Case Western Reserve University Machine Learning Master's

Program Overview

Case Western Reserve University offers a 30-credit Master of Science in Data Science through the Department of Computer and Data Sciences within the Case School of Engineering. The program combines data science foundations with extensive coursework in machine learning and artificial intelligence.

Students can choose from three paths: Course-Focused, Project-Focused, and Thesis-Focused. The Course-Focused option is intended primarily for students preparing for advanced industry roles. The Project-Focused option adds an applied project, while the Thesis-Focused option provides a stronger research path.

For students specifically interested in machine learning, Case Western stands out because machine learning is built into a broader selection of AI and analytics courses rather than appearing as a single elective.

The official Case Western Reserve MS in Data Science program page provides an overview of the degree, while the university’s 2026–2027 General Bulletin lists current curriculum and degree requirements.

Quick Facts


Degree	MS in Data Science
Credits	30
Location	Cleveland, Ohio
Format	On campus
Machine Learning Course	Yes
AI/ML Electives	Extensive
Project Option	Yes
Thesis Option	Yes
Department	Computer and Data Sciences
School	Case School of Engineering

Machine Learning and AI Curriculum

Machine learning is a major part of the Case Western Data Science curriculum.

Students must complete Introduction to Data Analysis and select coursework across several categories, including Computational Foundations, Analytics and Intelligence, Data Science in the Field, and Data Ethics.

The Analytics and Intelligence course group provides especially strong machine learning coverage. Current options include:

CSDS 440 – Machine Learning
CSDS 435 – Data Mining
CSDS 442 – Causal Learning from Data
CSDS 491 – Probabilistic Models in AI
CSDS 496 – Sequential Decision Making
CSDS 497 – Foundations of Statistical Natural Language Processing
CSDS 446 – Machine Learning on Graphs
CSDS 452 – Causality and Machine Learning
CSDS 570 – Deep Generative Models

Students can also choose AI-related courses from other parts of the curriculum, including Designing High Performant Systems for AI, AI in Medical Imaging, Responsible AI Engineering, and Statistical and Machine Learning for Inference, Prediction and Reasoning.

The breadth of these courses makes Case Western a good choice for students who want to build a graduate program with a substantial machine learning and AI component.

Students should review the official Data Science MS curriculum for the current list of approved courses and requirements.

Degree Options

Case Western offers three ways to complete the 30-credit MS in Data Science.

Course-Focused

The Course-Focused track consists of 30 credit hours of approved coursework and a comprehensive examination requirement.

This path is aimed at students who want advanced data science training for industry and provides substantial flexibility for selecting machine learning, AI, data mining, and related electives.

Project-Focused

The Project-Focused track consists of 24 credit hours of coursework plus six credit hours of project work.

This option can make sense for students who want to apply data science and machine learning methods to a larger practical problem. The program notes that projects may be completed in connection with established industry collaborations.

Thesis-Focused

The Thesis-Focused track consists of 18 credit hours of coursework plus 12 credit hours of thesis research.

This option provides the strongest research component and may appeal to students interested in machine learning research, data science R&D, or possible doctoral study.

Both the Project-Focused and Thesis-Focused tracks require a written report and final oral examination.

Admissions

Applicants should have a strong academic record and sufficient preparation in computing and mathematics.

Students are considered to have the expected background if they hold a bachelor’s degree in computer science or data science, completed Case Western’s data science minor, or have previous coursework covering:

Programming in a language such as Python, Java, or C++
Data structures
Linear algebra
Calculus-based statistics

Students who lack some prerequisites may receive conditional admission and be required to complete additional coursework. These prerequisite courses generally do not count toward the 30-credit master’s degree.

Because requirements can change, prospective students should verify current policies through Case Western before applying.

Tuition and Cost

For the 2026–2027 academic year, Case Western lists standard School of Graduate Studies tuition for programs not separately listed at $2,384 per credit hour during the fall and spring semesters.

At that rate, 30 credits would equal approximately:

30 credits × $2,384 = $71,520

This is a simple credit-hour estimate rather than a guaranteed total program price. Case Western also publishes maximum tuition charges per term, and students may have additional university fees, insurance, books, living expenses, and other costs.

Students should use the university’s School of Graduate Studies tuition and fees page to confirm current costs before enrolling.

Why Case Western for Machine Learning?

Case Western’s MS in Data Science is particularly attractive for machine learning students because of the depth of its AI and ML curriculum.

Students can study traditional machine learning alongside subjects such as graph machine learning, causal learning, probabilistic AI, natural language processing, deep generative models, data mining, and responsible AI.

The program also provides three different completion paths. Students focused on industry can choose the coursework option, students interested in applied work can complete a project, and research-oriented students can pursue a thesis.

Case Western also highlights its connections with Cleveland-area employers and organizations, including IBM and Cleveland Clinic, as sources of potential internships and industry collaboration.

Online Computer Science Option

Case Western also offers a separate 100% online Master of Science in Computer Science through the Case School of Engineering.

The online MSCS covers four main areas: artificial intelligence, databases and data mining, security and privacy, and software engineering. Students can choose a pathways track for those who need additional computer science foundations or an advanced track for students who already have a computer science background.

Case Western reports that the online program can be completed in approximately five to six semesters.

For 2026–2027, tuition for the online MS in Computer Science is listed at $1,500 per credit hour.

Students who specifically want an online graduate degree may want to compare the online MS in Computer Science with the campus-based MS in Data Science.

Who Is This Program Best For?

The Case Western MS in Data Science may be a good fit for students who:

Want substantial graduate coursework in machine learning and AI
Want flexibility to choose between coursework, project, and thesis paths
Are interested in topics such as deep learning, NLP, causal learning, or graph machine learning
Have a background in programming, mathematics, computer science, or data science
Want the option to complete applied industry work or academic research
Prefer an on-campus program at a research university

Students primarily interested in distance learning should consider Case Western’s separate online MS in Computer Science.

About Case Western Reserve University

Case Western Reserve University is a private research university in Cleveland, Ohio. Its engineering programs are housed within the Case School of Engineering.

The MS in Data Science is administered through the Department of Computer and Data Sciences, which also supports research and teaching in areas including artificial intelligence and machine learning, algorithms, data mining, bioinformatics, security, networks, and software engineering.

Is Case Western a Good Choice for Machine Learning?

Yes. Case Western is one of the stronger machine learning-related master’s options in Ohio.

The degree is formally an MS in Data Science, not an MS in Machine Learning. However, its curriculum provides enough depth in machine learning and artificial intelligence to justify including it among machine learning master’s programs.

The combination of dedicated machine learning courses, advanced AI electives, and project and thesis options makes the program especially relevant for students who want more flexibility than a narrowly defined professional data science degree.

Students should compare Case Western with other [machine learning master’s programs in Ohio] before choosing a program.