Online
Not Required
Months to Complete
Required Courses
Pathways
Pathway to MS in Data Science Program Overview
The Pathway to MS in Data Science affords students the opportunity to boost their data science careers by developing key competencies through comprehensive, foundational data science knowledge and skills. This program provides a pathway to an MS in Data Science, enabling students to smoothly transition into the master’s program upon completion of the bridge materials.
MS in Data Science Pathway
Gain the essential knowledge and skills in data structures, algorithms, hardware, and systems that will qualify you for our online MS in Data Science. As part of the Pathway to MS in Data Science, you will receive a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Data Science upon completion of the bridge materials.
Online Post-Baccalaureate Certificate: Your Pathway to a Master’s Degree
Begin Pathway to MSDS
Gain foundational computer science skills and become well-equipped to pursue the MSDS.
2 Undergraduate Courses
Start Your MSDS
Enhance your technical skills and open doors to advanced roles across industries.
10-11 Graduate Courses
Earn Your MS in Data Science
Interested in exploring data science while earning a valuable credential along the way?
The Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Data Science can be acquired by completing 5-6 courses, or as part of the Pathway to MSDS.
Post-Baccalaureate Data Science Certificate
The Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Data Science is designed to provide you with the comprehensive foundation you need to pursue diverse data science career paths.
Connect with an Enrollment Advisor
Connect With UsData Science Career Outlook
In a world that is increasingly centered on data, job opportunities in data science are expected to grow by 35 percent by 2032.* The average salary of U.S. data science master’s degree holders exceeds $100,000.**
The Tufts Master of Science in Data Science program focuses on innovation and discovery, preparing students to pursue better job opportunities and research projects, advance within their current organization, and increase their earning potential. Students learn data analysis techniques that are essential for entering a market that is seeking new and ambitious talent ready to set the standard for future data science careers.
*U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2024
**Payscale, September 2024
Explore high-demand jobs you can pursue with an online data science master’s degree and the average salary you could earn:
| Job title | Average salary |
|---|---|
| Data science manager | $146,695 |
| Database architect | $125,525 |
| Machine learning engineer | $119,197 |
| Analytics manager | $106,188 |
| Data scientist | $100,942 |
| Data engineer | $97,330 |
| Statistician | $90,144 |
| Database administrator | $79,454 |
Source: Payscale, September 2024. Salaries shown above are based on average salaries reported to Payscale as of September 2024.
Why Choose Tufts University for Your Online Pathway to MS in Data Science?
A world-class research institution, Tufts develops leaders who advocate for public good. As a Pathway in MS in Data Science online student in the School of Engineering, you’ll join a collaborative community and strengthen your forward-thinking, innovative mindset through hands-on experiences and industry partnerships.
Data Science Courses and Curriculum
The online Pathway to MS in Data Science covers essential data science courses and is designed for students who aspire to jumpstart their technical careers. Students will earn the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Data Science upon completion of the bridge materials in as little time as one semester and can then proceed to the MSDS program, earning their master’s degrees in just 2.5 years.
4 Credits
In this course, data structures and algorithms are studied through major programming projects in the C++ programming language. Topics covered include linked lists, trees, graphs, dynamic storage allocation, and recursion.
3 Credits
This course covers foundations of discrete mathematics and an introduction to proofs. Topics include propositional logic, sets, relations and functions, counting, logic and methods of proof, combinatorics, graphs and digraphs, probability, and number theory.
3 Credits
This course provides an overview of methods by which computers can learn from data or experience and make decisions accordingly. Topics include supervised learning, unsupervised learning, reinforcement learning, and knowledge extraction from large databases with applications to science, engineering, and medicine. You’ll learn to recognize a problem as being appropriate for a machine learning solution and take steps to solve that problem with an applicable technique.
3 Credits
Advanced analysis in probabilistic systems with strong emphasis on theoretical methods. Development of analytical tools for the modeling and analysis of random phenomena with application to problems across a range of engineering and applied science disciplines. Probability theory, sample and event spaces, discrete and continuous random variables, conditional probability, expectations and conditional expectations, and derived distributions. Sums of random variables, moment generating functions, central limit theorem, laws of large numbers. Statistical analysis methods, including hypothesis testing, confidence intervals, and nonparametric methods. Undergraduates may not take both EE 0024 and EE 0104 for degree credit. Prerequisite: Math 0042 or equivalent. Recommendation: Senior or graduate standing or consent of instructor.
Featured Data Science Faculty
Frequently Asked Questions
The data speaks for itself. The demand for data science jobs is high, meaning compensation offers match the desire for new talent across industries. Many data scientists can earn over $100,000 a year within a few years, so the salary potential with a data science certificate credential is promising. Beyond monetary gain, earning a post-baccalaureate certificate in the Pathway to MS in Data Science program and subsequently earning your MS in Data Science can lead to greater, more diverse career opportunities in a field at the forefront of tech innovation.
As a graduate of the Tufts online data science certificate program, you can choose from numerous career paths depending on your interests. From data analysis and architecture to modeling and visualization, you’ll have the technical skills to expand your career opportunities and move into management roles. Check out our deep dive into common data science jobs.
No specific background experience is required to apply to the online Pathway to MS in Data Science program. Whether you’re new to the field or looking to enhance your existing skills, our program is designed to accommodate students from diverse academic and professional backgrounds.
Yes, you can pursue the Master of Science in Data Science (MSDS) after completing the Pathway to MS in Data Science program.
The application requirements for the Pathway to MS in Data Science (Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Data Science) program include:
- Application fee
- Resume/CV
- Personal statement
- Transcripts
- One letter of recommendation
- Official TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo test scores (if applicable)
For application help, schedule a one-on-one walkthrough with an enrollment advisor.
Cost per credit for the Pathway to MS in Data Science (Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Data Science) program is $1,765 for graduate-level courses (numbered 100 and above) and $1,049 for undergraduate-level courses (numbered below 100).* Please review tuition and financial aid resources available.
*While most tuition rate changes are effective in the fall term each academic year, The Trustees of Tufts College reserve the right to change the tuition or to establish additional fees or charges for special features or services whenever such action is deemed advisable. We will provide the earliest possible notification of changes in tuition and other fees.
Students enrolled in the Pathway to MS in Data Science are eligible for certain scholarships. These scholarships can only be used towards the MS in Data Science degree program. Our dedicated financial aid advisors can help you explore scholarship opportunities, grants, loans, and other forms of financial assistance to make your education more affordable.
As a student in the Tufts online Pathway to MS in Data Science program, you’ll have access to a comprehensive array of support services designed to enhance your learning experience and facilitate your academic success. These services include:
- Dedicated academic advisors
- Technical support resources
- Online tutoring
- Career counseling
- Networking opportunities
- Access to online library resources and research databases.
Our goal is to provide you with the support you need to excel in your studies and achieve your professional goals.
No, the Tufts online Pathway to MS in Data Science program is 100 percent online, allowing you to complete your coursework from anywhere. Our flexible online format enables you to balance your studies with your personal and professional commitments while still benefiting from the same high-quality education and resources available to on-campus students.
To learn more about the Tufts online Pathway to MS in Data Science, schedule a one-on-one walkthrough with an enrollment advisor or request more information. Tufts University offers a flexible, 100 percent online program designed to help you advance your career.
Tufts University Accreditation
Tufts University has been continually accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), one of seven regional higher education accrediting bodies in the United States, since 1929. Tufts is evaluated by and achieves accreditation from NECHE once every ten years. The next comprehensive evaluation will take place in Spring 2033.