Earn a Respected Master’s Degree in Data Science Without Pausing Your Career
Ranked as a top national program, Rice's Online Master of Data Science (MDS@Rice) offers a flexible, 31-credit-hour path for working professionals from any undergraduate background. The interdisciplinary curriculum bridges computer science, statistics, and business analytics, allowing students to specialize in Artificial Intelligence or Business Analytics. Featuring weekly live sessions and hands-on big data projects, graduates earn the exact same diploma as on-campus students and gain full access to Rice's elite career network.
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Nationally Recognized
Programs ranked and recognized for academic excellence and impact.
Expert Faculty
Taught by scholars and industry professionals with real-world experience.
Designed for Completion
Most students complete their degree in approximately two years.
Flexible Online Format
Self-paced coursework with scheduled live sessions.
Multiple Start Dates
Begin your program in June, August, or January.
Student Support Built In
Dedicated advising and resources from enrollment through graduation.
Online Master’s Programs at a Glance
Master of Data Science
- 10 Courses
- 4 Specializations
- System Specialization
- Machine Learning/AI
- Data Science
- Engineering Leadership
- Application
- Resume/CV
- Statement of Purpose
- 2 Letters of Recommendation
- $85 Application Fee
- GRE
- TOEFL
Hear From Our Students
Career Outcomes
A door that has opened is with Deloitte. I’m actually going over there to their Chicago office in August.
Program Experience
It was an amazing opportunity to attend Rice’s prestigious classes… but in my own home and on my own schedule.
…the people that I’ve met have been really great and have given me connections across the country.
New AI Specialization Starting Fall 2026
The Artificial Intelligence Specialization in the Online Master’s of Data Science program prepares students to design, develop, and deploy intelligent systems. Through new and existing courses students gain experience in machine learning, AI architectures, and real-world applications. This specialization reflects the growing demand for professionals who can build systems that learn, adapt, and scale.
The specialization is specifically engineered to move students beyond traditional data modeling to encompass the full landscape of modern AI architectures. Rather than just learning to deploy pre-built AI tools, students will master the underlying mathematical principles, core mechanisms, and deep engineering frameworks required to design, build, and advance intelligent systems from scratch.
The AI Curriculum: Foundations to Advanced Paradigms
Students select a minimum of 3 courses designed to bridge theoretical depth with high-impact engineering applications to complete the AI Specialization. Our advanced course options now feature our brand-new AI Paradigms course alongside our elite machine learning classes:
COMP 654 | AI Paradigms
(New Course) Go beyond standard machine learning. This comprehensive survey course dives into symbolic reasoning, multi-agent systems, search and planning, and generative models, offering a deep look at how machines think, plan, and evolve.
COMP 647 | Deep Learning
Master the fundamentals of neural networks and their advanced applications in computer vision and natural language processing.
COMP 652 | Natural Language Processing
Dive into computational linguistics, probabilistic language models, and text parsing to build real-world applications like sentiment engines and chatbots.
COMP 653 | Statistical Machine Learning
Study advanced machine learning from a rigorous statistical viewpoint, tackling real-world problems like generalization, robustness, and explainable AI.
Stand Out as a Rice Graduate
Rice's strong reputation with some of the world's best employers improve your chances of getting the job you want. Some of our Data Science alumni have gone to leading companies including:
