It's one thing to amass vast troves of data. It's another entirely to know what to do with it. Data scientists help organizations collect, organize, interpret and analyze the information they gather. As the tools they use become more powerful, data scientists produce detailed insights impossible just a few years ago. And, it's why almost every industry, from healthcare to supply chain management, is seeking data scientists.
With a Master of Science in Applied Data Science from Clarkson University, you can turn big data into smart data.
Why Earn a Master's in Applied Data Science at Clarkson?
For more than a decade, Clarkson's Business Analytics program has been a leader in the field. That experience shows – Fortune named Clarkson's program among the top 20 master's programs in the world in 2025.
We stay ahead of the field by constantly monitoring the industry and adjusting our curriculum to reflect the latest trends in analysis and visualization. That ensures you can put your skills to work the day you graduate.
You'll learn both from industry experts who teach your classes, as well as through an intensive capstone project that often involves fieldwork.
The degree is ideal whether you want to break into the field or sharpen the skills you have. If you already have a job, you can keep working: our applied data science program is offered both in person and online, where courses are held in real time or at your convenience. And, because both online and on-campus courses are taught by the same faculty, you'll get the same personal attention no matter where you are.
What You'll Learn
You'll get an extensive background in statistics, computational methods and programming in this 36-credit-hour program. By the time you graduate, your toolbox will allow you to pick the best approach to solve the problems you face.
The 36-credit-hour MS in Applied Data Science degree program consists of six three-credit core graduate courses, four three-credit graduate elective courses and one six-credit-hour capstone course based on a sponsored project or internship.
Full-time, residential students generally complete the program in three semesters. Students can complete the program at the Potsdam campus or 100-percent online. Additionally, online students can build part-time or full-time schedules that work for them. Part-time students generally finish the program in about two years.
Prerequisites
Free introductory courses are offered online for accepted candidates from undergraduate backgrounds not covering calculus, programming and statistics
Required Courses (six):
Database Modeling, Design and Implementation
Probability and Statistics for Analytics
Data Warehousing
Information Visualization
Data Mining
Machine Learning
Elective Courses (four):
Elective courses are offered in a variety of areas, including but not limited to the following:
Modeling for Insight
Big Data Processing and Cloud Services
Introduction to Big Data Architecture and Applications
Strategic Project Management
Marketing Research Methods
Econometrics
Design of Experiments
Pattern Recognition
Stochastic Processes for Engineers
Artificial Intelligence
Human Computer Interaction
Digital Signal Processing
Computational/Machine Learning
Capstone
The Capstone Project is a course centered on sponsored data science projects with interdisciplinary teams. Capstone projects, depending on project parameters could consist of a 2-unit seminar with a 4-unit project and/or be a mentored capstone of 6 total units. Depending on the nature of the capstone and its sponsorship, projects could be on-site fieldwork intensive.
Course summaries can be found in the course catalog.
You'll work with real clients, on real problems, in your classes. By the time you graduate, you'll be able to tell employers about problems you've solved — and how you can help them, too.
A completed application consists of the following:
GRE test scores (Applications will be read without GRE scores, but applicants are encouraged to send scores that they believe will enhance their application.)
For international applicants, an English proficiency test is required.
Minimum test score requirements: TOEFL (80) and TOEFL Essentials (8.5), IELTS (6.5), PTE (56) or Duolingo English Test (115).
The English language-testing requirement is not waived based on language of instruction, nor do we accept university certificates. English testing is waived if an applicant has a degree from a country where English is the Native Language. Click here to see the list of these countries.
Career Possibilities
If it seems like you're seeing a lot of job postings for data scientists and business intelligence analysts, you're right. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the field is booming – the number of data science jobs is expected to grow 36 percent by 2031, and in 2022, the median pay for the field was more than $100K a year.
A master's in data science qualifies you for jobs like:
Business intelligence analyst
Clinical analyst
Data analyst
Database administrator
Data engineer
Machine learning engineer
Recent Employers
Graduates of the MS in Applied Data Science program work at companies including:
"When people ask me, 'What kind of industry or career could I get into as a data analyst?' I always tell them, 'Only those that collect and use data,' which, in this case, it’s everybody."
If you love solving problems, poring over spreadsheets and are hungry to use evidence to make decisions, data science may be for you. Get started today!
