Program Overview
Program Overview
The Master's in Data Science (MSDS) program at Northwestern University's School of Professional Studies is designed for working professionals who want to build essential analysis and leadership skills needed for careers in today's data-driven world. The program is offered in part-time and accelerated full-time formats, with a choice of specializations that enable students to create the course of study they need to meet their career goals.
Graduate Programs
- Data Science
- Online Part-time Curriculum
- Compare Accelerated vs. Part-time
- Capstone and Thesis Overview
- Faculty
- Course Schedule, Part-time Program
- Tuition, Fees, and Financial Aid
- Student Leadership Council
- Career Options
Master's in Data Science Online
The online Master's in Data Science (MSDS) program at Northwestern University is designed for working professionals who want to build essential analysis and leadership skills needed for careers in today's data-driven world. The program is offered in part-time and accelerated full-time formats, with a choice of specializations that enable students to create the course of study they need to meet their career goals.
Choose your specialization
Students can choose from five specializations:
- Analytics and Modeling
- Analytics Management
- Artificial Intelligence
- Data Engineering
- Technology Entrepreneurship
- General Data Science
Customize with electives
Students can further customize their studies with a wide range of elective courses, including:
- Financial Machine Learning
- Artificial Intelligence and Deep Learning
- Analytics Systems Engineering
- Business Process Analytics
- Sports Performance Analytics
- Knowledge Engineering
- Intelligent Systems and Robotics
Work in the programming language that meets your needs
The MSDS program features three languages: Python, R, and Go. Students in the data science master's program gain experience with these three languages and can tailor their studies to one language or another.
Build critical skills for a career in data science
As a student in the master's of data science program, you'll learn how to:
- Articulate analytics as a core strategy of data science
- Transform data into actionable insights
- Develop statistically sound and robust analytic solutions
- Demonstrate leadership
- Formulate and manage plans to address business issues
- Evaluate constraints on the use of data
- Assess data structure and data lifecycle
Choose the pace that's right for you
The master's of data science program is offered in part-time and accelerated full-time formats.
Part-Time Option
- Classes are 100% remote
- Part-time format, ideal for busy professionals
- Self-paced — finish in as little as two years
- Begin in any quarter
Accelerated Option
- Blend of online and on-campus courses
- Full-time pace for total immersion
- Complete your degree in just one year
- Begin in the fall quarter
- Student visa eligible
What our students say
I learned the art of possibility, not just within the industry I worked in, but also about the power of understanding data science and using it to transform various industries in the world we live in.”
Sunny Yurasek, MS in Data Science ('20)
The Northwestern name and the predictive analytics aspect of the program have opened many doors for me.”
JR Runez, MS in Data Science ('16)
More about the Master's in Data Science
- Request Information about MSDS
- Part-Time MS in Data Science Online Courses
- Accelerated MS in Data Science Courses
- Admission for Master's Programs
- Tuition and Financial Aid for Data Science
- Registration Information for Master's Programs
- Data Science Careers
- Data Science Program Faculty
- MSDS Student Leadership Council
- Corporate Data Science Training
MS in Data Science Online Courses
Courses range from statistical analysis to database systems to practical machine learning. Explore all the MS in Data Science online courses for full detail on the program's offerings.
Data Science Curriculum
To obtain the Master of Science in Data Science degree, students complete 12 courses that will enable them to build the high-level skills needed for careers in data science. Courses include core courses, specialization courses, a leadership or project management course, and a capstone project or thesis. Curriculum options vary slightly between the part-time and accelerated options.
Master's in Data Science Admission
A variety of factors are considered when your application is reviewed. Background and experience vary from student to student. For a complete list of requirements, see the admission page for SPS graduate programs.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition for the Master's in Data Science program at Northwestern is comparable to other competitive online analytics programs across the nation. Financial aid opportunities exist for students at Northwestern. Complete details can be found on the tuition and financial aid for Data Science page.
Registration Information
Already accepted into the Master's in Data Science program? Get ahead and register for your classes as soon as possible to ensure maximum efficiency in your trajectory.
Data Science Careers
As this interdisciplinary field continues to evolve, data scientists are defining new areas of focus to play key roles at various stages of the business cycle through modeling, engineering, and management. Consequently, professionals with expertise in data analysis, mathematics, machine learning, object-oriented programming, computer science, and business management are in demand across a wide range of industries.
Data Science Program Faculty
MSDS faculty members include data scientists, professional researchers and consultants, social scientists, mathematicians, statisticians, and computer scientists who bring practical real-world experiences to the online classroom and engage with students on an interpersonal level. Most faculty members hold terminal doctoral degrees and have extensive teaching and business experience.
MSDS Student Leadership Council
The MSDS Student Leadership Council strives to broaden awareness of data science in practice and build a sense of community in the program by fostering relationships among students, alumni, and leading industry professionals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can you do with a data science degree?
A master’s in data science from SPS can help you unlock a variety of in-demand career options across industries. Due to the ever-growing volume of data on everything from public health to consumer buying patterns, virtually every company and organization relies on experts in data science to make informed decisions and improve operations.
Why is data science important?
Data science is a critical tool in making sense of the otherwise incomprehensible volumes of information all around us. By employing statistical analysis, machine learning, and data mining techniques, data scientists can identify trends, patterns, and correlations that might otherwise remain hidden.
What are the prerequisites for the master’s in data science program at Northwestern?
In order to be considered for the part-time online master’s in data science program, you must have a four-year U.S. bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution or foreign equivalent. A background that demonstrates strong quantitative reasoning skills is also preferred, but not required.
How long does it take to complete the part-time master’s in data science program?
The online data science master’s program at SPS is designed to be completed within two to five years. Because most students balance their studies with full-time jobs, the average course load is one or two classes per quarter.
What if I’m not sure if the master’s in data science program is right for me?
If you’re feeling unsure about joining in the online data science master’s program, consider enrolling in a certificate program first. Northwestern’s School of Professional Studies offers certificates in Analytics and Modeling, Analytics Management, Data Engineering, Health Data Science, and Technology Entrepreneurship. With the stackable certificate option, you can complete a four-course program for graduate-level credit and later apply that credit toward your master’s in data science degree.