What is Database Management?
Database administrators (DBAs) use specially designed software to organize, store, and retrieve data. These professionals keep the system software and overall structure in good operating condition to ensure data availability and security. The DBA works with other IT professionals to manage security, hardware, and design and database administrators also coordinate issue resolution and assure accurate backups and system redundancy.
Businesses and organizations increasingly utilize data to make decisions and allocate resources. In technology organizations, data may be the single most important asset. Data analysis, data mining, and other uses of data require a well-organized, safe, and effective system of database administration. Universities, colleges, and vocational educational institutions equip graduates to fill the needs for database administrators in Kentucky and throughout the country.
The demand for data administration in Kentucky comes from all sectors of the economy. Database administration is a key element of modern organizations in the public, profit, and non-profit sectors. Kentucky has a diverse economy led by manufacturing, educational services, healthcare, and finance.
Manufacturing also ranks high among the leading areas of economic activity in Kentucky. Manufacturing relies on IT professionals including database administrators to work with and protect data and data systems and maintain their customer or client database. Kentucky’s educational services, healthcare, and social assistance systems use database administrators for critical record keeping and data operations as well, and they have an even higher need to data protection and privacy.
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Online Database Management Education in Kentucky
A database administration degree in Kentucky can match graduates with needs in professional and business services companies throughout the state and the rest of the country if graduates are looking to make their way elsewhere. Kentucky graduate degree programs prepare graduates for careers in functions like human services, business administration, and finance. Graduates can also move into emerging fields like decentralized finance and blockchain technology.
Finance and insurance are some other strong sectors in the state economy that make use of database administration professionals. Finance is a data driven industry with state, national, and international parameters. Financial organizations must assemble, analyze, and work with market data, economic information, and a range of dynamic trends, as well as keeping customer data protected at all times.
Insurance involves nearly every other type of economic activity. Data assets are vital to insurance organizations including compliance with Kentucky insurance regulations. Students can focus on finance or business administration in online or in-person coursework to improve database opportunities in finance and insurance sectors.
Kentucky graduate programs help graduates enter the workforce at higher levels than bachelor’s degrees. While a PhD or Doctor of Business Administration with a database administration concentration might promote employment in higher education, a master of science in database administration is an excellent educational credential for entry into upper management in businesses and other types of organizations.
Kentucky students can study database administration in-person, online, or in a hybrid combination of the two. Students can pursue undergraduate degrees, graduate study, and professional certificates. Here is more information on the types of degrees available in the state.
Online Associates (AS)
An Associate of Science degree can help students to start a career or path of study in database administration. Associate programs can prepare students to enter the workforce in a limited number of entry-level roles of help them to earn a bachelor’s degree with less debt. Online students can use distance learning to get a start towards their career goals without interrupting their lives too much. This is especially helpful if you are looking to earn a degree as an adult or after already finding a job or starting a family.
Coursework includes an emphasis on programming and other computer science subjects. Students may take courses in Visual Basic, Database Design, and SQL Server Development, among other options. They may learn ACCESS and study relational databases and they can combine associate degree studies with product certifications from corporations, such as Microsoft. An associate degree is an excellent step towards a four-year degree program.
Students can complete one of these sixty-credit hour degree programs in about two years of full-time study. And graduates can compete for jobs as database program designers, database application developers, and network administrators.
Online Bachelors (BS)
A four-year Bachelor of Science in Database Administration is the entry-level education for a wide range of database positions. A BS in Database Administration might be labelled an information systems degree with a database concentration or a computer science degree with a database admin. concentration. No matter the specific title, bachelor degree students can use elective and required coursework to develop concentrations and gain the knowledge they need to succeed. The below-listed areas of study are among the popular areas for concentrations and subjects.
- Database Management
- Business Data Analytics
- Web Development
- Information Systems Security
Graduates gain skills like critical thinking and analytical techniques. Programming skills are also important, and students should ensure they study languages commonly used in their areas of interest. Once completed, graduates can keep abreast of a rapidly changing field by participating in continuing education and this may actually be required for those who need to maintain certifications.
Employers with large or complex data operations may seek to hire master’s degree graduates, but bachelor’s holders will be prepared for all entry-level positions in the field. A bachelor’s degree is a requirement for further study at the master’s and doctoral levels.
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Online Masters (MS)
Students can complete a master’s degree in database administration in about two years of full time study. Course requirements range from 30-36 credit hours and schools typically require a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field and a grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale for you to gain entry to a master’s-level program.
Students can attend online, in-person, or with a mix of remote and on-campus learning called a hybrid program. The study field or degree title can vary by institution but, among the frequently used titles are MS in Information Services - Database Concentration and MS in Information Technology - Database Administration.
The master’s degree offers a wide range of career options and entry into middle and upper management in business organizations. To add focus, students can study industry-specific coursework such as finance, insurance, or marketing.
Online Doctorate (PhD)
Students completing four-year PhD programs in Computer Science or Computer Information Systems can add a database option or concentration to their degree. PhD curriculum builds upon skills and knowledge to conceptualize, design, and deploy a wide range of computer information systems. The database options concentrate on the organization, retrieval, and safety of information.
Database administration coursework focuses on database design, data mining, and industry-specific database applications. Advanced studies include algorithmic theories, distributed data systems, and bioinformatics. A typical PhD program would require independent research, a dissertation, and defense. The research feature is a point of difference from a Doctor of Business Administration.
Graduates will have career options in database administration, advanced data analytics, and academic educators. A PhD opens career paths to research, graduate education policy, and education administration.
Become a Database Manager in Kentucky
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects strong demand for database administrators in the decade beginning in 2020. The Kentucky economy has high-growth sectors that require database administration including finance, healthcare, marketing, and education. However, the state does not have specific licensing for this field except as a general business registration for professional service providers.
Database administration is an essential function in organizations that use software to manage information systems. The database administrator must ensure the readiness and functionality of the database. Constant usage damages systems and database professionals must work to constantly detect and repair damage. The role of database administrator usually requires knowledge of one or more coding languages.
At any degree level, students can seek certifications in the software and languages that employer companies and organizations use. Software companies like Microsoft and Oracle offer certifications in their most widely used products and this type of training demonstrates capabilities that employers seek. Certifications can add needed, focused knowledge and qualify graduates for more positions within the industry.
The best database administration colleges in Kentucky offer in-person and online programs and may even offer classes that will help students gain certifications. The skills and knowledge to become a database administrator in Kentucky come from degree programs, training, and practical experience. A certification program can help advance existing careers or enter emerging fields, so they’re a good option for anyone who needs some specific training or is looking for a promotion. Using corporate learning resources students can obtain useful credentials in certificate programs for related fields such as electrical technology, integrated engineering technology, and medical information technology.
Cyber security and information security are ever-emerging technologies. Graduates in the security field must engage in continuing education to stay current because threats and security protocols evolve constantly as technology grows and new threats emerge.
Careers for Database Management Graduates
- Payroll Administrators process wages and salaries of employees and officers in a business or other organization. The payroll administrator works to ensure accurate and timely payments, deductions, and benefits. Employers may prefer applicants with certifications or professional credentials. Particularly in medium and large organizations, payroll administrators perform some accounting tasks. They file with federal tax agencies, state tax authorities, and maintain records and databases in support of payroll functions.
- Data Analysts work with information to discover usable tools and assets. Their work supports organization decision-makers and other stakeholders by using data visualization and specialized software. Data drives a wide range of business and organizational functions and data analysis promotes comparisons over time, frequency, and volumes to make informed decisions, investments, and plans. A bachelor’s degree is an entry-level education requirement and advanced analytics require a master’s degree and specialized experience.
- Database Engineers are specialized professionals that design and implement digital databases. They use computing processes to create new databases. Database engineering can improve existing databases to meet the specific needs of a company or organization like expanding capacity and adding functions. Database engineers work with large data systems and use functions like cloud computing. A bachelor’s degree in computer science or closely related field with proficiency in SQL and other programming languages such as C, C++, and Java.
- Information Security Analysts cam help protect databases and other information assets by developing and installing security measures. Analysts work to prevent and remedy security attacks. They must both react to intrusions and design measure to protect databases and systems. The role must continually expand as technology changes and potential threats emerge. A bachelor’s degree is a typical entry-level qualification in this field and a master of science degree can increase opportunities and allow professionals to add specializations.
- Marketing Managers lead their organization’s efforts to engage potential users or customers in a business product or organizational service. Marketing managers help develop estimates for the potential market and lead teams of professionals to carry out strategies. Marketing seeks to drive higher levels of interest and engagement through media channels and other types of efforts. Marketing uses databases and other types of information to develop plans.
- Web Developers specialize in developing applications for the World Wide Web; these skilled professionals perform a wide range of services to create and maintain websites. They can assess performance, capacity, and speed and they strive to create pleasing and effective interface portals and support functionality in all aspects of site operation. Web developers typically study computer science, programming, and related subjects like graphic design. Associate, bachelor’s, and database administration certificates help enter the field and gain valuable experience.
- Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) is a senior level executive position with broad responsibility for data security. The CISO maintains the enterprise effort to reach its goals by ensuring information and data assets are secure and free from unwanted use and access. Information security must cover communications and disaster recovery and a CISO has a key role in business continuity planning and operations. A CISO must also be proactive and develop ideas about new or emerging threats. Overall, the CISO works to align cyber security with the organization’s goals.
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