Online Master’s Degree in Data Science
Master of Science in Data Science
Stand out in one of the fastest growing fields in today’s job market with Drexel University’s online Master’s degree in Data Science. In this program, you’ll focus on helping your company solve problems by creating machine learning algorithms to examine and manipulate data. The interdisciplinary curriculum ensures you’ll be prepared with the wide-ranging skills you need on the job, so you’ll emerge workplace-ready and experienced with the relevant industry technology. Apply the skills you learn across a variety of fields, from banking to healthcare and everything in between.
Learn more about the four fastest growing jobs in the field.
About the online MS in Data Science
Drexel’s online data science master’s is a compilation of computer science and information systems. Throughout your courses, you’ll learn to manipulate and summarize data; dig deeper into data and text mining; determine trends; and craft your findings into a story that can be clearly communicated to your organization.
In addition to your core classes, you have the option of choosing between three elective tracks:
- Analytics, Mining, and Algorithms
- Visualization and Communication
- Management and Accountability
The program culminates with a capstone project.
The online MS in Data Science is housed in Drexel’s College of Computing and Informatics (CCI). Drexel’s CCI is a founder and leading institution in the National Science Foundation’s primary big data Industry University Cooperative Research Center (IUCRC), the Center for Visualization and Decision Informatics. In addition to learning from CCI faculty, you’ll have the opportunity to take classes throughout Drexel’s colleges, making it a truly interdisciplinary degree.
What is Data Science?
Businesses are becoming increasingly reliant on professionals who can make sense of the mass amounts of data they acquire every day. For data scientists, the key to this is tool creation: creating new processes, algorithms and products that can mine and analyze that data to help their companies make strategic decisions. Along with using machine learning and coding to problem solve, data scientists rely on their math, technology and business skills to effectively extract meaning from data.
What is the difference between data science and data analytics?
Though many use the terms interchangeably, there is a big difference between data science and data analytics. Data analysts do what their name implies: they analyze large amounts of data to try and find patterns that can inform their organizations’ future decisions. Data scientists, on the other hand, are much more focused on technology. They design, develop and use tools to help in sifting through data, then present their findings to help their organizations make strategic decisions.
Who should earn a Master’s Degree in Data Science?
It’s a common misconception that data science degrees are only for people with a technology background. In fact, anyone with good quantitative abilities can pursue a data science degree. Drexel’s online master’s degree in data science is designed for working professionals who are interested in building on their existing skills to become leaders in the data science field. The program aims to make you workplace-ready by combining foundation knowledge, applied training and computational problem-solving to help you excel in the field.
What salary can I earn with a Master’s Degree in Data Science?
According to a 2017 IBM report, data science and analytics (DSA) job openings are expected to grow by 15% by 2020, with prospects specifically for data scientists and advanced analysts growing by 28%. However, DSA jobs remain some of the hardest positions to fill, staying on the market almost a week longer than the average posting. The reason? There’s a shortage of professionals with the education and experience needed to fill key roles, with 39% of data scientist and advanced analyst roles requiring a graduate-level degree.
Job Title
Salary*
Data Scientist
$129,000
Computer and Information Research Scientist
$133,750
Computer Systems Analyst
$111,350
Market Research Analyst
$87,550
Operations Research Analyst
$89,300
*Data from Wanted Analytics
Related Programs
- Graduate Certificate in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for Data Science
- Graduate Certificate in Big Data Analytics
- Graduate Certificate in Computational Data Science
Drexel University offers a variety of Graduate Minors that can be added to any master's degree program.
State restrictions may apply to some programs.
Curriculum
This program is organized into four 10-week quarters per year (as opposed to the traditional two semester system) which means you can take more courses in a shorter time period. One semester credit is equivalent to 1.5 quarter credits.
You may transfer up to 9 approved credits (3 courses) into the program.
Required Core Courses | ||
DSCI 511 | Data Acquisition and Pre-Processing | 3.0 |
DSCI 521 | Data Analysis and Interpretation | 3.0 |
DSCI 591 | Data Science Capstone I | 3.0 |
DSCI 592 | Data Science Capstone II | 3.0 |
DSCI 631 | Applied Machine Learning for Data Science | 3.0 |
DSCI 632 | Applied Cloud Computing | 3.0 |
Analytics Electives | 6.0 | |
Choose two of the following: | ||
CS 510
|
Introduction to Artificial Intelligence | |
CS 583
|
Introduction to Computer Vision | |
CS 613
|
Machine Learning | |
CS 615
|
Deep Learning | |
CS 660
|
Data Analysis at Scale | |
DSCI 501
|
Quantitative Foundations of Data Science | |
DSCI 691
|
Natural Language Processing with Deep Learning | |
INFO 623
|
Social Network Analytics | |
INFO 624
|
Information Retrieval Systems | |
INFO 659
|
Introduction to Data Analytics | |
Algorithms Elective | 3.0 | |
Choose one of the following: | ||
CS 521
|
Data Structures and Algorithms I | |
CS 540
|
High Performance Computing | |
CS 570
|
Programming Foundations | |
CS 647
|
Distributed Systems Software | |
CS 676
|
Parallel Programming | |
Visualization and Communication Elective | 3.0 | |
Choose one of the following: | ||
CS 530
|
Developing User Interfaces | |
CS 537
|
Interactive Computer Graphics | |
CS 630
|
Cognitive Systems | |
INFO 608
|
Human-Computer Interaction | |
INFO 633
|
Information Visualization | |
INFO 648
|
Healthcare Informatics | |
INFO 690
|
Understanding Users: User Experience Research Methods | |
INFO 691
|
Prototyping the User Experience | |
INFO 725
|
Information Policy and Ethics | |
Management and Accountability Elective | 3.0 | |
Choose one of the following: | ||
CS 500
|
Fundamentals of Databases | |
CS 590
|
Privacy | |
CS 661
|
Responsible Data Analysis | |
CT 500
|
Introdction to the Digital Environment | |
CT 600
|
Cloud Technology | |
CT 605
|
Cloud Security and Virtual Evironments | |
CT 610
|
Disaster Recovery, Continuity Planning, and Digital Risk Assessment | |
CT 620
|
Security, Policy, and Governance | |
INFO 590
|
Foundations of Data and Information | |
INFO 591
|
Data and Digital Stewardship | |
INFO 605
|
Database Management Systems | |
INFO 606
|
Advanced Database Management | |
INFO 607
|
Applied Database Technologies | |
INFO 646
|
Information Systems Management | |
INFO 662
|
Metadata and Resource Description | |
INFO 712
|
Information Assurance | |
SE 578
|
Security Engineering | |
Additional Electives | 12.0 | |
Choose four courses from the above elective areas not used to fulfill the concentration requirement | ||
Total Credits | 45.0 |
Admissions Criteria
- A four-year bachelor's degree in any major from a regionally accredited institution in the United States or an equivalent international institution
- Those without a prior degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or Math (plus programming) may have to take additional prerequisites before pursuing advanced computer science courses
- 3.0 GPA preferred in a prior completed degree, bachelors or above
Required Documents
With multiple ways to submit documents, Drexel makes it easy to complete your application. Learn more by visiting our Completing Your Application Guide.
- A completed application
- Official transcripts from all universities or colleges and other post-secondary educational institutions attended (including trade schools)
- One letter of recommendation, two suggested (academic, professional, or both)
- Essay/Statement of Purpose
- In approximately 500 words, describe what professional goals you hope to achieve, how an advanced degree facilitates that success, and anything else you want the Admissions Review Board to know about you.
- Resume
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Scores are not required
- Additional requirements for International Students
Tuition
The tuition rate for the academic year 2022-2023 is $1396 per credit.
- This program is eligible for Financial Aid.
- Special tuition rates available for Drexel University Alumni, Military members, and members of our Partner Organizations
- These rates apply only to new online students and students being readmitted.
- Tuition rates are subject to increase with the start of each academic year in the fall term.
- All students must contact applyDUonline@drexel.edu within the first two weeks of the term to request tuition savings for which they qualify.
- Special rates cannot be combined. If you qualify for more than one special rate, you'll be given the one with the largest savings.
- When receiving special tuition plans with Drexel University Online, you may not combine them with other tuition benefits that may be available from Drexel University.
Academic Calendar
2022-2023 Academic Year
Term
Classes Begin
Classes End
Exams Begin
Exams End
Fall 2022
September 19, 2022
December 3, 2022
December 5, 2022
December 10, 2022
Winter 2023
January 9, 2023
March 18, 2023
March 20, 2023
March 25, 2023
Spring 2023
April 3, 2023
June 10, 2023
June 12, 2023
June 17, 2023
Summer 2023
June 26, 2023
September 2, 2023
September 4, 2023
September 9, 2023
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