Master of Science in Data Science

To be eligible for admission to the UW Data Science Master’s program, students must meet the following requirements:

• A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university (or its equivalent) with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Students with a GPA of less than 3.0 may be considered for provisional admission based on a review of all application materials.
• Completed coursework in elementary statistics and introductory computer programming. Relevant work experience in these areas may be considered in lieu of prerequisite coursework. Please contact an enrollment adviser for details.

You will also need:

• Your resume.
• A personal statement of up to 1,000 words describing the reasons behind your decision to pursue this degree and what you believe you will bring to the data science field. Space for the personal statement is included in the online application.

Aptitude tests, such as the GMAT or GRE, are not required for admission.

If you are not sure whether you meet these requirements, or which courses you need to take to satisfy prerequisites, contact an enrollment adviser by phone, 608-800-6762, or email learn@uwex.wisconsin.edu.

Application Deadline

Your online application and all required materials must be submitted to your preferred home campus generally 2-4 weeks prior to the date classes start (this varies by campus) to be considered for admission.

Starting your application early will ensure you have plenty of time to gather required materials (such as transcripts) and complete the University of Wisconsin System Online Admission Application.

International Guidelines

This program welcomes online students from around the world. Online students do not qualify for an F-1 Student Visa to travel to the U.S. but instead can participate in our online courses remotely. If your native language is not English and/or you attended school outside of the U.S., you will likely need to provide proof of English language proficiency and an official translation or evaluation of academic transcripts. Requirements will vary based on a student’s academic history and home campus policies. For guidance about these requirements and how they apply to your specific situation, contact your preferred home campus admissions office.

If you would like to apply as an International Student for an on-campus program in the UW System, please refer to these resources through Go Wisconsin.

How to Apply

While you are free to apply on your own, many prospective students find it helpful to speak with an enrollment adviser first.

Step 1: Decide which home campus you’d like to apply to. Campus partners for the Data Science master’s program are UW-Eau Claire, UW-Green Bay, UW-La Crosse, UW-Oshkosh, UW-Stevens Point, and UW-Superior. 

Step 2: Apply to your preferred home campus following the instructions below. A nonrefundable $56 application fee is required for most graduate degree-seeking students applying to a UW institution.*

• If you are applying to UW-Green Bay*, UW-La Crosse, UW-Oshkosh, UW-Stevens Point, or UW Superior, visit the University of Wisconsin System Online Admission Application. Login or create an account, apply to the home campus of your choice, and choose the “Data Science -Collaborative” program.
• If you are applying to UW-Eau Claire, you will use the UW-Eau Claire Graduate Admissions Application.
• *Starting with the Spring 2027 semester, students applying for this program through UW-Green Bay will use a different Graduate Application form. Please refer to these instructions on how to apply

*For a limited time, UW is offering an application fee waiver to those who haven’t yet applied to the Summer or Fall 2026 semesters.  To redeem, use coupon code APPLY26 on the UW Online Application payment page.

Step 3: Send your resume, personal statement, and arrange to have your official college transcripts* (from each institution you attended) sent to the graduate student admissions office of the home campus to which you applied.

*Please request electronic transcripts if this service is offered by your previous school(s). Have the e-transcript sent from your previous school directly to the admissions e-mail address of your chosen home campus. E-transcripts are usually delivered more quickly than physical copies sent by mail.

UW Data Science Courses Feature Innovative Interdisciplinary Curriculum

The UW Master of Data Science program offers a well-rounded curriculum grounded in computer science, math and statistics, management, and communication. All course content, from multimedia lectures and e-learning tools to homework assignments, are delivered through the program’s online learning management system. You can study and do homework whenever and wherever it’s convenient for you. Learn more about online learning with UW.

Students in the master’s program are required to take 10 courses, including a capstone project course typically taken during the final semester. In the capstone course, students gain valuable, real-world experience through a fieldwork project. Projects may be at their current place of employment or with an external organization. Program faculty, academic advisers, and advisory board members are a rich source of industry connections for projects. View examples of past capstone projects. 

Interested in the 5-course UW Graduate Certificate in Data Science? Take a look at the certificate courses here. 

Preview lectures, assignments, and discussions in this Course Inside Look: Foundations of Data Science.

Curriculum - View Printable Version

Course availability for the UW Data Science program varies each semester. If you are a current student, please consult with your campus adviser prior to registration. 

Finish your degree at your pace. Take as many courses per semester as your schedule allows.

Interested in the 5-course UW Graduate Certificate in Data Science? Take a look at the certificate course schedule here. 

Program Overview 

The UW Data Science program prepares graduates to apply advanced analytical methods to complex data challenges across diverse domains. Students develop comprehensive technical skills, ethical reasoning capabilities, and professional communication expertise necessary for leadership roles in the evolving data science field.

Programming for Data Science 

Develop proficiency in data structures, algorithms, and professional programming practices including testing and code organization.

Data Architecture and Management 

Design and implement scalable data architectures including operational databases, data warehouses, data lakes, and modern hybrid systems. Apply advanced data modeling techniques and write complex queries for enterprise-scale data infrastructure.

Statistical Exploration and Machine Learning 

a. Perform comprehensive exploratory data analysis to understand data characteristics, identify patterns, and generate hypotheses. Apply statistical methods including regression analysis, hypothesis testing, and confidence interval estimation.

b. Implement supervised and unsupervised machine learning algorithms with appropriate model selection, validation techniques, and performance evaluation informed by exploratory findings.

Deep Learning and Advanced Models 

Design, train, and evaluate deep neural networks for complex data analysis tasks including computer vision and natural language processing. Apply advanced architectures and fine-tuning techniques to solve domain-specific problems with appropriate consideration of model complexity and computational requirements.

Data Visualization and Communication 

a. Create effective data visualizations and interactive dashboards using modern visualization tools and techniques.

b. Use visualization to communicate model performance. Master advanced storytelling methods with multimedia and interactive elements to communicate complex analytical findings to diverse audiences through compelling narratives, reports, and presentations.

Scalable Computing 

Process large datasets using parallel computing techniques and distributed computing architectures in cloud and enterprise computing environments.

Ethical Decision-Making with Data 

Apply ethical frameworks to data collection, analysis, and deployment decisions. Address privacy, bias, transparency, and regulatory compliance in data science practice. Make data-driven decisions while considering organizational objectives and societal impacts, including fairness and responsible use of analytical methods.

Applied Data Science Practice 

Execute a comprehensive data science project by applying knowledge of data science methods and technologies to real-world data to solve a business or other organizational problem or challenge. This includes demonstration of effective communication of findings and insights utilizing visualizations and data storytelling while maintaining ethical standards and professional data science practices.

Graduate Tuition

Tuition is a flat fee of $875 per credit whether you live in Wisconsin or out of state, and financial aid is available for students who qualify.

There are no additional course or program fees, however, textbooks are purchased separately and are not included in tuition. You will not pay segregated fees (fees in addition to tuition that cover the cost of student-organized activities, facility maintenance, and operations) and you will not be charged a technology fee. If software or special technology is required in one of your courses, it will be provided to you and is included in your tuition.

Financial Aid

Financial aid may be available to you and is awarded by your home campus. Contact your home campus financial aid office to see if you qualify for aid as a full or part-time student.

Visit our financial aid page to learn more about FAFSA and other sources of financial aid.

Veteran Benefits 

Benefits are available to qualifying veterans and those currently serving. Contact your home campus veteran services office for details.

UW Grants and Scholarships

You may be eligible for a grant or scholarship as a student in a semester-based collaborative program. More information can be found here.

Most Affordable Online Master’s in Data Science Programs, TechGuide, ranked in 2026.

The University of Wisconsin’s online Graduate Certificate in Data Science offers a flexible, career-focused option designed for working professionals. The curriculum includes three foundational courses that cover essential data science concepts, plus two electives you choose based on your goals—allowing you to tailor the certificate to your interests or industry needs. In just five courses, you’ll gain practical, in-demand skills to analyze data, uncover insights, and make data-driven decisions. Plus, all 15 credits can apply toward the online Master of Science in Data Science if you decide to pursue the full degree later. Take a look at the certificate courses here.