Khoury College of Computer Sciences

College of Engineering

Data Science

Master's: Silicon Valley
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Our Master’s in Data Science program will provide you a comprehensive foundation in the skills and theory of data science, as well as the tools and experience to translate data into clear, innovative, and strategic insights.

Silicon Valley
Location
Full-Time
Part-Time
Commitment
2-2.5 years
Duration of Program
Fall, Spring
Entry Terms
Yes *
Meets F1 Visa Requirements
Overview

Data has become one of the most critical tools in shaping our economy, society, and culture. In fact, for the fourth year in a row, Glassdoor named data scientist as the best job in America. Now more than ever, the world needs people who can understand this untapped resource and draw conclusions so vital to future success.

We developed our Master’s in Data Science with that in mind. As an interdisciplinary program between the Khoury College of Computer Sciences and the College of Engineering, you’ll develop comprehensive expertise in mathematics, computing, and data engineering so you can take your data career to the next level. That interdisciplinary aspect means you’ll receive robust, comprehensive exposure to the world of data science. Our elective courses will help you create a curriculum that’s unique to your own interests. And with a full spectrum of exciting co-op, research, and internship opportunities, you’ll gain even more real-world experience to help you emerge from your studies prepared for whatever and wherever data leads you next.

More Details

Unique Features

  • Our program meets F-1 international student status requirements.
  • This is an interdisciplinary program between Khoury College of Computer Sciences and the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering in the College of Engineering.
  • Courses are tailored toward technically or mathematically trained students.
  • Elective courses allow you to explore what interests you.

Program Objectives

  • Collect data from numerous sources (databases, files, XML, JSON, CSV, and Web APIs) and integrate them into a form in which the data is fit for analysis.
  • Use R and Python to explore data, produce summary statistics, and perform statistical analyses; use standard data mining and machine-learning models for effective analysis.
  • Select, plan, and implement storage, search, and retrieval components of large-scale structure and unstructured repositories.
  • Retrieve data for analysis, which requires knowledge of standard retrieval mechanisms such as SQL and XPath, but also retrieval of unstructured information such as text, image, and a variety of alternate formats.
  • Manage, process, analyze, and visualize data at scale to handle data where the conventional information technology fails.
  • Match the methodological principles and limitations of machine learning and data mining methods to specific applied problems, and communicate the applicability and the advantages/disadvantages of the methods in the specific problem to nonexperts.
  • Carry out the full data analysis workflow, including unsupervised class discovery, supervised class comparison, and supervised class prediction; summarize, interpret, and communicate the analysis of results.
  • Organize visualization of data for analysis, understanding, and communication; choose appropriate visualization method for a given data type using effective design and human perception principle.
  • Develop methods for modeling, analyzing, and reasoning about data arising in one or more application domains, such as social science, health informatics, web and social media, climate informatics, urban informatics, geographical information systems, business analytics, bioinformatics, complex networks, public health, and game design.

The data science MS degree empowers you to:

  • Attain data scientist and data engineer positions in a fast-growing field
  • Apply your skills to manipulate, store, visualize, and analyze data in any industry
  • Pursue related doctoral degrees

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Admissions

A graduate degree or certificate from Northeastern—a top-50 university—can accelerate your career through rigorous academic coursework and hands-on professional experience in the area of your interest. Apply now—and take your career to the next level.

Program Costs

$55.4K *
Tuition

Finance Your Education We offer a variety of resources, including scholarships and assistantships.

How to Apply Learn more about the application process and requirements.

Requirements

  • Online application and fee
  • Unofficial undergraduate/graduate transcripts (you can submit official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended at the time of admission)
  • Statement of purpose that should include career goals and expected outcomes and benefits from the program
  • Recent professional resumé listing detailed position responsibilities
  • Three confidential letters of recommendation
  • Unofficial TOEFL or IELTS examination scores (international students only)
  • 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
  • 8.0 on a 10.0 scale
  • 80 on a 100 scale
  • GRE is optional
  • Duolingo language test also accepted

Prerequisite Courses

The Master of Science in Data Science curriculum is tailored toward technically or mathematically trained students. To ensure that all students have the foundation necessary to be successful in this program, each incoming student must either complete two introductory courses at Northeastern or complete two placement exams administered one week prior to the beginning of the semester. The two exams cover fundamentals of computer science and programming skills and basic statistics, probability, and linear algebra. This admission requirement can also be fulfilled by successful completion of Introduction to Programming for Data Science (DS 5010) and Introduction to Linear Algebra and Probability for Data Science (DS 5020). The introductory courses are not counted as credit toward the degree but are included in the student’s cumulative grade-point average.

Are You an International Student? Find out what additional documents are required to apply.

Global Engagement Learn how our teaching and research benefit from a worldwide network of students, faculty, and industry partners.

Admissions Dates

Applicants must submit the online application and all required admission materials no later than the stated deadlines to be considered for admission. Admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis.

Spring 2024
Fall 2023
International Students: October 15
Domestic students: December 1
International Students: April 15
Domestic students: August 1
Curriculum

Industry-aligned courses for in-demand careers.


For 100+ years, we’ve designed our programs with one thing in mind—your success. Explore the current program requirements and course descriptions, all designed to meet today’s industry needs and must-have skills.

 

Experiential Learning

Co-op makes the Northeastern graduate education richer and more meaningful. It provides master’s students with up to 12 months of professional experience that helps them develop the knowledge, awareness, perspective, and confidence to develop rich careers. In addition to the esteemed faculty, many students enroll in the master’s programs largely because of the successful co-op program.

Graduate students typically have an experiential work opportunity following their second semester. This could be a six- to eight-month co-op or a three- to four-month summer internship. Those who initially experience co-op may have the opportunity to seek an internship for the following summer, or vice versa.

Student participation in experiential education provides enhanced:

  • Learning, technical expertise, and occupational knowledge
  • Confidence, maturity, and self-knowledge
  • Job-seeking and job-success skills
  • Networking opportunities within your desired career path

Northeastern’s co-op program is based on a unique educational strategy that recognizes that classroom learning only provides some of the skills students will need to succeed in their professional lives. Our administration, faculty, and staff are dedicated to the university’s mission to “educate students for a life of fulfillment and accomplishment.” Co-op is closely integrated with our course curriculum and our advising system. The team of graduate co-op faculty within the Khoury College of Computer Sciences provides support for students in preparing for and succeeding in their co-ops.

These multiple connections make co-op at Northeastern an avenue to intellectual and personal growth: adding depth to classroom studies, providing exposure to career paths and opportunities, and developing in students a deeper understanding that leads to success in today’s world.

Faculty

Our Faculty

Our faculty represents a wide cross-section of professional practices and fields ranging from finance to education to biomedical science to management to the U.S. military. They serve as mentors and advisors and collaborate alongside students to solve the most pressing global challenges facing established and emerging markets.

Students

By enrolling in Northeastern, you’ll gain access to students at 14 campus locations, 300,000+ alumni, and 2,900+ employer partners worldwide. Our global university system provides students unique opportunities to think locally and act globally while serving as a platform for scaling ideas, talent, and solutions.

Below is a look at where our computing and IT alumni work, the positions they hold, and the skills they bring to their organization.

 

  • Where They Work

    • Dell EMC
    • IBM
    • Amazon
    • Oracle
    • Microsoft

  • What They Do

    • Engineering
    • Information Technology
    • Business Development
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Program and Project Management

  • What They're Skilled At

    • Java
    • SQL
    • Software Development
    • JavaScript
    • HTML

 

Learn more about Northeastern Alumni on Linkedin.

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