What Types of Data Science Master’s Programs and Related Degrees Are Covered on MastersinDataScience.org?

Updated

MastersinDataScience.org covers graduate degrees and shorter upskilling options in data science, including Master of Science (MS) in data science programs and related degrees such as the Master of Information and Data Science (MIDS) and the Master of Applied Data Science. The site is owned by 2U, LLC, the parent company of edX, and it identifies sponsored or advertised programs with the word “AD” or “Advertisement.” It is a guide and program-listing resource, not a degree-granting institution, so the specific degrees, formats, and requirements you see depend on the individual university listings.

Degree types you can browse

Based on the page evidence, the site organizes its coverage around a few broad categories:

  • MS in data science programs — the core category the site is named for and the main focus of its “Master’s in data science programs and related degrees” section.
  • Related master’s degrees — programs that sit adjacent to a pure MS in data science. The listings shown include:
    • Master of Information and Data Science (MIDS) — UC Berkeley’s online program, described as taking a multidisciplinary approach to the data life cycle, from planning and gathering data to analyzing and presenting findings, with coursework on privacy, machine learning, and data storage and management.
    • Master of Applied Data Science — UNC-Chapel Hill’s online program, described as covering the data life cycle, advanced programming, machine learning, and industry networking.
  • Upskilling options — the site’s description also references boot camps and short courses alongside graduate degrees, so the coverage is not limited to full master’s programs.

How the programs differ in focus and goals

The two sponsored examples illustrate a real distinction in orientation:

Program Degree Stated focus Format detail from listing
UC Berkeley Master of Information and Data Science (MIDS) Multidisciplinary data life cycle; privacy, machine learning, data storage and management; leadership in the field Live online class sessions taught by I School faculty and data science professionals; completable in as few as 12 months; no GRE required
UNC-Chapel Hill Master of Applied Data Science Comprehensive data life cycle understanding; advanced programming and machine learning; industry connections Online; completable in as few as 16 months full time; no GRE scores required

The MIDS listing leans toward information-school framing — privacy, data management, and leadership — while the Applied Data Science listing emphasizes applied technical skills and professional networking. That difference in stated emphasis is the main signal the page gives for comparing related degrees.

Program formats

The listings shown are online programs. The page evidence also references full-time and part-time study: UNC-Chapel Hill’s program is described as completable in as few as 16 months full time, and the broader site description mentions graduate degrees alongside boot camps and short courses. Because format, duration, and admission requirements vary by university, treat the details in each listing as program-specific rather than site-wide rules.

How to judge which degree type fits you

The page itself does not prescribe a decision framework, but its structure suggests a practical approach:

  1. Start with the degree category. If you want a broad, information-focused curriculum that includes privacy and data management, a MIDS-style program may match. If you want applied programming and machine learning with industry networking, an applied data science master’s may match.
  2. Check the stated focus against your background. The listings describe target audiences — for example, UC Berkeley’s MIDS is described as being for professionals looking to become leaders in the field.
  3. Confirm format and duration against your constraints. The two examples differ (12 months vs. 16 months full time), and both are online.
  4. Verify requirements directly with the university. The listings note “no GRE required” for these two programs, but that is a program-level detail, not a general rule.
  5. Note the sponsorship. Programs marked “AD” or “Advertisement” are sponsored or paid placements, and some are offered by universities that partner with 2U. Use the listings as a starting point, then check each university’s own page for current curriculum, cost, and admission terms.

If you are still deciding between a full master’s and a shorter upskilling path, the site’s coverage of boot camps and short courses alongside graduate degrees gives you a way to compare commitment levels before narrowing to a specific program.