Surfing the Big Data Wave at Becker
Becker College appears in our ranking of the 20 Best Data Science Bachelor’s Degree Programs.
Since August 2015, the School of Design & Technology has awarded the Bachelor of Science in Applied Computer Science: Data Science Specialization for Becker College undergrads seeking the high-tech information analysis skills for this monster $203 billion market. Directed by Dr. Olga Lepsky, the 121-credit, STEM-centric degree develops proficiency in statistical software design with courses like Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, and Programming. Conversely, the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration started a Data Science Concentration at a 14:1 student-faculty ratio under Dr. Vaughn Calhoun. This 121-credit, Worcester-based option emphasizes the application of statistical insights in organizations with 16-week classes like Entrepreneurship, Linear Algebra, and Data Warehousing. Generally, Becker students spend 144 hours at off-campus internships, such as Microsoft, Pfizer, GenomeQuest, McKinsey, Amazon, and Fidelity. Majors might also engage in Massachusetts Digital Games Institute, join E-Sports Club, network with Yunus Business Centre, summer in San Francisco, and minor in Cyber Security.
About Becker College
Becker College originated on June 7, 1784, when Colonel Ebenezer Crafts and Jacob Davis started Leicester Academy as New England’s first non-religious school accepting women. In 1887, Becker’s Business College was added by E.C.A. Becker with an inaugural group of 30. Growth skyrocketed after Becker’s designed a pioneering medical secretary program in 1938. Meanwhile, Leicester Academy became Leicester Junior College in 1954 for associate degrees. Visited by JFK in 1958, Becker’s Business College merged with Leicester 19 years later. In 1991, Becker College created its initial Bachelor of Science that eventually went partly online by 2014. Given the $1.5 million Allerton Foundation Grant, Becker now enrolls 2,189 Hawks, including Data Science B.S. majors, at its dual Worcester County campuses. Linked to 8,587 LinkedIn alumni, this Massachusetts nonprofit has graduated Elliott Joslin, Eli Whitney, Colleen Barrett, Thomas Hill, and others.
The U.S. News & World Report ranked Becker among the North’s top 47 colleges with 70 percent retention. On Niche, Becker features America’s 266th safest campus, 662nd most student diversity, 670th best location, and 671st most liberal academics. The Princeton Review picked Becker College #4 for undergraduate game design. College Factual noted Becker for the 189th best communications technologies and 149th top quantitative methods courses. The “College of Distinction” was listed among The Knowledge Review’s 10 most admired nationally. In 2016, Becker College received the first Entrepreneurship for All Innovation Award. The Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce also bestowed the 2017 Game Changer Award to Becker. PayScale recorded a mid-career median wage of $62,900 for Becker alumni. Washington Monthly also named Becker College the country’s 308th top baccalaureate institution for the 98th best financial aid.
Becker College Accreditation Details
On March 1, 2018, Becker College received official notification from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) Commission on Institutions of Higher Education (CIHE) that its self-study evaluation for Level III accreditation was satisfactory under its 11th president, Dr. Nancy Crimmin, who earned the 2017 Mary Tobin Student Affairs Award. Based 49 miles northeast via Interstate 95 in Burlington, this quaint six-state Upper Atlantic accreditor is authorized by the U.S. Secretary of Education to ensure quality standards compliance for Becker’s four associate, 35 baccalaureate, two master’s, and four certificate programs. Becker also belongs to the Council of Colleges of Arts & Sciences (CCAS) and International Assembly of Collegiate Business Education (IACBE).
Becker College Application Requirements
Enrolling at Becker College is labeled “moderately difficult” by Peterson’s since 3,451 of the 4,972 Fall 2017 applications were okayed for selective 69 percent acceptance. First-year Hawks swooping into a Data Science B.S. Specialization must prove high school graduation or an equivalent adult diploma. Achieving module scores above 145 on the GED or 45 on the HiSET exam is mandated. Otherwise, a college-prep curriculum of 15+ academic units should be followed. At minimum, freshmen need a 2.0 GPA or “C” average. Bachelor of Science entrants present a mean 3.08 GPA, 1090 SAT, and 22 ACT mark though. The 2018 Phi Theta Kappa Honor Roll member offers transfers up to 45 credits for associate and 90 credits for baccalaureate study. Previous courses graded “C” or greater from the last five years count. Already completing college-level Algebra, English, and Biology courses is preferred.
Becker College set freshmen deadlines of November 15th for Early Decision, December 15th for Early Action, and February 15th for Regular Decision. Transfers into the Data Science B.S. programs have rolling admission on space-available basis until August 31st. Prospective learners file the free Becker Application or Common Application online. Attached items include the recommendation form, 250-word personal statement, and SAT/ACT score via code 3079. International students also need an I-20 form, the Declaration of Finances letter for at least $56,065, and English proficiency marks. If needed, official transcripts can be mailed to61 Sever Street in Worcester, MA 01609. Please contact (508) 373-9400 or admissions@becker.edu for additional instructions.
Tuition and Financial Aid
For 2018-19, Becker College is charging new full-time Data Science B.S. Specialization students $17,800 by semester or $35,600 annually. Studying part-time incurs $1,485 per credit. One exception is the Summer Bridge Program priced at $1,500. Undergrads pay a $1,600 comprehensive fee and $2,000 technology fee each year. Freshmen are billed the one-time $275 orientation fee. Living at the Worcester campus’ dorms like Bancroft Hall adds $6,750 for shared rooms. Meal plans at the Fuller Dining Center cost $7,050 yearly. Unless waived, health insurance premiums are $2,285. Becker suggests leaving $960 for textbooks and $3,200 for miscellaneous supplies. Annual bachelor’s attendance equals $55,710 on-site and $42,210 with family.
According to the NCES College Navigator, the Financial Aid Department helps 82 percent of full-time Becker Hawks soar with assistance averaging $15,900 apiece or $28.38 million total. Institutional funds include the John Hancock Grant, Ebenezer Crafts Scholarship, George Alden Scholarship, Mother Prosser Opportunity Fund, Robert & Marie Cousy Scholarship, Travelli Scholarship, Quell Foundation Scholarship, Llewellyn Evans Scholarship, and Academic Progress Grant. The Becker Family Grant (FAMG) deducts 10 percent of tuition for siblings enrolled full-time. The Federal Pell Grant awards up to $6,095 for FAFSA applications coded 002123 by the priority January 15th date. Check out Massachusetts programs, such as the Gilbert Grant, MASS Grant, and High Demand STEM Scholarship. Search Handshake for Work-Study jobs that often require 6-10 hours weekly. Also compare interest rates on Federal Direct Subsidized, Unsubsidized, Perkins, and private loans using Becker’s Ed Financial app.
Related Resources:
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- 20 Best Data Science Bachelor’s Degree Programs
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