Program Overview
The online Master of Science in Data Analytics and Computational Social Science (online MS in DACSS) is the fully online and asynchronous version of our MS in DACSS program. Gain the data analysis knowledge and skills you need for your career on your own schedule.
The online MS in DACSS is an interdisciplinary degree program designed to train students to fill roles that require cutting-edge data analysis and computational social science training and/or involve regular interaction with trained computer scientists and other data science professionals. It is designed to be a fully online and asynchronous program that can be taken part-time or full-time alongside other obligations.
Coursework and degree outcomes are the same as the full-time, on-campus MS in DACSS offered at UMass Amherst. Online students also have the same access to our professional career and academic advisors who help students plan their individual program pathways as well as provide practical career skills and guidance for students preparing for the beginning or next stage of their career.
Data Analytics Manager
Bloomberg Industry Group
"...[DACSS] gave me the necessary skills to work with data, from acquiring and wrangling it to thinking critically about it. The program also allowed me to focus on projects I’m passionate about, which enabled me to gain subject matter expertise and build a solid work portfolio."
Related offerings
Students interested in our online MS in DACSS may also be interested in our other MS in DACSS modalities.
Curriculum and Advising
The degree curriculum has been carefully designed to prepare students for the workforce and reflects current industry standards for data science professionals. The MS in DACSS requires satisfactory completion of 11 courses, totaling 32 credits. Students complete four required core courses and round out the program with technical and substantive electives.
While most of our online MS in DACSS students complete the program part-time while having work or other obligations, students are able to complete the program asynchronously and at their own pace. Every student's timeline is different, but you can review a sample part-time online MS in DACSS timeline here.
Application and Admissions
Students are admitted to the online MS in DACSS for the spring, summer, and fall semesters each year. For spring admissions, the application deadline is November 30. For summer and fall admissions, the application deadline is April 15.
Tuition and Financing Your Education
The online MS in DACSS tuition and fee structure aligns with University+ tuition and a per-credit cost, which allows you to have total control over the pace of your financial outlay for your degree.
Data Analytics and Computational Social Science
At UMass Amherst, you can undertake intensive courses in advanced data science taught from a social science perspective.