Master of Science in Data Science

The MSDS at UWM is unique because its goal is to train graduates to practice data analytics in a field they are most passionate about. For example, if your interest is healthcare, you can become a data analyst in healthcare. If your passion is education, you can get the training to become an analyst in the field of education. The MSDS is designed to give you the flexibility to build a career in data science in a field of your choice.

The core objective of the M.S. in Data Science is to prepare students to pursue a data science oriented career path in the discipline that they are passionate about. Graduates of the M.S. in Data Science will be prepared to apply the concepts of data science inter-disciplinary to problems in a variety of fields and industries and appreciate and abide by ethical uses of data and insights from the use of data science. Students will:

• Develop insights from data, for applications,
• Learn how to work with large data sets,
• Gain experience in advanced computer programming for data science
• Become skilled in specific areas of data science such as artificial intelligence and machine learning
• Understand how to deal with uncertainty which is an inherent characteristic of data science and
• Recognize and internalize the importance of ethical use of data and data science.

Why should you Consider a Master of Science in Data Science (MSDS)?

With every field turning to data to improve decision-making and performance, Data Science is one of the fastest growing professions today but there aren’t enough trained data analysts to fill that need. A Master’s degree in Data Science that trains you to analyze data can therefore help you in finding jobs with attractive salaries.

A report from the employment outlook firm Burning Glass produced jointly with IBM and the Business Higher Education Forum identified several job categories in the data science and analytics field, including data driven decision makers (“leverage data to inform strategic and operational decisions”) and functional analysts (“utilize data and analytical models to inform specific functions and business decisions”). They estimated a national demand of 1.8 million job postings nationwide for 2020, with a 5-year growth rate of approximately 15%. Importantly, the report also states: “39% of Data Scientists and Advanced Analysts require a Master’s or Ph.D. These degrees take additional years of schooling to complete, so it will take a significant time investment to train a larger pool of workers. Therefore, because these roles are already undersupplied and projected to grow rapidly, the skills shortage is in danger of worsening.”

The Bureau of Labor Statistics also projects that Computer and Information Research Scientists category of jobs will grow 15% over the 2019-2029 period and describes this as: “…much faster than average for all occupations[1]. Job prospects are expected to be excellent” and states that the “median annual wage for computer and information research scientists was $126,830 in May 2020.” BLS also classifies this as a category in which most jobs require a master’s degree.

For admission to the M.S. in Data Science program, students must meet the general requirements of admission to a graduate program at UW-Milwaukee. As stated by the Graduate School, these requirements include: (1) a baccalaureate degree, or its equivalent as determined by the UWM Center on International Education, from a regionally accredited institution, completed before the first term of enrollment in the Graduate School; (2) Proficiency in the English language; and (3) A minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale, or an equivalent measure on a grading system that does not use a 4.0 scale. Applications must include a reason statement, at least one letter of recommendation, and other materials as specified in the graduate application system. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Students applying to the program are expected to have proficiency, demonstrated through coursework, exams or a portfolio, in the following areas: Linear Algebra (3 credits), Multivariable Calculus (4 credits), Statistics (3 credits), and Computer Literacy (6 credits). Those without these proficiencies may be admitted when they have 6 credits or fewer of the proficiency requirements remaining to be completed, but proficiency coursework does not count towards the MS.

Ready to Apply?
The Data Science program is a multidisciplinary program. To apply go to: graduateschool-apply.uwm.edu and click on the Apply Now tab to find the MS Data Science degree under Multidisciplinary Programs. Or go directly to the MS Data Science application.