Northwestern University online Master of Science in Data Science (MSDS) program is a comprehensive course designed to equip students with the essential analysis and leadership skills needed for careers in today’s data-driven world.
Program Structure
The online MSDS program is offered in both part-time and accelerated full-time formats. It provides flexibility to students, allowing them to balance their studies. The curriculum of the online MSDS program is robust and covers a wide range of topics. Students learn how to utilize relational, document, and graph database systems and analytics software built upon open-source systems such as R, Python, and Go. The program also includes TensorFlow and Keras for deep learning.
The MSDS program requires the successful completion of 12 courses. These include:
- Six core courses: These foundational courses cover a wide range of topics, from mathematics for modelers to applied statistics with R.
- Leadership, project management, or data governance course: This course is designed to equip students with the leadership and management skills necessary in the data science field.
- Two specialization courses: Students can declare a specialization as part of the application process or at any time during their tenure in the program. Specializations include Analytics and Modeling, Analytics Management, Artificial Intelligence, Data Engineering, and Technology Entrepreneurship.
- Two electives: These allow students to further customize their studies based on their interests and career goals.
- Capstone project or thesis: This provides students with an opportunity to apply what they’ve learned in a real-world context.
Students also have the option of choosing a general data science curriculum with no declared specialization.
Tuition and Financial Aid
The tuition for the 2024–25 academic year is $4,998 per course, with an estimated total tuition and technology fees for the entire program (12 courses) of $61,536. Please note that this estimate does not include the cost of books or other instructional materials.
Courses in this program are assigned a technology fee of $130 per course. Tuition levels are reviewed annually and can be adjusted based on market dynamics.
Northwestern University offers an Employer Reimbursement Plan (ERP) for students whose employers offer tuition reimbursement. The plan allows participants to defer their employer-covered tuition payments until after the term has been completed.
Students in master’s degree programs may qualify for federal or private loans. However, federal loan eligibility is usually limited to students taking at least two units of credit in the quarter for which they receive aid.
Admission Process
The application process for the online MSDS program is simple. Visit their official website and fill out the form request. Then, their admissions team will follow up on your application status.
Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution or its foreign equivalent. A competitive undergraduate record indicating strong academic ability is required. Work or research experience in the field of study is desirable but not necessarily a requirement. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not required, but strong scores bolster chances for admission.
Career Outcomes
Graduates of the MSDS program gain critical skills for succeeding in today’s data-intensive world. They learn how to utilize relational and document database systems and analytics software built upon open-source systems such as R, Python, and TensorFlow. They also learn how to make trustworthy predictions using traditional statistics and machine learning methods.
Student Experiences
Students in the MSDS program gain hands-on experience with a wide range of programming languages, including Python, R, and Go. They can tailor their studies to one language or another based on their needs. Python is currently the most popular computer language in data science, while R is well-regarded by applied statisticians. Go is a systems programming language designed for today’s multi-processor computers and is well-suited for implementing scalable, high-performance systems for data science.
Final Thoughts
Northwestern University’s online part-time MSDS program offers a comprehensive and rigorous curriculum, flexible study options, and a strong focus on real-world applications. Whether you’re looking to advance your career, switch fields, or deepen your understanding of data science, this program could be the perfect fit for you.
Official Website: Here
