousing |
| Precalculus | Modern States | $0 | 3 | Math prep |
| BUS300: Ops Management | Saylor | $5 | 3 | Logistics data |
Capstone Certification
Note: Capstone certifications are generally not ACE credit eligible and do not transfer as college credit. They are included as career-focused credentials that build your “Shield”—backing up your academic credentials with industry-recognized proof of technical competence that employers trust. However the following is.
Recommended Capstone: Google Advanced Data Analytics Certificate
| Provider | Google (Coursera) |
| Cost | ~$49-98 (1-2 months) |
| ACE Credit | YES - 10 |
Why this certification?
The Google Advanced Data Analytics Certificate stacks directly on top of your Google Data Analytics foundation. It fills critical gaps by adding Python programming, regression analysis, and machine learning techniques to complement your R and SQL skills. This combination signals to employers that you can handle the full analytics pipeline from data wrangling to predictive modeling. This is your Shield—proof you can do the job, not just talk about it.
Recommended Association
| Organization | Data Science Foundation |
| Cost | FREE (Individual membership) |
| Website | datascience.foundation |
Why join? Free individual membership since 2017. Includes a personal profile page, access to the data science community, and professional credentialing. Adds legitimacy to your data science identity.
Go Further. Pursue a Masters Degree at a fraction of the cost of traditional school. Save more money and time if you can speak spanish
Data Science Track
| School | Program | Target Cost | High End Cost | Accreditation | NACES Eval? | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENEB/Universidad Isabel I | MBA + Master in Finance | $300 | $600 | Universidad Isabel I (Spain) - Titulo Propio, ECTS credits | Yes - ECE or WES as Graduate Credits | Financial analysis focus; evaluated as graduate credits (not Master’s equivalent) |
| ENEB/Universidad Isabel I | Master in AI for Business + Master in Big Data and Business Intelligence | $300 | $600 | Universidad Isabel I (Spain) - Titulo Propio, ECTS credits | Yes - ECE or WES as Graduate Credits | Financial analysis focus; evaluated as graduate credits (not Master’s equivalent) |
| UNIA (Universidad Internacional de Andalucía) | Master in Bioinformatics | €1,500 | €3,000 | Spanish Public University - Official Master | Yes - WES or ECE | Data-intensive; Spanish language |
| Western Governors University | MS in Data Analytics | $4,565 | $9,130 | NWCCU (US Regional) | No - US Regionally Accredited | 61% finish in 20 months; 3 specializations |
| UNED | Master in Data Science & Engineering | €1,200 | €2,500 | Spanish Public University - Official Master | Yes - WES or ECE | Spanish language; 60 ECTS |
| UNISA | Master of Science in Statistics (98982) | ~$2,500 | ~$2,500 | South African Public University - Research/Dissertation | Yes - WES or ECE | Online distance learning; analytics and statistical modeling focus |
Notes
ENEB Programs: Offered via Universidad Isabel I as Titulo Propio degrees. These are evaluated by NACES members (WES, ECE) as graduate credits rather than full Master’s equivalents. Very affordable dual-degree option.
Spanish Programs (UNIA, UNED): All Spanish programs require Spanish language proficiency and are taught entirely in Spanish. UNED and UNIA degrees may require NACES member evaluation for U.S. government jobs and some employers. Application processes can be challenging due to language barriers and documentation requirements.
WGU: U.S. regionally accredited with competency-based education (CBE) model for faster completion. Three specializations available within the Data Analytics program.
UNISA: South African institution offering research-focused master’s programs at low cost. Online distance learning format with dissertation requirement. Strong focus on statistical analysis and modeling.