UCLA MS in Engineering: Data Science Engineering

UCLA Samueli School of Engineering offers a Master of Science in Engineering with a Certificate of Specialization in Data Science Engineering for working professionals who want advanced training in data science, machine learning, and engineering applications. The program is fully online and combines five core courses with four additional courses selected from core or recommended elective options.

Quick Facts

SchoolUniversity of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
LocationLos Angeles, CA
DegreeMS in Engineering with Certificate of Specialization in Data Science Engineering
Units36 units (9 courses)
FormatOnline
Tuition$39,600 estimated total tuition
Length2 years and 1 quarter on average
ML / AI FocusMachine learning, deep learning, NLP, data mining, Bayesian reasoning, responsible AI

Curriculum

The 36-unit curriculum requires nine courses. Students complete at least five core Data Science Engineering courses and then choose additional core courses or recommended electives. UCLA lists courses such as Machine Learning Algorithms, Algorithmic Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Large-Scale Machine Learning, Reinforcement Learning, Natural Language Processing, Advanced Data Mining, and Learning and Reasoning with Bayesian Networks.

The program also covers data management, big data analytics, large-scale data mining, neural networks, distributed computing, probability, and advanced data systems. Students work with tools and methods that include PyTorch, TensorFlow, Bayesian inference, and MapReduce.

Credits and Program Length

UCLA requires 36 units across nine courses. The program is part-time, and most students take one course per quarter. UCLA states that this schedule leads to an average completion time of two years and one quarter, including two summer sessions. Students may take more than one course per quarter and finish in about 1.5 to 2 years. The maximum allowed time is three academic years, excluding summer sessions.

Tuition and Cost

UCLA lists tuition at $1,100 per unit for 36 required units, producing an estimated total program tuition of $39,600. UCLA notes that tuition and fees can change each year. The university also estimates books and supplies at $2,163, so those costs are separate from the published tuition estimate.

Admissions

The admissions requirements are aimed at applicants with a technical academic background. UCLA expects a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution in engineering, mathematics, computer science, or physics, plus a 3.0 GPA in the final two years of undergraduate study. Applicants should also have programming proficiency, including Python.

  • Completed online application and official transcripts
  • Résumé
  • Three professional or academic recommendation letters
  • Statement of purpose and personal statement, each up to 500 words
  • GRE general score; UCLA says waivers may be available for highly competitive holistic applicants
  • TOEFL or IELTS scores for applicable international applicants

Machine Learning, AI, and Data Science Focus

This is a strong fit for MastersInMachineLearning.org because machine learning is central to the curriculum rather than a minor elective. Students can study supervised and unsupervised learning, deep neural networks, large-scale machine learning, reinforcement learning, NLP, Bayesian networks, graph and network mining, computer vision concepts, and responsible AI. The program also connects these methods to engineering systems and large-scale data problems.

Online Format

UCLA classifies the degree as a fully online, part-time program. Coursework is asynchronous, although assignments have regular deadlines. Exams are proctored in person at local testing centers. Optional live activities can include orientation, office hours, bonus lectures, and graduation.

Capstone and Comprehensive Exam

Every student must satisfy UCLA’s comprehensive exam requirement. Students can complete ENGR 299 Capstone Project, a faculty-guided project that applies advanced program knowledge, or complete designated written exam questions in three different graduate-level courses within the specialization.

Who Is This Program Best For?

UCLA’s program is best suited to working professionals with a strong STEM background who want a technical online degree that combines machine learning with data science and engineering. It is especially relevant for students who want advanced ML coursework without leaving full-time employment and who are comfortable with a part-time quarter-based schedule.

Bottom Line

UCLA offers one of the stronger online options for students who want machine learning inside a broader data science engineering degree. The program has a clear technical focus, a wide selection of advanced ML and AI courses, a published $39,600 tuition estimate, and a standard completion path of about 2 years and one quarter. The main tradeoff is that the admissions requirements favor applicants who already have a substantial technical foundation.