Online Master’s in Data ScienceOnline Master’s in Data ScienceOnline Master’s in Data Science

Model the future. Then make it your own. Earn your Master’s in Data Science Online.

Big data means big opportunities for you and your career in data science. When you earn your online master’s degree in data science from Maryville University, you gain the credential you need to become a key player in the data science field that’s changing business and the world around us.

Our online program was designed with input from employers and expert partners who use big data across a diverse range of industries, so you can build proficiency in the most in-demand areas of the modern data science world — and use your skills to create a better future for us all.

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Apply with no entrance exams or fees, and choose from 3 start dates.

Explore eligible transfer credit options.

Access 100% online coursework with no campus visits required.

Develop critical, in-demand coding skills in Python, SQL, R, and SAS.

Build proficiencies in machine learning, data mining, big data, and deep learning.

Earn an experience-driven degree and learn from industry leaders.

Why earn your Master of Science in Data Science online?

As the world becomes increasingly digital, organizations across all industries need bold data science leaders to collect and analyze data, manage teams and create strategies informed by empirical evidence.

When you earn your online master’s in data science at Maryville, you get the opportunity to study with a faculty of data science experts as you learn the top skills today’s employers demand. Here, you can build proficiency in areas such as: 

  • Coding in R, SQL, Python and SAS
  • Machine learning 
  • Data mining
  • Big data
  • Deep learning 

Elective courses allow you to personalize your education with coursework in subjects such as statistics and probability, business and actuarial science.Our online master’s program does more than help you build these skills. We also help you put them to work so you can become proficient — and then lead your team or organization as the data science field evolves. By collaborating with employers across industries, we designed an online degree that can help you lead in your current career as you prepare for future opportunities to advance in any direction you choose.

Not quite ready for a full online data science master’s degree? We’ve got you covered.

Maryville offers two online professional certificate programs related to data science that provide a fast and affordable option for earning a graduate-level education.

If you already have a bachelor’s degree, you can earn your professional certificate in big data or machine learning in just five classes (15 credit hours), less than half the time it takes to complete a full master’s degree program. Then, if you decide to continue your education, you can apply all 15 credits toward a future master’s degree in data science online.

Our online degree is flexible, affordable and highly personalized.

Study on your schedule. Access 100% online coursework with no campus visits required.

Personalize your education. Choose from a robust list of electives that support your career goals and interests.

Learn from leaders in data science online. Engage with dedicated faculty who help connect the curriculum to actual industry scenarios.

Benefit from a streamlined admissions process. Apply with no entrance exams or fees, and choose from three start dates.

Gain real-world experience. Complete project-based coursework that explores practical challenges and issues.

Maryville is transfer credit friendly. Explore eligible transfer credit options.

What can you do with an online master’s in data science?

In today’s data-driven world, the sheer volume of information generated daily is staggering, with exponential growth each year. This data offers tremendous potential for businesses, governments, nonprofits and other organizations across all fields to extract meaningful information that will enable them to uncover new opportunities, solve complex problems and explore narratives and trends.

As a student in Maryville’s online data science master’s program, you will gain the skills to collect, store, analyze, interpret and visualize vast amounts of data to solve real-world challenges in your own organization. Upon graduation, you will enjoy expanded career opportunities in virtually every sector: manufacturing, construction, transportation, warehousing, communication, science, healthcare, information technology, retail, sales, marketing, finance, insurance, education, government, security, law enforcement and more.

Online data science master’s degree careers

Online master’s in data science graduates may qualify for in-demand jobs that include:

  • Data scientist
  • Senior data analyst
  • Data engineer
  • Financial analyst manager
  • Business analyst
  • Computer and information research scientist
  • Computer systems analyst
  • Pricing analyst
  • Management analyst
  • Marketing analyst
  • Research analyst
  • Statistician/mathematician
  • Statistical data analyst
  • Operations research analyst

Online master’s in data science graduates work in many settings, including:

  • Large corporations
  • Small businesses
  • Government agencies
  • Large corporations
  • Small businesses
  • Government agencies
  • Insurance agencies
  • Technology firms
  • Nonprofit organizations

What is the typical online master’s in data science salary?

When you earn an online master’s in data science, you can build in-demand skills that may qualify you to pursue an array of careers with generous salaries. Here are a few popular job titles with their median salaries:

Data Scientist

US$108,0201

Computer and Information Research Scientist

US$145,0802

Mathematician and Statistician

US$104,8603

Operations Research Analyst

US$83,6404

Senior Business Analyst

US$99,4105

Online data science master’s degree job outlook

Data experts are highly valued.

Today, the value of data scientists is recognized by companies and organizations across industries — from retail, finance and healthcare to media, entertainment and education — and that value is increasing every day.

Data scientists are in demand.

Now more than ever, businesses and organizations urgently need data science leaders to help them increase efficiency, reduce costs, evaluate investments and enhance their operations.

That’s why higher-than-average growth is projected for jobs like data scientist (35% job growth projected from 2022 to 2032),6 mathematician/statistician (30%),7 operations research analyst (23%),8 computer and information research scientist (23%)9 and management analyst (10%).10

Leadership skills mean business.

Data scientist and advanced analyst roles are among the country’s fastest growing — and among those most challenging to fill. 

When you earn your online master’s in data science, you can develop advanced skills in the areas of data science, machine learning, deep learning and big data analytics — the skills that drive today’s job market. You’ll also have the opportunity to enhance your resume with coursework that covers coding in Python and SQL, data visualization and predictive analysis. By the time you graduate, you’ll be able to do more than help improve your organization with data analysis. You’ll be able to lead in it.

Why choose Maryville for your online master’s in data science?

Enhance your data science career skills today and prepare for leadership and advancement tomorrow through Maryville University’s dynamic, outcomes-focused online master’s in data science program. Prepare to push your team forward, drive strategy, pursue promotion and lead your organization with advanced data science skills and techniques.

Choose Maryville, and you’ll learn by doing. We built our online program with input from top employers who leverage data science across industries, so our curriculum focuses on the most in-demand skills in the modern data science toolbox: computer programming in a variety of languages, machine learning, predictive modeling and big data analytics. You’ll learn from a faculty of top practitioners and experienced data scientists who can help you bridge the gap between theoretical and practical applications. What you learn in the classroom can be directly applied to what you do in your career.

You’ll also have the opportunity to:

  • Select electives that support your unique goals and interests
  • Build your advanced skill set as a data analyst through project-based learning
  • Gain practical knowledge through an optional field experience
  • Benefit from a dedicated student support advisor who will be with you from application through graduation

Additionally, you’ll access your coursework through our innovative, easy-to-use online learning platform, with technical support available 24/7. As you build your skills in data science, you can easily connect with classmates, colleagues and professors at your convenience through our intuitive systems.

Maryville University was founded in 1872 and has been dedicated to providing accessible, top-quality education ever since. We have a demonstrated history of service to and care for our students, and we judge our success by yours. Ninety percent of our full-time faculty hold a Ph.D. or the highest degree in their field. We’re proud of our reputation for quality academics and affordability because it demonstrates our devotion to meeting the highest possible standards in data science education.

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Meet our online master’s in data science faculty

Meet Guangwei Fan.

Guangwei Fan is an industry-leading scholar, published author and passionate educator. With nearly 30 years of experience as an academic leader, Professor Fan has helped many of Maryville’s graduates find work in their desired field. Now he can help you do the same.

Professor of Mathematics, Actuarial Science and Data Science

  • PhD
  • Master of Science
  • Bachelor of Science

In his research, Professor Fan has investigated ways to expand how data scientists communicate with teams. He also looks for ways to expand how mathematicians function in organizations around the world. He brings this same sensibility into his courses, helping students build relevant career skills through coursework and projects. With his help, you can better analyze information and communicate your findings in a wide range of business settings.

With so many opportunities for graduates in the job market, it’s Professor Fan’s goal to prepare you to thrive in data science at a time when the field is rapidly growing and changing. That starts by connecting you to Maryville’s extensive network of resources, including:

  • Actively employed alumni
  • Data science faculty mentors
  • Data Science Club
  • Data Science Career Fair
  • Industry partners (including Ameren, Boeing, Centene, Edward Jones and Rawlings Sporting Goods)

Online master’s in data science curriculum

At Maryville, we believe that hands-on experience helps you see the practical application of your work. That’s why we built our 36-credit-hour data science master’s online program with input from employers and influencers in the data science industry. When you earn your online data science master’s degree here, you learn from an experiential, forward-facing, relevant curriculum designed to give you high-level proficiency in the most in-demand skills to thrive in the modern industry.

Required online data science master’s degree core:

Expand your fundamental and high-level data science knowledge with advanced coursework in high-demand areas such as computer programming in R, Python, SAS and SQL; machine learning; big data analytics; business analytics; forecasting principles; and deep learning. Then, combine what you’ve learned with an experiential capstone project.

Online master’s in data science electives:

Where do you want to go in your data science career? Expand your data science toolbox with exciting electives that can help you meet your professional and personal aspirations. Choose from subjects like statistical modeling, probability, financial mathematics and actuarial science.



Find out more about our online master’s in data science curriculum.

Get a head start on your online master’s in data science with Early Access

Want to finish your online master’s in data science more quickly? If you’re a current Maryville undergraduate student, we’ve got you covered.

If you have a GPA of 3.6 or better and you’ve completed 60 credit hours or more, with at least 30 earned at Maryville, you may be eligible to get a head start on your MS in Data Science through Early Access.

During the last leg of your undergraduate degree, Early Access allows you to earn up to 12 credits toward your master’s degree. Then, you can complete the remaining 24 credits required for your master’s degree in just one year.

To learn more about Early Access, or to find out if you’re eligible, contact your academic advisor.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • Earning a master’s degree in data science prepares students to harness the power of big data to help businesses and organizations across industries make informed decisions about how to improve processes, increase efficiencies and identify new opportunities. Many of our graduates go on to attain senior-level positions in fields ranging from finance, marketing and transportation to healthcare, science and law enforcement.

  • Yes, Maryville University proudly holds regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Maryville has maintained accreditation from the HLC since 1941, and this status was most recently reaffirmed in 2015.

  • Most students complete our 36-credit online master’s in data science program in two years or less.

    If you are a current Maryville undergraduate, you can get a head start on your online master’s degree through our Early Access program. With Early Access, you can earn up to 12 credits toward your master’s degree as you complete the requirements for your bachelor’s. In this way, you can start your graduate studies with as much as a third of your course requirements already completed — saving time and money.

    Visit our Early Access page for more information, and reach out to an advisor if you have any questions.

  • If you have earned a Maryville online certificate in big data or machine learning and you enroll in our online master’s in data science program, you can apply all 15 credit hours from your certificate toward the completion of your master’s degree online.

Apply to the online master’s in data science at Maryville University.

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  1. Occupational Outlook Handbook: Data Scientists. (2024). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved April 29, 2024. ↩︎
  2. Occupational Outlook Handbook: Computer and Information Research Scientists. (2024). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved April 29, 2024. ↩︎
  3. Occupational Outlook Handbook: Mathematicians and Statisticians. (2024). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved April 29, 2024. ↩︎
  4. Occupational Outlook Handbook: Operations Research Analysts. (2024). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved April 29, 2024. ↩︎
  5. Occupational Outlook Handbook: Management Analysts. (2024). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved April 29, 2024. ↩︎
  6. Occupational Outlook Handbook: Data Scientists. (2024). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved April 29, 2024. ↩︎
  7. Occupational Outlook Handbook: Mathematicians and Statisticians. (2024). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved April 29, 2024. ↩︎
  8. Occupational Outlook Handbook: Operations Research Analysts. (2024). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved April 29, 2024. ↩︎
  9. Occupational Outlook Handbook: Computer and Information Research Scientists. (2024). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved April 29, 2024. ↩︎
  10. Occupational Outlook Handbook: Management Analysts. (2024). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved April 29, 2024. ↩︎

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