This is an old revision of the document!
http://datascience.nyu.edu/what-is-data-science/
http://www.datasciencecentral.com/profiles/blogs/17-analytic-disciplines-compared
http://radar.oreilly.com/2011/08/data-science-social-science-academic.html
http://www.mastersindatascience.org/schools/23-great-schools-with-masters-programs-in-data-science/
http://www.datasciencecentral.com/profiles/blogs/top-five-data-science-masters-programs
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-i-left-my-masters-program-charles-pensig-1
Southern Methodist University
- Degree: Master of Science in Data Science
- School: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Lyle School of Engineering and Meadows School of the Arts
- Location: Dallas, Texas
- Full-Time Program: 18–24 months
- Part-Time Program: Yes
- Online Option: Yes
DataScience@SMU is an online Master of Science in Data Science program from Southern Methodist University that is designed for working professionals. The program features a project-based, interdisciplinary curriculum that helps students build the in-demand technical, analytical and communications skills needed to manage large data sets.
Students attend an in-person immersion, participate in live, weekly online classes and complete interactive coursework that provides a comprehensive understanding of computer science, statistics, strategic behavior and data visualization. GRE waivers are available for experienced applicants.
University of California, Berkeley
- Degree: Online Master of Information and Data Science (MIDS)
- School: School of Information
- Location: Berkeley, CA
- Full-Time Program: 12-20 months
- Part-Time Program: Yes
- Online Option: Yes
UC Berkeley’s Master of Information and Data Science is a new degree intended for professionals who want to learn how to solve real-world problems in the data science realm. Students emerge with a solid understanding of the data lifecycle using the latest tools and methods for gaining insights from data.
Although all coursework is delivered online, students are expected to attend a 4-5 day immersion session on the UC Berkeley campus.
University of San Francisco
- Degree: Master of Science in Analytics
- School: College of Arts and Sciences
- Location: San Francisco, CA
Full-Time Program: 1 year
Part-Time Program: No
Online Option: No
Students in USF’s interdisciplinary program master the methods and technologies tied to strategic decisions; develop technical skills such as software development and statistical analysis, as well as the skills needed to effectively communicate their results.
Students are required to complete:
35 Units: Including courses on data mining, machine learning, statistical models, predictive analytics, econometrics, optimization, risk analysis, etc.
Analytics Boot Camp: Three five-week intensive courses from July to August
Practicums: A series of projects, including paid internships, with industrial partners
Like Stanford, USF benefits from its strategic location. Students develop software and run analyses on Amazon Web Services, and each receives his/her own server or servers to set up and manage.
Arizona State University
Degree: Master of Science in Business Analytics
School: W.P. Carey School of Business
Location: Tempe, AZ
Full-Time Program: 9 months
Part-Time Program: In development
Online Option: In development
ASU’s nine-month program focuses on using analytics in day-to-day business processes and managing it effectively. Required courses include data mining, applied regression models, analytical decision making tools and business analytics strategy. The curriculum also includes internship opportunities and a capstone practicum project with local Arizona companies such as American Express and Intel. 30 credit hours.
Bentley University
Degree: Master of Science in Marketing Analytics
School: Graduate School of Business
Location: Waltham, MA
Full-Time Program: 1 – 1.5 years
Part-Time Program: Yes
Online Option: No
Thanks in part to demand from companies in the Route 128 corridor, Bentley’s program is growing by leaps and bounds.
The core 10-class curriculum includes required classes on strategic marketing, statistics and marketing research; students also select three graduate-level elective courses in marketing and/or information technology.
Internships are encouraged but not required. All classes are held at night. 80 percent of students are currently part-time and around 50 percent are international students.
Carnegie Mellon University
Degree: Master of Information Systems Management or Master of Science in Information Technology
Concentration in Business Intelligence and Data Analytics
School: Heinz College
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Full-Time Program: 16 months
Part-Time Program: No
Online Option: Yes
Carnegie Mellon’s MISM and MITM focus on three core areas:
Business intelligence
Data analytics
Information technology
The aim is to produce graduates cross-trained in business process analysis and skilled in predictive modeling, GIS mapping, analytical reporting, segmentation analysis and data visualization.
Students acquire hands-on knowledge through applied research experiences at Heinz College’s iLab. They must also complete a summer internship and a team-based practicum project with an external company.
Columbia University
Degree: Master of Science in Data Science
School: Data Science Institute
Location: New York, NY
Full-Time Program: 30 credits
Part-Time Program: Yes
Online Option: No
Columbia’s Data Science Institute is a collaboration between 9 of the university’s schools. It’s a diverse group, running the gamut from the Fu School of Engineering to the Journalism School and the Mailman School of Public Health. MS students have the option of selecting an Entrepreneurship track, as well as elective tracks covering areas like cyber security, health analytics, and smart cities.
Georgia Tech
Degree: Master of Science in Analytics
Concentrations in Analytical Tools, Business Analytics, and Computational Data Analytics
School: College of Computing, College of Engineering, and Scheller College of Business
Location: Atlanta, GA
Full-time Program: 1 year
Part-Time Program: No
Online Option: No
Georgia Tech’s one-year program provides students with a world-class analytics education. The program consists of a core curriculum with the option to choose between three specialized tracks: Analytical Tools, Business Analytics, and Computational Data Analytics. This design allows students to choose electives that support their individual career goals.
All courses are offered through the College of Computing, College of Engineering, and Scheller College of Business, three nationally ranked departments at Georgia Tech.
Students benefit from participation in major analytics conferences and career mentoring during their stay in Atlanta. The school boasts a 100% placement rate for their 2015 graduates, and is dedicated to producing professionals ready to make an immediate impact in the field.
Illinois Institute of Technology
Degree: Master of Data Science
School: College of Science
Location: Chicago, IL
Full-time Program: 12-16 months
Part-Time Program: Yes
Online Option: Yes
The Master of Data Science program, in keeping with IIT’s status as a leading technical university (it’s nationally ranked by US News & World Report for its Engineering, Computer Science, Math, and Physics programs), is meant for people who either already have computer science work experience and/or education, or who want to prepare for a career as a CS professional.
The program is available online as well as part-time, making it a good fit for students who need to keep working while they earn the degree. There are a number of specializations available: Computational Intelligence, Cyber-Physical Systems, Data Analytics, Database Systems, Distributed and Cloud Computing, Information Security and Assurance, Networking and Communications, Software Engineering, Business, Education, and Finance.
Indiana University, Bloomington
Degree: Data Science M.S.
School: School of Informatics & Computing
Location: Bloomington, IN
Full-time Program: 30 credits
Part-Time Program: Students may have up to 5 years to complete the program
Online Option: Yes
IU’s Master of Science in Data Science distinguishes itself partly by offering two distinct paths for students, a Technical Path and a Decision-Maker Path. The latter includes coursework on project management and driving organizational change using data.
The technical curriculum includes courses in topics such as Analysis of Algorithms; Cloud Computing; and Security for Networked Systems.
Louisiana State University
Degree: Master of Science in Analytics
School: E.J. Ourso College of Business
Location: Baton Rouge, LA
Full-time Program: 1 year
Part-Time Program: No
Online Option: No
Sponsored by SAS, LSU’s program is modeled on the Institute for Advanced Analytics at North Carolina State.
The program works with real-world data, with a focus on data mining, forecasting, customer segmentation and predictive analytics.
Core courses cover advanced data management tools, applied statistics and operations research techniques.
During the year, teams of students collaborate with leading companies and government organizations on big data projects. They also learn the communication skills needed to present their solutions effectively.
Michigan State University
Degree: Master of Science in Business Analytics
Location: East Lansing, MI
School: Broad College of Business
Full-time Program: 1 year
Part-Time Program: Evening and weekend courses available
Online Option: Selected courses
Students in MSU’s program focus on three core areas:
Business data management process and analytic approaches
Data management and analysis
Experiential project management using live data sets for analysis and application
Core courses include business strategy, data mining, applied statistics, project management, marketing technologies, communications and ethics. In the final semester, students complete a capstone practicum in business analytics.
To help ease the path of professionals, MSU offers classes in evening, weekend and online formats.
New York University
Degree: MS in Data Science
School: Center for Data Science
Location: New York, NY
Full-Time Program: 3 or 4 semesters
Part-Time Program: No
Online Option: No
NYU’s Center for Data Science works with schools and colleges across NYU’s organization to help lead the university’s efforts in data science. It works especially closely with two other centers, the Center for Urban Science and Progress and the Center for the Promotion of Research Involving Innovative Statistical Methodology.
The MS in Data Science includes a capstone project where students apply what they’ve learned to a real-world problem. Other requirements include courses in Machine Learning & Computational Statistics; and Inference & Representation.
North Carolina State University
Degree: Master of Science In Analytics
School: Institute for Advanced Analytics
Location: Raleigh, NC
Full-Time Program: 10 months
Part-Time Program: No
Online Option: No
NCSU’s interdisciplinary analytics program is an official STEM degree that is designed to be practical and real-world-oriented. It does not focus on theory or act as a preliminary step to a Ph.D.
During the course of their one-year study, NCSU students acquire real-world skills in applied mathematics, statistics, computer science and business disciplines. Initial classes focus on tools and foundations; subsequent topics include data mining, advanced modeling and geospatial analytics.
To encourage collaboration, students complete the curriculum in cohort groups of four or five members. Teams regularly receive personalized coaching to improve performance.
In the second and third semester, students work on an intensive practicum using data provided by industry and government sponsors. Many graduate with SAS product certifications.
Northwestern University
Degree: Online Master of Science in Predictive Analytics (MSPA) and Master of Science in Analytics (MSiA)
Location: Evanston, IL (the MSPA program is offered fully-online)
School: School of Continuing Studies (MSPA) and McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science (MSiA)
Full-Time Program: The MSiA is full-time and lasts 15 months
Part-Time Program: Yes (the MSPA)
Online Option: Yes (MSPA only)
Northwestern’s online MSPA program was launched in 2011. It covers areas like data mining, predictive modeling, and advanced statistics, but also works to help students hone business-focused skills like project management and communication, with the aim of preparing students to lead business initiatives based on data analysis. MSPA students will complete eleven courses overall: 7 required courses, 2 electives, a leadership course, and a thesis or capstone project.
Northwestern’s on-campus MSiA program was first offered in 2012, and combines math and statistical studies with advanced IT and data analysis. In addition to these courses, students are also required to complete:
8-Month Industry Practicum: Team of students must analyze data supplied by a client and deliver a final report with recommendations in the spring quarter.
Summer Internship: Each student spends three months in a professional setting, either solo or embedded with a working project team.
Capstone Design Project: During their final quarter, students work in teams to develop business solutions to a current problem provided by a U.S. company.
Rutgers University
Degrees: Master of Business and Science with a Concentration in Analytics – Discovery Informatics and Data Sciences; Online Master of Information
School: Graduate School, Professional Science Masters Programs (Master of Business and Science) and School of Communication and Information (Master of Information)
Location: New Brunswick, NJ
Full-Time Program: 1.5 – 2 years
Part-Time Program: Yes
Online Option: Yes (Master of Information)
Rutgers’ interdisciplinary Master of Business and Science program unites the fields of data management, statistics, machine learning and computation. It prepares students for careers as predictive modelers, data mining engineers and analysts in a wide variety of industries.
The curriculum includes eight analytics courses (four required; four electives) and six business courses.
Required topics cover statistics, analytics and data mining, database systems and programming.
Science electives may include courses in information science, artificial intelligence, distributed computing or computational science.
Although most courses are located on the New Brunswick campus, some courses are available in Newark and Camden. The online Master of Information program has a Data Science concentration available.
Stanford University
Degree: Master of Science In Statistics: Data Science
School: Department of Statistics
Location: Stanford, CA
Full-Time Program: 45 credits
Part-Time Program: No
Online Option: No
This program is a collaboration between Stanford’s Department of Statistics and Institute for Computational and Mathematical Engineering. The core curriculum is, as you might imagine, heavy on mathematics and computer programming.
Stanford’s key location in Silicon Valley has its benefits. For example, Stanford students are permitted to use Amazon’s EC2 cloud platform to do large-scale computing.
Texas A&M University
Degree: Master of Science in Analytics
School: Department of Statistics
Location: Houston, TX
Full-time Program: No
Part-Time Program: 2 year
Online Option: Yes
Texas A&M’s Master of Science in Analytics program is offered through the Department of Statistics, which is ranked #12 according to US News & World Report and is the 3rd largest statistics department in the country. Students are also given access to courses from the Mays Business School.
The program trains students through intensive statistical modeling and predictive analysis courses with the goal of producing the next generation of innovators in data science. This is a part-time program taught over five semesters, and courses are held in the evenings in the CityCentre educational facility in Houston, TX.
University of Cincinnati
Degree: Master of Science in Business Analytics
School: Lindner College of Business
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Full-Time Program: 9 months – 1 year
Part-Time Program: Yes
Online Option: No
Formerly known as the M.S. in Quantitative Analysis, UC’s program combines math, business basics, analysis, and modeling, along with subject-area elective coursework on topics ranging from statistics and data mining to supply-chain management, operations management, finance, and epidemiology.
The curriculum covers core courses in optimization, simulation modeling, probability modeling and statistical methods.
Part-time students can choose to attend evening and late afternoon classes; all students are required to research, write and present a final capstone project.
University of Connecticut
Degree: Master of Science in Business Analytics and Project Management
School: School of Business, Department of Operations and Information Management
Location: Hartford, CT
Full-Time Program: 1 – 1.5 years
Part-Time Program: Yes
Online Option: Selected courses
The core of UConn’s program is built on ten years of an analytics partnership with General Electric. Graduates emerge with a solid real-world education in advanced business analytics and project management.
Students are required to complete:
Four business analytics classes (e.g., predictive modeling, data management, data mining and business intelligence, etc.)
Four project management classes (e.g., project leadership, risk and costs, advanced project management, etc.)
Three electives
A team-based capstone practicum course
Classes are held at night and on weekends; some courses are also available online. The program currently has a technology partnership with SAS and works closely with IBM.
University of Maryland
Degree: Master of Science in Business for Marketing Analytics
School: Robert H. Smith School of Business
Location: College Park, MD
Full-Time Program: 9 months
Part-Time Program: No
Online Option: No
Launched in the fall of 2013, UM’s program aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the mathematical and statistical models and tools needed to analyze customer data for marketing purposes.
The curriculum includes:
Eight required courses (e.g., market-based management, customer analysis, statistical programming, ethics, data science, etc.)
Five application courses (e.g., market forecasting, retail analytics, customer equity management/CRM, etc.)
An action learning project
Smith is the hub of ten Centers of Excellence and Research, including the Center for Complexity in Business. 30 credit hours.
University of Tennessee
Degree: Master of Science in Business Analytics
School: Department of Business Analytics & Statistics, Haslam College of Business
Location: Knoxville, TN
Full-Time Program: 17 months
Part-Time Program: No
Online Option: No
UT’s program emphasizes the importance of business understanding. Students learn about technical techniques in the context of larger business problems and employ analytics in ways that optimize business processes.
The core curriculum focuses on analytics skills, including statistics, operations management, descriptive modeling, data mining, etc. While learning those essentials, students also choose one out of two overlapping areas: either applied statistics or process optimization.
Students are required to complete an applied project with a client in government or industry. They are also strongly encouraged to participate in an internship during the summer session of the first year.
University of Virginia
Degree: Master of Science in Data Science
School: Data Science Institute
Location: Charlottesville, VA
Full-Time Program: 11 months
Part-Time Program: No
Online Option:
UVA’s program, launched in 2014, is an intensive professional Master’s degree, meant to get students (back) into the workforce quickly. It runs from early July until mid May of the following year. The Data Science Institute’s Big Data Fellows program draw in graduate students from other disciplines in the university to work on data-driven solutions to real-world issues.