Online Master of Science in Data Science

For aspiring data science professionals looking to gain advanced skills to manage, analyze, mine, and understand complex data to make strategic decisions.

  • Credit for Prior Learning — Receive up to 6 graduate credits for completed and qualifying data science boot camps to use toward our online Master of Data Science – and potentially save more than $10,000 in graduate tuition.
  • Customized Curriculum — Choose from specializations in machine learning and artificial intelligence or decision analytics.
  • Hybrid Structure — Benefit from a mixture of live, online classes, self-paced coursework and an in-person immersion experience.

Outstanding Job Outlook for Data Scientists

34%

Expected career growth for data scientists between 2024 to 20341

$112,590

Average annual pay for data scientists in 20242

#4

Data Scientist is projected to be the #4 fastest-growing occupation in America through 2034, with a 34% increase in demand—more than 10 times the national average for all jobs.3

Advance your career with specialized data science skills.
Get started today.

Data science is one of the fastest-growing and most in-demand fields in the world.

As a DataScience@SMU student, you’ll gain highly sought-after skills in unstructured data, big data processing, statistical analysis, text mining, and machine learning.

You’ll become versed in Natural Language Processing (NLP), visualization of information for machine learning, and will use state-of-the-art tools to design and execute data mining processes using Python and R.

You’ll also have the opportunity to choose an area of specialty in either Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence or Decision Analytics, giving you the strong ability to master specific skills and apply them directly to your career interests. Through a combination of interactive coursework, collaborative group activities, online face-to-face classes, and an in-person immersion experience, you’ll gain the skills needed to make meaningful data-driven decisions across various industries.

You’ll also benefit from facilitating close connections with peers and faculty in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, which consistently exceeds national job growth rates.4

  • No GRE required
  • Graduate in as few as 20 months
  • Two convenient start dates per year
Request Information Now

Southern Methodist University partners with 2U to support the delivery of this online program. Southern Methodist University has full control over the program, including all core academic functions. Click here to learn more about 2U’s roles and responsibilities.

1U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Data Scientists. (Accessed May 2026)arrow_upwardReturn to footnote reference

2U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Data Scientists. (Accessed May 2026)arrow_upwardReturn to footnote reference

3 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Fastest Growing Occupations. (Accessed May 2026)arrow_upwardReturn to footnote referenceReturn to footnote reference

4U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Economy at a Glance: Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX. (Accessed May 2026)arrow_upwardReturn to footnote referenceReturn to footnote reference