Best Database Administration Degree Programs in Delaware

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What is Database Administration?

No matter where in the state of Delaware, database administrators are valued, both in organizations large and small. Any time that a company needs experts in database administration, they will look for graduates from not only database administration degrees but also those with a business administration and management degree or a degree in management information systems. Students who are considering earning a database administration degree in Delaware will want to be aware of what careers that might provide them with access to, the income they can expect, and what degree would be most helpful for them to earn. Here you can learn all that and more about what your future career field contributes to businesses and industries in your region.

The top ten industries in Delaware are:

Transportation and warehousing ($1.2 billion)
Wholesale trade ($2 billion)
Arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation and food services ($2.1 billion)
Retail trade ($2.8 billion)
Construction ($2.8 billion)
Manufacturing ($4.3 billion)
Educational services, health care and social assistance ($6 billion)
Professional and business services ($8.5 billion)
Real estate, rental and leasing $10.6 billion)
Finance and insurance (21.9 billion)

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Database Administration Education in Delaware

Delaware counts DuPont, within the chemicals industry, as one of its largest companies. Agriculture and the production of broiler chickens, soybeans, white potatoes, and dairy products is another large industry in the state. Tourism is also fueled by the nearby Atlantic Ocean and the state’s beaches, as are fishing and exports of shellfish. However, nearly every industry maintains a database, whether this contains customer information, tracks data on offshore fishing operations or agricultural production, or simply keeps track of all the data the company needs to maintain for personnel and tax records.

Database administrators (DBAs) working and living in Delaware are part of a growing profession in the state. Employment of these professionals is going up, with more than 134,000 employed as of May 2020. The annual wage for beginning DBAs starts at $54,000 and their late-career salary sits at around $156,000.

Database administrators are nearly universally required to earn a bachelor’s degree to enter the field. This means that a database administration degree program is the perfect place to start learning what you need to succeed, whether you get started with an associate or bachelor’s degree. These professional’s daily duties include creating or organizing systems which will be used to store business data analytics and possibly also doing work to secure those systems. They may work in a computer design services firm, small businesses, or for large organizations with large databases. Good examples of the industries needing DBAs include insurance companies, healthcare organizations, and educational institutions.

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Associate Degree in Database Administration (AS)

Degrees focused on database administration degrees are not available at the associate’s level. However, Delaware students could choose to earn an information technology and networking associate degree, which can fulfill the degree requirements and find an entry-level position in the field. At this level, students many acquire the knowledge and skills to maintain or even analyze a computer database, but they are unlikely to get far in creating or modifying databases to a company’s unique needs. Students may be able to find online degree programs, based on their personal and work circumstances.

If students plan to continue their education in a Delaware university, they may be able to transfer their earned credits. It may actually be vitally important that you make sure your associate degree credits will transfer to a four-year institution so that your degree both find you entry-level work and save you money in the long run.

After graduation, students may begin work as computer network technicians, database administrators, databases analysts, database designers, computer support technicians, network administrations, technicians, security analysts, help desk or application support specialists, or penetration testers.

Bachelor’s Degree in Database Administration (BS)

A bachelor’s degree from the best database administration colleges give their students a broad education in computer science in general and databases in particular. This includes courses in science and math, as well as general education courses in history and literature. Their core major courses should focus on subjects such as data analysis, information systems, information security management, project management, and website development. Students will also take classes in Structured Query Language (SQL). Business administration programs may add to their employability, especially as administrators, and online courses may make their efforts easier.

Obtaining such a broad degree is an advantage for students who may go on to find careers as database administrators, computer network architects, database developers, or systems analysts, among many other options.

Master’s Degree in Database Administration (MS or MC)

By returning to school and committing to a master’s in database administration, a professional can greatly add to their knowledge and increase their chances for higher pay, more challenging jobs, and faster promotion. Depending on the university, the graduate student will take 30 to 60 credits that should take 1-2 years to complete if they attend full-time. Graduate students need not worry about completing an internship because they are nearly universally already employed when they begin their master's degree. For students who need to work, a distance learning degree is an excellent option and becoming more and more common every year, especially at this level.

Students who are interested in a concentration in this field may find they have the ability to customize their degree to match their career plans. The courses will include course such as IT strategy and management, developing management techniques, database design/implementation for businesses, information structures that use Java, and more.

A master’s degree in database administration is a must-have for professionals whose goals include managerial positions and upper-level management. Some potential positions in this field include computer systems analyst and cyber security analyst, as well as chief information officer and other high-level positions.

PhD/Doctorate Degree in Database Administration (PhD)

For those data administration professionals who want to work in academia, teaching database management to future students, a doctoral degree may be an excellent option. However, choosing to earn a doctoral degree in this field means that you must be willing to invest significant time in school. Typical students earning their doctoral degrees may spend between four and six years working on their doctorate. And there is no guarantee that a database specific doctoral degree will be the best option for you as you move into academia. You may instead look for something that will inform your future classes, whatever those are likely to be, or something that will help you stand out or perform unique research.

Depending on the school the student chooses, along with any concentration they may choose, the curriculum will be different for each. Classes will require students to study both new knowledge and database systems. Students may work on difficult data management systems, new systems, as well as software design.

After graduation, database administration professionals may choose to become senior data scientists or chief technology officers, they may work in computer systems design and related services, or they may work for professional schools, universities, or colleges.

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Become a Database Administrator in Delaware

It’s important to note that database administrators in Delaware need not gain any specific licensure. However, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t ways to make sure that you stand out to Delaware employers. One of the main ways to get yourself noticed is by going out of your way to earn certification, whether through your school or later as a professional.

Certificate programs, while not mandatory for all positions, may be required by various employers throughout the state. If a database administrator wants to see their knowledge and skills recognized, certifications from established providers are sure to help. Here are just some of the options.

Oracle Certified Professional - Oracle 9i Database Administrator (OCP)
Those taking this certification should have more than two years of education or training after high school. This certification has specific “paths” to choose, depending on the hoped-for job role.
Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA)
With this certification, database administrators may begin to design, roll out the use of, and manage Microsoft SQL Server 2000 databases. With this credential, customers and employers know the DBA is able to spearhead their database administration programs effectively.
Oracle Database 10g Administrator Certified Professional
This certification blends experience, training, and testing. All of these help the DBA to verify that they have the foundation and experience needed for working in one of the most advances database management systems.
MS SQL Server 7 Administration
This certification proves the DBA’s knowledge of administering databases run by Structured Query Language Server 7. It is aimed at experienced administrators who may be responsible for a central database and offers the following fields of study: Automating Tasks, Architecture, Indexes, Backup and Restore, Databases, Installation, Multiple Server Environment, Locking, and more.
Windows Server 2008
Windows Server 2008 certification allows the DBA to evaluate and deploy this server in their organization. This certification is one part of the new generation of certifications offered by Microsoft. This focuses on primary skill sets and the various job roles available, which offers a more flexible and relevant way to validate those core technical, architectural, and professional skills.

Careers for Database Administration Graduates

Operations Manager

An operations manager is responsible for supervising organizational activities. They may oversee government agencies, businesses, non-profit organizations, and other similar entities.

This professional must have exceptional skills in management. Their skills can be well-utilized in human resources, IT, accounts payable, or finance. Their responsibilities in operations management are vital to its functioning.

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Database Administrator (DBA)

Database administrators use and work with technology. They use special software in which they store and organize their employer’s data. This data may include payroll data, finance information, and customer shipping records.

The DBA is responsible for making data available to users but, at the same time, the data must be kept safely secured any from unauthorized access, corruption, or accidental loss. They may also supervise modifications to existing database software, such as increasing database capacity so that it meets employer needs. They update end users on database changes and train them in using the systems.
Computer and Information Systems Manager (CIS)

This professional coordinates and directs the computer related activities for organizations. This role has different titles in various companies, each of which can have slightly different responsibilities.

The CIS may analyze computer needs and recommend potential upgrades. They may also manage the installation and maintenance of new systems and software and even be part of ensuring that the network is secure.

These managers stay current on new technologies as they roll out and manage training for new equipment or software. If the CIS works for a smaller organization, they may handle several IT roles, while a CIS in a larger company may work only in one area, such as security. They may also act as project management for IT projects.
Computer Network Architects

These professionals design and build networks for data communications. They may build both local area networks, wide area networks, and intranets. These may cover a small connection for a company or it may serve data communication systems located around the world.

Computer network architects may also upgrade software (network drivers) and hardware (routers or adapters). Part of their job is to let organizations know what equipment or software they need, present information and detail why it would help the organization.
Database Security Manager
This professional, also known as an information security manager, works to protect the computers, data, and networks against cyber-attacks, computer viruses, or cyber-crime. The security manager is fully aware of how these break-ins can result in the loss of confidential information or cause several disruptions. As they are a step below a CISO, these managers often cover a department and report to the CISO on a regular basis.
Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)

This executive may also be called a chief security architect, corporate security officer, security manager, or the information security manager.

The CISO takes the responsibility for the overall security of the data the organization stores. The CISO works proactively to prevent data breaches or security incidents from happening. They anticipate breaches, then do all they can to keep them from happening. In doing their work, the CISO works in conjunction with other executives in the organization, ensuring that security systems are working as they were designed to.

How to Become a Database Administrator in Delaware