Discover the Meaning Within Big Data.

Lewis University's online Master of Science in Data Science degree is designed to provide you with the skills and concepts of data science as applied to a wide variety of fields such as the natural sciences, the social sciences, the humanities, healthcare, business and education. The online Data Science master's program provides you with skills needed to play a significant role in data mining, data visualization, predictive analytics and data management.

#17 Fortune
Best Online Master's
113K MEDIAN
SALARY
4.1/5 JOB SATISFACTION



The field of data science uses mathematics and computational techniques to generate new knowledge from large sets of data, which can provide decision makers with critical information necessary to make optimal decisions. The mathematical theory and techniques used by data scientists ranges from probability and statistics, to linear algebra and modeling.  The mathematics are used along with computer science concepts and skills in distributed storage and processing, networks, human-machine interfaces, software development and algorithms.  Using these concepts, data scientists can develop software and systems that enable identification and interpretation of critical big data assets.

Upon graduating from the program, you will be ready to discover the patterns within large quantities of data and implement solutions that provide insight, thanks to courses in:


  • Machine Learning
  • Statistical Programming
  • Data Mining and Analytics
  • Large-Scale Data Storage Systems
  • Data Visualization
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Natural Language Processing
  • Digital Image Processing

Earn your master's from Lewis University and you can learn data science in a flexible, 100% online environment.

Qualify for the Nation's No. 3 Job

Earning your online M.S. in Data Science will qualify you for employment as a Data Scientist, the #3 job in America according to Glassdoor. Expertise in data science gives you both flexibility and opportunity. Big data analysis is used in almost every major field, from business and finance to government, healthcare and countless others. More and more industries are realizing the value of data science and the importance of data-driven decision-making. Knowledgeable individuals who can harness that data are increasingly in demand.

Graduate equipped to be that individual. Lewis' Master's in Data Science provides you with the knowledge and skills you need to process massive amounts of data to discover patterns, relationships and trends, and communicate actionable recommendations for businesses and organizations to make informed decisions.

Concentrations Allow you to Customize Your Degree

The data science master’s degree is an online, 33-credit-hour program offering concentrations focused on various roles and subfields in industry and education:

  • Cognitive and Prescriptive Analytics
  • Data Engineering
  • Cybersecurity Data Science
  • Data Science Research
  • Computational Biology and Bioinformatics

Or, for maximum flexibility of course selection, you can graduate from the program with no concentration, if that better fits your career goals.

Start your Journey Sooner with a Certificate

Lewis University offers two certificate options for those looking to get into the Data Science field but aren’t ready to earn the full degree. However, you may switch to the full degree program at any time should you wish to do so.

Certificate in Computational Biology and Bioinformatics

Offered fully online, this 18 hour certificate program will prepare you to specialize in implementing and choosing systems that identify trends in large sets of data for the life sciences. It is designed for those who do not wish to pursue the full degree. Students who start out pursuing the certificate option may switch to the degree program at any time.

CURRICULUM
Total Credit Hours Required: 18

Foundation Courses (9) – waived for those with sufficient background
CPSC-50100 Programming Fundamentals
3
DATA-50000 Mathematics for Data Scientists
3
DATA-50100 Probability and Statistics for Data Scientists
3
Core Courses (15)
BIOL-50900 Introduction to Computational Biology
3
BIOL-51000 Data Systems in the Life Sciences
3
DATA-51000 Data Mining and Analytics
3
DATA-51100 Statistical Programming
3
DATA-55000 Supervised Machine Learning
3

For any student waived out of all foundation courses, an additional elective course must be chosen.

Certificate in Data Science

Offered fully online, this 18 hour certificate program is designed for those who want to acquire general data science skills and knowledge, but do not wish to pursue the full degree. Students who start out pursuing the certificate option may switch to the degree program at any time.

CURRICULUM
Total Credit Hours Required: 18

Foundation Courses (9) – waived for those with sufficient background
CPSC-50100 Programming Fundamentals
3
DATA-50000 Mathematics for Data Scientists
3
DATA-50100 Probability and Statistics for Data Scientists
3
Core Courses (15)
DATA-51000 Data Mining and Analytics
3
DATA-51100 Statistical Programming
3
DATA-53000 Data Visualization
3
DATA-54000 Large-Scale Data Storage Systems
3
DATA-55000 Supervised Machine Learning
3

For any student waived out of all foundation courses, an additional elective course must be chosen

Faculty Emphasize Real World Application

Lewis University's online Data Science degree is delivered by highly experienced faculty members who are leading experts in the field of data science. Our faculty emphasize real-world examples and practical skill building to help you immediately apply the data science skills you learned in the classroom to your career. The data science faculty at Lewis University bring decades of combined experience and have varied professional backgrounds in such areas as computational transportation science, applied predictive modeling, data visualization, critical infrastructure security and artificial intelligence.

Who Should Apply?

The program's balance between data science concepts and practical application can prepare students from all backgrounds to use data science tools in a professional setting. Although interested students should have an aptitude for math, the program's foundation courses will provide you with the essential math knowledge and skills needed to become a data scientist.

Students will have the opportunity to leverage cutting-edge cloud computing resources and software suites, including SAS, R, and MS Azure or AWS, and will have the opportunity to develop their own data analysis and visualization solutions in languages like Python and Java.

The master’s in data science program is ideal for those seeking roles like:

  • Business strategist
  • Marketing advisor
  • Financial analyst
  • Data scientist
  • Data analyst
  • Health care analyst
  • Public policy strategist
  • Business intelligence director
  • Big data engineer
  • Research Scientist
  • Bioinformaticist

These are only a few of the challenging and rewarding positions that professionals with this advanced knowledge of data science can hold.

 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Below are a number of frequently asked questions about the online Master of Science in Data Science program at Lewis University. If you have a question that is not listed below, call (815) 836-5610 to speak with a Graduate Admission counselor or email grad@lewisu.edu.

  1. I am very interested in the Data Science program, but I do not have a strong background in math. Can I still apply?
    Yes. We offer foundational courses for the degree (DATA-50000 and DATA-50100), where you will gain the mathematics knowledge and skills needed by a data scientist.

  2. Do I need to have a technical degree to apply?
    No, in fact any undergraduate degree will qualify. Students from diverse backgrounds can be very successful.

  3. Can the courses completed as part of the certificate program count toward any other degree programs at Lewis University?
    Yes.

  4. Do I need to take the GRE or GMAT to apply?
    No, the GRE and GMAT are NOT REQUIRED.

  5. Which programming languages will be used in each course?
    Courses that require programming generally use languages which are commonly used by data scientists in industry. These include Python, R, and Java. Some courses may also use SAS or MATLAB.

  6. How many courses should I plan to take each semester?
    Most part-time students take one course per each eight-week term (two per semester). Full-time students usually take one or two courses per term (three or four per semester).

  7. Are international students accepted?
    Yes.

  8. Are current Lewis students able to apply?
    Yes. In fact, existing undergraduate Computer Science or Data Science students can apply for an accelerated (4+1) program that allows to complete the M.S. Data Science degree in a reduced amount of time – contact your advisor or the Data Science director for more information.

  9. Is career placement assistance available for graduates?
    Yes. Lewis University's Office of Career Services does offer opportunities to help students find employment in their chosen discipline.

  10. In the application, what are you looking for in the statement of purpose?
    We are looking for an explanation of why the student wishes to pursue a degree in Data Science as well as some indication that his or her prior academic and/or work experience suggests a reasonable chance of success in the program.

Learn More
Gain an understanding of data analysis today. Call (815) 836-5610 to speak with a Graduate Admission Counselor or email grad@lewisu.edu.


Admission Requirements

Applicants must meet the following admission requirements for the master’s in data science program:

  1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher education.
  2. A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
  3. Undergraduate mathematics coursework in Calculus.
  4. A completed application for graduate admission
  5. Professional resume
  6. Official transcripts from all educational institutions attended
  7. Two-page statement of purpose
  8. Two letters of recommendation
  9. International students are required to have a TOEFL test score greater than 550 (computer-based 213; Internet-based 79)

VIEW THE PROGRAM CURRICULUM


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