University of Virginia Online Master of Science in Data Science, Virginia

Why University of Virginia?

The online Master of Science in Data Science program at the University of Virginia is a relatively new entrant to the world of online data science education. It relies on the in-depth research expertise and stellar faculty of the University of Virginia, a large public research university in Charlottesville, Virginia. The program is selective, requiring students to have an undergraduate degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA. A bachelor’s degree in a specific subject area is not required. Still, applicants should have completed coursework in single variable calculus, linear algebra or matrix algebra, introductory statistics, and introductory programming. GRE or MCAT scores should be submitted with your application.

Program Snapshot

University Name	University of Virginia
Location	Charlottesville
State	Virginia
Niche.com Grade	A+
Name of Degree	Master of Science in Data Science
School or Department Administering Program	School of Data Science
Credits	32
Cost per credit	$1,242
Tuition for Entire Program	$48,000
Test Requirements	GRE or MCAT
Minimum GPA	3.00
Prerequisite Courses and Skills	Single variable calculus Linear algebra or matrix algebra Introductory statistics Introductory programming
Campus Visit Required?	No
Typical Time to Complete	Two years
When Can Students Start the Program?	Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring
Program Concentrations	None
Synchronous Classes	Yes
Required Courses	Programming and Systems for Data Science Linear Models for Data Science Foundations of Computer Science Data Mining Exploratory Text Analytics Big Data Analytics Data Visualization Practice and Application of Data Science 1 and 2 Ethics of Big Data 1 and 2 Data Science Capstone 1 and 2 Bayesian Machine Learning Machine Learning
Does the Program Include a Capstone?	Yes
Does the Program Include a Practicum or Internship?	No
Other Features that Make the Program Unique	One hour of synchronous instruction per week as well as asynchronous instruction two-semester research project capstone Several courses are 1 or 2 credit so wider variety of courses even though it is lockstep Text Analytics included – this is a strength of University of Virginia
Program Objectives (quoted directly from the program)	educate data scientists who combine quantitative and computational skills with ethical know-how and communication expertise Develop the skills to derive value from data through transforming it, organizing it, and analyzing it
Program Description	Thirty-two credits of coursework covering all aspects of the data science field prepare UVa students for careers in analytics and other areas. The emphasis throughout is on forming data scientists who are skilled in communication and ethically aware. The curriculum covers all stages of the data lifecycle from transformation to organization to analytics to visualization.

What will I Learn?

All students in the program must complete the same courses, and there are no elective options. A distinctive feature of the program is the fact that students take several one-credit and two-credit courses in addition to more typical three-credit courses. This structure means that students can study more topics in-depth than in some other programs. The emphasis throughout the program is on forming “three-dimensional” data scientists, meaning data scientists who have the communication skills, ethical knowledge, and critical thinking skills to be leaders in their organizations.

Students begin the program with introductory courses in Programming and Systems and Foundations of Computer Science. Statistical knowledge is taught in Linear Models for Data Science. Two courses in machine learning are offered: Bayesian Machine Learning and general Machine Learning. Analytics skills are covered in Exploratory Text Analytics and Big Data Analytics. Advanced techniques are taught in Data Mining and Data Visualization. Two courses in Practice and Application of Data Science allow students to explore different problems and methods and develop their expertise. Students then have an opportunity to apply the skills and knowledge they have learned through a final capstone project exploring a data-intensive problem.

How much will the program cost?

Students finish their degree within two years and pay $1,242 per credit for a total of 32 credits, or $48,000

How does the program fit into my life?

The program is usually completed in 2 years. Students can begin the program in Summer, Fall, Winter, or Spring. In comparison with other data science Master’s programs, the University of Virginia program is less flexible since students are expected to attend one hour of scheduled instruction per week per course. The remainder of instruction is asynchronous, meaning that instructors create learning materials such as lectures, activities, quizzes, assignments, and group discussions in weekly modules, and students are responsible for completing the module on their schedule within the given week. Because of the project-based nature of the program, including the two semester-long capstone, students can expect to need to schedule time to work with classmates or meet with instructors.

Summary

The University of Virginia program provides an intensive and comprehensive introduction to the data science field. The program is particularly strong in the area of text analytics, a technique for which the university is well known in the areas of digital humanities and computer science. Students who are looking for a higher degree of in-person interaction will appreciate the opportunity for scheduled synchronous classes every week. The program assumes a higher level of quantitative preparation than some other degree programs. The price point may also limit the accessibility of the program. For those who do decide to apply, the University of Virginia degree offers lots of opportunities for practical application of skills and independent research.