Do You Need a Degree to Be a Data Scientist?

No, you do not need a specific degree to be a Data Scientist, but you do need the right hard and soft skills to be considered for a role in data.

Keep in mind that Data Scientists have traditionally been very highly educated; at last count, 88 percent have at least a Master’s degree, and 46 percent have a PhD. Some of the most common educational paths to a career in data science begin with a Bachelor’s degree in computer science, mathematics, or statistics.

But that level of education is not a hard requirement. A strong portfolio and a resume replete with all the requisite skills can go a very long way—especially as the demand for Data Scientists continues to outpace the rate at which universities can produce them. Ultimately, the surest way to become a Data Science is simply to begin doing data science.