Learn more about Data Science at BC
Society needs ethical data scientists.
Online M.S. in Data Science
In an era when data-driven decisions and systems influence every sector of business and society, talented professionals who bring an ethical framework to data science are more in demand than ever. Grounded in Boston College’s human-centered, project-based approach, the online M.S. in Data Science program empowers you to apply technical methods and consulting skills to address the needs of organizations and communities, preparing both experienced professionals and recent college graduates for rewarding careers in one of the world’s fastest-growing fields.
Online Format
100% online
synchronous & asynchronous
Earn a world-class Boston College degree in a flexible format that suits your lifestyle.
Flexible Scheduling
2 years of part-time study
Your courses can revolve around your responsibilities at work and at home.
In-Demand Expertise
34% growth in data science jobs, 2024–2034
Our faculty bring expertise in statistics, data analytics, psychometrics, machine learning, deep learning, and more.
(Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Key Dates
Fall 2026
Regular Decision: May 15
Curriculum
In two years of online study that combines synchronous and asynchronous learning, M.S. in Data Science students complete 10 three-credit courses (two per semester), building core skills in areas ranging from machine learning to statistical analysis and data visualization. They also take part in a speaker series and complete a six-credit capstone project, earning a total of 36 credits.
Capstone Project
Spread over two semesters, the six-credit capstone experience provides an opportunity for students to apply their knowledge of data science to complete a project that addresses a practical challenge in academia, industry, government, or the nonprofit sector. During the capstone project, students build in-demand consulting skills such as communication and project management, developing their understanding of key technical and ethical issues in data science in the process.
Speaker Series
Co-sponsored by Boston College's Schiller Institute for Integrated Science and Society, the data science speaker series hosts scholars and practitioners from across disciplines who examine the interplay between technical methods and their use in society, research, and policy. Through this series, M.S. students are exposed to current topics and trends in data science, learning about its practical applications within a diverse range of fields, from health care and the social sciences to marketing, quality control, forecasting, tech, government, and beyond.
Courses
- Introduction to Human-Centered Data Science
- Applied Mathematics for Data Science
- General Linear Models
- Multivariate Statistical Analysis
- Programming for Data Science
- Database Systems and Data Preparation
- Applied AI and Machine Learning
- Deep Learning and AI
- Natural Language Processing
- Data Visualization and Storytelling
The Schiller Institute for Integrated Science and Society
A core part of Boston College’s $300 million investment in the sciences, the Schiller Institute fosters human-centered, transdisciplinary research on pressing issues related to energy, environment, and health. The institute will help facilitate the M.S. in Data Science speaker series and students’ capstone projects, providing opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration.
Faculty Profiles
Meet three members of our faculty who bring decades of experience in teaching advanced technical methods and preparing students to apply them ethically, with particular expertise in measurement, evaluation, statistics, and assessment.
Matthias von Davier
Monan Professor • Ph.D., Christian-Albrechts University, Kiel
As executive director of Boston College’s TIMSS and PIRLS International Study Center, Prof. von Davier is a leader in using machine learning, AI, and quantitative methods to assess and improve education around the world. He recently co-edited the book Advancing Natural Language Processing in Educational Assessment.
Brian K. Smith
Associate Professor of the Practice • Ph.D., Northwestern University
A leading expert on computer-based learning, human-computer interaction, and computer science education, Prof. Smith previously served as senior associate dean of academic affairs at Drexel University’s College of Computing and Informatics, and as program director in the Division of Research on Learning at the National Science Foundation.
Zhushan “Mandy” Li
Associate Professor • Ph.D., University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
The co-developer of a widely adopted scale for assessing patients’ quality of life, Prof. Li has helped lay groundwork for the burgeoning field of psychometrics. She applies her expertise in data analysis, latent variable modeling, and educational measurement to address important issues in language learning and literacy, STEM education, and health and well-being.
Why Data Science Now?
23,400
projected job openings in the U.S. each year through 2034
Bureau of Labor Statistics
$112,590
median annual pay for data scientists
Bureau of Labor Statistics
#4
in Best Technology Jobs
U.S. News & World Report