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The Master of Science in Data Science at American University (AU) is an interdisciplinary, STEM-designated graduate program that combines quantitative methods, computational tools, and domain knowledge to address complex societal, economic, political, and scientific questions. Designed in collaboration between the College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Public Affairs, the program offers students a unique opportunity to master core data science skills while specializing in a field of interest.
Located in Washington, D.C., AU’s MS in Data Science integrates technical rigor with a focus on ethical leadership and policy-relevant applications—ideal for students aiming to apply data science in both private and public sectors.
Program Format & Duration
Full-time or part-time options
Typical duration: 20–24 months (30 credit hours)
STEM-designated (OPT-eligible for international students)
Fall and Spring intakes
No GRE required
Core Curriculum Components
The program requires the completion of 30 credit hours, divided into core courses, specialization electives, and a capstone or thesis.
Core Courses (15 credits)
DATA 612 – Statistical Methods
DATA 613 – Programming for Data Science
DATA 614 – Machine Learning
DATA 615 – Data Visualization and Communication
DATA 690 – Capstone in Data Science or Thesis
Specialization Tracks (15 credits)
Students customize their learning experience by choosing a concentration or a combination of electives from various schools and departments, such as:
Business Analytics
Political Science & Public Policy
Environmental Science
Health and Biostatistics
Justice and Criminology
Communication and Media Studies
Example electives include:
Big Data and Cloud Computing
Data Ethics and Privacy
Computational Social Science
Natural Language Processing
Survey Methodology
Spatial Data and GIS Analytics
AU emphasizes hands-on, interdisciplinary, and socially impactful applications of data science, especially relevant to D.C.-based institutions and industries.
Capstone or Thesis
Capstone Project: A team-based, real-world data challenge sourced from nonprofits, government agencies, or research labs. Students complete full-cycle data projects including acquisition, analysis, and stakeholder communication.
Thesis Option: For students pursuing academic or research-focused careers, the thesis involves faculty-supervised independent study with a formal defense.
Internship & Project-Based Learning
AU’s location in Washington, D.C. offers access to prestigious internship opportunities with organizations such as:
U.S. Census Bureau
World Bank
Brookings Institution
Department of Health and Human Services
NGOs and think tanks
Career support is provided through AU’s Career Center and department-specific resources, helping students secure part-time or summer internships.
Graduates of American University’s MS in Data Science program emerge with robust technical skills, domain expertise, and ethical awareness, making them valuable in private enterprise, government, nonprofit sectors, and academic research.
Career Outcomes
Typical roles include:
Data Scientist
Data Analyst
Machine Learning Specialist
Policy Data Advisor
Health Informatics Analyst
Research Scientist
AI Ethics Officer
Business Intelligence Consultant
Top Hiring Industries
Public Sector: U.S. Government, World Bank, NIH, U.S. Census Bureau
Consulting: Booz Allen Hamilton, Deloitte, McKinsey
Healthcare & Biostatistics: Kaiser Permanente, Inova, HHS
Media & Communications: NPR, Pew Research, CNN
Academia & Think Tanks: Brookings, Urban Institute, AU Labs
Graduate Study & Research Opportunities
PhD pathways in Public Policy, Computational Social Science, or Statistics
Fellowships in AI for Social Good, Ethics in Data, or Urban Informatics
Interdisciplinary research labs on campus focused on justice, environment, or political behavior
Bachelor’s Degree & GPA: Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (cases below 3.0 may be considered)Transcripts: Upload unofficial or official transcripts from all prior post-secondary institutions during application, with certified English translations if needed.Introductory Statistics Prerequisite: Complete a basic statistics course (e.g., STAT‑202, STAT‑203, or STAT‑204) prior to enrollment; a boot camp may be required if lacking. Application & Fee: Submit a completed application and pay the required fee (currently $55 for CAS master’s). Personal Statement: Provide a personal (or statement of) purpose essay outlining background, goals, and motivation.Résumé/CV: Include a résumé or CV detailing education, experience, and relevant skills. Letters of Recommendation: Provide up to two optional letters of recommendation.GRE Scores: GRE submission is optional and will not negatively affect your application if omitted.English Proficiency (International): Submit TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or Duolingo scores if your degree was not in English (TOEFL ≥100, IELTS ≥7, PTE ≥68, Duolingo ≥120).Deadlines & Rolling Admission: Priority deadlines—Fall: February 15; Spring: November 1; summer intake available on rolling basis.Three‑Year Bachelor’s Degrees: A U.S.-equivalent bachelor’s degree is required; international applicants holding three-year degrees must include a WES or comparable credential evaluation to demonstrate equivalency WES Evaluation: For international applicants, a WES (or ECE/ACCRAO) transcript evaluation is required to verify the equivalency of foreign degrees to the U.S. standardTypical Job Titles & Roles
Graduates secure a wide range of analytics-focused roles across industries:
Data Analyst
Data Scientist
Business Analyst
Statistician / Statistical Programmer
SAS Programmer
Machine Learning Engineer
Advisory Consultant / Analytics Consultant
Salary Overview
Average starting salary: ~$72241 USD
Salary range: $55K–$100Kwith nearly half reporting a signing bonus averaging $6350
79% of the class employed within six months of graduation
Top Employers
Recent grads have joined prominent USemployerssuch as:
American Express
Citi Group
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Leading consulting and tech firms
Geographic Placement
US Major Centers:
New York City – ~32% of graduates
Boston – ~11%
Chicago – ~8%
Some alumni pursue international rolesbut the primary focus is on strong USplacement
Industry Sectors
Finance & Banking (credit riskconsumer analytics)
Tech & Software (data servicesML applications)
Government & Public Health (regulatory statsFDA roles)
Consulting (advisory on analytics strategy)
Healthcare & Biotech (data-driven clinical work)
Career Growth & Progression
Graduates report clarity in progression from:
Analyst-level roles—egData Analyst or Statistician
Advancing to Machine Learning Engineer Analytics Consultantor Quantitative Analyst
Moving into leadershipstrategic analyticsor domain-specialist roles
Career Highlights Summary
Aspect
Details
Salary
Avg $72K ($55K–$100K)$6K signing bonus
Roles
Data Analyst/ScientistStatisticianML EngineerConsultant
Employers
AmExCitiFDAmajor tech & consultancies
Locations
NYC (32%)Boston (11%)Chicago (8%)
Employment Rate
79% employed within 6 months
What This Means for You:
Solid salary entry: Positions start around $70K–$100Kwith strong bonus potential—ideal for new data professionals in the USDiverse career paths: From healthcare and government to finance and consultingthere's flexibility to pursue your interestsGeographically strategic: Major employers in NYCBostonChicago — leverage strong local recruitment patternsStrong post-degree momentum: High placement rates suggest the degree leads to sustained career growth in analyticsMLand consulting roles
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American University
