Program Overview

Master of Science in Engineering - Data Science

The Master of Science in Engineering with a specialization in Data Science from the University of California, Riverside, is designed to teach students how to distill valuable insights from sizable amounts of data. The online program allows graduates to develop efficient techniques to identify, analyze, and visualize hidden patterns within data groups to extract critical information.

Overview

The program prepares students to become leaders in the growing field of data analysis. Coursework is designed to provide students with a sound foundation to meet the current need for data management and administration professionals.

Calendar

• Winter:
  • Application Deadline: November 1, 2025
  • Upcoming Start Date: January 5, 2026
• Spring:
  • Application Deadline: February 1, 2026
  • Upcoming Start Date: March 30, 2026
• EXPEDITED: Graduate in as few as 13 months
• 100% ONLINE: No residency requirement
• ACCOMMODATING: Enjoy flexible admissions and three start dates

Why a Master's Degree in Data Science Online?

The demand for professionals with data science and analytical skills has created many lucrative possibilities. Data scientists can work for a variety of companies, and according to career site Glassdoor.com, data scientists can earn approximate annual salaries of $100,000 to $130,000.

Careers

Graduating with a master's in data science can lead to various professional opportunities spanning several industrial sectors, including:

• Chief Data Officer
• E-commerce Data Specialist
• Social Media Data Analyst

Curriculum

The online Master of Science in Engineering is a comprehensive engineering program that encompasses both leadership strategy and technical skills. Coursework includes:

• 16 credits of core engineering classes
• 16 credits within the Data Science specialization The program does not include a required residency. Instead, students participate in 4 one-credit capstone courses throughout the program.

MSEDS Core Courses / 16 credit hours

• Engineering in the Global Environment (4)
• Technology Innovation and Strategy for Engineers (4)
• Introduction to Systems Engineering (4)
• Principles of Engineering Management (4)

Data Science Specialization / 16 credit hours

Choose 4 from the following options:

• Foundations of Applied Machine Learning (4)
• Application of Visualization in Data Science (4)
• Data Mining Techniques (4)
• Advanced Computer Vision (4)
• Statistical Computing (4)
• Statistical Mining Methods (4)
• Machine Learning (4)
• Information Retrieval & Web Search (4)
• Data Visualization & Big Data Tools (4)

Admission Requirements

The following criteria are considered during the admission process:

• A bachelor's degree in engineering, STEM, or a related field from a regionally accredited institution
• Official transcripts
• GPA 3.0 or higher cumulative undergraduate
• TOEFL or IELTS scores (for international applicants)
• Evidence of significant professional engineering experience, if applicable
• Professional certifications, if applicable
• Reference letters
• Applicants of the bioengineering specialization are expected to have taken a course in Differential Equations

University Details

The University of California, Riverside's online Master's in Data Science Program is ranked #17 by U.S. News & World Report among Best Online Information Technology programs. The University of California, Riverside is regionally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

Faculty

The University of California, Riverside has a commitment to excellence and a proven track record of innovation and collaboration. Faculty members include:

• Dr. Tom Fryer
• Dan Jeske, Ph.D.
• Christian Shelton, Ph.D.
• Craig Schroeder, Ph.D.
• Eamonn Keogh, Ph.D.
• Ravi Ravishankar, Ph.D.
• Vagelis Hristidis Christidis, Ph.D.
• Salman Asif, Ph.D.
• Amit Roy-Chowdhury, Ph.D.
• Bahram Mobasher, Ph.D.
• James Flegal, Ph.D.

Student Outcomes

Our students come from a variety of backgrounds, creating a multi-disciplinary learning environment that generates cross-functional engineering leaders. Alumni have reported that the knowledge they gained from the program is very applicable to their work and that they were inspired to do even more research.

Program Details

• Total tuition: $36,396
• Duration: 12-30 months
• Modality: Online