Learn more about the MDS program at a live webinar on November 21. Register here!
Master of Data Science
University of Pittsburgh
Accredited Master’s Degree
Offered by the University of Pittsburgh, a highly-ranked, Carnegie R1 public research institution
20 months (part-time)
Finish this 30-credit program in 20 months (9-10 hours per week), working at your own pace.
Learn from anywhere
Lecture videos, hands-on projects and live sessions with instructors and peers.
$15,000 Tuition Cost
Pay-as-you-go for the courses you enroll in, one term at a time, with flexible payment options available.
Become an expert in Data Science with in-demand computing skills from a highly ranked U.S. university - regardless of prior programming experience
Advance or start your career in data science with the University of Pittsburgh’s fully online Master of Data Science (MDS) program. This 30-credit program will provide students with core computational, mathematical, and statistical concepts as well as predictive and database modeling, machine learning, data exploration, data management, and data curation.
Students will gain abilities to pose and answer real-world questions through data and complete experiential projects to build a portfolio they can share with potential employers, all at their own pace. The program adopts an inclusive approach, allowing individuals from diverse academic backgrounds beyond STEM who hold bachelor's degrees to acquire the essential knowledge and skills needed for a successful career in data science.
The MDS program is uniquely designed to unlock the ethical use of data and teach students how to explore the social impact of data science and craft their professional path to becoming responsible data scientists. Students will learn to choose the right methods, validate findings, and make ethically informed decisions.
There are no admissions process requiring prior data or computer science work, programming experience or even an academic history beyond a bachelor’s degree. The fully accredited MDS program is performance-based, requiring students to attain a B grade or higher in an initial, three-credit course to continue toward the graduate degree.
Pursuing an advanced degree is not a decision that should be taken lightly – that’s why we developed a free preview of the pathway course. By clicking the “Request Info” button at the top of the page, you will receive free access to preview Pitt’s Data Centric Computing PBA course. The best part? Your progress will transfer if you choose to enroll in the master’s program for Spring 2025. Request more info today to gain access.
What’s in this degree program?
Admissions information
Gain admission into the degree through your performance in one introductory course. No transcripts, essays, letters of recommendation, or exams are required! Details.
- Enrollments close: December 22, 2024
- First day of classes: January 8, 2025
Get a Head Start on Your MDS! Click the ‘request info’ button above & receive early access to the “Data Centric Computing” PBA preview course. The best part? All your progress will transfer when classes start in January!
Upcoming Webinar
Join the Pitt team on November 21 as they discuss curriculum, admission, career outcomes, and more! Take advantage of the opportunity to ask questions in real-time with the Q&A feature. Register here for the webinar!
Sample the program with a free preview course
Click the "Request Info" button below to gain access to the preview.
Accredited Master’s Degree
Offered by the University of Pittsburgh, a highly-ranked, Carnegie R1 public research institution
20 months (part-time)
Finish this 30-credit program in 20 months (9-10 hours per week), working at your own pace.
Learn from anywhere
Lecture videos, hands-on projects and live sessions with instructors and peers.
$15,000 Tuition Cost
Pay-as-you-go for the courses you enroll in, one term at a time, with flexible payment options available.
Accredited Master’s Degree
Offered by the University of Pittsburgh, a highly-ranked, Carnegie R1 public research institution
20 months (part-time)
Finish this 30-credit program in 20 months (9-10 hours per week), working at your own pace.
Become an expert in Data Science with in-demand computing skills from a highly ranked U.S. university - regardless of prior programming experience
Advance or start your career in data science with the University of Pittsburgh’s fully online Master of Data Science (MDS) program. This 30-credit program will provide students with core computational, mathematical, and statistical concepts as well as predictive and database modeling, machine learning, data exploration, data management, and data curation.
Students will gain abilities to pose and answer real-world questions through data and complete experiential projects to build a portfolio they can share with potential employers, all at their own pace. The program adopts an inclusive approach, allowing individuals from diverse academic backgrounds beyond STEM who hold bachelor's degrees to acquire the essential knowledge and skills needed for a successful career in data science.
The MDS program is uniquely designed to unlock the ethical use of data and teach students how to explore the social impact of data science and craft their professional path to becoming responsible data scientists. Students will learn to choose the right methods, validate findings, and make ethically informed decisions.
There are no admissions process requiring prior data or computer science work, programming experience or even an academic history beyond a bachelor’s degree. The fully accredited MDS program is performance-based, requiring students to attain a B grade or higher in an initial, three-credit course to continue toward the graduate degree.
Pursuing an advanced degree is not a decision that should be taken lightly – that’s why we developed a free preview of the pathway course. By clicking the “Request Info” button at the top of the page, you will receive free access to preview Pitt’s Data Centric Computing PBA course. The best part? Your progress will transfer if you choose to enroll in the master’s program for Spring 2025. Request more info today to gain access.
What’s in this degree program?
Admissions information
Gain admission into the degree through your performance in one introductory course. No transcripts, essays, letters of recommendation, or exams are required! Details.
- Enrollments close: December 22, 2024
- First day of classes: January 8, 2025
Get a Head Start on Your MDS! Click the ‘request info’ button above & receive early access to the “Data Centric Computing” PBA preview course. The best part? All your progress will transfer when classes start in January!
Upcoming Webinar
Join the Pitt team on November 21 as they discuss curriculum, admission, career outcomes, and more! Take advantage of the opportunity to ask questions in real-time with the Q&A feature. Register here for the webinar!
Enter the world of data science, no STEM background required
This program supports students from diverse academic and professional backgrounds to succeed in the exciting world of data science. Our three-credit foundational performance-based admissions (PBA) course provides the necessary background learning and skills for the program, and a view into the broader degree.
Upon earning a grade of B or higher in the PBA course (and confirming completion of your bachelor’s degree), you’ll gain admission to the master’s program with no need to provide transcripts, submit applications or standardized test results.
We will need verification of your bachelor’s degree. This is usually completed via an automated process, but we may require your transcripts, should we encounter technical difficulties in verifying your qualification this way.
Balance work, study and personal life with flexible pay-as-you-go tuition
- $15,000 total tuition degree cost The total tuition cost of the 30-credit Master of Data Science degree program is $15,000.
- Pay-as-you-go tuition for both U.S. and non-U.S. citizens When you enroll in a course, you'll only be charged the tuition for that specific course, no matter where you live.
- Payment plans available Spread the cost, with three or six-month flexible payment plans for any amount greater than $300 at the University. (Six-month plan only available for Fall and Spring terms, three-month plans available for Summer term.)
Join Pitt, a Center of Academic Excellence
The University of Pittsburgh is a highly-ranked R1* public institution. Data Science links the School of Computing and Information to many other Schools and departments across campus, through a variety of cross-disciplinary projects.
Our faculty have received research grants from various institutions, including:
The National Science Foundation
The Office of Naval Research
The Air Force Office of Scientific Research
The Air Force Research Laboratory
The National Institute of Standards and Technology
The National Institutes of Health
The U.S. Department of Energy
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Our students will benefit from our renowned faculty and our School’s tradition of quality, rigor and extensive research experience, setting them on a trajectory to professional success. Pitt’s MDS develops essential practical skills necessary for advancing your career in data science.
The program prepares you for leadership roles such as data scientist or data architect, while immersing you in industry case studies to provide experience of real world data challenges. You’ll explore a wide array of relevant topics, equipping you for success in your data science career.
*R1 is an elite designation given by the Carnegie Classification of Institution of Higher Education to universities with the highest levels of research activity. Typically, less than 5% of institutions qualify for R1 status.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, it’s the same as the on-campus program. Upon program completion, you’ll receive your diploma. It’s a degree conferred for a Master of Data Science, and your diploma won’t mention Coursera or online study.
No, it’s not possible to switch between online and on-campus programs for the Master of Data Science, as this program is exclusively offered online.
Yes, the same dedicated and highly qualified faculty members who teach on-campus courses also deliver the MDS online classes. This commitment to maintaining consistency in teaching quality between on-campus and online education is a fundamental part of our educational approach.