Data Analysis and Business Intelligence
- Business Analyst
- Business Intelligence (BI) Analyst
- Data Analyst
- Decision Scientist
- Operations Analyst
- Product Analyst
- Analytics Consultant
- Marketing Analyst
What is an MS in Data Science?
A Master's Degree in Data Science (also called an MSDS) is a graduate-level degree that teaches students how to extract insights from complex data using statistics, programming, visualization, and machine learning. Students learn how to collect, clean, analyze, and model data, then communicate their findings to inform real-world decisions. The degree blends technical skills with critical thinking and often includes hands-on projects, allowing students to apply advanced data science methods across industries.
A data science master’s can be useful for career changes, recent graduates who want deeper technical training, and working professionals who want to move into more advanced analytics roles. The MSDS degree helps you stand out in job interviews, build meaningful connections, and complete real-world projects that strengthen portfolios.
Data Science Skills You'll Learn
In a master’s in data science program, students typically learn how to:
- Develop code using Python, R, and SQL
- Clean and organize large datasets
- Manage and warehouse data
- Build statistical and machine learning models
- Create dashboards, visualizations, and tell stories with data
- Run experiments and interpret results
- Communicate findings to technical and non-technical audiences
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Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence
- AI Engineer
- AI/Deep Learning Specialist
- Machine Learning Engineer
- Natural Language Processing (NLP) Engineer
- Computer Vision Engineer
- Research Scientist
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Data Infrastructure and Modeling
- Data Engineer
- Analytics Engineer
- MLOps Engineer
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Data Science and Advanced Analytics
- Data Scientist
- Product Data Scientist
- Statistician
- Quantitative Analyst
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Industry-Specific Analytical Roles
- Financial Analyst
- Risk Analyst
- Policy Analyst
- Supply Chain Analyst
- Bioinformatics Scientist
- Health Data Scientist
- Healthcare Data Scientist
- Geospatial Analyst
Why Choose Data Science for a Master's Degree?
A Master's Degree in Data Science is extremely relevant for those interested in any roles that leverage data analysis. In fact, according to Interview Query, professionals with a Master's Degree in Data Science earn more than those with a Master's Degree in Data Analytics and a Master's Degree in Business Analytics.
Data science is also a growing field that applies to nearly every industry. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Data Scientist roles will increase by 34% from 2024 to 2034, which is much faster than the average job.
How Long is a Master's in Data Science?
At Willamette, our Master's Degree in Data Science is a 12-month program. We offer evening classes that are designed for full-time professionals and recent graduates.
How Willamette Students are Leveraging their Data Science Skills
Our graduates apply data science across industries, working in roles that span government, healthcare, technology, and sports analytics. Our alumni are combating climate change, assessing health risks, changing education, and selling tickets to major league baseball teams. Read about real-world paths that our alumni have created.
The Value of a Degree
“You could always take machine learning classes on Coursera, but you don’t get to actually talk to people in the industry to see how that data comes to life when you’re not working on predefined problems.”
Zach Haroian BS/MS ’21
Why Choose Willamette for an MS in Data Science?
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Join a Top Data Science Program
Choose a program recognized as a top data science graduate program. Willamette is the only school in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest to be included on Fortune Magazine's 2025 list of "Best Master's in Data Science Programs". Our Data Science Master's Program is ranked #14 nationally, which went up eight positions since 2024. Our program is gaining recognition for its quality and career value, helping graduates stand out in a competitive job market.
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Courses That Build Technical Skills
Find courses that teach you about the foundations of data science. Explore programming techniques in Python and R or learn about data engineering by using SQL and databases. Take courses related to machine learning, data visualization, and even data ethics. Students also build a portfolio through the capstone project course, where they apply their skills to real-world problems.
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Build Professional Connections in Salem, Portland, and Beyond
Continue your education with the oldest university in the Western United States. With a deep history, you can build a network with alumni who span across the globe. Our Master's in Data Science program has formats in Portland and Salem, providing a launching point for your career in the field of data science. Meet with employers that are looking for data scientists, machine learning engineers, and data architects.
Our Data Science Master's program has built-in opportunities to build connections through guest speakers, industry partnerships, and networking events.
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Support All Around
Through small class sizes, our professors get to know students on a one-to-one basis. They've worked for companies like Adobe, HP, and NVIDIA, and can help support your career path. Discuss careers in data science, build your network, and ask questions to experts in the field.
Students can also find support through our Career Development Center. Meet with guest speakers in the classroom, build connections through the Technology Association of Oregon, or perfect your resume with specialized advisors.
Take the