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The Master of Data Science (MDS) at Illinois Institute of Technology (Illinois Tech) is a STEM-designated, interdisciplinary graduate program offered through the Department of Applied Mathematics within the College of Computing. Situated in Chicago, the program is designed to train professionals who can extract actionable insights from complex datasets using mathematics, computer science, and domain expertise.
With a curriculum grounded in applied statistics, machine learning, data engineering, and computational modeling, this program offers a practical, flexible path for students aiming to solve real-world challenges in science, technology, healthcare, finance, and more.
Program Format & Duration
Full-time or part-time enrollment
Typically completed in 1.5 to 2 years
STEM-designated (eligible for up to 3 years OPT for international students)
GRE not required for most applicants
Location: Chicago campus
Thesis and non-thesis options available
Core Curriculum Components
The program comprises 33 credit hours, structured into foundational core courses, electives, and an optional thesis or capstone.
Core Courses (15 credit hours)
Students must complete the following:
MATH 563 – Statistical Learning
MATH 564 – Applied Statistics
CS 584 – Data Mining
CS 525 – Advanced Database Organization
CS 422 – Data Modeling and Applications
Electives (15–18 credit hours)
Students choose from a wide array of technical and domain-specific electives, such as:
Machine Learning
Deep Learning
Natural Language Processing
High-Performance Computing
Computational Finance
Operations Research
Data Security and Privacy
Scientific Visualization
Electives may also be drawn from applied mathematics, computer science, industrial technology, and business analytics programs, depending on career goals.
Capstone or Thesis (3–6 credit hours)
Students choose one of the following:
Capstone Project: An applied, team-based project addressing a practical industry problem using real datasets
Master’s Thesis: An in-depth, faculty-supervised research experience for students considering PhD or academic careers
Illinois Tech is known for its emphasis on applied, interdisciplinary learning and offers several avenues for students to gain hands-on experience.
Capstone Project
Industry-partnered or research-based
Students design and deploy full-stack data pipelines, predictive models, and dashboards
Deliverables include a final presentation, report, and client-ready product
Internship & Career Support
Career support through the Career Services Office and Stuart School of Business connections
Optional internships during or after coursework completion
Access to Chicago’s vibrant tech ecosystem, including Fortune 500 companies, startups, financial institutions, and government agencies
Research Opportunities
Students can collaborate with faculty in areas such as:
Computational biology
Data visualization
Urban analytics
Energy systems modeling
Risk analytics
Labs and centers include:
Data-Driven Smart Cities Initiative
Center for Interdisciplinary Scientific Computation
Applied Math Research Lab
Graduates of the Illinois Tech MDS program are equipped with analytical depth, coding fluency, and domain adaptability, making them highly employable in a rapidly expanding data economy.
Career Outcomes
Roles commonly pursued include:
Top Hiring Sectors
Advanced Study & Research Pathways
Graduates also pursue:
Salary Overview-
Top Employers-
Geographic Placement-
Industry Sectors-
Career Growth and Progression-
What This Means for You-
Bachelor’s Degree: Hold a four-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0.GRE Scores: Submit a combined GRE score of ≥304 (verbal + quantitative) and ≥3.0 analytical writing—waived for U.S. bachelor’s grads with GPA ≥3.0.Prerequisite Coursework: Demonstrate prerequisite knowledge in object‑oriented programming, data structures & algorithms, multivariable calculus, linear algebra, and probability & statistics; must either have taken equivalent courses or pass proficiency placement exams. Transcripts: Upload official transcripts from all prior post-secondary institutions; unofficial uploads may be accepted initially, with official ones required upon admission. Professional Statement: Include a statement responding to prompts about your academic/professional experience and goals.Résumé/CV: Provide a current résumé or CV detailing your education, work, and relevant skills.Letters of Recommendation: Submit up to three letters (one required for master’s, though strongly encouraged).English Proficiency (International): Present TOEFL (≥80 iBT), IELTS (≥6.5), or Duolingo (≥115) scores unless exempt; conditional admission possible for those who don’t meet minimum.Application Fee: Pay a $100 non-refundable application fee (waived for current or former Illinois Tech students). hree-Year Bachelor’s Degrees: Illinois Tech accepts select three-year bachelor’s degrees from accredited Indian institutions (those with NAAC “A” grade and Division I/Class I honors) for eligible graduate programs WES Evaluation: Applicants with foreign credentials may need to provide a credential evaluation (e.g., WES) if their transcripts cannot be interpreted by IIT’s evaluators, especially for programs with three-year degree acceptance Data AnalystData ScientistBusiness AnalystStatisticianStatistical ProgrammerSAS ProgrammerMachine Learning EngineerDeep Learning EngineerAI ResearcherData EngineerBI DeveloperData ArchitectAnalytics ConsultantAdvisory ConsultantQuantitative AnalystRisk AnalystOperations AnalystMarketing AnalystResearch ScientistInsights AnalystForecasting AnalystHealthcare Data AnalystFinancial Data AnalystProduct Analyst
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Illinois Institute of Technology
