Online Data Science Master’s Degrees in 2021

Bay Path University has an online Master of Science in Applied Data Science that is open to students with a strong background in math or statistics. The program, which can be completed entirely online, is designed as a “bridge program” that gives students the background necessary to be able to collaborate with data scientists and analysts. Classes are offered in an accelerated eight-week format, with students entering the program in October or February. Students typically finish the program in one to two years. Students who take two classes per eight-week session can finish the degree in one year. Applicants should have a GPA of 3.0 or higher and a degree in math, statistics, computer science, engineering, finance or a related field.

Bellevue University combines coursework in business analytics, visualization, computer science and statistics to create their master of science degree in data science. The 30 credit online data science degree guides students in the application of data science to solve problems and answer questions within their chosen industry.

The online masters of science in data science from Cabrini University teachers students programming languages, an understanding of business enterprise functions, SAS, Hadoop, database administration management and more. In 36 credits, students can complete the online MS program in two years within small class sizes on data visualization, machine learning and data analytics to name a few.

Through Colorado Technical University’s online degree in data science, students will explore the concept of big data, examine data warehouses, discover computer networking and database systems and learn about algorithms for data science. The 48 credit degree can be completed through classes that begin every 8 weeks.

The online master of science in data science from CUNY School of Professional Studies was previously referred to as the MS in data analytics. In the renamed degree, online students will build portfolios from their knowledge on programming languages, predictive and prescriptive models and complete a capstone project on solutions to real-world problems. The 36 credit program is also offered through bridge courses in R programming, SQL and data science math.

Data ScienceTech Institute in France has a part-time International Executive MSc in Applied Data Science & Big Data that is delivered online in a format the school refers to as a small private online course program. Courses include pre-recorded material as well as live video meetings with instructors. Information is organized into modules covering information systems, applied data science and big data, business and industrial applications, ethics and law, and engineering projects.
Applicants should have a four-year degree with relevant work experience. Classes are available in English, with students entering the program in October or March. Students can complete the program in 18 months. Graduates are prepared to take two certification exams: AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate and SAS Enterprise Miner.

The Data Science Tech Institute offers a full-time MSc in Applied Data Science & Big Data that requires students to complete six months of classwork and a four-to-six month project. Students are expected to attend classes for about five hours a day and also work on engineering projects assigned with their classes. Online students will complete the program by taking on a data science engineering project for a specific industrial application. They will research and write a proposal for a solution. Classes are delivered in English in sessions that run from September to April or from March to October. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree or higher, and those with a four-year degree should have some work experience.

Drexel’s online data science master’s degree if a combination of computer science and information systems with coursework on analytics, mining, visualization and project management and accountability. Delivered by the College of Computing and Informatics, this 45 credit program explored machine and deep learning, database management and human-computer interaction.

Students in the Master of Science in Data Science program at Elmhurst College can complete the program in two years of part-time study, with all coursework offered online. The program covers skills in statistics, computer science, and business to prepare students for a career in data science. All candidates must complete two project-based courses. The college is pursuing accreditation of the program as a Professional Science Master’s degree. Applicants with a bachelor’s degree in any field are welcome to apply. However, all applicants must have passed a basic statistics course and have taken computer science coursework. The college offers online, non-credit courses to meet those prerequisites. Applicants must show at least a year of profession experience and will be interviewed by the program directors.

Professionals seeking a Master of Data Science can complete the degree online through the Illinois Institute of Technology. The degree requires 33 credits, including a six-credit summer practicum. Applicants should have a bachelor’s degree in a STEM field or in a business field and a GPA of 3.0. Students who do not have a technical background take a placement exam to determine which prerequisite computer science or math classes they have to take. Full-time students typically complete the program in 12 to 16 months, and part-time students can earn the degree in two years. The data science program has partnerships with companies such as Accenture, Accuen and Siemens, who provide software and other tools, guest lecturers, and real-world data for students.

Students in the Master of Science in Data Science program at Indiana University Bloomington can complete all the required classwork in an online format. Indiana’s 30-credit program includes 12 core credits and 18 elective credits, giving students the flexibility to tailor the program to their interests. The data science program offers two paths, one technical and one for decision-makers. Applicants are not required to have a specific undergraduate degree, but they should have a background in statistics and computer programming languages. Applicants must submit GRE scores, although the university will waive the requirement for students who have relevant work experience or another graduate degree. Full-time students typically finish the degree in two years or less, and all students must complete the degree within five years.

The Institute of Technology Blanchardstown, in Ireland, offers an online program leading to a Master of Science in Computer in Applied Data Science and Analytics. Courses in this program have a live lecture component, delivered via Adobe Connect, and an asynchronous component of recorded lectures and other resources. The program is designed to meet the needs of two different groups. Students who are new to the discipline will follow a track that requires six taught course modules and a research project. Students who have a background in data science enter a track that requires three courses and more time in research modules. Applicants should have a bachelor’s degree in computing, IT, or a similar field. Applicants should have an undergrad GPA of 2.5 or higher.

Students seeking a Master of Science in Data Science through Johns Hopkins University can earn the degree online. The curriculum requires students to complete 10 courses, with eight required courses and two electives. Candidates must complete all the coursework within five years. Applicants should have a bachelor’s degree in a technical field with a 3.0 or higher GPA. The university may waive the GPA requirement for students with significant relevant work experience. Applicants must submit a detailed work resume, but there is no requirement for GRE scores. Prerequisite undergraduate classes for this program include multivariate calculus; discrete math, differential equations, or linear algebra; courses in Java, C++, or Python with a programming methodology course; and data structures.

The online master of digital sciences program at Kent State offers a concentration on data science where students learn more on enterprise architecture, data architecture and analysis methods and technologies. Students will complete 32 credit online degree with or without a thesis option and have the option of attending on-campus courses if desired.

Students enrolled in the online Master of Science in Data Science offered by Lewis University have a choice of concentrations: Computational Biology and Bioinformatics or Computer Science. The program requires students to complete 36 credits, and many students complete the program in 18 to 24 months. Classes are delivered online in eight-week terms, and most students take one or two courses per term. Applicants should have a bachelor’s degree with a GPA of at least 3.0. Applicants are required to have taken college calculus, and all students in the program take several math classes. Additionally, students will be required to work in mathematical programming languages, such as R or Matlab, and in traditional computer programming languages, such as C++, Java or Python.

Loyola University Maryland has a Master of Science in Data Science that is delivered in a mostly hybrid format, combining online work with in-class activities. The program requires students to complete 31 credits, including a one-credit course offered at Loyola’s Columbia Graduate Center in Columbia, Maryland. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree and must meet prerequisites for introductory courses in statistics and computer science/programming, with a preference for Python. The admissions committee also looks for “mathematical maturity.” Applicants must submit an essay describing how earning the degree will help them fulfill their professional goals. A letter of recommendation and resume may also be submitted. GMAT or GRE scores are not required. Students can complete the program in five semesters.

Merrimack College offers a 100-percent online program leading to a Master of Science in Data Science that is a collaboration between the School of Engineering and the School of Business. To earn the degree, students must complete eight courses that combine theory and practice. For the capstone, students focus on computational programming and multi-source analytics. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree and at least two years of work experience in a related field. All applicants must submit transcripts, a resume, a personal statement, and two references. Students can enter the program at six points during the year. Classes are delivered in eight-week sessions, with two sessions in the spring, fall, and summer. Students can complete the degree in 15 months.

Northcentral’s online master of science in data science can be completed in 23 months with coursework in the data lifecycle, turning unstructured data into datasets, data mining, and visualization. Students also engage in coursework on ethics, legal work with data and security risks. New classes begin every Monday and the 30 credit degree is completed after 10 courses.

The Spears School of Business at Oklahoma State University offers a Master of Science in Information Systems that has an option to specialize in data science. The option is designed for IT professionals who want to gain skills in analytics and the technical platforms that are used to support business analytics. All courses are available online. Applicants must have an undergraduate degree, but it does not have to be in a business field. Required application materials include GRE or GMAT scores, three recommendations, a resume, a statement of purpose, and official transcripts. Students are only admitted into the program for the fall semester. The curriculum requires 33 credits, including classes in a common core and 12 credits in the specialization option.

Students seeking a Master of Science in Data Science from Regis University gain a background in data engineering and data analytics. The program is offered in a fully online format, and students may start the program at six points in the year, coinciding with the start of eight-week course terms. The degree requires 36 credits, including 18 core credits, 12 elective credits, and six practicum credits. Applicants should have a bachelor’s degree with a GPA of 3.0 or higher and must have knowledge of statistics and computer programming. The application process requires students to submit an essay/career goals statement, official transcripts, and a resume. Students without the required GPA or work experience have to take a foundation course.

Students in the online Master of Science in Data Science at Saint Mary’s College must attend one weekend session each August at the campus in Notre Dame, Indiana. The 36-credit program requires students to complete a practicum and make a practicum presentation. The program begins in the fall and can be completed in five to six semesters. Applicants should have a bachelor’s degree in a quantitative field, such as a STEM degree or business with a quantitative emphasis, or work experience in a technical or quantitative area. Applicants should have a GPA of 3.0 or higher and must submit GRE, GMAT or LSAT scores. Core competencies include two semesters of calculus, computer programming (Python is preferred), and familiarity with statistics and linear algebra.

The online master of science with specialization in data science engineering is offered from UCLA Engineering. With coursework in data structures, analytics, machine learning algorithms and work with Bayesian networks, the 36 credit degree can be completed in two years and one quarter with enrollment during the summer.

The University of California Riverside offers an entirely online program leading to a Master of Science in Engineering with a specialization in Data Science. Students can complete the nine-course program in a year. The curriculum includes four core courses in engineering management, four courses in data science, and a design project. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related field such as physics or math. Applicants should have work experience as an engineer and must submit GRE or FE scores. Test scores may be waived for students who have at least two years of work experience for an engineering company. Other factors considered in the admissions decision include GPA, professional certifications, and letters of reference.

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign offers a completely online program for its Master of Science in Computer Science’s Data Science Track. The Department of Computer Science offers the degree in partnership with the Department of Statistics and Graduate School of Library and Information Sciences. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree with a GPA of 3.2 or higher. A degree in computer science is preferred, but applicants with a background in computer programming, data structures, and algorithms are also accepted. Lectures are delivered through the Coursera MOOC platform, but faculty members advise and assess student’s work in an additional “high-engagement” component. The curriculum requires students to complete eight semester-long classes, which will be delivered as two shorter Coursera courses plus the high-engagement component.