Gaining a Master's Degree is seen as a good step up the career ladder, as as a way of changing direction in mid-career. There are already several fully online options for gaining an MSC in Data Science, but this one from the University of Texas is the most affordable.

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In October 2018 when Anant Agarwal, the CEO of edX announced that the platform would be offering fully online  Master's degrees he included the information that the average Master’s graduate increases their salary by $17,000 per year, but the cost of a campus-based Master’s degree varied between $30,000-$120,000, putting it out of reach for many of those interested. The edX platform planned to make gaining a Master’s a realistic proposition for many more individuals by reducing the cost to between $10,000 - $23,000. The new Master of Science in Data Science from the University of Texas at Austin, like its already available stablemate the  Master of Science in Computer Science, costs $10,000 for the courses on edX plus some administrative fees. 

In the press release announcing the new degree program, Paul Goldbart, dean of UT Austin’s College of Natural Sciences. claims: 

UT Austin is home to top leaders in diverse disciplines ranging from statistics to data science to machine learning. These talented faculty experts are joining together to advance a highly relevant new master’s degree program that will prepare our students for professional success across nearly every industry.

The overview on edX states:

Our program is designed to prepare you for the fastest growing, highest demanded job prospect in recent history. Step into the world of data-driven models and multi-dimensional datasets. Find answers in the areas of bioinformatics, linguistics, industry, academia, government, and nonprofits to name just a few.

The Master of Science in Data Science consists of 10 courses to be studied over a period between eighteen months to 3 years. There are 3 core required courses are:

• Probability and Simulation Based Inference for Data Science
• Foundations of Regression and Predictive Modeling
• Algorithms: Techniques and Theory

which will provide students with a broad, foundational understanding of the field and will also establish the basis for some of the electives, 7 of which will be required. Options include:

• Advanced Predictive Models for Complex Data
• Design Principles and Causal Inference for Data-Based Decision Making
• Data Exploration, Visualization, and Foundations of Unsupervised Learning
• Principles of Machine Learning
• Advanced Linear Algebra for Computation
• Optimization
• Deep Learning

Requirements to to join the program are typically a bachelor’s degree in statistics, computer science, computer engineering, mathematics, electrical engineering or similar and specific prerequisite coursework includes Multivariable Calculus; Linear Algebra;  Statistics and some programming experience in at least one of R, Python or C++. 

The application deadlines for both this and the Master of Science in Computer Science, also consisting on 10 courses spread over the same timescale, for Spring 2021 (starting January 19, 2020) is October 15, 2020 with the priority deadline September 15th, 2020.

More Information

Master of Science in Data Science (UAT)

Master's Degrees on edX

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