Master of Science in Data Science (MSDS)

Amplify your brilliance with a Master of Science in Data Science degree at Weber State University. Data science is the study of data to extract meaningful insight and utilize that data to predict what will happen next. Our program is designed for working professionals, offering both evening and online classes.

Accelerate Your Career. Elevate Your Life.
Go Further. Faster.

Ready to launch your future? Review the core tracks and take the next step toward your Weber State Master of Science in Data Science degree today.

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PROGRAM DETAILS

Admission Requirements

Be Brilliant to Your Employers

Weber State's Master of Science in Data Science Program Details

In a world that’s drowning in data, we’re here to help you make sense of it. We go beyond spreadsheets or predictions, teaching the interdisciplinary craft of translating raw data into actionable insights. If you’re looking to improve your professional skills or pivot into a new and high-demand field, our program offers the technical depth you need.

We understand the schedule of a working professional. That’s why our instruction is flexible, featuring online and evening courses and small class sizes for personalized faculty mentorship. You’ll go beyond spreadsheets to master the four-part foundation of data science: identifying hidden assumptions, cleaning messy datasets, building predictive mathematical models, and crafting compelling narratives.

Join a program where your unique background meets a high demand field.

Curriculum

30 credits total, 15 of which are electives. Electives offer flexibility in field specialization, such as business, professional communication, or machine learning.

Catalog: Full Program Curriculum

Tuition and Fees

Required Courses (15 credits):

CS 5580 - Data Science Algorithms Credits: (3)
ECON 6550 - Econometrics Credits: (3)
MATH 6400 - Advanced Statistical Learning Credits: (3)
MPC 6840 - Data Visualization & Storytelling Credits: (3)

Take one of the following:

CS 6580 - Data Science Algorithms II Credits: (3)
MATH 6500 - Factor and Cluster Analysis Credits: (3)

Electives (15 credits):

Take any courses with the following designations. You are free to pick and choose your courses, and to guide your selections courses relevant to specific areas of specialization are listed below. Students may have no more than 12 credits of 5000 level coursework apply to the degree.

Any MATH 6000-level course
Any ECE 6000-level course
Any CS 6000-level course
Any CS 5000-level course
Any ECON 6000-level course
Any MBA 6000-level course
Any MPC 6000-level course

Economics Management
- MBA 6040 - Managerial Economics (3)
- MBA 6440 - Strategic Leadership Credits: (3)
- MBA 6450 - Leadership Through People Skills Credits: (3)
- MBA 6580 - Project Management Credits: (3)
- MBA 6260 - Data Visualization Using Tableau (3)
- ECON 6330 - Game Theory (3)
Health Care
- MHA 6200 - Population Health and Data Analytics Credits: (3)
- MHA 6450 - Health Informatics Credits (3)
- We suggest students take at least one of the following courses for this emphasis first: MATH 6450 or CS 6600 or MBA 6620.
Applied Statistics and Machine Learning
- MATH 6450 - Applied Statistics & Regression Credits: (3)
- MBA 6660 - Forecasting and Time Series Credits: (3)
- CS 6600 (Machine Learning)
- CS 6700 (Deep Learning Theory)
- CS 6500 (Artificial Intelligence)
- MBA 6160 - Applications of Decision Models Credits: (3)
- MBA 6620 - Data Mining for Business Credits: (3)
- Students taking additional CS in this area are encouraged to take CS 6580 for CS 6700 and 6500.
Professional Communication
- MPC 6100 - Team Building and Facilitation Credits: (3)
- MPC 6150 - Writing for Professional Communicators Credits: (3)
- MPC 6210 - Presentational Speaking in the Workplace Credits: (3)
- MPC 6350 - Visual Communication in the Workplace Credits: (3)
- MPC 6400 - Leadership Communication Credits: (3)
- MPC 6450 - Advanced Organizational Communication Credits: (3)
- MPC 6600 - Strategic Communication Credits: (3)
Database Management
- CS 6550 - Advanced Database Management Systems Credits: (3)
- CS 6705 - Applied Cloud Computing Credits: (3)
- Students should have taken a course in database management.

Program Length

Students will complete 30 credit hours to obtain a MSDS degree.

Scholarships

Non-resident tuition waivers are awarded to non-resident and international students who have completed all required leveling courses with an entry GPA of 3.0 (subject to WSU and department funding availability). These waivers cover the non-resident portion of tuition, and do not cover the graduate differential or student fees. Waivers are reviewed each semester and are not guaranteed. Non-resident and international students must maintain a 3.0 GPA to continue receiving the waiver. Students must email msds@weber.edu each semester to request that the waiver be applied to their tuition.

How Weber's MSDS Program Empowers Working Professionals

Admission Requirements for the Master of Science in Data Science

Applicants for admission into the Master of Science in Data Science program must have previously taken any Calculus course (MATH 1210, QUANT 2400, or equivalent), along with an introductory programming course (CS 1400 or equivalent). CS 1400 may be taken synchronously alongside the program through CS Flex.

Additionally, applicants must have a cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 or higher.

The Master of Science in Data Science program has rolling admissions, so there is no strict application deadline beyond when the semester starts.

Be Brilliant to Your Employers

Modern businesses increasingly rely on data scientists and analysts to guide them toward profitable and sustainable outcomes. The Master of Science in Data Science from Weber State is a flexible, interdisciplinary degree designed for those seeking careers across a variety of fields, including technology, healthcare, business, and public policy.

What can you do with a Master of Science in Data Science?