Master of Science in Analytics Online

Courses in the University of Chicago’s Master’s of Science in Analytics Online (MScA) teach advanced programming and data-engineering architecture skills to future data science leaders ready to tackle automated machine learning, big data, and cloud computing platforms and the large-scale engineering challenges that come with parallel processing and real-time AI solutions. Within the Physical Sciences Division, the MScA program teaches a complement of computer science skills, statistics, matrix mathematics, and programming languages. 

Go Beyond Big Data. Learn What's Next. From Anywhere.

The data science master's degree offered at the University of Chicago delivers courses in a range of formats to meet students where they are. MScA Online brings the program to you with high-engagement, synchronous classes, frequent networking opportunities, and thoughtfully considered tools for collaboration built with the remote student in mind. Our expert instructors, up-to-the-minute technology training, and industry connections will follow you wherever you are.

Whether you join us from the suburbs of Chicago or a café in Paris, we have designed our online program to connect you with a diverse community of classmates and industry thought leaders who share a passion for taking their data science and analytical skills to the next level. Online data science master's students can expect the same outstanding educational outcomes as their on-campus peers, through the use of best, online pedagogy practices.

The Master's of Science in Analytics Online offers our program in full and part-time formats to suit the schedule of every student.

Full-time or Part-time? In-person or Online? 

Not sure which format is the right fit for your schedule or goals? We've created a side-by-side comparison for you. 

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Online Program Structure

Synchronous online learning

You will meet with your instructors on a weekly basis for live lectures, question-and-answer sessions, demos, workshops, and discussions. You will meet with your classmates outside of class for live, interactive sessions facilitated by advanced meeting technology.

Asynchronous online learning

Each week, you will watch videos, do readings, and work on data science projects and assignments on your own schedule.

The Industry Edge

The dynamic field of data science runs on novelty: new technologies, new data, new devices for consumers and businesses, and new techniques for machine learning. MScA is committed to staying current by engaging projects with—and drawing instructors from—technologically savvy businesses in the Chicagoland region, one of the country’s top hubs for data-intensive industries and forward-thinking companies. Our instructors, public- and private-sector leaders in emerging AI/AutoML technologies, maintain our edge in this ever-evolving field.

MScA attracts students from all over the world to our downtown Chicago campus, and the new MScA Online program format delivers our courses anywhere in the world. Regardless of where or how they earn it, our students can use their degree as a springboard to dive into the analytics field, discover new ways to use analytics to explore complex questions, and shape themselves into leaders in the analytics community. MScA teaches skills that can be applied in almost any industry, and our graduates have gone on to work Google, McKinsey, Argonne Labs, Goldman Sachs, Proctor & Gamble, and more. 

The MScA program is offered through the Data Science Institute (DSI), which is part of the Physical Sciences Division of the University of Chicago. The Data Science Institute executes the University of Chicago’s bold, innovative vision of Data Science as a new discipline. The DSI seeds research on the interdisciplinary frontiers of this emerging field, forms partnerships with industry, government, and social impact organizations and supports holistic data science education.

Our coursework has a practical focus that will see you:

• Acquiring advanced proficiency in applying state-of-the-art data engineering and software skills to support a variety of analytics applications
• Learning data collection and preparation methodologies including identifying relevant data sources, preparing data for analytics, and automating the data preparation process
• Gaining an in-depth understanding of established and state-of-the-art statistical modeling, machine learning, and artificial intelligence techniques
• Designing and implementing applied research by using analytics tools relevant to strategic business issues and working with real data sets provided by our industry partners
• Building effective leadership and communication skills such as developing impactful, practical solutions and understanding the relationship between business and analytics strategy

The World Economic Forum forecasts that by 2025, machines will perform more current work tasks than humans, compared to 71% being performed by humans today.

Data science and analyst jobs are among the most challenging to fill, taking five days longer to find qualified candidates than the market average.

The following career data is compiled from a quarterly survey answered by our students:

• 30% of employers provide tuition assistance
• 75% of students found a new job by the time they graduated
• Student salaries increased by 33%
• Graduate salaries increased by 52%

The MScA program offers dedicated guidance to students on their career journey, from internships to full-time positions, through a variety of resources:

• Partnership with the UChicagoGRAD Career Development Team
• Two Career Fairs per year, one in Autumn and one in Winter
• On-campus company information sessions
• Alumni networking events
• Workshops on building your resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn page
• Coaching on technical interviewing, analyzing case studies, and negotiating your salary
• Access to the GRAD Gargoyle job portal