Masters of Science (MS) in Data Science Program

Who is this Master's in Data Science program for?

Drexel’s College of Computing & Informatics' Master of Science in Data Science (MSDS) is designed for students with or without a bachelor’s degree in Data Science. The flexible curriculum seamlessly accommodates tech professionals looking for advanced training as well as professionals in other areas who wish to enhance their professional roles with data science skills.

Graduates of the MS in Data Science program collect, manage and analyze massive, “noisy,” and fast-growing datasets, leading to unique discoveries, insights, and value for a variety of industries, including healthcare, finance and/or business operations.

For students with a technical background: You will choose from courses that provide practically focused, yet technically rigorous, training in machine learning, data-intensive computing, large-scale data management, algorithmic and data ethics, data visualization and cognitive systems.

For students without a technical background: You will learn how to manage and leverage data assets for real-world decision making and problem solving, modeling and related activities. The plan of study provides you with a comprehensive overview of applied data science topics, including data organization and stewardship, mining, retrieval, visualization and analytics.

Fast Facts

Master's in Data Science Program Overview

Whether you are looking to gain data analytics knowledge to enhance your current role or seeking a career change, our Master of Science in Data Science (MSDS) program will provide you with the skills, perspective and expertise to succeed in today’s rapidly changing information and technology driven economy.

This dynamic, interdisciplinary program is taught by world-class faculty from across CCI's computing and informatics disciplines.

Our graduate program in Data Science provides you a strong general foundation as well as a self-determined specialization in this discipline. Through the application of data science methods, development of computational tools and algorithms, and management of data and information to solve data-centric problems, you will gain valuable insights and learn to communicate them to diverse audiences.

Request More Information

Be in touch with us to get answers to all your questions! We can connect you with a Recruitment Specialist, one of our Graduate Dean’s Ambassadors, or a faculty member to help. Contact our graduate recruitment team at cciinfo@drexel.edu and we’ll get back to you soon.

Meet Data Science Alumni

Master's in Data Science Curriculum

IMPORTANT NOTE: Drexel operates on the quarter, not semester, system, offering classes during four 10-week terms throughout the year. (You are not required to take classes every quarter, but full-time students must complete the degree in 3 years.)

Our master’s degrees are 45 credits (15 courses) which is equivalent to 30-33-credit degrees at other universities. The benefit of the quarter system is that students receive instruction in more topic areas than through the semester system and have more freedom to personalize their curriculum using electives.

This degree is available through a traditional curriculum or a modular certificate curriculum:

Traditional Curriculum

CCI's Master’s Degree in Data Science consists of four required courses and eleven electives, drawing from three tracks -- Analytics, Mining and Algorithms; Visualization and Communication; and Management and Accountability. You will choose your electives to customize your degree based on your goals. These electives help you gain hands-on experience in computation and the opportunity to analyze real datasets with state-of-the-art tools and systems.

A capstone project affords you the opportunity to gain practical, real-world industry experience within your area of interest and use your new knowledge before graduation.

Full-time, on-campus students who are accepted for fall and winter term admissions can also choose a Graduate Co-op option. Please visit the Steinbright Career Development Center to learn more about cooperative education and its benefits.

Please visit Drexel’s Course Catalog for a full description of each required course and elective for this program. You can also find a sample Plan of Study for the degree.

Modular Certificate Curriculum

This curriculum allows you to select three certificates of 5 courses each in order to 1.) gain a foundation in Data Science principles and practice, and 2.) focus in-depth on specific skills and knowledge through certificates. Following the modular option enables you to earn at least two marketable credentials – skills set-based certificates – on your way to completing the master’s degree. 

There are a variety of possible certificate combinations. For example:

Certificate #1: You choose one of the following certificates (* indicates the certificate requires a technical background):

• Introduction to Data Science
• Applied Data Science*
• Computational Data Science*

Certificate #2: Depending on the choice of the first certificate, you will choose one of the following certificates:

• Applied Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for Data Science
• Applied Data Science*
• Computational Data Science*
• Big Data Analytics*

Certificate #3 or Coursework: In addition to the selected certificate(s), you will work closely with an academic advisor to determine coursework or a third certificate to meet your educational goals and the requirements to complete the degree program.

A capstone project gives you the opportunity to gain practical, real-world industry experience within your area of interest and to use your new knowledge before graduation.

Full-time, on-campus students who are accepted for fall and winter term admissions can also choose a Graduate Co-op option. Please visit the Steinbright Career Development Center to learn more about cooperative education and its benefits.

Where Our Data Science Graduates Work

• Lincoln Financial Group
• Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP)
• Penn Medicine (University of Pennsylvania)
• Comcast
• Merck
• Johnson & Johnson
• Deloitte
• Boomi

Data Science Career Outlook

Data Science, like all disciplines within the computer and information sciences, has a very healthy employment outlook. In the case of Data Science, it is predicted that employment will grow more than any other occupation. Read more about this field and the places you can go with this master’s degree here.

Other Drexel CCI Programs in Data Science

Post-Baccalaureate Certificates in:

• Introduction to Data Science
• Applied Data Science
• Computational Data Science
• Applied Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for Data Science
• Applied Data Science
• Computational Data Science
• Big Data Analytics

Admissions Requirements

• A completed application for the online format or on-campus format.
• A four-year bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution in the United States or an equivalent international institution. Please note: Those without a prior degree or sufficient work experience in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or Math (plus programming) may have to take additional prerequisites before pursuing advanced computer science courses.
• A GPA of 3.0 or higher, in a completed degree program, bachelor’s degree or above. 
• Official final transcripts from ALL Colleges/Universities attended. Please note: For students who have attended an institution outside of the US, it is highly recommended to submit a NACES approved course-by-course transcript evaluation (i.e., WES) for expedited review of your application. This approved evaluation will take the place of the transcript requirement to complete your application.
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Scores are not required.
• One letter of recommendation required, two recommended (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.
• Current Resume.
• Additional requirements for International Students.

Please visit our Graduate Admissions section for application deadlines.

Finances

Tuition

Please visit Drexel’s official Graduate Tuition & Fees webpage. Note that this master’s degree requires 45 quarter credits.

Scholarships

There are a variety of sources of financial aid and scholarships to help you fund your master’s degree — explore them here.

Get in Touch

Our Recruitment Specialists are here to walk you through the sometimes confusing world of financing your graduate education. Get in touch with us now by filling out this form.