Build a career in data science from any background
Master of Science in Data Science
The world runs on data—and data science needs skilled leaders. If you want to build or maximize your data-driven career, then Northeastern University’s Master of Science in Data Science program has options to help you succeed—even if you don’t have a background in tech. The interdisciplinary program, offered by the Khoury College of Computer Sciences and the College of Engineering, is built on a foundation of core programming and analytical competencies. Whether you want to help shape the economy, society, or culture, we bring you the network, knowledge, and experience to thrive.
We offer two programs:
- The MS in Data Science is designed for students with a solid foundation in math and some programming experience.
- The MS in Data Science—Align is for students who don’t have a background in data science or tech. You’ll begin your studies with a series of foundational courses and graduate with the same degree as your direct-entry peers.
Get more information
“The MSDS program has given me a solid theoretical foundation and exposure to the many facets of data science and related interdisciplinary fields. It has filled gaps in the knowledge I picked up through 10 years of working with data professionally—I now have a much better understanding of how and why systems and analytical techniques work in practice.”
—Nicole Reitz, Master of Science in Data Science ‘21
Which program is right for you?
Align Master of Science in Data Science
If you don’t have a background in data science or tech, the first two semesters of the Align program will provide you with the necessary foundational knowledge to earn your master’s and gain the expertise that employers are looking for.
Master of Science in Data Science
If you have a solid foundation in math and some programming experience, the master’s in data science program will provide you with the expertise in mathematics, computer science, and data engineering needed to lead.
Studying in Silicon Valley
- Enjoy easy access to San Jose’s diverse culture, proximity to innovators throughout the Bay Area, and geographic beauty.
- Study at the epicenter of startups and tech companies.
- Learn from a faculty of industry experts who lead technology-focused degree programs aligned with regional industry needs.
- Earn an education designed for working professionals and tailored for today’s workforce in emerging and innovative fields.
- Access multimedia classrooms, collaboration spaces, and state-of-the-art facilities.
About Northeastern University
Founded in 1898, Northeastern is a global research university and the recognized leader in experiential lifelong learning. Our approach of integrating real-world experience with education, research, and innovation empowers our students, faculty, alumni, and partners to create worldwide impact.
Our global university system provides our community and academic, government, and industry partners with unique opportunities to think locally and act globally. The system—which includes 13 campuses across the U.S., U.K., and Canada, 320,000-plus alumni, and more than 3,800 partners worldwide—serves as a platform for scaling ideas, talent, and solutions.
Northeastern’s personalized, experiential undergraduate and graduate programs lead to degrees through the doctorate in 10 colleges and schools across our campuses. Learning emphasizes the intersection of data, technology, and human literacies, uniquely preparing graduates for careers of the future and lives of fulfillment and accomplishment.
Our research enterprise, with an R1 Carnegie classification, is solutions oriented and spans the world. Our faculty scholars and students work in teams that cross not just disciplines, but also sectors—aligned around solving today’s highly interconnected global challenges and focused on transformative impact for humankind.