Turn Information Into Insights With an Online Master’s in Data Science
Do you want to help organizations use big data to understand the present—and improve the future? Prepare to pursue an engaging career in data science with Walden’s MS in Data Science program.
Taught by subject matter experts, our curriculum equips you with hands-on experience using industry-leading tools in today’s latest cloud environments. You’ll study practical, sought-after skills to help you become even more effective in your job. Our online master’s in data science program also prepares you to use big data in an ethical way—so you can drive meaningful change for your employer and society at large.
An online data science degree prepares students to use digital data and tools to solve critical, real-world problems in business and industry.
Why Choose Walden?
Program Details
Curriculum
- 45 quarter credits
- Core courses (45 qtr. cr.)
View the COMPLETE CURRICULUM PLAN.
Admission Requirements
To be considered for this master’s program, you must have a technical bachelor’s degree or at least one year of relevant professional experience in information technology and meet the general admission requirements. You also must submit a résumé. Proficiency in at least one modern programming language is highly recommended but not required. All applicants must submit a completed online application and transcripts.
More information for international applicants.
Questions about the courses you will take?
The progress you make now pays you back. You’ll receive your final courses tuition-free, depending on your program.
We believe you can achieve your goals—and we’re here to support you along your journey.
Request information to learn more about scholarships and financial aid.
*Tuition and fees are subject to change. See Tuition and Fees section and Scholarship Details for more information.
| Curriculum Component | Requirements | Cost | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | 45 quarter credit hours | $555 per quarter hour | $24,975 |
| Program Fee | Per quarter | $175 | $875 |
| $25,850** | |||
| BELIEVE & ACHIEVE SCHOLARSHIP YOUR TUITION | -$5,550 $20,300* | ||
*Represents minimum time to completion and Believe & Achieve Scholarship. Your actual total program time and costs may vary. Believe & Achieve Scholarship savings based on current tuition. See Scholarship Details for more information.
**Tuition reflects the minimum time to completion. Time to completion varies by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. Tuition and time to complete may be reduced if transfer credits are accepted, or if you receive grants, scholarships, or other tuition reductions. Walden may accept up to 20 transfer credits. For a personalized estimate of the number of your transfer credits that Walden would accept, call an Enrollment Specialist at 844-529-2438.
Tuition and fees are subject to change. Books and materials are not included and may cost up to an additional $1,000 and $1,400.
Program Outcomes
Gain In-Demand Data Analysis Skills
Our online master’s in data science program integrates core business, compliance, and management principles with the rigorous, hands-on training you need to excel in your field. Explore machine learning as you discover how to collect, analyze, and visualize an ever-growing volume of data from information systems. Learn to share insights with stakeholders to empower better decision-making. Work toward becoming the voice of data responsibility and the go-to data expert in your organization and beyond.
Career Outlook – Online Master’s in Data Science
Now more than ever, businesses need data scientists to help them interpret and leverage a growing volume of raw data. An online data science degree program can help provide you with the hands-on training and specialized technical knowledge necessary to fill this pressing need.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of computer and information research scientists is projected to grow 21% from 2021 to 2031 with about 3,300 openings each year on average, over the decade.1
An MS in Data Science degree can prepare you to pursue career options such as:2
- Computer scientist/specialist
- Control system computer scientist
- Research scientist
- Scientific programmer analyst
An MS in Data Science degree can prepare you to work in settings such as:
- Government organizations
- Educational institutions
- Retail organizations
- Financial institutions
Career options may require additional experience, training, or other factors beyond the successful completion of this degree program.
Learning Outcomes
Graduates of Walden’s master’s in data science online program will be prepared to:
- Evaluate emerging technical developments that apply to data science.
- Analyze current technologies that provide practical solutions to data science problems.
- Explore the role of supporting technologies for data science in data-driven decision-making.
- Analyze legal, ethical, professional, and social issue elements within the domain of data science.
- Differentiate how the techniques and tools of big data predictive analytics can be used to add “business value” in data-driven decision-making in the modern workplace.
Meet Your Academic Team
FAQ About Walden’s Online MS in Data Science
Data science is the process of extracting insights from data. Using computer algorithms along with their own analytical skills, data scientists look for previously unrecognized connections between data points and use those connections to help improve efficiencies, target consumers, develop new products, and/or augment business strategies. It’s a field made possible by a connected, computerized world—and it’s a field that’s growing.
Earning an MS in Data Science degree from Walden can help you gain valuable knowledge and skills in your field. Some of the most crucial skill sets include:
Communication: Individuals need to know how to communicate their key findings with stakeholders to ensure their work is effective. Refining their communication style helps data scientists formulate what business insights are most important and how they can use data to create a unique snapshot of their customers.
Collaboration: Data scientists bring significant value to organizations, but they must collaborate effectively with other departments to be successful. Involving stakeholders in a variety of departments gives data scientists a well-rounded view of the organization.
Predictive Analytics: Organizations use predictive analytics in many different ways, including data mining and artificial intelligence algorithms to update and optimize business decisions. A data scientist can offer insights with predictive analytics to make informed and educated decisions to benefit the organization.
Problem-Solving: A key skill in driving important business decisions is the ability to view a challenge from many perspectives. This approach allows data scientists to understand the issue they’re trying to resolve and use their skills and tools to address and drive good business decisions.
If you are interested in pursuing a degree in this expanding and important field, you should consider enrolling in an online master’s program. An online MS in Data Science program can give you the knowledge and skills you need to help organizations understand and harness big data. Plus, if you choose an online university like Walden, you can earn an MS in Data Science and learn from a curriculum that features real-world case studies and hands-on exercises—all from wherever you have internet access.
Programming is crucial to the field of data science, so it is beneficial for students to have at least a foundational understanding before pursuing a master’s degree in the field. That’s because programming helps data scientists to process, analyze, and generate predictions from data. Python, R, and SQL are just a few of the programming languages used to tackle specific tasks. Sifting through and analyzing large datasets is a key part of the job, so the ability to understand one or more of these languages is essential.
1Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Computer and Information Research Scientists (SOC code 15-1221). National long-term job growth projections and salary estimates may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions, do not guarantee actual job growth or salaries, and are subject to change.
2National Center for O*NET Development. Computer and Information Research Scientists (SOC code 15-1221). O*NET OnLine.