1. Indiana University Bloomington
  2. Program
  3. Masters
  4. Online MS in Data Science

Online MS in Data Science

2 Years Online Masters Program

Indiana University Bloomington

Program Overview

The Online Master of Science in Data Science at Indiana University Bloomington is a flexible, fully online, and STEM-designated graduate program designed for professionals seeking to advance their careers in data science without interrupting their work-life balance. Offered by the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering, this interdisciplinary program combines computer science, statistics, machine learning, and data ethics with practical application across business, health, policy, and tech.

Students benefit from the same esteemed faculty as the on-campus program and can customize their learning through electives and specialization paths that reflect the diversity and dynamism of the data science field.

Program Format & Duration

  • Fully online, asynchronous with optional synchronous sessions

  • Can be completed in 20–36 months (30 credit hours)

  • Part-time and full-time enrollment options available

  • STEM-designated (OPT eligible if combined with CPT through campus residency, where applicable)

  • No GRE required

Core Curriculum Components

The online MSDS at Indiana University delivers a balanced and modular curriculum, allowing students to build foundational knowledge while pursuing electives that align with their professional goals.

Core Courses (15 credits)

  1. Introduction to Data Science

  2. Applied Data Mining and Machine Learning

  3. Statistical Methods for Data Science

  4. Data Engineering and Management

  5. Ethical and Professional Issues in Data Science

Electives and Specialization Tracks (12–15 credits)

Students select from a wide range of electives in:

  • Cybersecurity and Privacy

  • Health and Biomedical Informatics

  • Intelligent Systems Engineering

  • Business Analytics and Visualization

  • Computational Social Science

Sample electives:

  • Natural Language Processing

  • Big Data Applications

  • Deep Learning with TensorFlow

  • Visual Analytics

  • Health Informatics

  • Cloud Computing

  • Data Governance and Security

Capstone Project or Thesis

Students conclude the program with one of the following:

  • Capstone Project: Solve a real-world data problem using end-to-end analytics and modeling workflows. Often team-based and industry-driven.

  • Master’s Thesis: For students seeking a more research-focused path or future doctoral study.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Even in its online format, Indiana University’s MSDS ensures practical application and collaborative engagementthrough hands-on coursework, team projects, and client-driven data challenges.

Capstone Project

  • Applied, integrative data project completed in the final semester

  • Students work individually or in teams on topics such as:

    • Healthcare predictive modeling

    • Financial fraud detection

    • Environmental data analysis

    • Retail or logistics optimization

  • Culminates in a deliverable portfolio and presentation

Virtual Collaboration

  • Peer-to-peer teamwork using cloud-based tools

  • Faculty mentorship and feedback via office hours and discussion forums

  • Agile methodology applied in project coordination

Technical Tools & Platforms

Students gain proficiency in:

  • Languages: Python, R, SQL

  • ML Libraries: Scikit-learn, TensorFlow, Keras

  • Big Data: Spark, Hadoop, NoSQL

  • Cloud Tools: AWS, GCP, Azure

  • Visualization: Tableau, Power BI, Matplotlib

  • Collaboration: GitHub, Jupyter Notebooks, Docker

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of IU’s Online MSDS are equipped with both technical proficiency and domain adaptability, making them strong candidates for diverse data science careers across industries and sectors.

Career Outcomes

Graduates commonly secure roles such as:

  • Data Scientist

  • Machine Learning Engineer

  • Business Intelligence Analyst

  • Data Engineer

  • AI Product Analyst

  • Healthcare or Policy Data Analyst

Industries Hiring IU MSDS Graduates

  • Technology: Amazon, IBM, Salesforce, Oracle

  • Healthcare: Eli Lilly, IU Health, CVS Health

  • Finance: Capital One, JPMorgan Chase, Allstate

  • Retail & Manufacturing: Cummins, Walmart, Procter & Gamble

  • Public Sector & Research: U.S. Census Bureau, NIH, academic institutions

Further Study & Professional Growth

  • Graduates may pursue PhD programs in Data Science, Informatics, or Public Health

  • Others transition into management or consulting roles in analytics or AI strategy

  • Some become entrepreneurs or independent consultants in specialized domains like health tech or policy analytics

Program Key Stats

$24,360
$ 70

Jan Intake : 1st NovAug Intake : 1st Jun


80 %
No
Yes

Eligibility Criteria

4 Year

310
155
3.5
NA
7.0
100
2:1

Additional Information & Requirements

Career Options

  • Typical 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: ~$72
  • 241 USD Salary range: $55K–$100K
  • with nearly half reporting a signing bonus averaging $6
  • 350  79% of the class employed within six months of graduation    Top Employers Recent grads have joined prominent U
  • S
  • employers
  • such 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 roles
  • but the primary focus is on strong U
  • S
  • placement   Industry Sectors Finance & Banking (credit risk
  • consumer analytics) Tech & Software (data services
  • ML applications) Government & Public Health (regulatory stats
  • FDA roles) Consulting (advisory on analytics strategy) Healthcare & Biotech (data-driven clinical work)   Career Growth & Progression Graduates report clarity in progression from: Analyst-level roles—e
  • g
  • Data Analyst or Statistician Advancing to Machine Learning Engineer
  •  Analytics Consultant
  • or Quantitative Analyst Moving into leadership
  • strategic analytics
  • or domain-specialist roles   Career Highlights Summary Aspect Details Salary Avg $72K ($55K–$100K)
  • $6K signing bonus  Roles Data Analyst/Scientist
  • Statistician
  • ML Engineer
  • Consultant  Employers AmEx
  • Citi
  • FDA
  • major 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–$100K
  • with strong bonus potential—ideal for new data professionals in the U
  • S
  • Diverse career paths: From healthcare and government to finance and consulting
  • there
  • 's flexibility to pursue your interests
  • Geographically strategic: Major employers in NYC
  • Boston
  • Chicago — leverage strong local recruitment patterns
  • Strong post-degree momentum: High placement rates suggest the degree leads to sustained career growth in analytics
  • ML
  • and consulting roles

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