The University of Maine at Augusta, a leader in distance learning for over 30 years, announces its launch of the first public graduate certificate program in Data Visualization & Representation (DVR) in Maine. In line with UMA’s mission to provide high-quality distance education and innovative professional programs, students from all over the state can pursue a graduate certificate in DVR, online, gaining in-demand skills in this rapidly growing industry.
While Data Visualization includes charts and graphs, it can also be health infographic posters, maps of snowfall averages, or a comparison of the top 20 most visited tropical vacation sites. “You might be more interested in business,” says Peter Precourt, Professor of Art and Coordinator of the DVR Graduate Certificate Program. “You might be interested in making infographics. You might need to share information with stakeholders of your community group or organization.” There is something in this program for almost everyone and the possibilities are nearly endless with, as stated in US News and World Report, an estimated 149 zettabytes (each zettabyte a trillion gigabytes) of data being created, captured, copied or consumed across the globe by 2024. In this 18 credit, six course program, students take two graduate courses in data science, another two in ethical data research methods, and two in art critique and storytelling. But, according to Precourt, “what really sets this program apart is the open sharing of work in a virtual studio setting. We share our work in real time and give feedback to each other which doesn’t just help you get better, but it helps prepare you to be in a public presentation, have your work be questioned, and then respond in a meaningful and thoughtful way.”
Data Visualization and Representation is a rapidly growing industry. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the field of Data Science, which includes Data Visualization Development, is projected to grow 35% from 2022-2032, with over 17,000 jobs to be added annually, and earnings ranging from about $58,000 to over $170,000 per year.
For more information about the Graduate Certificate in Data Visualization and Representation contact Peter Precourt, program coordinator, at peter.precourt@maine.edu.