Master of Science in Data Science

Achieve Professional Success with Marketable Data Science Expertise

The Master of Science in Data Science at the University of Michigan-Flint equips you with the essential technical skills needed to further your career growth and become an innovator in any industry.

Offered both in-person or 100% online and with an average completion time of 16 to 20 months, this data science program fits the schedules of busy working professionals and enables you to fast-track your success.

Housed within the College of Innovation & Technology, our data science graduate program empowers you with the technical proficiencies and experience with real-life data sets to make your mark in the career field. Whether you pursue a career in business, health care, finance, or another field, an online MS in Data Science prepares you to play an integral role in asking and answering questions that help shape policies and best practices.

Current UM-Flint students may wish to consider enrolling on our Joint BS/MS in Data Science. The joint program curriculum allows students to simultaneously earn undergraduate and graduate credits, which count for bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

Why Earn Your Data Science Master’s Degree at UM-Flint?

Progress at Your Own Pace — Choose from Online and In-Person Formats

To accommodate your busy schedule, we offer our data science master’s 100% online through high-tech Cyber-classrooms or in person. Whether online or in person, you have the flexibility to work toward your degree without disrupting your routine.

Beginner-Friendly Courses for Students without CS Background

Whether you have previous experience in computer science or are new to the field, UM-Flint’s online data science program can meet you where you are. If you do not have a background in computer science, then you enroll in up to three Fast Track preparatory courses to bring you up to speed with CS-experienced classmates.

Specialize Your Data Science Degree with Four Concentration Options

Data science is a far-reaching and competitive field. To specialize your expertise, deepen your skill set, and boost your marketability, you can customize your graduate degree by selecting one of the four following concentrations:

Data Science Foundations and Machine Learning
IoT and Cloud Computing in Data Science
Data Security and Cybersecurity in Data Science
Data Engineering and Software Development for Data Science

Sharpen Your Skills Through Faculty-Led Research Opportunities

As a graduate student in UM-Flint’s data science program, you have the opportunity to collaborate with our world-renowned computer science faculty and play an integral role in innovative research projects. Through your participation in leading-edge research, you build transformative relationships with peers and faculty, boost your résumé, and gain invaluable practical experience.

Unlock Career Opportunities in a Rapidly Growing Field

Our modern lives and work depend on proper data science, collection, and retention. As the importance of data mining, investigation, analysis, management, and forecasting grows, data scientists and the demand for their valuable skills also increase.

Because data science applies to a number of different fields, pursuing a master’s in data science opens the door to fresh professional opportunities. Or, if you currently work within the field, it helps you gain a refined skill set and expand the breadth of your technical expertise to qualify for more advanced career roles.

Master’s in Data Science Program Curriculum

Our online MS in Data Science degree provides a highly concentrated set of classes designed to challenge you and fine-tune your Java, Python, SQL, and R programming skills.

The curriculum delivers core courses in technical training in information storage and retrieval, data mining, artificial intelligence, data visualization, machine learning, databases, and more.

With our four concentrations, you can diversify your expertise by choosing a specialization in Data Science Foundations and Machine Learning, IoT and Cloud Computing in Data Science, Data Security and Cybersecurity in Data Science or Data Engineering and Software Development for Data Science. This empowers you to dive deeper into advanced topics, analysis, and applications, furthering your growth as an expert in your area of interest.

Upon completion of the core and elective requirements, you have the option to choose between the thesis option or the non-thesis option. If you opt to write a master’s thesis, you partner with a faculty advisor and perform directed research, document preparation, and undergo an oral defense. Selecting the non-thesis option allows you to take an additional eight credits in graduate courses.

Review the Data Science Program Curriculum

Program Information Request

At UM-Flint, we provide dedicated staff that work with you as you choose a program to meet your career goals. For any questions about starting your MS in Data Science, contact CIT Graduate Programs at [email protected].

Data Science Career Outlook

The technological world lives and depends on data. Because local and global industries rely upon data mining, investigation, analysis, management, and forecasting, they must employ competent data scientists to remain competitive.

Accordingly, the demand for skilled data scientists continues to increase. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects the employment of data scientists to grow 35% through 2031—seven times faster than the average for all occupations. Additionally, data scientists’ median annual salary is $103,500 but can range up to $174,790.

With this positive career outlook, graduates of our online or in-person data science program can kick-start their careers in many industries, such as consulting, financial services, health care, and technology.

CIT Non-Resident Graduate Tuition Scholarship

Covers up to 100% of the difference between the residential and non-residential graduate tuition rates.

Learn more

Admission Requirements

To be considered eligible for UM-Flint’s MS in Data Science degree program, you must meet the following admissions requirements:

A Bachelor of Science degree from a regionally accredited institution. Preference is given to students with a background in a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics field. Applicants who lack eligibility requirements in coursework (Algorithms, Programming, and Data Structure) will be required to complete courses from the prerequisite list by taking the online non-credit certificates option or the Fast-Track option.
Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4-point scale. Applicants who do not meet the minimum GPA requirements may be offered admission. Admission in such cases will depend heavily on other indices of the student’s ability to handle graduate-level work. These might include strong performance on GPA in the major and/or other experiences that are clearly indicative of strong academic ability.
Applicants with a three-year bachelor’s degree from an institution outside of the U.S. are eligible for admission at the University of Michigan-Flint if the course-by-course credential evaluation from the World Education Services report clearly states the three-year degree completed is equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree.

Fast Track Graduation Requirements for Non-Computer Science Students

Admitted students with undergraduate degrees in non-computing fields may need to acquire and demonstrate proficiency in programming, object-oriented programming, and data structures to satisfy graduation requirements for the MS in Data Science. Demonstration of this proficiency is not required for admission into the MS program. Two Fast Track options are provided for students to acquire this proficiency in a time-efficient manner because advanced coursework in the MS curriculum may utilize such proficiency. Fast Track courses can be taken concurrently with graduate courses. Students are encouraged to satisfy Fast Track requirements in their first year of the MS program to ensure success in subsequent advanced coursework.

Noncredit Certificates in Programming, Object-Oriented Programming and Data Structures – CIT offers non-credit certificates in three areas of preparation: Programming, Object-Oriented Programming, and Data Structures. Students must pass the certificate tests with 85% or better and provide proof of successful completion to the CIT Office Manager, Laurel Ming at [email protected]. These certificates are not for academic credit, are a guided self-study of the topics, take approximately four weeks per certificate, and can be taken simultaneously.
Full-Semester Courses – For students seeking a more traditional, slower-paced instruction, CIT also offers three undergraduate courses covering the topics of Programming, Object-Oriented Programming, and Data Structures. Students must earn a grade of C (2.0) or better in each full-semester course and must maintain a B (3.0) or better cumulative grade point average in all Fast Track full-semester courses.

Data Science students must show proficiency in CSC 175,275 & 375 (certificates and/or Fast Track courses).

State Authorization for Online Students

In recent years, the federal government has emphasized the need for universities and colleges to be in compliance with the distance education laws of each individual state. If you are an out-of-state student intending to enroll in the online data science graduate program, please visit the State Authorization page to verify the status of UM-Flint with your state.

Applying to the MS in Data Science

At UM-Flint, we make the application process straightforward. Our program utilizes a rolling admissions process, which means you can apply at any time and receive your admissions decision within two to four weeks.

To apply to our master’s in data science program, please submit the following materials:

Application for Graduate Admission.
$55 application fee (non-refundable).
Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Please read our full transcript policy for more information.
For any degree completed at a non-U.S. institution, transcripts must be submitted for an internal credential review. Read the following for instructions on how to submit your transcripts for review.
If English is not your native language, and you are not from an exempt country, you must demonstrate English proficiency.
Statement of Purpose: Describe your objectives for graduate study and reasons for selecting this program. You may submit statements online during the application process or email them to [email protected].
A minimum of two letters of recommendation. Recommendations should be from individuals familiar with your work in academic or professional contexts who can comment on your critical thinking skills, ability to undertake independent projects, and capacity for collaborating with colleagues. We send electronic recommendation requests as a part of the online application process. This requirement is waived for all University of Michigan Alumni.
Students from abroad must submit additional documentation.

Email additional application materials to [email protected] or deliver them to the Office of Graduate Programs.

Admitted students cannot obtain a student (F-1) visa to pursue this degree. For other non-immigrant visa holders currently in the United States, please contact the Center for Global Engagement at [email protected].

Application Deadlines

Prospective students interested in the data science graduate program must submit all application materials to the Office of Graduate Programs by 5 p.m. on the day of the application deadline. This program offers rolling admission with monthly application reviews. To be considered for admission, please submit all application materials on or before:

Fall – May 1 (guaranteed consideration*)
Fall – Aug. 1 (if space permits, U.S. citizens and permanent residents only)
Winter – Oct. 1 (guaranteed consideration)
Winter – Dec. 1 (U.S. citizens and permanent residents only)
Summer – April 1 (U.S. citizens and permanent residents only)

*Applicants must have a complete application by the early deadline to guarantee eligibility for scholarships, grants, and research assistantships.

Estimated Tuition and Cost

At UM-Flint, we commit to making education accessible. That’s why we ensure graduate students receive competitive tuition rates and helpful financial aid resources to help finance their education.

Learn more about UM-Flint’s tuition and financial aid.

Elevate Your Future with UM-Flint’s MS in Data Science Degree

Earn your Master of Science in Data Science at the University of Michigan-Flint and take the next step toward new or elevated career opportunities! Equipped with in-demand skills and the competitive edge of a UM degree, you can achieve your professional goals!

Ready to expand your technical skills and be a part of shaping the future? Request information, or start your UM-Flint application today!