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Tomorrow Needs You. Are You Ready?

Receive a graduate education from an accredited institution.

Data Science MS Program

A dataset can reveal patterns, raise questions, and challenge assumptions—but only when you have the tools to interpret it. Michigan Tech’s multidisciplinary MS in Data Science combines computing, mathematics, engineering, and business perspectives so you can study how information becomes useful evidence across different fields. Whether researching machine learning, designing algorithms for forestry, or conducting computational social science, a Data Science degree is a smart investment in your future.

The Accelerated Master's Program is available for current Michigan Tech students.

Who is This Program For?

This interdisciplinary MS in Data Science is ideal for those who enjoy working with complex data and want to connect analytical methods with meaningful questions.

Consider this master's program if you like developing or evaluating computational approaches to data analysis; examining patterns in technical, scientific, or organizational information; and connecting data methods with an application area such as engineering, health, or business.

What You'll Study

In this flexible program, you'll bring together computing, quantitative analysis, business, engineering, and mathematical sciences to investigate complex datasets. Research sensors, develop pattern recognition algorithms, engineer intelligent machines, interpret medical data to determine risk, make predictions using data to improve the power grid, and more.

You'll learn how to apply the appropriate data-science method for the problem you're trying to solve.

Where You'll Apply Your Knowledge and Skills

Data science helps organizations move from a large collection of observations to a question they can investigate. You can use your degree to build and evaluate models, detect patterns in sensor or operational data, examine health-related risk information, or interpret complex energy and business datasets.

Data scientists often find employment in healthcare systems, technology companies, national laboratories, and financial services. The Mayo Clinic uses analytics and informatics in healthcare, IBM researches AI and data-intensive systems, and Argonne National Laboratory applies computational methods to science. Your degree focus, then, will shape your future workplace.

Delivery Options
- Accelerated: MS
- On-Campus: MS

Data Science Program Details

Choose a specific degree option or delivery type to learn more about the data science program at Michigan Tech. For international students, Data Science is a designated STEM program.

On-Campus Programs

MS, Data Science: Thesis Option

This option requires a research thesis prepared under the supervision of the advisor. The thesis describes a research investigation and its results. The scope of the research topic for the thesis should be defined in such a way that a full-time student could complete the requirements for a master’s degree in 12 months or three semesters—following the completion of coursework—by regularly scheduling graduate research credits.

The minimum requirements are as follows:

Total Credit Requirements
Option Parts	Credits
Coursework (minimum)	20 Credits
Thesis research	6-10 Credits
Total (minimum)	30 Credits

Distribution of Coursework Credit
Distribution	Credits
5000-6000 series (minimum)	18 Credits
3000-4000 (maximum)	6 Credits

Please note: This option is only available for students starting during or after the 26-27 Academic Year.

MS, Data Science: Report Option

This option requires a report describing the results of an independent study project. The scope of the research topic should be defined in such a way that a full-time student could complete the requirements for a master’s degree in 12 months or three semesters—following the completion of coursework—by regularly scheduling graduate research credits.

Of the minimum total of 30 credits, at least 24 must be earned in coursework other than the project:

Total Credit Requirements
Option Parts	Credits
Coursework (minimum)	24 Credits
Report	2-6 Credits
Total (minimum)	30 Credits

Distribution of Coursework Credit
Distribution	Credits
5000-6000 series (minimum)	18 Credits
3000-4000 (maximum)	10 Credits

Please note: This option is only available for students starting during or after the 26-27 Academic Year.

MS, Data Science: Coursework Option

This option requires a minimum of 30 credits be earned through coursework. A limited number of research credits may be used with the approval of the advisor, department, and Graduate Admissions. See degree requirements for more information.

A graduate program may require an oral or written examination before conferring the degree and may require more than the minimum credits listed here:

Distribution of Coursework Credit
Distribution	Credits
5000-6000 series (minimum)	18 Credits
3000-4000 (maximum)	12 Credits

Accelerated MS, Data Science

Bachelor's + 1 Year = Master's Degree

Our accelerated master's degree program is a faster, easier way for Michigan Tech students to earn a master's degree. Up to nine approved credits from your bachelor's degree can be applied towards your accelerated master's degree. Consult your graduate program director for your individualized plan. If you're thinking about pursuing a master's following your bachelor's this option may be the right choice for you.

Additional Accelerated Master's Program Details

Additional Program Information

Want to learn more about data science at Michigan Tech? Visit the department for more information:

Contact

Graduate Director

Laura Brown

Sample Areas of Interest

Select areas of interest to help customize your data science MS. Sample areas include:

Bioinformatics
Sensor Networks
Statistics
Biogeochemistry

View full listing for this program

Application Process and Admissions Requirements

Using a holistic approach, our graduate admissions team reviews applications on an individual and ongoing basis. Fill out our free graduate application online to apply to any of our programs. Official transcripts and scores are not required for the initial application, but you will need to upload them later.

Graduate Admissions Process

Applying to your graduate program is free (no application fees) and fast (no official transcripts or test scores are needed to start). The application process involves three easy steps. Please note that international applicants are required to pay a non-refundable $10 processing fee per application.

See Admissions Steps.

Graduate Admissions Options

Michigan Tech offers several admissions options in order to meet the educational needs of students from a variety of backgrounds. Students should review the options available to them and apply for the program that will best help them achieve their personal educational goals.

See Admissions Options

Graduate Admissions Requirements

To be considered for admission to your program as either a degree- or certificate-seeking student, you need to:

have a bachelor's degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution, and
be prepared for advanced study in your chosen field, as demonstrated by your previous degree and your scholastic record.

See additional application requirements, including required materials:

Student Statements

Official Transcripts

Program-Specific Requirements

Program Specific

Any bachelor's degree which includes some coursework in introductory programming and statistics
2 Letters of Recommendation
Résumé / Curriculum vitae
Admitted applicants typically have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale
GRE not required
No Additional Documents Accepted

International Students

TOEFL scores as of January 21, 2026: Recommended Score of 5
- For tests taken before January 21, 2026: Recommended Score of 100 iBT
IELTS: Recommended Overall Band Score of at least 7.0

Michigan Tech requires a minimum 4.5 overall TOEFL or 6.5 overall IELTS score.

Admissions Decisions

Made on a rolling basis.

Recommended Deadline

Apply at least a semester in advance of projected admission

Fall Semester: Recommended to apply by January 15
Spring Semester: Recommended to apply by October 15

International Student Requirements

International Students must apply and be accepted into a degree-granting program in order to earn a graduate certificate. A non-refundable $10 processing fee per application is required.

See International Applicants

Accelerated Master's Requirements

Our Accelerated Master's Program is available for current Michigan Tech students.

Program Specific

2 Letters of Recommendation
GPA of 3.0 or greater
No GRE required
Résumé/ Curriculum vitae

Eligible Undergraduate Majors

Computer Science
Cybersecurity
Software Engineering
Computer Engineering
Bioinformatics
Cheminformatics
Mathematics and Computer Science
Mathematics - Applied and Computational
Mathematics - Business Analytics
Other related majors with computational and statistics background upon approval

Accredited by HLC

Michigan Tech has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) since 1928. We offer over 125 graduate certificates, master's degrees, and PhD programs to provide our students and the world with what tomorrow needs.

Who You'll Learn From and Work With

Learn from faculty who use data and computation to study questions in different disciplines. Their interests include machine learning, algorithms applied to forestry, and computational social science.

These diverse perspectives can help you understand how the same analytical tools are adapted to very different kinds of evidence.

Faculty Spotlight

Laura Brown

Laura Brown
Associate Professor,
Computer Science

"It’s 80 percent and 20 percent."

Big Data is a big deal, and data mining depends on the skills of computer scientists. While 80 percent of our time is juggling this data, it’s what we learn in that other 20 percent that makes all the difference. Brown and her colleagues work with the 80 to push what’s possible in that 20.

Program Faculty