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MS in Data Science

Harness the power of Big Data as you prepare for high-demand, high-paying careers.

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Program Details

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Master of Science in Data Science (MSDS)
In-person evening classes
30 Credits

Application Deadlines

Summer
May 1

Fall
July 15

Spring
December 1

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Program Overview

The field of data science has steadily been on the rise for decades. With emerging specialties like AI, machine learning, and natural language processing, the field continues to experience unprecedented growth.

Whether you are new to the industry, an aspiring data scientist, or interested in upskilling for career advancement, consider an MSDS degree from Monmouth University. Our innovative, hands-on curriculum will give you the skills you need to address today’s most complex data challenges. Plus, our coursework is closely aligned to industry certifications standards, such as Azure AI, Google ML, and Amazon ML.

Our West Long Branch, New Jersey, location puts you within reach of top tech and financial firms, all of which have a need for data science professionals. Just minutes from campus, you’ll find the innovation hub, Bell Labs—which has now become quite famous, as the fictional location of Lumon Labs in the hit TV show Severance. In nearby New Brunswick, you’ll find some of the world’s largest biotech and pharmaceutical companies. New York City—and Wall Street— is just an hour away.

Careers with a Master’s in Data Science

With the specialized technical training and analytical knowledge that comes with a master’s in data science, our alumni are in high-demand. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, data scientist is one of the fastest-growing occupations in the nation, with a projected growth of 36% through 2033. The average annual salary for data scientists in 2023 was $108,020.

A master’s degree also poises you for tech leadership roles; U.S. News & World Report ranked IT manager No. 2 on its 100 Best Jobs in America List for 2025, with data scientist and information security analyst also making the top 10. Learn more about careers with an MSDS.

Course Requirements for an MS in Data Science

The master’s degree in data science requires a mix of core requirements, electives, and a graduate thesis.

Required Courses (30 credits)

Graduate data science students will complete the following courses:

Probability and Statistics for Data Science
Introduction to Computer Programming for Data Science I
Database Management
Data Analytics: Concepts and Techniques
Ethics and Bias in AI
Big Data Analysis, Methodologies and Infrastructures
Applications for Data Science
Advanced Data Science Techniques

Choose from either:

Data Science Thesis I and Data Science Thesis II OR
Two graduate data science or computer science electives

See the graduate catalog for full MSDS degree course requirements and descriptions.

Sample Electives

Customize your MSDS program with electives from across computer and data science disciplines that match your goals and interests. Options include:

Data Mining
Digital Forensics
Data Science Consulting
Management Science and Business Analytics
Cybersecurity

We also offer a rotating selection of Special Topics in Data Science and Computer Science courses; the themes will vary from semester to semester.

MSDS Admissions Requirements & Application Overview

Here’s an overview of the admissions process for our data science master’s degree program.

Application Requirements

To be considered for admission:

A four-year baccalaureate degree in computer science, software engineering, information technology, information science, biology, mathematics, business administration, or a field that requires substantial software development or business administration components.
A minimum 2.75 overall GPA and minimum 3.0 GPA in the undergraduate major

Why Monmouth for Your M.S. in Data Science?

Flexible Curriculum

Choose data science and other interdisciplinary electives that align with your career interests.

Expert Faculty

Study with world-class professors and instructors with a broad range of career and academic experience.

Real-World Experience

Develop in-demand technical skills through project-based courses, practicums, and internship opportunities.

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More Affordable

Learn more about tuition and financial aid options for graduate students.

Cost & Tuition

Graduate Student Financial Aid

Student Experience: Facilities & Research Opportunities

As part of the broader School of Science at Monmouth University, MSDS students can participate in our annual student research conference.

Student Research

Labs & Facilities

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Program Faculty

Our master’s in data science faculty present their work nationally and internationally, publish books and in industry journals, and stay active with industry organizations. Their research interests include machine learning, natural language processing analytics, data organization, information retrieval, deep learning, and computational social sciences.