1. University of Washington
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  3. Masters
  4. MS Data Science

MS Data Science

2 Years On Campus Masters Program

University of Washington

Program Overview

The Master of Science in Data Science (MSDS) at the University of Washington is a full-time, interdisciplinary, and STEM-designated professional degree that prepares students to become expert practitioners in data science and applied analytics. Offered jointly by six top-ranked UW departments—including Computer Science & Engineering, Statistics, Human-Centered Design & Engineering, and the iSchool—the program emphasizes technical depth, ethical responsibility, and domain fluency.

Located in Seattle, one of the world’s leading tech and innovation hubs, the UW MSDS program provides unmatched access to industry engagement and real-world application through its project-based curriculum and employer partnerships.

Program Format & Duration

  • Full-time, cohort-based, completed in five quarters (18 months)

  • Classes held on-campus at the Seattle campus

  • Fall start only (September)

  • STEM-designated (eligible for OPT extension)

Core Curriculum Components

The MSDS curriculum is designed to provide a comprehensive foundation in computing, statistics, machine learning, data management, and human-centered data science.

Foundational Core

  • Data Science I & II: Integrated series covering data wrangling, modeling, and communication

  • Statistical Modeling: Regression, inference, and uncertainty quantification

  • Software Design for Data Science: Scalable programming, version control, testing

  • Machine Learning: Algorithms for supervised and unsupervised learning

  • Data Engineering & Management: Databases, cloud platforms, and data pipelines

Interdisciplinary Topics

  • Data Ethics and Fairness: Bias, privacy, algorithmic accountability

  • Human-Centered Data Science: Interaction design, user insights, and visualization

  • Domain Electives: Options in business, health, NLP, climate science, public policy, etc.

Capstone Project

  • A two-quarter industry-sponsored or faculty-guided project in Year 2

  • Students work in teams to scope, model, and present a full-cycle data science solution

  • Emphasis on collaboration, communication, and implementation at scale

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The University of Washington’s MSDS program is distinguished by its applied, interdisciplinary approach, tightly integrated with local industry and research communities.

Capstone Experience

Capstone projects involve real datasets and real-world questions from organizations such as:

  • Amazon, Microsoft, Tableau, Zillow, Facebook

  • Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center

  • Seattle Children’s Hospital

  • City of Seattle and local nonprofits

Projects focus on:

  • Machine learning deployment

  • Social impact analytics

  • Forecasting and optimization

  • NLP, recommender systems, and health informatics

Hands-On Coursework

Every course is project-based, emphasizing:

  • Python and R programming

  • Data cleaning and reproducibility

  • Cloud computing and scalable architectures

  • Communication and storytelling with data

Industry Collaboration

  • Employer panels and tech talks from Seattle-area leaders

  • Career treks to companies such as Amazon, Boeing, and Google

  • Networking events with program alumni and partners

  • Access to UW’s broader data science ecosystem (e.g., eScience Institute, Paul G. Allen School, iSchool)

Technology Stack

Students gain fluency in:

  • Python, R, SQL, Spark

  • Jupyter, GitHub, Docker, Airflow

  • AWS, Azure, Google Cloud

  • TensorFlow, PyTorch, Scikit-learn

  • Tableau, D3.js, Altair

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of UW’s MSDS program are recognized for their technical strength, collaborative mindset, and ethical awareness. They emerge ready to work across sectors where data is a strategic asset and decision-making is evidence-driven.

Career Outcomes

Typical roles include:

  • Data Scientist / Applied Scientist
  • Machine Learning Engineer / Research Engineer
  • Data Analyst / BI Analyst
  • Product Analyst / Analytics Translator
  • AI/ML Product Manager
  • Public Sector Data Strategist

Hiring Sectors

  • Technology: Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Meta, Tableau
  • Healthcare: Providence Health, Fred Hutch, Seattle Children's, Genentech
  • Finance: Capital One, Bloomberg, American Express
  • Public Sector & Nonprofit: City of Seattle, CDC, PATH, UNDP
  • Retail & Logistics: Starbucks, Zulily, Nordstrom, REI

Graduate Study & Long-Term Pathways

While designed as a terminal professional degree, some students go on to:

  • PhD programs in machine learning, human-computer interaction, or computational social science
  • Dual-degree pathways in public policy, urban informatics, or healthcare analytics
  • Data leadership roles as chief data officers, technical program managers, or directors of analytics

Salary Overview-

  • Average starting salary is $72241
  • Typical range is $55000 to $100000
  • Nearly half of graduates receive a signing bonus averaging $6350
  • Seventy-nine percent are employed within six months of graduation

Top Employers-

  • Graduates have joined leading employers across the United States
  • Examples include
  • American Express
  • Citi Group
  • Food and Drug Administration
  • Top consulting firms
  • Major tech companies
  • These organizations actively recruit through strong partnerships with the program

Geographic Placement-

  • Most graduates find roles in major U S cities
  • New York City sees the highest concentration with 32 percent
  • Boston follows with 11 percent
  • Chicago accounts for 8 percent
  • While some pursue international roles the program strongly supports U S based employment

Industry Sectors-

  • Graduates work across several fields including
  • Finance and Banking
  • Technology and Software
  • Government and Public Health
  • Consulting
  • Healthcare and Biotech
  • Each sector offers a range of analytics and data science opportunities

Career Growth and Progression-

  • Graduates often begin in analyst roles such as
  • Data Analyst
  • Statistician
  • Statistical Programmer
  • Machine Learning Engineer
  • Analytics Consultant
  • Quantitative Analyst
  • Over time, some take on leadership or specialist roles within their industry

What This Means for You-

  • This program gives you a strong launch into the data science field
  • Starting salaries are competitive and often include signing bonuses
  • You can explore a variety of industries and career paths
  • Locations like New York Boston and Chicago offer strong hiring activity
  • Graduates see steady career growth in analytics machine learning and consulting roles

Program Key Stats

$53,325
$ 90
Aug Intake : 7th Jan


45 %
Yes
Yes
Yes
No

Eligibility Criteria

3.00 GPA
3 Year

NA
NA
NA
NA
7.5
106
2:1

Additional Information & Requirements

Career Options

  • Data Analyst
  • Data Scientist
  • Business Analyst
  • Statistician
  • Statistical Programmer
  • SAS Programmer
  • Machine Learning Engineer
  • Deep Learning Engineer
  • AI Researcher
  • Data Engineer
  • BI Developer
  • Data Architect
  • Analytics Consultant
  • Advisory Consultant
  • Quantitative Analyst
  • Risk Analyst
  • Operations Analyst
  • Marketing Analyst
  • Research Scientist
  • Insights Analyst
  • Forecasting Analyst
  • Healthcare Data Analyst
  • Financial Data Analyst
  • Product Analyst

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