The University of Chicago offers a Master of Science in Applied Data Science through its Data Science Institute, with classes in downtown Chicago or online.
The 12-course program requires Machine Learning I and Machine Learning II in its core, offers electives in deep learning, natural language processing, and generative AI, and ends with a two-quarter capstone project. A two-year, 18-course thesis track is also available in person.
Last reviewed: October 2026
Quick Facts
| Degree | MS in Applied Data Science |
| School | Data Science Institute, Division of the Physical Sciences |
| Location | Downtown Chicago, Illinois or Online |
| Format | Campus or online, full time or part time |
| Courses | 12 (1,200 units); 18 in the thesis track |
| Culminating Experience | Two-quarter capstone; thesis in the two-year track |
| Minimum GPA | None published |
| GRE | Not required |
| Entry Term | Autumn only |
| First Priority Deadline | November 9, 2026 (Autumn 2027 entry) |
| Final Deadline | June 23, 2027 (Autumn 2027 entry) |
| Typical Length | 4 to 5 quarters full time; 6 quarters part time |
Official MS in Applied Data Science page
Curriculum
The University of Chicago measures coursework in units rather than credit hours, and each course carries 100 units. The program is applied in focus and combines statistics, machine learning, and data engineering with a course on leadership and consulting.
Students complete 12 courses (1,200 units) consisting of:
- 6 core courses
- 4 electives
- 2 capstone courses
A zero-unit Career Seminar is also required, although students with significant full-time work experience may petition to waive it.
Core Courses
- ADSP 31014 – Statistical Models for Data Science
- ADSP 31011 – Cloud-Native Data Engineering
- ADSP 31016 – Leadership and Consulting for Data Science
- ADSP 31017 – Machine Learning I
- ADSP 31018 – Machine Learning II
- ADSP 31006 – Time Series Analysis and Forecasting
Statistical Models for Data Science is the prerequisite for Machine Learning I, and Machine Learning I is the prerequisite for Machine Learning II.
Electives
Elective offerings vary by year and format. Courses listed for current students include:
- ADSP 32017 – Advanced Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence
- ADSP 32023 – Advanced Computer Vision with Deep Learning
- ADSP 32018 – Next-Gen NLP: LLM and Agentic AI in Practice
- ADSP 32020 – Deep Reinforcement Learning
- ADSP 32027 – Generative AI: Principles and Applications
- ADSP 32028 – Applied Generative AI: Agents and Multimodal Intelligence
- ADSP 32014 – Bayesian Machine Learning with Generative AI Applications
- ADSP 32021 – MLOps and Inference Engineering
- ADSP 32026 – Python for ML Engineering
- ADSP 32029 – Causal Models for Data Science
- ADSP 32019 – Real Time Intelligent Systems
- ADSP 32013 – Optimization and Simulation Methods for Data Science
- ADSP 32007 – Data Visualization Techniques
- ADSP 32001 – Quantitative Finance: Methods and Applications
- ADSP 32009 – Data Science for Healthcare
- ADSP 32024 – Data Science for Algorithmic Marketing
Capstone
Students finish with ADSP 34002 – Capstone I and ADSP 34003 – Capstone II, taken in their final two consecutive quarters. Teams work on a real problem from an industry or research partner.
Two-Year Thesis Track
Starting with students admitted for autumn 2026, the in-person program also offers a full-time thesis track of 18 courses (1,800 units). It keeps the same core and capstone and adds:
- 4 more electives, for 8 in total
- 2 independent study courses that lead to a written thesis or a project-based thesis
The thesis track runs 21 months across six academic quarters, with the summer between the two years left open.
Optional Foundational Courses
Noncredit foundational modules are available at no charge to students who need them after a skills assessment:
- Introduction to Statistical Concepts
- R for Data Science
- Python for Data Science
- Advanced Linear Algebra for Machine Learning
- Coding with GenAI
Cost and Tuition
The University of Chicago is a private university and charges the same tuition regardless of residency. Tuition for this program is charged per course.
For the 2026–27 academic year, the Bursar lists:
| Courses per Quarter | Tuition per Quarter |
|---|---|
| 1 course (100 units) | $6,830 |
| 2 courses (200 units) | $13,662 |
| 3 courses (300 units) | $20,498 |
At 12 courses, tuition comes to about $81,960 at the 2026–27 rate, before fees. The 18-course thesis track comes to about $122,940.
The program states that tuition is expected to rise 3 to 7 percent each fiscal year, so students who enroll across two years should plan for a higher rate in the second. The university also lists a Graduate Student Services Fee of $520 per quarter, and admitted students pay a $1,500 enrollment deposit that is credited toward first-quarter tuition.
The Data Science Institute awards partial merit scholarships, and applicants are considered without a separate application.
View University of Chicago tuition rates for 2026–27
Admission Requirements
Applicants need a bachelor’s degree. The program does not publish a minimum GPA or a list of prerequisite courses.
Applicants are asked to show some programming ability in R or Python. The program accepts applicants with limited skills but values prior experience.
For the in-person program, the university says the most competitive applicants have at least one year of full-time work experience or sustained internships. The online program is designed for working professionals with two or more years of full-time experience.
Application Materials
Applicants submit:
- online application and $90 application fee
- unofficial transcripts from every institution attended
- resume or CV
- candidate statement of up to 700 words
- two letters of recommendation
- programming supplement of up to two pages showing R or Python work
- short video responses
- proof of English proficiency when required
The GRE and GMAT are not required, although applicants may submit scores.
Application Deadlines
All formats start in the autumn quarter. For autumn 2027 entry, the in-person program lists:
| Round | Deadline |
|---|---|
| First priority | November 9, 2026 |
| Second priority | December 7, 2026 |
| International applicants who need visa sponsorship | January 26, 2027 |
| Third priority | March 4, 2027 |
| Fourth priority | May 6, 2027 |
| Final | June 23, 2027 |
The online program lists a final deadline of June 23, 2027. The university notes that the application portal may close early if the cohort fills.
Program Format
The MS in Applied Data Science is offered in person and online with the same curriculum. In-person classes meet in downtown Chicago at NBC Tower and the Gleacher Center, not on the Hyde Park campus.
Most in-person courses run from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, with some Friday, Saturday, and daytime sections.
The online program combines live and self-paced work. Live sessions are held on weekday evenings at 6 p.m. Central and on occasional Saturday mornings, and students are expected to attend them. Online students are also invited to an optional Immersion Weekend in Chicago each autumn.
Full-time students take three courses per quarter and typically finish in four to five quarters. Part-time students take two courses per quarter and typically finish in six quarters. All students must finish within four years.
The university states that the full-time, in-person program is listed as a STEM-designated degree. The online program does not offer visa sponsorship.
Who Is This Program Best For?
The University of Chicago’s MS in Applied Data Science is a strong option for working professionals and early-career analysts who want applied machine learning training with a business focus.
It may be especially appealing to students interested in:
- machine learning and predictive modeling
- deep learning, computer vision, and natural language processing electives
- generative AI and MLOps
- time series analysis and cloud data engineering
- evening classes in downtown Chicago or a live online format
- a capstone project with an industry partner
The program is expensive, and it does not include the algorithms, systems, or theory core of a computer science master’s. Students who want an AI-only degree may prefer the university’s MS in Applied Artificial Intelligence, and those who want a computer science foundation may prefer its MS in Computer Science with an artificial intelligence specialization. Students who want lower tuition or a spring start may want to compare other Illinois schools.
Official University of Chicago Program Links
- MS in Applied Data Science program page
- In-person program
- Online program
- Course progressions
- How to apply
- Tuition, fees, and aid
Related Machine Learning Programs in Illinois
Students can also compare University of Chicago with other master’s programs in machine learning, artificial intelligence, and related fields offered in Illinois.
- Bradley University – Peoria
- DePaul University – Chicago
- Elmhurst University – Elmhurst
- Illinois Institute of Technology – Chicago
- Lewis University – Romeoville
- Northwestern University – Evanston
- University of Illinois Chicago – Online
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign – Urbana-Champaign