Master of science in data science and business analytics

Get ahead in the fast-paced domain through a master’s in data science and business analytics, an interdisciplinary degree offered by the Wayne State University College of Engineering, the Mike Ilitch School of Business and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. This one-year program includes four specialization options and prepares you to lead and thrive in many high-earning sectors.

Program highlights

• Complete the master’s in as little as one year
• Study full- or part-time
• Four majors to focus on your goals
• Industry-sponsored practicum projects
• Research alongside renowned faculty

What will you learn?

Data and analytics can fundamentally reshape our approach to manufacturing, supply chains, finance, health care and other essential sectors. The master’s degree in data science and business analytics trains you to understand data, reformulate it into comprehensible/actionable components and drive digital business transformation. 

In this program, you learn to use tools like SQL, NoSQL, NewSQL, R, Python, MapReduce, SPARK/SCALA, MATLAB, WEKA, Flume, Kafka and more to gather, analyze and communicate with teams and stakeholders.

Learn more about the program's mission and learning objectives.

Master’s in data science and business analytics program curriculum and courses

Built on an interdisciplinary foundation of business, computer science and industrial engineering coursework, this 30-credit-hour M.S. in data science and business analytics equips you with specialized expertise in your major, personalized elective choices that align with your individual goals and real-world experience in a six-credit applied analytics practicum. 

Review the data science & business analytics M.S. program curriculum.

Tailor the program with four specialization options

Study the topics and courses most relevant to your career goals. Wayne State’s data science and business analytics master’s program offers four majors:

• Advanced analytics: Explore more in-depth features of descriptive, predictive and prescriptive analytics.

• Statistics: Build your expertise in mathematics, statistical analysis and data mining.

• Data computing: Hone your Big Data skills for data modeling and management, modern databases, and developing applications of data science.

• Data-driven business: Contribute to organizational growth by using analytics to understand and solve problems in marketing, operations, finance, human resources, accounting and more.

Real-world experience with research and industry projects

Gain critical hands-on experience through practicum projects with industry sponsors. Working with our industry sponsors that invest financial and mentoring resources in high-impact projects can lead to full-time work placement and accelerate your career. 

In addition, you may join the Big Data & Business Analytics Group to collaborate with our scholars and professors on various research projects.

Led by distinguished faculty

Nationally renowned faculty experts and visiting scholars mentor you in team-based learning, grasping global perspectives, and conducting individual and collaborative research. Our business analytics faculty specialize in areas like AI, big data, business analytics, data mining, deep learning, large-scale textual information analysis, natural language processing and health informatics.

Jumpstart your master’s degree with AGRADE

The Accelerated Graduate Enrollment (AGRADE) program enables you to apply credits toward both your bachelor’s and master’s at the lower undergraduate tuition rate. This program allows you to graduate faster and with less debt while preparing you to excel in a high-level career

Master’s in data science and analytics career opportunities

Demand for data scientists and analysts is expanding at an extraordinary pace: the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 36% growth between now and 2031, a rate many times faster than average. 

Jobs in this field are high-earning, with a U.S. average base salary of more than $123,000 in 2023 and more than $104,000 for employees with less than one year of experience (Source: Indeed.com, June 2023). Set yourself up for long-term success in roles such as:

• Data analyst
• Data scientist
• Data architect
• Business intelligence analyst
• Analytics manager
• Machine learning scientist
• Database administrator

Tuition and financial aid

Earn a highly regarded degree at a competitively low cost at Wayne State, the most affordable of Michigan’s top research universities. We further support your learning through scholarships and assistantships in both teaching and research, which can boost your resume and contribute to your career success.

Admission requirements (GRE not required)

To stand out in our rigorous admissions process, demonstrate your interest in data science and business analytics, including basic probability and at least one programming language. If you do not meet the full admissions requirements, you may still be admitted on condition of completing preparatory courses before your program begins. Other admissions materials include:

• Letters of recommendation
• Statement of purpose
• Resume/CV
• English language proficiency scores (international applicants only)

You do not need to send GRE scores if you have an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0.

Application deadlines

• Fall (begins in August): July 15
• Winter (begins in January): Nov. 1
• Spring/summer (spring begins in May; summer begins in June): Feb. 1

Learn more about graduate admissions.

Disrupt and innovate with a master’s degree in data science and business analytics

Impact the industry on your way to earning your degree through Wayne State’s industry-partnered practicum projects and alongside our distinguished faculty mentors. The master of science in data science and business analytics is a flexible full- or part-time program that can have you career ready in as little as one year.