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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
Data Science Foundations
Programming for Data Science (Python)
Data Engineering and Cloud Computing
Linear Modeling and Statistical Learning
Machine Learning Algorithms
Big Data Systems
Ethics, Communication, and Collaboration
Data Ethics
Communicating Data for Impact
Team-based projects with real-world applications
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
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)
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
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:
Top Hiring Sectors
Graduate & Research Pathways
While designed as a terminal degree, MSDS graduates may also pursue:
Salary Overview-
Top Employers-
Geographic Placement-
Industry Sectors-
Career Growth and Progression-
What This Means for You-
Bachelor’s Degree: Possess a bachelor’s degree from a three- or four-year accredited institution.Prerequisite Coursework: Complete or be in progress on calculus, linear algebra (or UVA’s free bootcamp), introductory statistics, and introductory programming before matriculaTranscripts: Upload unofficial transcripts from all post-secondary institutions; applicants with non-English transcripts need course-by-course evaluation, and admitted students must submit official transcripts.Résumé/CV: Provide a résumé highlighting academic, professional, or extracurricular accomplishments. Application Fee: Pay the $85 non-refundable application fee (with fee waivers available for U.S. citizens, veterans, UVA employees). Standardized Tests: No GRE/GMAT scores accepted or required. English Proficiency: Submit TOEFL (iBT ≥ 100 with section minimums: Speak 22, Write 22, Read 23, Listen 23) or IELTS (overall ≥ 7.0 and ≥ 6.5 per section) unless your degree was completed entirely in English. Residential Deadlines: • Priority: Apply by Jan 6 → decision by Mar 7 (reply due Mar 31) • Regular: Apply by Mar 17 → decision by Apr 4 (reply due Apr 15); waitlist may lead to offers through July. Online Deadlines: Rolling admission with program start in Spring (Jan) or Fall (Aug); decisions 2–3 weeks post submission.Three-Year Bachelor’s Degrees: MSU generally requires a U.S.-equivalent four-year bachelor’s degree, and three-year degrees are not accepted unless a formal department waiver and credential evaluation are provided WES Evaluation: A WES or other NACES-approved course-by-course credential evaluation is required when requesting a waiver or applying with an international degree to confirm U.S. equivalencyGRE Score Requirement: The GRE is optional, but if submitted, a competitive Quantitative score is recommended 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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