Washington University of Science and Technology offers a Master of Science in Applied Data Science and Artificial Intelligence for students who want practical preparation in data science, machine learning, AI, analytics, and big-data systems. WUST is located in Alexandria, Virginia, near Washington, D.C.
| School | Washington University of Science and Technology |
| Location | Alexandria, Virginia |
| Degree | MS in Applied Data Science and Artificial Intelligence |
| Credits | 54 quarter credits under WUST’s graduate tuition structure |
| Format | Appears to be online; confirm with WUST |
| Tuition | $25,380 standard graduate tuition; $12,690 for fully online students |
| Length | About 18 months estimated |
| AI/ML focus | Machine learning, AI, data science, big data, cloud systems, and capstone |
Curriculum
The program combines data science foundations with applied AI work. WUST lists training in artificial intelligence and machine learning, advanced Python, SQL and NoSQL databases, data visualization, business analytics, big-data platforms, and cloud-based systems.
Students also complete a real-world capstone project that applies data and AI methods to a practical problem. The current program page describes the subject areas but does not publish individual course titles or a term-by-term sequence.
Credits and Program Length
WUST’s current graduate tuition table lists graduate programs at 54 quarter credits. The MADSAI page does not separately state a credit total, so students should confirm that the new degree follows this standard structure.
A 54-quarter-credit program normally equals 12 courses at 4.5 quarter credits each. At WUST’s standard pace of two courses per 10-week quarter, students could finish in roughly six quarters, or about 18 months. This is a planning estimate rather than a program-specific completion promise.
Tuition and Cost
WUST publishes standard graduate tuition of $470 per quarter credit, or $25,380 for 54 quarter credits. The university lists tuition for fully online students at 50% of the regular rate, which reduces the estimated program tuition to $12,690.
The university estimates another $1,000 for graduate books and supplies. Students should ask WUST whether the 50% online rate applies to every MADSAI student and whether any mandatory fees sit outside the published tuition total.
Admissions
Under WUST’s graduate admission requirements, applicants need a bachelor’s degree equivalent to a four-year U.S. degree from an accredited institution and a minimum 2.4 GPA. The university also requires an application, a $75 application fee, an official transcript, and government-issued identification. WUST recommends a statement of purpose.
Applicants educated outside the United States may need an academic credential evaluation and proof of English proficiency. WUST states that no prior data science background is required for this program. The program is not currently open to F-1 students.
Machine Learning and AI Focus
The degree has a direct and substantial connection to both machine learning and artificial intelligence. Its strongest feature is the combination of technical tools, data infrastructure, analytics, and an applied capstone rather than a single AI elective inside a broader degree.
WUST’s Institute for Digital Innovation also lists AI, machine learning, deep learning, intelligent systems, data science, and AI-driven analytics among its research areas. This may give students access to research events and projects beyond the classroom, although the university does not state that every MADSAI student participates in the institute.
Online or Campus Format
WUST offers fully online and hybrid graduate study, and the university publishes a special 50% tuition rate for fully online students. The MADSAI page does not explicitly label the degree as online or hybrid. Its notice that the program is not open to F-1 students suggests an online format, but applicants should confirm whether any campus attendance is required before enrolling.
Who Is This Program Best For?
- Students who want a combined applied data science and AI degree
- Career changers who do not have a prior data science degree
- Learners who value Python, databases, cloud systems, analytics, and a practical capstone
- Online students who may qualify for WUST’s reduced distance-education tuition
Bottom Line
WUST’s MS in Applied Data Science and Artificial Intelligence fits this directory because AI, machine learning, data science, big-data tools, and applied analytics form the core of the program. The possible $12,690 online tuition is a major advantage. The main limitation is that WUST has not yet published a detailed MADSAI curriculum, explicit delivery label, or program-specific credit total on the program page. Students should verify those points directly with the university.