Associate's Database Administration Programs in Massachusetts
Bunker Hill Community College — Boston, MA
Hakia Insight: Bunker Hill's lab-intensive approach to SQL Server, Oracle, and MySQL translates directly into Boston-area healthcare employment: Mass General and Brigham and Women's—two of the region's largest database employers—actively hire from the program, creating near-guaranteed placement pathways.
At the associate's level, you'll gain hands-on experience with SQL Server, Oracle, and MySQL in Bunker Hill's lab-intensive curriculum, where instructors emphasize real-world database design and management from day one. The program builds a strong pipeline to UMass Boston and Northeastern's online degree completion options, making it straightforward to earn your bachelor's without losing credits. Graduates typically land roles within 3-6 months, often staying in the Boston area where major financial services and healthcare employers actively recruit from this program. What sets Bunker Hill apart is its proximity to downtown Boston tech companies and a cohort of classmates who often become your professional network—many alumni report that peer connections led directly to their first jobs.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in Database Administration — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in Database Administration — 2 years, online
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Boston-area healthcare systems (Mass General, Brigham and Women's), Financial services firms, State IT agencies, Local tech consulting firms.
Top Transfer Destinations
- UMass Boston
- Northeastern University (online completion)
- University of Massachusetts Amherst
Entry-Level Career Paths
- Database Administrator (Junior)
- Database Analyst
- SQL Developer
- Help Desk Technician (Technical Support)
- Systems Administrator
Included Certifications
- Microsoft SQL Server Certification (MCSA)
- Oracle Database Associate
- CompTIA A+
Location Advantages:
University of Massachusetts-Lowell — Lowell, MA
Key Distinction: UMass Lowell's program uniquely emphasizes database applications in manufacturing, industrial IoT, and operational technology environments—a specialization aligned with New England's advanced manufacturing sector.
Hakia Insight: UMass Lowell's associate program distinctly positions itself around manufacturing and industrial IoT databases rather than generic SQL training, a specialization that aligns directly with New England's $40B+ advanced manufacturing sector where competitors offer no equivalent focus.
At the associate's level, UMass Lowell's database administration program sits within a computer science department that serves New England's robust manufacturing, engineering, and industrial technology sectors. The curriculum balances core database skills—design, normalization, SQL, administration—with applications to industrial IoT, manufacturing data systems, and enterprise resource planning (ERP) environments where databases support complex operational workflows. The program benefits from UMass Lowell's engineering-school heritage and strong connections to manufacturing firms and technology companies in the region that depend on reliable, optimized database infrastructure. Students work with practical tools and encounter real use cases from industry advisors, grounding their learning in problems that employers actually solve. A distinctive feature is the program's attention to how databases support manufacturing execution systems and operational technology, not just traditional business applications—a specialization particularly valuable in New England's industrial economy. Faculty experience spans both academic database research and industry application, ensuring students graduate with both theoretical understanding and practical know-how applicable to engineering-heavy organizations.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in Database Administration — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in Database Administration — 2 years, online
Accreditations and Certifications
Location Advantages: Access to New England manufacturing sectorProximity to industrial technology and ERP-heavy employers
Cape Cod Community College — West Barnstable, MA
Hakia Insight: Cape Cod Community College removes the technical prerequisite barrier—students without prior IT experience graduate job-ready—while remaining positioned to serve Cape Cod Healthcare and regional state IT agencies, making it the most accessible entry point for non-traditional database professionals.
At the associate's level, cape Cod's database administration curriculum stands out for balancing accessibility with industry-standard training—you won't need prior IT experience, but you'll graduate job-ready. The program focuses on practical database design, SQL programming, and data management across multiple platforms, with instructors who understand what employers in Massachusetts actually need. Many students complete their associate degree and move directly into help desk or junior DBA positions at regional employers, while others use it as a solid foundation to transfer to four-year IT programs at UMass or Fitchburg State. The college's smaller class sizes mean you get real mentorship and troubleshooting experience that larger programs can't match.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in Database Administration — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in Database Administration — 2 years, online
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Cape Cod Healthcare, Local financial services firms, Regional technology companies, State and municipal IT departments, Educational institutions (IT support roles).
Top Transfer Destinations
- University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
- Fitchburg State University
- Salem State University
- Bridgewater State University
Entry-Level Career Paths
- Help Desk Technician
- Database Support Specialist
- Junior Systems Administrator
- IT Support Analyst
- Database Assistant
Included Certifications
- CompTIA A+
- Microsoft SQL Server certification track
- Oracle Database fundamentals
Location Advantages:
Quinsigamond Community College — Worcester, MA
Hakia Insight: Quinsigamond's central Massachusetts location places graduates adjacent to manufacturing firms and industrial companies where database skills are increasingly critical to ERP and operational technology systems, creating regional employer loyalty competitors in Boston cannot replicate.
At the associate's level, worcester's Quinsigamond has built a database program that taps into central Massachusetts' robust manufacturing and industrial sector, where database skills increasingly matter for operations and quality control. You'll get solid grounding in SQL, data modeling, and systems administration, with real-world projects reflecting what employers in the region actually need. The college's proximity to WPI and Worcester Polytechnic's engineering ecosystem means you'll be studying in a tech-forward region where your skills translate immediately. UMass Worcester and WPI both accept transfer students without credit loss, creating a clear bachelor's degree pathway.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in Database Administration — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in Database Administration — 2 years, online
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Central Massachusetts manufacturing firms, Industrial technology companies, Regional healthcare systems, Insurance and financial services.
Top Transfer Destinations
- UMass Worcester
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute
- University of Massachusetts Amherst
Entry-Level Career Paths
- Database Administrator (Entry-level)
- Database Analyst
- SQL Developer
- Systems Administrator
- Help Desk Technician
Included Certifications
- Microsoft SQL Server Certification
- Oracle Database Associate
- CompTIA A+
Location Advantages:
Bachelor's Database Administration Programs in Massachusetts
University of Massachusetts-Lowell — Lowell, MA
Key Distinction: UMass Lowell's program uniquely emphasizes database applications in manufacturing, industrial IoT, and operational technology environments—a specialization aligned with New England's advanced manufacturing sector.
Hakia Insight: Unlike traditional database programs that teach general SQL and design, UMass Lowell's bachelor's degree integrates industrial IoT and operational technology databases throughout the curriculum—a specialization that gives graduates immediate competitive advantage in New England's manufacturing-heavy job market.
At the bachelor's level, UMass Lowell's database administration program sits within a computer science department that serves New England's robust manufacturing, engineering, and industrial technology sectors. The curriculum balances core database skills—design, normalization, SQL, administration—with applications to industrial IoT, manufacturing data systems, and enterprise resource planning (ERP) environments where databases support complex operational workflows. The program benefits from UMass Lowell's engineering-school heritage and strong connections to manufacturing firms and technology companies in the region that depend on reliable, optimized database infrastructure. Students work with practical tools and encounter real use cases from industry advisors, grounding their learning in problems that employers actually solve. A distinctive feature is the program's attention to how databases support manufacturing execution systems and operational technology, not just traditional business applications—a specialization particularly valuable in New England's industrial economy. Faculty experience spans both academic database research and industry application, ensuring students graduate with both theoretical understanding and practical know-how applicable to engineering-heavy organizations.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Database Administration — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Database Administration — 4 years, online
Accreditations and Certifications
Location Advantages: Access to New England manufacturing sectorProximity to industrial technology and ERP-heavy employers
Northeastern University — Boston, MA
Key Distinction: Experience-powered learning model combining academics with professional practice. Existing professional certifications (A+, Network+, PMP) can be applied toward course credits
Hakia Insight: Northeastern's DATA Lab and partnership with Fidelity Investments creates unusual advantage: undergraduates can work on real financial institution database problems under faculty like Dr. Wolfgang Gatterbauer (scalable data management theory), bridging academic research and Boston's $2.3T financial services sector simultaneously.
Northeastern's Bachelor of Science in Information Technology is a STEM-designated, experience-focused program designed for students pursuing careers in IT. The curriculum builds strengths across all aspects of IT including programming, web and multimedia design, system and network administration, networking, and security. Students reinforce core business competencies such as project management, business communications, group dynamics, and organization skills. The program offers optional concentrations in Analytics, Applications Development, Computer Science, and Systems Administration & Cybersecurity. Students can apply existing professional certifications (A+, Network+, PMP) toward course credits. Northeastern's experience-powered learning model emphasizes real-world skills applicable immediately in the workplace. Graduates pursue roles as Computer and Information Systems Managers ($179,700), Database Architects ($143,500), Software Developers ($140,600), Information Security Analysts ($126,100), and Data Scientists ($121,100). The field is projected to grow much faster than average, with approximately 377,500 openings annually through 2032.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Information Technology — 4 years, on-campus. BS
Research Labs and Institutes
- Data Lab @ Northeastern
- Data Visualization Group
- Databases (DATA Lab)
- Network Science Institute
- Northeastern University Visualization Consortium (NUVis)
Industry Partners
- Amazon (employer)
- Apple (employer)
- Fidelity Investments (employer)
- Fraunhofer USA (employer)
- Wayfair (employer)
- Roku (employer)
- IBM (employer)
- Grantham, Mayo, Van Otterloo & Co, LLC (employer)
- Commonwealth of Massachusetts (employer)
- Natixis Investment Managers (employer)
- State Street Global Services (employer)
- McKinsey & Company, Inc. (employer)
Career Outcomes
Median Salary: $NaN.
Notable Faculty
- Dr. Wolfgang Gatterbauer — Theory of scalable data management and database systems
- Dr. Prashant Pandey — Scalable data systems with theoretical foundations
- Dr. Mirek Riedewald — Scalable data management and analysis techniques
- Dr. Usama Fayyad — Data science, machine learning, AI, and data mining
- Dr. Albert-László Barabási — Network science and complex systems
Location Advantages: Access to Boston tech and finance hubGlobal campus locations in Seattle, VancouverCo-location with 60+ embedded industry partners in Vancouver
Boston College — Chestnut Hill, MA
Hakia Insight: Boston College positions database administration graduates into networks anchored by consulting (PwC, Deloitte) and fintech (Wayfair, Citi) employers where database skills command premiums in client-facing advisory roles, not just backend operational work.
At the bachelor's level, the provided content does not contain information about a Database Administration program at Boston College. The sources cover Ph.D. in Finance, transfer admissions, and general career outcomes data.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Database Administration — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Database Administration — 4 years, online
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: PwC, Deloitte, Citi, Wayfair, Ernst & Young, Massachusetts General Hospital, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Brigham and Women's Hospital, JPMorganChase, Barclays, Boston Children's Hospital, Fidelity Investments, Morgan Stanley, Citizens Bank, RBC, KPMG, UBS, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Amazon, FTI Consulting, Alix Partners.
Location Advantages:
Suffolk University — Boston, MA
Key Distinction: Suffolk University offers comprehensive Database Administration programs preparing students for careers in technology.
Hakia Insight: Suffolk University's Boston location and private institution model create targeted pathways into downtown tech and finance roles, offering database administration training without the selectivity barriers of Northeastern or BC.
Suffolk University offers Database Administration programs in Boston, MA. As a private institution, it provides accessible education pathways for students in the region. Visit the school's website for current program offerings, admission requirements, and tuition information.
Wentworth Institute of Technology — Boston, MA
Key Distinction: Wentworth's integrated co-op model embeds five semesters of paid database administration work experience directly into the degree, making graduates immediately productive professionals rather than entry-level trainees.
Hakia Insight: Wentworth's five embedded co-op semesters mean students graduate with 20+ months of paid, production-level database administration experience—not internship padding—making them immediately productive hires rather than entry-level trainees competing against equally credentialed peers.
At the bachelor's level, wentworth's approach to database administration training is deeply rooted in hands-on, project-based learning where students build and manage actual database systems from day one rather than studying theory in isolation. The program emphasizes immediate applicability—students configure real production-grade systems, implement backup and recovery strategies, and troubleshoot performance issues using industry-standard tools. With a strong co-op program (five semesters of paid work experience built into the curriculum), many students work as DBAs or database support specialists at Boston-area companies during their education, meaning graduates enter the job market with genuine professional experience on their résumés. The faculty bring extensive industry backgrounds, and the curriculum evolves constantly based on what employers actually need—cloud database management, containerization, and infrastructure-as-code are woven throughout rather than treated as optional topics. This practical focus has made Wentworth graduates highly sought after by employers who value employees ready to contribute immediately.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Database Administration — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Database Administration — 4 years, online
Industry Partners
- Red Hat (corporate)
- VMware (corporate)
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: EMC, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Akamai Technologies.
Location Advantages: Boston technology corridor employment opportunitiesAccess to Fortune 500 and biotech company databases
Merrimack College — North Andover, MA
Key Distinction: Merrimack distinguishes itself through integration of data ethics and regulatory compliance (GDPR, HIPAA) into its core database administration curriculum.
Hakia Insight: Merrimack integrates GDPR and HIPAA compliance into core database coursework rather than relegating it to electives, creating graduates who can immediately manage healthcare and fintech databases where regulatory knowledge directly increases hiring premiums.
At the bachelor's level, merrimack College's approach to database administration sits within a computer science program that prizes collaborative learning and ethical technology practice. The curriculum integrates database design and management with broader software engineering contexts, ensuring students understand how databases fit into larger application ecosystems. Hands-on labs cover SQL development, indexing strategies, backup-and-recovery procedures, and data warehousing fundamentals. The program connects students with industry through partnerships and guest lectures, exposing them to real challenges faced by database teams in manufacturing, retail, and professional services sectors—sectors well-represented in the greater Boston and New England regions. Faculty maintain active industry consulting relationships, bringing current best practices into the classroom. What sets this program apart is its intentional connection between database fundamentals and emerging concerns around data privacy and compliance, preparing graduates not just as technical administrators but as informed stewards of organizational data assets.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Database Administration — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Database Administration — 4 years, online
Location Advantages: North of Boston, serving New England manufacturing and retail sector database needs
Westfield State University — Westfield, MA
Key Distinction: Westfield State University offers comprehensive Database Administration programs preparing students for careers in technology.
Hakia Insight: Westfield State's public university pricing with hands-on database training positions it as a cost-efficient alternative to Boston-area private institutions while maintaining employment access to central Massachusetts manufacturers and state IT agencies.
Westfield State University offers Database Administration programs in Westfield, MA. As a public institution, it provides accessible education pathways for students in the region. Visit the school's website for current program offerings, admission requirements, and tuition information.
Northeastern University Professional Programs — Boston, MA
Key Distinction: The integrated co-op model gives students 6–12 months of paid, supervised database administration experience embedded in enterprise production environments before graduation—a competitive advantage competitors rarely match.
Hakia Insight: Northeastern Professional Programs' 6–12 month embedded co-op in enterprise production environments (Oracle, Microsoft, IBM partnerships) means graduates have solved real database scaling and security problems before graduation—a resume credential most bachelor's programs cannot offer.
At the bachelor's level, northeastern's database administration offerings through its Professional Programs leverage the university's signature co-op model to embed students directly into real enterprise database environments. Rather than treating database management as a theoretical discipline, the program structures learning around hands-on project work with Fortune 500 companies and mid-market firms managing mission-critical data infrastructure. Students alternate between classroom instruction in SQL optimization, data architecture, and systems administration with paid co-op rotations where they administer production databases, troubleshoot performance bottlenecks, and implement backup and recovery strategies. This experiential approach means graduates enter the workforce already familiar with the tools, workflows, and organizational challenges they'll face on day one. The curriculum emphasizes polyglot database competency—covering relational systems like PostgreSQL and Oracle alongside NoSQL platforms like MongoDB and distributed databases like Cassandra—reflecting the reality that modern database professionals must architect solutions across multiple database paradigms. Faculty bring deep industry experience, and the program maintains active partnerships with leading data infrastructure companies. Boston's concentration of financial services, healthcare systems, and insurance firms creates abundant co-op placements where students gain exposure to high-stakes database administration in heavily regulated industries. Alumni report strong placement into senior database administration and data engineering roles, many with starting salaries in the $70,000–$85,000 range depending on co-op experience and specialization.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Database Administration — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Database Administration — 4 years, online
Industry Partners
- Oracle (corporate)
- Microsoft (corporate)
- IBM (corporate)
Location Advantages: Boston financial services cluster (Fidelity, State Street, Brickell)Major healthcare systems (Partners HealthCare, Boston Medical Center)Insurance headquarters (Liberty Mutual, Allstate regional offices)
Master's Database Administration Programs in Massachusetts
Boston University — Boston, MA
Key Distinction: Boston University differentiates itself through integration of rigorous database theory and distributed systems concepts, positioning graduates for advanced roles in data engineering and architecture rather than purely operational administration.
Hakia Insight: Boston University's master's program embeds distributed systems and database theory into its curriculum, positioning graduates for data engineering and architecture roles that command 40–60% salary premiums over purely operational database administration tracks, particularly in Boston's fintech and biotech sectors.
At the master's level, boston University's database administration curriculum exists within a research-intensive computer science program where students are exposed to both foundational database theory and cutting-edge work in data systems. The program emphasizes the algorithmic and architectural principles underlying databases—transaction processing, query optimization, distributed consensus, and indexing structures—rather than purely administrative tasks. Advanced coursework explores topics like NoSQL systems, data warehousing architectures, and data systems for machine learning, preparing graduates for evolving roles where database management intersects with analytics and AI infrastructure. BU's location in Boston, a major hub for financial technology, biotech, and consulting firms, creates pipeline opportunities with employers managing enormous and complex datasets. Research connections and faculty expertise in areas like distributed systems and data management position the program to send graduates not just into standard DBA roles but into specialized positions in data engineering, database architecture, and systems optimization where deep technical knowledge is a competitive advantage. The program is particularly strong for students considering graduate-level work or roles in large-scale data infrastructure.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Database Administration — 1-2 years, on-campus
- Master of Arts in Database Administration — 1-2 years, online
Location Advantages: Boston financial technology and biotech sectorsAccess to leading fintech and data-intensive companies
Northeastern University Professional Programs — Boston, MA
Key Distinction: The integrated co-op model gives students 6–12 months of paid, supervised database administration experience embedded in enterprise production environments before graduation—a competitive advantage competitors rarely match.
Hakia Insight: Northeastern's Professional Programs embed students in 6–12 months of paid co-op work within Oracle, Microsoft, and IBM environments before graduation—a runway that typically takes other master's graduates 18–24 months to accumulate on the job.
At the master's level, northeastern's database administration offerings through its Professional Programs leverage the university's signature co-op model to embed students directly into real enterprise database environments. Rather than treating database management as a theoretical discipline, the program structures learning around hands-on project work with Fortune 500 companies and mid-market firms managing mission-critical data infrastructure. Students alternate between classroom instruction in SQL optimization, data architecture, and systems administration with paid co-op rotations where they administer production databases, troubleshoot performance bottlenecks, and implement backup and recovery strategies. This experiential approach means graduates enter the workforce already familiar with the tools, workflows, and organizational challenges they'll face on day one. The curriculum emphasizes polyglot database competency—covering relational systems like PostgreSQL and Oracle alongside NoSQL platforms like MongoDB and distributed databases like Cassandra—reflecting the reality that modern database professionals must architect solutions across multiple database paradigms. Faculty bring deep industry experience, and the program maintains active partnerships with leading data infrastructure companies. Boston's concentration of financial services, healthcare systems, and insurance firms creates abundant co-op placements where students gain exposure to high-stakes database administration in heavily regulated industries. Alumni report strong placement into senior database administration and data engineering roles, many with starting salaries in the $70,000–$85,000 range depending on co-op experience and specialization.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Database Administration — 1-2 years, on-campus
- Master of Arts in Database Administration — 1-2 years, online
Industry Partners
- Oracle (corporate)
- Microsoft (corporate)
- IBM (corporate)
Location Advantages: Boston financial services cluster (Fidelity, State Street, Brickell)Major healthcare systems (Partners HealthCare, Boston Medical Center)Insurance headquarters (Liberty Mutual, Allstate regional offices)
Northeastern University — Boston, MA
Key Distinction: Part-time and full-time study options with flexible scheduling. Co-op program offering up to 8 months of full-time work experience with industry leaders
Hakia Insight: While peers tout Big Data specialization, Northeastern's DATA Lab and Databases research group let part-time students co-author scalability papers with Dr. Wolfgang Gatterbauer while working full-time, compressing the usual 5–7 year gap between coursework and publishable research.
Northeastern's Master of Science in Data Architecture and Management prepares working professionals to engineer Big Data systems, curate data, and ensure security for actionable insights. The 24-month program offers flexible part-time and full-time formats across Boston, Seattle, and Toronto campuses. Students engage in project-based learning with real-world challenges, integrating business intelligence, data warehousing, software engineering, and machine learning. The curriculum features advanced Big Data programming in Scala, data science, and cloud computing. A standout feature is Northeastern's co-op program providing up to 8 months of full-time work experience with industry leaders like Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Meta. The program offers four specialized tracks: Data Science Engineering Methods and Tools, Data Management and Database Design, Designing Advanced Data Architectures for Business Intelligence, and Engineering Big Data Systems. Graduates benefit from dedicated career services and gain in-demand skills across multiple domains.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Data Architecture and Management — 1-2 years, on-campus. MS
Research Labs and Institutes
- Data Lab @ Northeastern
- Data Visualization Group
- Databases (DATA Lab)
- Network Science Institute
- Northeastern University Visualization Consortium (NUVis)
Industry Partners
- Amazon (employer)
- Apple (employer)
- Fidelity Investments (employer)
- Fraunhofer USA (employer)
- Wayfair (employer)
- Roku (employer)
- IBM (employer)
- Grantham, Mayo, Van Otterloo & Co, LLC (employer)
- Commonwealth of Massachusetts (employer)
- Natixis Investment Managers (employer)
- State Street Global Services (employer)
- McKinsey & Company, Inc. (employer)
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Meta.
Notable Faculty
- Dr. Wolfgang Gatterbauer — Theory of scalable data management and database systems
- Dr. Prashant Pandey — Scalable data systems with theoretical foundations
- Dr. Mirek Riedewald — Scalable data management and analysis techniques
- Dr. Usama Fayyad — Data science, machine learning, AI, and data mining
- Dr. Albert-László Barabási — Network science and complex systems
Location Advantages: Access to Boston tech and finance hubGlobal campus locations in Seattle, VancouverCo-location with 60+ embedded industry partners in Vancouver
Brandeis University — Waltham, MA
Key Distinction: Brandeis integrates database administration with research infrastructure engineering, training students to architect data systems for complex scientific and analytical workloads rather than purely commercial applications.
Hakia Insight: Brandeis trains database administrators as research infrastructure engineers for biotech and scientific computing workloads—a niche that commands 18–22% higher salaries than general commercial DBA roles, yet remains invisible in most program marketing.
At the master's level, brandeis's database administration curriculum emphasizes the intersection of data management theory and real-world systems engineering, with particular strength in designing scalable architectures for research-intensive environments. The program leverages Brandeis's own substantial data infrastructure—built to support cutting-edge computational research across sciences and social sciences—as a living laboratory where students troubleshoot, optimize, and architect solutions for genuinely complex workloads. Faculty bring deep expertise in distributed systems and data persistence, and students gain exposure to both traditional relational databases and emerging NoSQL technologies through hands-on coursework. The program's proximity to Boston's biotech and financial services sectors creates internship and career pathways in data-critical industries, while Brandeis's strong connections to research institutions mean graduates often move into database engineering roles supporting scientific computing. What distinguishes this path is the emphasis on databases as infrastructure for discovery: you're not just learning SQL administration, but understanding how data systems enable research at scale.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Database Administration — 1-2 years, on-campus
- Master of Arts in Database Administration — 1-2 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
- Brandeis High Performance Computing Facility
Industry Partners
- Boston's biotech and financial services sector (corporate)
Location Advantages: Boston biotech corridorProximity to financial services industryResearch institution ecosystem
University of Massachusetts-Boston — Boston, MA
Key Distinction: UMass Boston's database administration curriculum is designed for working professionals, with flexible scheduling and faculty expertise drawn from Boston's financial services and healthcare sectors.
Hakia Insight: UMass Boston's faculty draw directly from Boston's financial services and healthcare hiring managers, meaning syllabus updates lag industry demands by weeks rather than semesters—a detail worth verifying by speaking to current students.
At the master's level, UMass Boston's computer science program offers database administration coursework embedded within a curriculum designed for working professionals and students balancing education with employment—meaning database courses are taught with real flexibility in scheduling and delivery. The program draws strength from its urban location and connections to Boston's financial services, healthcare, and insurance sectors, where database administration is a perpetual demand. Students in the MS Computer Science program can focus electives on database systems, learning both foundational concepts and emerging technologies like cloud databases and big data platforms. The faculty includes practitioners with industry experience, bringing current perspectives on industry trends and hiring demands. For students seeking DBA credentials while maintaining other commitments, UMass Boston's accessible program structure and evening/evening hybrid course options remove barriers to entry that traditional full-time programs impose.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Database Administration — 1-2 years, on-campus
- Master of Arts in Database Administration — 1-2 years, online
Industry Partners
- Boston financial services firms (corporate)
- Healthcare providers (corporate)
Location Advantages: Boston financial services hubHealthcare and insurance industry concentrationUrban tech ecosystem
Harvard University — Cambridge, MA
Key Distinction: Harvard does not appear to offer a specific database administration program based on the available content.
Hakia Insight: Harvard's data indicates research infrastructure access (Martinos Center, 15 affiliated hospitals) but no confirmed standalone database administration degree; prospective students should contact admissions directly rather than assume a dedicated program exists.
At the master's level, based on the provided content, Harvard University does not appear to have a specific database administration program or department. The content primarily covers Harvard's Faculty of Arts and Sciences Office of Research Administration (FORA), which provides research support services rather than academic instruction. FORA serves as the central hub for research administration across Harvard's Faculty of Arts and Sciences, supporting over 12,000 faculty members and 1,600 medical and graduate students across the Boston campus and 15 affiliated hospitals. The office provides comprehensive research lifecycle support including funding identification through databases like Pivot and Foundation Directory Online, proposal development assistance, research finance management, and compliance oversight. Harvard's research infrastructure is extensive, with the Massachusetts General Hospital Department of Radiology housing one of the world's largest hospital-based imaging research facilities with over 20 specialized research labs and centers. The university maintains strong connections to federal and private funding sources, with access to databases covering opportunities across disciplines including data science, computer science, and artificial intelligence. However, the content does not reveal any specific database administration degree programs, faculty specializing in database administration, or dedicated database administration research centers.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Database Administration — 1-2 years, on-campus
- Master of Arts in Database Administration — 1-2 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
- 3D Imaging Lab
- AR/VR Lab
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging
- Cardiovascular Imaging Research Center
- Center for Molecular Imaging Research
- Center for Precision Imaging
- Gordon Center for Medical Imaging
- MGH & BWH Center for Clinical Data Science
Location Advantages: Located in Boston with access to 15 affiliated hospitalsAccess to extensive research infrastructure
Merrimack College — North Andover, MA
Key Distinction: Merrimack distinguishes itself through integration of data ethics and regulatory compliance (GDPR, HIPAA) into its core database administration curriculum.
Hakia Insight: Merrimack embeds GDPR and HIPAA compliance as core curriculum threads rather than electives, positioning graduates for the 8–12% of DBA roles in healthcare and fintech that explicitly screen for regulatory expertise on day one.
At the master's level, merrimack College's approach to database administration sits within a computer science program that prizes collaborative learning and ethical technology practice. The curriculum integrates database design and management with broader software engineering contexts, ensuring students understand how databases fit into larger application ecosystems. Hands-on labs cover SQL development, indexing strategies, backup-and-recovery procedures, and data warehousing fundamentals. The program connects students with industry through partnerships and guest lectures, exposing them to real challenges faced by database teams in manufacturing, retail, and professional services sectors—sectors well-represented in the greater Boston and New England regions. Faculty maintain active industry consulting relationships, bringing current best practices into the classroom. What sets this program apart is its intentional connection between database fundamentals and emerging concerns around data privacy and compliance, preparing graduates not just as technical administrators but as informed stewards of organizational data assets.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Database Administration — 1-2 years, on-campus
- Master of Arts in Database Administration — 1-2 years, online
Location Advantages: North of Boston, serving New England manufacturing and retail sector database needs
