Master’s in Data Science Programs in Texas

Wondering where to go to pursue a master’s in data science? You may be drawn to Texas. In the Lone Star State, you will find a variety of data science graduate programs. From Austin to San Antonio, Denton to Houston, there are options for long-time industry professionals as well as those who’ve just earned their undergraduate in a similar discipline. 

Choosing the Best Master’s in Data Science Program in Texas for You

It can be challenging to determine which program will work for you—from curriculum to class structure to scholarship opportunities available to you. But with thorough research, you can select a master’s program that aligns with your professional goals. Here is a small selection of sponsored master’s in data science degree programs offering GRE/GMAT waivers to eligible students:

Studying Data Science in Texas

Texas is home to more than 17,600 technology firms and the number continues to grow. On top of that, millennials from all over the country—many with an interest in the budding tech industry—are moving to the Lone Star State. Dallas, the third largest city in Texas, welcomed some 43,000 millennials in 2017, according to SmartAsset, a finance tech company. Southwest of Dallas is Austin, which is often cited as one of the country’s major tech hubs. 

Texas also has a number of prestigious universities, many with rigorous data science graduate programs. Here are some highlights:

• At the Gates Computer Science building at the University of Texas at Austin, you’ll find 10 “research clusters” dedicated to collaboration and innovation in areas like AI and data mining. The school’s Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC) has one of the most powerful supercomputers on earth, while the school’s Office of Technology Commercialization is devoted to start-ups and patent development.
• The Department of Computer Science & Engineering at Texas A&M University has a vast range of research labs. The university also has its own office of commercialization, the Texas A&M Technology Commercialization (TTC).
• In 2014, Rice University’sKen Kennedy Institute for Information Technology (K2I) was given a $1.2 million NSF grant to develop big data cloud computing tools. Two years later, the university was also awarded a $1.4 million grant to fund a research training group in data science.
• The University of North Texas and the University of Texas at Dallas (along with Arizona State University) are put of the NSF-funded Net-Centric Software and Systems Center.

Online Data Science Programs in Texas

An online master’s degree in data science may put you on a pathway to a career in information technology and beyond. That being said, choosing a program isn’t always easy. You’ll need to assess what school offers the best curriculum, access to faculty and mentors, and figure out what resources will be available to you if you choose to enroll, before even applying.

If you’re looking for options for distance learning in Texas, it will all depend on the school. You may want to assess how flexible a program will be—part of the appeal of online learning is to be able to fit in your studies with work and personal commitments. You may also want to research internship, research or employment opportunities and any counseling the school may provide.

We compiled a general checklist on what to look for in an online data science program to help you as you gather options. For those of you hoping to zero in on online data science programs in Texas, below, you’ll find a few factors to keep in mind.

Online Graduate Data Science Certificates in Texas

For those who are looking for an alternative to getting an online master’s in data science, a graduate-level certificate program may be a good choice for you. Generally, an online graduate certificate program in data science costs less than a master’s degree and takes less time to complete as well. Completing an online graduate certificate program may give you the chance to get a sense of the field and improve your knowledge and experience before making the commitment to a master’s program.

Unlike California and Illinois, which have a number of online graduate certificate programs in data science, Texas overall has fewer options than these states. One example is Texas A&M University, which offers an online Applied Statistics Certificate.

Online Data Science Master’s in Texas

If you prefer to pursue an online data science master’s at a Texas school rather than a certificate, there are some rigorous options. Texas A&M University’s Online Master of Science in Applied Statistics is one of them. There is also Southern Methodist University’s Online Master’s in Data Science which has been available since 2015.

Learn more about these two schools and the programs they offer: 

Texas A&M University – College Station: Lectures, assignments, exams and grading requirements in the online Master of Science in Applied Statistics program are the same as those within the on-campus program.

Southern Methodist University

Dallas, Texas

Online Master of Science in Data Science from Southern Methodist University

DELIVERY: Online

LENGTH: 33.5 credits

The Master of Science in Data Science program at Southern Methodist University is designed to prepare and develop professionals in the ever-evolving data science field. The interdisciplinary curriculum helps students develop a comprehensive understanding of computer science, statistics, strategic decision-making, ethics and data visualization. Delivered online, the program includes live weekly class meetings, asynchronous coursework and an in-person immersion experience at SMU’s campuses in Dallas and Plano, Texas. Students can choose an accelerated path and complete the degree in 20 months, although most students take 24 months to finish the degree. Applicants should have a strong technical background, and the college requests a GPA of at least 3.0 in bachelor’s degree work. No GRE required. Prerequisites include knowledge of computer programming, two courses in calculus and one in statistics. Cohorts start in May, August and January.

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Online Data Science Bootcamps in Texas

If you live in Texas and are interested in pursuing a career in data science but are unable to earn your master’s in data science, you may want to consider completing a local data science and data analytics bootcamp instead. Data science and data analytics bootcamps in Texas are relatively short, intensive educational programs meant to quickly prepare students for the field of data compared to a master’s degree. While some bootcamps in Texas are dedicated solely to data science, the study of how knowledge is pulled from raw data, or data analytics, the processes by which certain insights are arrived at, other bootcamps cover both data science and data analytics. See our guides to learn more about data science bootcamps or data analytics bootcamps.

Check out our guides to data science data analytics bootcamps in Texas:

• Guide to Data Science and Data Analytics in Austin
• Data Science and Data Analytics Bootcamps in Houston
• Data Science and Data Analytics Bootcamps in Dallas

Online Data Science Courses in Texas

As with online bootcamps, those not wishing to jump into a full-on graduate program might consider online data science courses. Data science online courses may be suitable for professionals working in sectors that increasingly rely on collecting data, like telecommunications, medicine and financial services. Courses will vary depending on the institution, but for those looking to hone their data science skills in Texas, consider looking at the institutions that offer online master’s programs like the University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M university for single course offerings.

Data Science Scholarships in Texas

Are you concerned about what kind of financial assistance is available to data science graduate students at Texas universities? Once you decide to pursue a graduate program in data science, you can begin looking into funding options.

There are scholarships and fellowships across the board from programs in Texas—large and small—and they’re available to students at different graduate levels.

We’ve put together a list of scholarships and fellowships that specifically cover data science degrees offered in the state. Even if you are unsure if you would qualify for some of the more competitive scholarship programs, contact your desired school’s graduate studies office about your financing options. There are additional ways to seek out funding to help you complete your online data science master’s beyond scholarships and fellowships, including grants. Always do the due diligence of researching all of the funding options available to you.

Rice University

Andrew Ladd Memorial Excellence in Computer Science Fellowship: This fellowship is given to a well-qualified graduate student in Rice’s Department of Computer Science. Preference will be given to candidates who have already started their thesis research.

Ken Kennedy-Cray Inc. Fellowship: Supported by an endowment from supercomputer manufacturer Cray Inc., this fellowship is intended to support graduate students at Rice’s Ken Kennedy Institute for Information Technology. Special consideration is given to applicants whose research focuses on high performance computing.

Ken Kennedy Institute Computational Science & Engineering (CS&E) Fellowships: These fellowships are given to qualified undergraduate computational science and engineering students who want to further their studies at Rice University, by earning a graduate degree in computational science and engineering, data analytics and related fields. Those who qualify will receive a $15,000 stipend paid in monthly installments over four years.

Texas Tech University

Rawls College of Business Scholarships: The Rawls COB, which offers an MS in Data Science, lists all of its scholarship opportunities on one page. There are scholarships for undergraduates, graduates, and Ph.D. students. Applicants are reviewed by a scholarship committee.

University of North Texas

G. Brint Ryan College of Business (COB) Scholarships: UNT’s COB, which offers an MS in Business Analytics, has both general scholarships and departmental scholarships available. The school’s detailed list of current scholarships includes financial awards for undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students.

University of Texas at Arlington

STEM Tuition Fellowship: The STEM program is open to full-time engineering and science graduate students who are seeking a doctoral degree. It includes a monthly stipend, 75 percent tuition coverage, a graduate assistantship, and in-state tuition rate. New students in either a doctoral or doctoral-bound program may hold the fellowship for up to five years.

University of Texas at Austin

Department of Computer Science Scholarships: UT Austin provides an extensive list of computer science scholarships—some are only for UT Austin students.

University of Texas at Dallas

Cyber Security Scholarship: UTD’s scholarship is open to undergraduate students and graduate students (MS or Ph.D.) in the Computer Science Department. The scholarship is part of UTD’s efforts as an NSA/DHS Center for Excellence in Information Assurance Education and Research.

Jonsson School of Engineering & Computer Science Fellowships: UTD has many fellowships open to MS students and Ph.D. students at the Jonsson School of Engineering & Computer Science.

Naveen Jindal School of Management (JSOM) Graduate Scholarships: A number of data science degrees at UT Dallas (e.g. business analytics) are offered through JSOM, and you’ll find all kinds of donor-funded scholarships and fellowships on its website.

University of Texas at San Antonio

College of Business (COB) Scholarships: UTSA’s COB, which includes the Department of Information Systems and Cyber Security and the Department of Management Science and Statistics (the department that offers the MS in Data Analytics and the MS in Applied Statistics), has all kinds of scholarships, including the UTSA Presidential Graduate Scholarship.

Scholarship list updated: June 2020

Data Science Events in Texas

The Lone Star State boasts a burgeoning tech industry community. If you’re looking for data science events to gain knowledge or build your network, there are gatherings large and small—from intimate meetups to major events like SXSW. Here’s an overview of what you can expect:

Data Science Meetups & Communities in Texas

Texas plays host to a large number of data science meetups, with interests ranging from data visualizations to machine learning algorithms. Social media has also brought what used to be in-person communities online, through Facebook groups and more.

• Austin Data: With more than 3,000 members, this group has no allegiance to language or technology stacks—its goal is to explore topics around data processing, machine learning and predictive analytics, and data visualization.
• Action Design Network Austin: Founded by Robin Krieglstein, CEO of Live Neuron Labs, this group looks at the intersection of psychology and technology. Members meet each month to explore topics such as behavior design, persuasive technology, behavioral economics, choice architecture, emotional design, cognitive design, positive psychology and more.
• DFW Big Data: This community focuses on AI, NoSQL, large scale analytics and the latest big data tools. DFW Data Science has similar interests.
• Houston Energy Data Science: Since the energy industry is a world unto itself, this meetup aims to bring data scientists together to share subject matter expertise. Experienced practitioners and novices are welcome.
• Houston Science Enthusiasts: Slightly different from the others, this is a Facebook group founded in 2010—originally called Houston Super Secret Science Club—to offer a space for science enthusiasts in the greater Houston area to connect over events and opportunities in Houston. If you’re a data scientist, a tech fan or you specialize in software development, this group is open to you.

Data Science Conferences & Workshops in Texas

Small meetups are one way to engage with like-minded professionals. But you may also want to consider the large data science events Texas has to offer. These events bring tech industry workers of all levels and specialties, from all over the state and the country. Here are a few of them:

• SXSW: The tech track of the South by Southwest conference has grown since its inception. Now, it looks at everything from development & code to entertainment.
• Austin Startup Week: Each year, Austin’s startup community gathers for five days of events that include workshops, demos and networking opportunities. Austin Startup Week promotes entrepreneurship and celebrates those leading the charge in that arena.  
• Data Day Texas: DDT bills itself as the largest independent data conference held in the state. It is usually held at the AT&T Conference Center at the University of Texas at Austin.

Note: Most 2020 events have been rescheduled or canceled due to COVID-19. Visit the websites for each event for updates on the status of their gatherings.

Data Science Jobs in Texas

From its data science graduate programs to its growing tech work force—including data scientists—Texas may be the place where you choose to kickstart your career in data analytics, data science or a related field.

Some major tech firms have a large presence in the state. Here is an overview of the local tech industry:

• Austin has Apple, Google, Facebook and Amazon offices, among other big tech names. Austin is also home to an IBM Research Laboratory.
• Dallas plays host to AT&T, Texas Instruments and State Farm’s Dallas hub. It also Uber and Salesforce have offices here too.
• Houston is getting a new “innovation district”, building on the presence of the likes of IBM, Chevron, and last but not least, NASA.

Data Scientist Salaries in Texas

Data scientist salaries can vary depending on what part of the state you live in, the company you work for, years of experience and your job title. The 2019 median annual wage for computer and information research scientists was $122,840, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. While that refers to national figures, what do things look like in Texas? The annual mean wage for Texas-based computer and information research scientists in 2019 was slightly higher than the national average: $128,970. Computer and information research scientists perform similar functions as data scientists—their work may involve algorithms, machine learning systems and analyzing data.

Data Science Programs in Texas

We found that the following universities in Texas offer Master of Data Science programs (or closely related programs, like MS in Analytics or Master of Business Analytics).

Last updated: June 2020

Data Science Programs in Texas

We found 12 universities in Texas offering Masters of Data Science programs (and/or closely related programs, like MS in Analytics / Masters in Business Analytics).

If you represent a university and would like to contact us about editing any of our listings, or adding new programs, please send an email to info@mastersindatascience.org.

Southern Methodist University

Dallas, Texas

Online Master of Science in Data Science

HOW TO APPLYCURRICULUMCOST

OFFERED BY: Data Science

DELIVERY: Online

LENGTH: 33.5 credits

PRE-REQUISITE TECHNICAL COURSEWORK: technical bachelor's degree

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