1. University of Virginia
  2. Program
  3. Postgraduate
  4. M.S. in Data Science, Residential

M.S. in Data Science, Residential

2 Years On Campus Postgraduate Program

University of Virginia

Program Overview

The Master of Science in Data Science (MSDS) at the University of Virginia is a full-time, residential, STEM-designated program designed to equip students with the technical, analytical, and ethical competencies needed to thrive in the modern data economy. Offered through the School of Data Science, the program is deeply interdisciplinary, drawing from computer science, statistics, systems engineering, and ethics.

Located in Charlottesville, Virginia, the program offers students a collaborative learning experience within a top-ranked public research university and access to strong industry connections across the East Coast and beyond.

Program Format & Duration

  • Residential, full-time cohort program

  • Completed in 11 months (July to May)

  • STEM-designated (eligible for OPT extension)

  • Fall intake only (begins in Summer term)

  • Team-based learning model with integrated curriculum

Core Curriculum Components

UVA’s MSDS program delivers a cohesive and integrated curriculum consisting of 30 graduate credits across foundational and applied areas.

Key Modules

  1. Data Science Foundations

    • Programming for Data Science (Python)

    • Data Engineering and Cloud Computing

    • Linear Modeling and Statistical Learning

    • Machine Learning Algorithms

    • Big Data Systems

  2. Ethics, Communication, and Collaboration

    • Data Ethics

    • Communicating Data for Impact

    • Team-based projects with real-world applications

  3. Capstone Project

    • Year-long, team-based project working with real-world datasets

    • Sponsored by companies, government agencies, nonprofits, or university research centers

    • Culminates in a public Capstone Symposium

  4. Elective Component

    • Students can customize their learning through targeted electives, including deep learning, NLP, data visualization, or domain-specific analytics (e.g., healthcare, education, or business)

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

UVA’s MSDS emphasizes applied, experiential learning through its team-based structure, industry partnerships, and integrative curriculum.

Capstone Project

  • Begins in the first semester and spans the full program

  • Students are placed in interdisciplinary teams and work with external stakeholders

  • Projects address issues like:

    • Predictive modeling in healthcare

    • Misinformation detection in social media

    • Urban planning and mobility analytics

    • Environmental and climate modeling

  • Capstone partners include: Capital One, NASA, MITRE, Booz Allen Hamilton, and UVA research centers

Team-Based Model

  • Students stay in the same team throughout the year

  • Encourages peer learning, interdisciplinary collaboration, and agile development practices

  • Prepares students for real-world data science team environments

Technical Toolset

Students gain fluency in:

  • Programming: Python, R

  • ML Libraries: Scikit-learn, TensorFlow, Keras

  • Data Management: SQL, Hadoop, Spark

  • Cloud Platforms: AWS, Azure

  • Visualization: Tableau, D3.js, Seaborn

  • Collaboration: Git, Jupyter, Agile tools

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of UVA’s MSDS program are equipped with advanced technical competencies, business acumen, and a deep understanding of data ethics and communication—making them highly competitive in the global data workforce.

Career Outcomes

Typical roles include:

  • Data Scientist / Applied Scientist

  • Machine Learning Engineer

  • Data Analyst / BI Analyst

  • AI/ML Product Manager

  • Data Engineer

  • Quantitative Analyst

  • Policy/Data Strategist

Top Hiring Sectors

  • Technology: Amazon, Microsoft, Google, Meta, IBM

  • Finance: Capital One, JPMorgan Chase, Vanguard

  • Consulting: Booz Allen Hamilton, Deloitte, Accenture

  • Healthcare & Pharma: Pfizer, UVA Health, CVS Health

  • Government & Public Policy: NIH, US Census Bureau, MITRE

  • Education & Nonprofit: Urban Institute, Brookings Institution

Graduate & Research Pathways

While designed as a terminal degree, MSDS graduates may also pursue:

  • PhD programs in Data Science, Computer Science, Public Policy, or Engineering

  • Dual-degree options (e.g., MSDS + MPP or MBA) at UVA or other institutions

  • Fellowships in data science for social impact, ethics, and public interest

Program Key Stats

$58,829
$ 85
Aug Intake : RD 17th Mar EA/ED 6th Jan


30 %
No
Yes

Eligibility Criteria

4 Year

315
150
3.5
NA
6.5
79
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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