M.S. in Data Science

M.S. Data Science Program

With the M.S. in Data Science program, students receive strong foundations in computer science, mathematics, and statistics.  While focusing on foundations of data science, the program provides flexibility for student to choose courses of interest.  The program requires 30 credits spread across ten 3-credit courses.  Students are required to take one core course in each discipline and a minimum of two courses from each: computer science, mathematics, and statistics.  However, additional course work can align with student interest.

Tuition Note

Montana State University graduate education is highly affordable and of great value. An estimate of tuition costs has been prepared by the graduate school: https://www.montana.edu/gradschool/costs.html.

The MS Data Science Program is approved under the Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP), which allows students from Western states to pay 150% of resident tuition, which is significantly less than non-resident tuition. The participating states are Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.  If you are from one of these states, please include a request for "WICHE/WRGP status" in your file (this can be a brief memo naming your state of residence and requesting in-state tuition under the WICHE/WRGP program).

No graduate teaching assistantships are offered for the M.S. Data Science program. Students wishing to study with the support of an assistantship are encouraged to consider the M.S. Statistics, the M.S. Mathematics, or the M.S. Computer Science for opportunities there. 

International Students:  Students will be competitive for admission when they meet all course prerequisites and achieve 70/100 or better in mathematics, statistics, and computer science undergraduate coursework. Please refer to The Graduate School's page http://www.montana.edu/gradschool/policy/admissions_intl.html for a detailed description of additional requirements for admission including those on how to provide evidence of English proficiency.  In order to be eligible for admission to the program, the department requires that the applicant demonstrate a minimum score on one of the following  TOEFL: 80-internet-based [iBT] or 550-PBT, IELTS: 6.5.  In order to be eligible for a GTA position, the applicant must provide documentation of a minimum score of TOEFL: 93-internet-based [iBT] or 550-PBT, IELTS: 7.0, or Duolingo: 135.