Best Online Database Management Degrees for 2024

Online Bachelor’s Degree in Database Management

To earn an online bachelor's degree, students must first find the best accredited program for them. First, it's important that students assess their long and short-term goals, evaluate their current skills, and review the available programs. Review many programs, even those that are out of reach for any reason. This will help students arrive at a basis of comparison and a list of final possible schools.

The application process can be tedious but take your time with it. It's important to line up a few teachers or community mentors who are willing to write letters of recommendation. Naturally, every school will want to see transcripts from high school and even other colleges, if that applies. Applications are often not free, so be sure to budget for this eventuality. Each college or university has its own application fee structure, which should be posted on their website. Note that some fees can be quite high, especially for more competitive schools, such as those in the ivy league.

Most schools also require scores from standardized tests. Make sure to check which tests they require because most need either the SAT or ACT, though some may accept either. The testing service will automatically send scores to schools the student selects upon taking the exam.

Once graduated, some students who carry a bachelor's degree in database management can enter the working world in an entry-level position in an information technology department. Others might seek jobs with a consulting firm and travel around the nation and world to help clients with their database needs. It's even possible for some database management students to attract their own contracts and work on a freelance basis. This can be a precarious path, especially starting out, but once they establish a steady stream of business, they can possibly even turn their freelance work into a small consulting business.

Online Master’s Degree in Database Management

A online graduate degree in database management is becoming more and more common in the workplace. In fact, since many consider a bachelor's degree to be the present-day equivalent to yesterday's high school diploma, a graduate degree is now nearly a requirement, especially for those looking to go into management. Though most entry-level jobs will only require a bachelor's degree, those who wish to advance their careers as far as possible will seek a master’s. With that in mind, many undergraduate students proceed directly into their master’s degree program with hardly a break. Further, in response to the demand for master’s degree programs, many database management students are able to complete accelerated master’s programs.

These accelerated programs allow undergraduate students to work on graduate courses alongside their bachelor's work. This way, they are able to sidestep their undergraduate degree and finish with a master’s degree in database management in only five years. This approach to higher education can save both money and time. Most students will likely complete their undergraduate degrees and then work in database administration for a few years prior to applying to a graduate degree program.

For aspiring graduate students, applications must include items such as transcripts, test scores, letters of recommendation, and perhaps even samples of work. Students should be prepared for this process, as most graduate programs will require official transcripts from every single school attended, even if a transcript only reflects one class. For recommendations, former professors are a great choice, but students who have been working for a few years may also add professional recommendations.

Graduate admissions are somewhat softening on their requirement for standardized tests, but many top database management programs still require them. For this field, it's recommended that aspiring master’s students check their top academic picks to determine if they will need to take the GRE or even GMAT.

Online Database Management MBA Coursework (Classes and Courses)

An MBA is a terrific option for a technology worker. Since business runs on the technology they know so well, adding business learning to their academic resume is only icing on the cake. Not only will the degree expand the scope of work a database management professional can perform but it may well help them rise up into upper management, including the C-suites.

During the course of an MBA, students typically spend the first year immersed in a general business curriculum that can be tailored to suit the individual. A technology worker might steer their course selection towards management or operations, though, if they are working in a banking environment, they may lean towards finance.

After the first year is complete, students need to declare a concentration. Not every MBA program offers a concentration in database management or information technology, so students should research this prior to enrollment. Nevertheless, a growing number of MBA programs offer a concentration in technology.

Another master's degree option is the dual MBA. Students who choose this option may need to leave the working world because these programs can be rather intensive. This is because they combine an MBA with some other field such as computer science, database management, or information technology so that students graduate with two master’s degrees. While these programs are extremely demanding, students who work hard will earn two master’s degrees in three years or so, depending on their degree choices.

To gain entry to an MBA program, students may need to provide sufficient scores on the GMAT, though not every program requires those scores. All programs are sure to have requirements for business coursework, so current undergraduate students who are considering an MBA may want to at least take electives in the business or accounting department.

Online Doctoral/PhD Degree in Database Management

A doctoral degree represents the highest possible degree for any ambitious professional. While this level of academic achievement isn't often found in the business world, the degree can come in handy for the select few who choose to rise to this level. The degree can not only open up opportunities in the business and commercial sphere, but it also has applications in academia. At the end of the day, PhD students find that the added status works in their favor.

In order to earn a PhD, students first need to complete a master's degree in information technology, database management, or computer science, among other options. Those who pursue an MBA may find that they need to return for another master's degree if they want a PhD in a tech field. Thus, the best option for an MBA student is a dual MBA, where they can build on their tech degree and rise into a PhD program.

Most programs that offer a technology PhD, offer degrees in computer science or information technology. Under those umbrellas, database management professionals might find their specific interest reflected in the coursework. For instance, some database administrators might find themselves focusing more and more on information security, so their PhD might be in cyber security. Others who gravitate toward data analytics and business intelligence might move towards a PhD in data science.

Since a PhD is far more specialized than even a master's degree, students should have a strong idea of what their dissertation will concern and then find a faculty that shares that interest. This is because, at the PhD level, program faculty are more akin to colleagues than instructors. Thus, it's important to select faculty and programs that align in terms of academic interest.