Franklin College offers three new online Master’s degrees in Applied Data Science, Environmental Geology, and Art Education  

Extending the reach of its talented faculty and curriculum, Franklin College is introducing three new online master's programs: Applied Data Science, Environmental Geology, and Art Education. Programs start August 2025 and will provide career advancement opportunities for busy, working individuals seeking to earn a master’s online in two years. These three new online master’s degrees join Franklin’s successful Online Master of Music Education program of ten years. 

About the Online Master of Science in Applied Data Science 

In today’s data-driven world, the ability to harness the power of data for informed decision-making has become a critical skill. As organizations across all industries increasingly rely on data to drive innovation and stay competitive, the demand for professionals with expertise in data science has surged. In fact, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for data scientists is expected to grow over 35% in the next ten years. 

UGA's Master’s Degree in Applied Data Science was developed for working professionals seeking career advancement who are ready to deepen their expertise and gain the practical, advanced skills required to stay competitive in an increasingly AI-driven economy.  

Designed for those looking to go from data wrangler to data leader, the Online Master’s in Applied Data Science is an interdisciplinary program offered by UGA’s Franklin College Department of Statistics. Graduates will master software development, database design and management, distributed data processing, statistical analysis, data mining, machine learning, data visualization, natural language processing, and deep learning, all with practical, real-world experiences. 

The program’s flexible online delivery enables career advancement for working professionals with a 30-credit-hour program that can be completed in two years. Click here for more information. 

About the Online Master of Science in Environmental Geology 

This graduate degree is built for working professionals in roles tied to environmental consulting, natural resource exploration, or regulatory compliance. This field is predicted to grow faster than average over the next ten years, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.  

The online MS in Environmental Geology offers a rigorous and flexible path to deepen expertise. The curriculum covers high-impact topics such as Aqueous Environmental Geochemistry, Data Analysis in the Geosciences, Watershed-Scale Modeling, Science Communication, Hazardous Waste Site Remediation, Hydrogeology, and Water Resource Economics and Management. It includes a flexible, non-thesis research component designed to give students real-world experience, with options including analyzing data from a past project, applying a current work project, collaborating with faculty, or pursuing an internship if available.   

UGA’s Master’s in Environmental Geology was developed for working professionals aiming to stay ahead of shifting regulations, take on more complex projects, or lead sustainability initiatives. This 30-credit program equips graduates with the tools needed for career advancement within the industry, without having to step away from current work responsibilities, in just two years. Click here for more information. 

About the Master of Art Education   

Offered online through the Lamar Dodd School of Art, the University of Georgia’s new Master of Art Education (MAEd) explores the intersections of art curricula, contemporary art, disability studies, culturally responsive practices, and digital technology. Students will investigate contemporary content and methods for art education, conduct inquiries that impact their practice, and experiment with artistic processes. Graduates are encouraged to be reflective, creative, and critical practitioners who challenge the status quo through locally and globally transformative practices. 

UGA’s Master of Art Education program is completely online, with the option to attend a one-week studio-focused summer residency on campus, during which time students will complete no more than 5% of their total credit hours for the program. 

The program is designed for art educators who already hold a Level 4 Teaching Certificate in Art and seek a Level 5 Certificate in the state of Georgia, or those who hold an undergraduate degree in an art-related field where an initial Level 4 Teaching Certificate is not required and who wish to work in contexts that do not require certification, such as museums and community centers. For those interested in pursuing certification along with their master’s degree, we offer an in-person certification option that can be taken concurrently. 

Whether you are a full-time, working professional or someone looking to enhance your career through a degree in art education, this program provides an ideal opportunity to complete your MAEd from one of the largest, most highly ranked university art programs in the nation online and on your own time. 

For more information, click here.  

Image: UGA photo by Chamberlain Smith.