IT worker reviewing information on a computer screen

Online Data Science Master’s

Master of Science in Data Science

Start an online data science master’s and learn to analyze, design and manage complex data sets for businesses. Apply your data science skills to optimize functionality, scalability and system performance. Develop your career-relevant skills in artificial intelligence, machine learning, database administration, data warehousing, data visualization, statistical analysis and more.

Job-ready skills for your professional profile

Integration icon

Integration: Integrate data from disparate sources while preserving data

Data evaluation icon

Data evaluation: Evaluate enterprise data for meaningful patterns and trends

Integration icon

Integration: Integrate data from disparate sources while preserving data

Data evaluation icon

Data evaluation: Evaluate enterprise data for meaningful patterns and trends

Data presentation icon

Data presentation: Develop presentations to explain data and share insights

Data presentation icon

Data presentation: Develop presentations to explain data and share insights

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Career-relevant education with real-world value

Program at a glance

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Software developer student smiling and working on a computer

Software developers collaborating in an office with computers

Program by the numbers

16 months
Average program length

 36 credits
Number of credits required

6 weeks
Course length for the MSDS

24/7/365
Online class availability

Transfer icon

Earn your degree faster, and for less, with eligible transfer credits.

Courses for the online data science master’s

Find what you'll learn in a course – look for the skills-aligned trophy cup

Skills-aligned trophy cup

Using labor analytics data, we embed career relevant skills in the growing information technology field into each course of your online master’s in data science degree. You’ll learn about integration, data evaluation and data presentation.

Skills-aligned trophy cup

Requirements and course details

Your course schedule may vary based on transfer credits or credits earned through the University’s Prior Learning Assessment.

How skills-aligned learning works

What’s something employers are looking for in job candidates? Skills! That’s why we believe in career-focused education. Our programs are designed to help you demonstrate career-relevant skills and put them into practice within weeks, not years. Here’s how:

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Curriculum
We work with a labor market analyst to identify skills today’s employers want in job candidates and embed those skills in our program’s curriculum.

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Courses
Each course you take teaches specific career-relevant skills – one skill per credit, on average. For a 3-credit course, you can earn 3 career-relevant skills.

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Careers
Demonstrate your newly acquired skills, earn badges, build your professional profile and show potential employers what you bring to the table.

Career opportunities with an online data science master’s

Our program isn’t just about earning a degree – it’s about getting ready for your career. Learn practical knowledge and develop skills to prepare for roles in the IT sector.

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Software developers working amongst each other in an office

Illustration of a student researching labor statistics on a laptop

Career outlook

613,500 job openings

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics opens in new window, about 613,500 openings for Computer and Information Systems Manager are projected each year, on average, from 2023 to 2033.

The BLS Projected Growth for 2023-2033 is published by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This data reflects the BLS’ projections of national (not local) conditions. These data points are not specific to University of Phoenix students or graduates.

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Career story

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Once upon a time, I believed that I didn’t necessarily need a degree. I would attribute a lot to University of Phoenix, specifically because of the things that it taught me.

Dustin Guichet, BSIT, 2023; (Master of Science in Data Science in progress)

Headshot of Dustin Guichet, BSIT, 2023

Cost and savings

Paying for school

Tuition is based on number of credit hours per course. Courses are typically 3 credits, but can range from 1-6 credits. Costs do not include savings opportunities like transfer credits and scholarships.

Master's cost per course

$2,289 / course

Cost per credit 

Credits per course

Resource fee

$698

x3

+ $195

Estimated cost per course

$2,289

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What affects the overall cost of my program?

Your full program cost can vary by: 

  • Savings opportunities. Get your degree faster and for less with eligible transfer credits, scholarships and work experience credits. Students with eligible credits and relevant experience can save up to $6,800 and 9 credits off their master’s degree.

With our Tuition Guarantee, you pay one flat, affordable rate from the moment you enroll to the day you graduate from your program.

Earn your master’s degree faster and for less with eligible savings opportunities:

Other ways to save on time and tuition

Because we believe everyone deserves an affordable education, we work hard to help our students achieve one. Here’s a few ways you can save time, save money and avoid starting from scratch. 

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Budget & borrow

How to pay for college

Paying for school can be intimidating, but we’re here to help you make sense of it. Our finance advisors can walk you through your options like federal financial aid and savings opportunities to minimize your debt. Plus, we can help you figure out your financial plan.

Why choose us?

Where you earn your degree matters

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Career-relevant skills

Every five weeks, you can develop career-relevant skills, track your progress in each class and showcase your achievements using your personal skills profile.

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Real-world faculty

Your instructors know what works in the real world. As leaders in the field, they bring a hands-on perspective and practical knowledge to the classroom.

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Flexible learning + support

Balance it all — work, family and school — with a university built for busy adults like you. Plus, get personal support by phone, chat or email — day or night.

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Career Services for Life® commitment

Because your career never stands still, active students get access to career services and resources, from your first class to graduation and beyond, at no added cost.

Headshot of Kathryn Uhles, MSP, MIS

Faculty spotlight

Learn from accomplished IT professionals

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We must create an educational experience that focuses on the student and provides a catalyst for personal and professional growth.

Kathryn Uhles, MSP, MIS
Dean, College of Business and Information Technology

Headshot of Kathryn Uhles, MSP, MIS

Accreditation

Accredited for 45+ years

Since 1978, University of Phoenix has maintained institutional accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), hlcommission.org opens in new window. Learn more about the value of University of Phoenix accreditation and how it benefits our students.

Frequently asked questions about the online data science master’s

While widely available, not all programs are available to residents of all states. Please check with a University Enrollment Representative.