Master’s in Data Science Online

Master of Science
Picture of 3 students working at a computer at the WPI data science innovation lab

WPI's pioneering Master of Science in Data Science online program prepares you to derive new insights from data and articulate these findings into innovative solutions for how we live, work, and interact with the world around us. 

Value Proposition Description

Equipped with this degree, you’ll master database management and analysis techniques such as machine learning and data-mining algorithms. You’ll also gain a deeper knowledge of statistics and will have used a rich diversity of data-analysis software. WPI’s interdisciplinary approach rounds out your degree while developing your interpersonal and storytelling skills alongside technical mastery. In 2022, Fortune magazine ranked WPI fifth in their list of Best Online Master’s in Data Science Programs

In addition to core courses that teach data science essentials, you’ll can customize the program with specializations in Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Machine Learning or Big Data. As an added benefit, built-in bridge courses mean there is no specific undergraduate degree needed for admission—and the GRE is not required. 

  • Deepen your skills in cutting-edge AI courses on deep learning, machine learning, reinforcement learning, social media analytics, natural language processing—including ChatGPT—and more
  • Use industry-leading tools including Pytorch, MySQL, Python, Matlab, and more
  • Learn from world-class faculty who are scholarly and industry leaders in their fields 
  • Work on real-world projects that are industry-supported and industry-mentors—equipping you with experience to secure a professional role (or advance an existing one) 
  • Take advantage of bridge courses which allows for no specific undergraduate degree to enroll
  • Go beyond an MS degree with one-on-one directed studies or prepare to eventually pursue a PhD

No application fees or GRE required!

A picture of people in front of informant panels
#5

Best Online Master’s in Data Science Programs

(Fortune, 2022)
#4

National Universities Where Grads Are Paid Well

U.S. News & World Report (2021)
Top 100

Best Graduate Schools in the U.S.

U.S. News & World Report

Curriculum for Master of Data Science Online

The Master of Science in Data Science program online begins with a foundational track required for students without appropriate math and/or programming experience. After completing core courses, students can choose from three specializations in Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Machine Learning, Big Data Analytics & Management, or Business Intelligence. 

To earn a master's in data science online, you are required to take DS 501—Introduction to Data Science—core coursework in four areas, and electives totaling 30 credits. 

Integrative Data Science (required):

DS 501: Introduction to Data Science 3
Minimum Credits 3

Mathematical Analytics (Select one):

DS 502/MA 543 Statistical Methods for Data Science 3

MA 542 Regression Analysis 3

MA 554 Applied Multivariate Analysis 3

Data Access and Management (Select one):

CS 542 Database Management Systems 3

MIS 571 Database Applications Design and Development 3

CS 561 Advanced Topics in Database Systems 3

CS 585/DS 503 Big Data Management 3

Data Analytics and Mining (Select one):

CS 548 Knowledge Discovery and Data Mining 3

CS 539 Machine Learning 3

DS/CS 541 Deep Learning 3

CS 586/DS 504 Big Data Analytics 3

Business Intelligence and Case Studies (Select one):

MIS 584 Business Intelligence 3

MIS 587 Business Applications in Machine Learning 3

MKT 568 Marketing Analytics 3

Electives (12 credits)

Options found here-M.S. in Data Science | Worcester Polytechnic Institute (cleancatalog.net)

*No more than 14 credits of the 30-credit Data Science degree program may be courses offered by the School of Business.

Graduate Qualifying Project (GQP) DS598 3 credits
 

Make the Most of Your WPI Experience 

  • Current WPI students, even those whose undergraduate degree is not in computer science, may explore a BS/MS program option to gain both degrees in an accelerated plan. 

What Can I Do with a Master’s in Data Science?

Data Scientist
  • 15% job growth from 2019 to 2029 
  • $122,840 national average salary 

In-demand skills: 

  • Distributed computing 

  • Predictive modeling 

  • Math, stats, machine learning 

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 

Data Analyst
  • 6% job growth from 2019 to 2029 
  • $88,550 national average salary 

In-demand skills: 

  • Spreadsheet tools 

  • Database systems 

  • Communication & visualization 

Data Architect
  • 10% job growth from 2019 to 2029 

  • $97,350 national average salary 

In-demand skills: 

  • Data warehousing solutions 

  • Database architecture 

  • Systems development 

Data Engineer
  • 10% job growth from 2019 to 2029 

  • $93,750 national average salary 

In-demand skills: 

  • Database systems 

  • Data modeling & ETL tools 

  • Data APIs 

Business Analyst
  • 7% job growth from 2019 to 2029 

  • $90,920 national average salary 

In-demand skills: 

  • Data visualization tools 

  • Business intelligence 

  • Data modeling 

 

Database Administrator
  • 10% job growth from 2019 to 2029 

  • $93,750 national average salary 

In-demand skills: 

  • Backup & recovery 

  • Data modeling & design 

  • Database systems 


 

Alumni

Meet Our DS Graduates

DS Meet Our Alumni.

Yao-Chun Hsieh, Software Engineer at Wayfair

DS 501 taught by Professor Paffenroth is one of the best courses I have taken at WPI.
The curriculum is flexible and provides students the opportunity to grow their skills based on their interest or their ideal job.
You also learn ways of communicating with your teammates, dealing with conflicts, and schedule/time management skills. All of this helped me to fit into the real world quickly and smoothly.

Yang Tao, Retail marketing team, strategy & operation analyst, contractor for Google

During my course of study, I could choose different classes in areas like AI, machine learning, Big Data, and business intelligence. I learned database (sql), data processing and analysis (python), data reporting (tableau). Each course benefited me during my job hunting, as I talked about my projects in the different courses to match different roles and job descriptions. Through my graduate qualifying project (capstone), I also learned new techniques/methods/software to solve data related problems, while improving my public speaking and communication skills.

Alexander Shoop, Software Engineer at DataRobot

The Data Science graduate program has taught me the necessary fundamentals of machine learning and pragmatic data science projects through teamwork. Personally, it has also allowed me to use my creative talent, especially with regards to presentations and video demonstrations. I would absolutely recommend the Data Science program (undergraduate, graduate, and PhD) to any of my friends and colleagues! The program emphasizes team collaboration and working towards having a diverse skill set to handle any kind of data science scenario.

Mukund Khandelwal, Quantitative Associate at Wells Fargo

The overall graduate experience involved collaborating with students coming from different academic and cultural backgrounds. Through this experience, I learned how a problem could be approached from multiple angles and solved effectively.

Chen Liang, Data Scientist at Burning Glass

This program starts from a fundamental base and keeps upgrading the difficulty, which made me comfortable and built up my confidence and enhanced my skills—and ultimately made me ready to walk into my new job. It has provided such a great way to not only get our hands dirty real quick, but allows us to innovate.

Rosemarie Day, Senior Engineer in Applied Data Science at Collins Aerospace

I greatly enjoyed the GQP, which connected me with a company and a project that I could interact with and develop while finishing my degree. The project work allowed me to grow my skills in more of a corporate environment while still in school. This provided me with insights into how a data science team works outside of the classroom, what expectations would be set, and also allowed me to work alongside both other students and industry professionals.

Xiao-Qun Wang, Software Development Engineer at Amazon

I learned the data eco-system from both academic and industrial perspective in the Data Science program. The graduate qualifying project (capstone) gave me  exposure in industry. It not only helped me to learn the foundation of industrial core tech, but also how to build good relationships both with the company and other developers. 

Chenjie Jiang, Data Scientist at Burning Glass

The high flexibility for course selections gave me a strong background in data science, engineering, and business. I can create my own learning path, based on my career plan. The program also offers interesting colloquium and conversations. WPI is a good place if someone wants to dive into the data science world.

Preview
Alumni Success Story

Manasi Vartak '10.

Manasi Vartak '10 founded Verta to help companies build AI-enabled products faster than ever.

Meet Our Faculty

Elke Rundensteiner
Elke Rundensteiner
Professor, Computer Science, Program Head, Data Science, Computer Science

As founding Head of the interdisciplinary Data Science program here at WPI, I take great pleasure in doing all in my power to support the Data Science community in all its facets from research collaborations, and new educational initiatives to our innovative industry-sponsored and mentored Graduate Qualifying projects at the graduate level.

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Bengisu Tulu
Bengisu Tulu

I enjoy teaching because it allows me to interact with students who have the potential to make the world a better place using technology. I continually innovate in my courses to ensure students enjoy the learning experience, learn the key concepts and skills related to information systems through real world examples, have an opportunity to learn from each other, learn to present themselves as professionals, and most importantly learn to use or develop technology to make a difference.

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Narahara Chari Dingari
Narahara Chari Dingari
Adjunct Teaching Professor,
Graduate Studies Online
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Seyed Zekavat
Seyed Zekavat
Professor, Physics

Seyed A. (Reza) Zekavat received his PhD from Colorado State University in 2002. He is the Author of the textbook "Electrical Engineering: Concepts and Applications" published by Pearson, and the editor of the book “Handbook of Position Location: Theory, Practice and Advances,” published by Wiley/IEEE. He holds a patent on an active Wireless Remote Positioning System.

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Chun-Kit Ngan
Chun-Kit Ngan
Assistant Teaching Professor, Data Science

I completed my Ph.D. in Information Technology from the Department of Computer Science at George Mason University. Before that, I received MBA in Management Information Systems from California State University, Chico and BEng in Electronic Engineering from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology respectively. My teaching interests include Database Management Systems, Data Mining, Artificial Intelligence, Machine/Deep Learning, Data Analytics, Decision Support System, Data Structures, Computational Algorithms, and Software Application Programming.

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