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  • 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


    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 631 Applied Machine Learning for Data Science 3.0
    DSCI 632 Applied Cloud Computing 3.0
    Required Capstone Courses
    DSCI 591 Data Science Capstone I 3.0
    DSCI 592 Data Science Capstone II 3.0
    Foundational Electives (option to complete a certificate) 6.0
    Choose 2 of the following:
    DSCI 501
    Quantitative Foundations of Data Science
    INFO 620
    Information Systems Analysis and Design
    INFO 633
    Information Visualization
    INFO 690
    Understanding Users: User Experience Research Methods
    INFO 725
    Information Policy and Ethics
    CS 503
    Systems Basics
    CS 501
    Introduction to Programming
    or CS 570
    Programming Foundations
    CS 504
    Introduction to Software Design
    Machine Learning for Data Science Elective (option to complete a certificate) 6.0
    Choose 2 of the following:
    DSCI 641
    Recommender Systems for Data Science
    DSCI 691
    Natural Language Processing with Deep Learning
    CS 583
    Introduction to Computer Vision
    CS 613
    Machine Learning
    CS 614
    Applications of Machine Learning
    CS 615
    Deep Learning
    CS 630
    Cognitive Systems
    Big Data Analytics Elective (option to complete a certificate) 3.0
    Choose 1 of the following:
    CS 540
    High Performance Computing
    CS 647
    Distributed Systems Software
    CS 660
    Data Analysis at Scale
    CT 600
    Cloud Technology
    CT 605
    Cloud Security and Virtual Environments
    INFO 623
    Social Network Analytics
    Data Engineering Elective 3.0
    Choose 1 of the following:
    CS 500
    Fundamentals of Databases
    CS 502
    Data Structures and Algorithms
    CS 521
    Data Structures and Algorithms I
    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 615
    Designing with Data
    INFO 624
    Information Retrieval Systems
    INFO 646
    Information Systems Management
    INFO 662
    Metadata and Resource Description
    INFO 712
    Information Assurance
    SE 578
    Security Engineering
    General Electives 9.0
    Choose 3 of the following:
    CT 500
    Introduction to the Digital Environment
    CT 610
    Disaster Recovery, Continuity Planning and Digital Risk Assessment
    CS 590
    Privacy
    CS 676
    Parallel Programming
    INFO 508
    Information Innovation through Design Thinking
    INFO 517
    Principles of Cybersecurity
    INFO 540
    Perspectives on Information Systems
    INFO 608
    Human-Computer Interaction
    INFO 612
    Knowledge-based Systems
    INFO 629
    Applied Artificial Intelligence
    INFO 690
    Understanding Users: User Experience Research Methods
    INFO 691
    Prototyping the User Experience
    INFO 692
    Explainable Artificial Intelligence
    INFO 693
    Human–Artificial Intelligence Interaction
    The above elective areas not used to fulfill the concentration requirement
    Additional appropriate graduate level (500-899) Computer Science, Software Engineering, or Artificial Intelligence courses with subject codes CS and SE, consulting with your advisor
    Up to 2 appropriate graduate-level (500-899) computing-related courses outside of Computer Science, Software Engineering, and Artificial Intelligence approved by the College
    Optional Coop Experience 0-1
    COOP 500
    Career Management and Professional Development for Master's Degree Students
    Total Credits 45.0-46.0

    View Course Descriptions

    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 related STEM degree plus work experience equal to Drexel's Graduate Certificate in Computer Science Foundations 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 required, 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
    • Additional requirements for International Students

    Tuition

    The tuition rate for the academic year 2023-2024 is $1396 per credit.

    For the academic year 2023-2024, students enrolled in an online graduate academic program will be charged a graduate online program fee of $125 per year.

    • This program is eligible for Financial Aid.
    • Special tuition rates available for Drexel University AlumniMilitary 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

    2023-2024 Academic Year

    Term

    Classes Begin

    Classes End

    Exams Begin

    Exams End

    Fall 2023

    September 26, 2023

    December 9, 2023

    December 11, 2023

    December 16, 2023

    Winter 2024

    January 8, 2024

    March 16, 2024

    March 18, 2024

    March 23, 2024

    Spring 2024

    April 1, 2024

    June 8, 2024

    June 10, 2024

    June 15, 2024

    Summer 2024

    June 24, 2024

    August 31, 2024

    September 3, 2024

    September 7, 2024

     

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