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Offered by the University of Pittsburgh, a top-ranked, Carnegie R1 research institution
10 courses total (30 credits), 9-10 hours per week
Pay-as-you-go for the courses you enroll in, one term at a time
Start learning and show you’re ready, regardless of your background
Lecture videos, hands-on projects and live sessions with instructors and peers
Advance or start your career with the fully online Master of Data Science (MDS) program from the University of Pittsburgh, a Forbes 2025 ‘New Ivy’ institution. This 30-credit program is designed for individuals from diverse academic backgrounds and provides core concepts in computation, statistics, predictive modeling, large language models (LLMs), and machine learning. Through experiential projects, you will learn to answer complex questions with data and build a professional portfolio at your own pace.
The Master of Data Science degree program is uniquely designed to teach the ethical use of data. You will explore the social impact of data science; develop skills in data exploration and visualization, data management and curation; learn to choose appropriate methods, validate findings, and make informed decisions as a responsible professional.
Admission does not require prior programming experience or a specific academic history beyond a 4-year bachelor’s degree. The fully accredited MDS program is performance-based, allowing you to secure full admission by earning a B or higher grade in the initial three-credit course.
Start your application or request more information.
Offered by the University of Pittsburgh, a top-ranked, Carnegie R1 research institution
10 courses total (30 credits), 9-10 hours per week
Pay-as-you-go for the courses you enroll in, one term at a time
Start learning and show you’re ready, regardless of your background
Lecture videos, hands-on projects and live sessions with instructors and peers
Offered by the University of Pittsburgh, a top-ranked, Carnegie R1 research institution
10 courses total (30 credits), 9-10 hours per week
Pay-as-you-go for the courses you enroll in, one term at a time
Start learning and show you’re ready, regardless of your background
Lecture videos, hands-on projects and live sessions with instructors and peers
Advance or start your career with the fully online Master of Data Science (MDS) program from the University of Pittsburgh, a Forbes 2025 ‘New Ivy’ institution. This 30-credit program is designed for individuals from diverse academic backgrounds and provides core concepts in computation, statistics, predictive modeling, large language models (LLMs), and machine learning. Through experiential projects, you will learn to answer complex questions with data and build a professional portfolio at your own pace.
The Master of Data Science degree program is uniquely designed to teach the ethical use of data. You will explore the social impact of data science; develop skills in data exploration and visualization, data management and curation; learn to choose appropriate methods, validate findings, and make informed decisions as a responsible professional.
Admission does not require prior programming experience or a specific academic history beyond a 4-year bachelor’s degree. The fully accredited MDS program is performance-based, allowing you to secure full admission by earning a B or higher grade in the initial three-credit course.

University of Pittsburgh offers a performance-based pathway for all learners for the Master of Data Science degree. Get admitted based on your performance in approved courses - no application required.
Complete a one-course pathway in Data-Centric Computing for credit. Achieve at least a B and on providing proof of your bachelor’s degree, you’ll be admitted to the degree program.
Learn more by watching a recording of the demo course, including a Q&A session — watch here.
*Eligibility requirements apply. Each institution determines the successful course completion required to qualify for performance-based admission. Review the admissions process for this degree program for more information. Click on a specific course for details.


The University of Pittsburgh, a world-class New Ivy and R1* research institution, offers a top-ranked degree grounded in academic excellence. You will learn from renowned faculty whose research, funded by organizations like the National Science Foundation, the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, the U.S. Department of Energy, and more, shapes the program’s holistic curriculum.
The program prepares you for leadership roles by providing hands-on experience solving data challenges with data from our community and corporate partners.
*R1 is an elite designation given by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education to universities with the highest levels of research activity. Typically, less than 5% of institutions qualify for R1 status

These courses are part of the degree program. If you are admitted and enroll, your completed coursework may count toward your degree learning and your progress can transfer with you.¹

University of Pittsburgh
Master Mathematical Foundations for Data Science
Beginner · Specialization

University of Pittsburgh
Data Visualization Mastery with Python & Tableau
Intermediate · Specialization

University of Pittsburgh
Build Scalable Cloud Solutions for Data Science
Intermediate · Specialization
¹Successful application and enrollment are required. Eligibility requirements apply. Each institution determines the number of credits recognized by completing this content that may count towards degree requirements, considering any existing credits you may have. Click on a specific course for more information.
Graduates earn the same Master of Data Science degree as students in the on-campus program. The diploma does not mention Coursera or online study.
No. This program is offered exclusively online, so students cannot switch between online and on-campus formats.
Yes. The online program is taught by the same faculty who teach on-campus courses, maintaining the same academic standard across both formats.
Every instructor provides online office hours, giving students regular opportunities to ask questions, get clarification, and receive additional support.
Admission is performance-based. Students complete a three-credit pathway course on Coursera and earn a B or higher to qualify for the degree. A completed 4-year bachelor’s degree is also required and is verified as part of the admission process. The program does not require prior programming experience, and no transcripts, essays, letters of recommendation, or exams are required for the initial pathway.
Students with balances of $300 or more can enroll in University payment plans that span 3 to 6 months, depending on the term. A $45 sign-up fee applies each term a student uses a payment plan.
International students must provide approved proof of English proficiency, including a minimum TOEFL score of 80 iBT or 550 PBT, or a minimum IELTS score of 6.5. They must also submit official academic credentials showing education comparable to a U.S. bachelor’s degree, along with certified English translations when documents are issued in another language.
The program is designed to take about 20 months to complete. It includes 10 courses totaling 30 credits, and students should plan for about 9 to 10 hours of study per week.
Total tuition is $15,000 USD. The program uses a pay-as-you-go model, so students are charged only for the courses they enroll in each term rather than paying the full amount upfront.
The curriculum is designed for learners from diverse academic backgrounds and does not require prior programming experience. Students build skills in computation, statistics, predictive modeling, large language models, machine learning, data visualization, data management, and responsible data science, with hands-on projects and a capstone-style portfolio focus.