Join one of the leading data science programs in the nation and accelerate your high-tech career in data science.
The MSDS degree is a professional master’s program designed for students who want to begin or advance their careers in data science. The program is available full-time or part-time. Classes begin every fall quarter and meet in the evenings on the University of Washington campus.
The industry-relevant curriculum gives you the skills to extract valuable insights from big data. In this program, you will learn expertise in statistical modeling, data management, machine learning, data visualization, software engineering, research design, data ethics, and user experience to meet the growing needs of industry, not-for-profits, government agencies, and other organizations.
Industry-Relevant Curriculum
The curriculum consists of eight core courses and a two-quarter capstone project. The capstone project gives students the opportunity to work on a data science challenge facing an external organization.
The MSDS program can be completed full-time or part-time. Full-time students take two courses per quarter and attend classes two evenings per week. The full-time program is 1.5 years in length. Part-time students take one course per quarter and attend class one evening per week. The typical part-time student completes the program in 2.5 years. Approximately 80 percent of MSDS students are full-time and 20 percent are enrolled part-time.
Discover if the full-time program or the part-time program is the best fit for you here.
High-Tech Careers
MSDS alumni work at top companies, including JP Morgan Chase & Co., Parsons Corporation, IBM, Costco IT, Toyota, Northrop Grumman, and Zillow. Our graduates also pursue careers at leading not-for-profit organizations, such as Seattle Children’s Hospital and the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation.
The MSDS program offers dedicated career services to students, including an annual Data Science Career Fair held every February. Learn more about our career outcomes and services on our Careers page.
Diversity in Data Science
In the MSDS program, we have a student body made up of more than numbers. Our students have strong undergraduate grades and technical skills, but we also look for more than that when making a cohort. We admit students who have a diverse set of backgrounds and perspectives. Because of this, our program is able to offer a unique, vibrant experience.
The incoming cohort reflects this diversity. There are over 20 majors represented. Our incoming students have professional experience in a wide range of industries, including aerospace, energy, finance, healthcare, technology, telecommunications, and more. Of the students who will begin our program this fall; women make up almost half of the total. They also come from around the world, with 57% coming from eight different countries. The countries represented include Argentina, Chile, China, Ethiopia, India, Pakistan, Taiwan, and South Korea.
The University of Washington
The University of Washington is one of the world’s preeminent universities. The UW is ranked No. 7 in the world in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Global Universities rankings.
The UW also has deep ties to the tech industry in the Seattle area and beyond. A UW degree provides alumni with a competitive edge on the job market.
Beyond its excellent academics, the University of Washington features one of the most beautiful campuses in the nation. Located just four miles from downtown Seattle, the campus offers stunning views of Mount Rainier and Lake Washington.