Southern Methodist University Online Master of Science in Data Science-Machine Learning Specialty

Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas offers an exceptional online master of science in data science program with a machine learning specialty concentration. Why is their program better than others? Let’s look at a few of the particulars.

SMU Logo

Why Should You Choose SMU’s Online MS in Data Science with Machine Learning Specialty?

The private Southern Methodist University was founded in 1911 by the United Methodist Church and has consistently been nationally ranked. Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching today and values inquiry and academic freedom. 

SMU’s online degree program is interdisciplinary, with courses coming from the school’s Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Meadows School of the Arts, and Lyle School of Engineering. Specializations in machine learning and business analytics are available.  

Data science is a rapidly growing field in the United States and globally. SMU’s skills-based program creates graduates who are in demand for their skills in big data processing, working with unstructured data, text mining, machine learning, and statistical analysis. The need for data scientists with machine learning skills exists presently and is expected to continue for at least the next decade, guaranteeing SMU data science grads lucrative employment for years to come.

Students in SMU’s online master of science in data science with machine learning program can take advantage of the university’s placement in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, which is a hotbed of tach and health care industry giants. Professors at the school are leaders and experts in the field. The small class size allows professors to engage with students in rich, online discussions.

Additionally, student support is just as available for SMU’s online students as it is for those on-campus. Tutoring, career, and academic services are all offered to students to ensure that they have the most optimal learning experience.

Program Overview

Southern Methodist University’s Master of Science in Data Science with Machine Learning specialty is an online program totaling 33.5 credits. It takes most students from 20 to 28 months to complete the program. Start dates occur four times each year. Those who complete SMU’s Data Science Boot Camp online can transfer up to 6 credit hours to the MS in Data Science-Machine Learning online program. To be eligible to receive credit for boot camp, you must have a 3.7 average in all homework assignments, a 3.7 average in all projects, complete the capstone project successfully, attend at least 90 percent of boot camp class sessions, and have an instructor’s recommendation.

Admissions Requirements

SMU’s online application is the place to begin if you wish to apply for the school’s online MS in Data Science-Machine Learning program. You do not have to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) in order to apply. You must possess a baccalaureate degree in a quantitative field. You should have taken coursework in statistics, calculus 1 and 2, and programming; or have work experience in data management or data analysis. If you lack undergraduate coursework in math or programming, you should submit an addendum detailing how your work experience has made you ready for SMU’s MS in Data Science-Machine Learning program. If you have project examples or course certificates to back up this information, you should submit them. Include a letter of recommendation, your resume, all official transcripts, and a statement of purpose with your application.

Curriculum

Courses that you may take as a student in SMU’s online MS in Data Science-Machine Learning program include:

  • Doing Data Science
  • Statistical Foundations of Data Science
  • Applied Statistics
  • Machine Learning
  • File Organization
  • Database Management
  • Quantifying the World
  • Visualizing Information 
  • Data and Network Security
  • Natural Language Processing 

Students in SMU’s Online MS Data Science-Machine Learning Program 

According to SMU, students enrolled in the online master of science in data science program have the following characteristics:

  • Average age: 37.8
  • Average undergraduate GPA: 3.11
  • Average years of work experience: 10
  • Reside all across the United States

Graduates of SMU’s online Master of Science in Data Science-Machine Learning specialization program will be prepared for a variety of careers, including, but not limited to:

  • Application developer
  • Programmer
  • Statistician
  • Data engineer
  • Data analyst
  • Data architect
  • Software engineer

Tuition Information

As of September 2023, graduate tuition for SMU’s online program is $1450 per credit. Fees are an additional charge. Online students must also pay a $100 distance learning fee per credit. It is recommended that all students fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine what help, if any, they can receive in funding their education. Employer sponsorship may also be available. At SMU, you must be enrolled in at least 4.5 credits per term to be eligible to receive federal financial aid.

Contact Information

If you would like to receive further information on SMU’s online MS in Data Science-Machine Learning specialty program, contact admissions at (844) 768-4637 or [email protected].