UVA School of Data Science Welcomes New Online M.S. in Data Science Cohort

The University of Virginia School of Data Science has welcomed the newest cohort of students to its M.S. in Data Science (MSDS) Online program this fall, continuing its mission to expand access to high-quality graduate education for working professionals and aspiring data scientists across the country.

This fall’s class of 61 students reflects the power of interdisciplinary learning and the School’s commitment to preparing leaders who balance academic excellence with busy professional and personal lives. The program’s flexible, fully online format is designed for students who are advancing their careers while managing work, family, and community responsibilities—without sacrificing the faculty expertise, academic rigor, and cohort engagement that define the School’s residential programs.

“Our mission is education, but traditional education is simply not accessible to most people, especially folks who are older than 22 years old and who are out in the world living their lives,” said Program Director Jonathon Kropko. “Our focus is on making a great education accessible to people who can’t drop everything to move to Charlottesville. We work hard to make our classes as rigorous and well-made as those on Grounds, to include our students in the broader School of Data Science community, and to craft electives and support for working professionals with clear career goals in mind.”

An Accomplished Cohort Representing Many Fields

The Fall 2025 incoming cohort represents 30 different undergraduate majors—from engineering and neuroscience to psychology, business, and data science—bringing a breadth of thought and experience to the program. In addition to students early in their careers, the program also attracts professionals seeking to pivot into new fields. 

Many are already leaders in their domains, working in data science, analytics, engineering, research, and technology. The cohort also includes individuals with roles such as sales associate, veterinary technician, English teacher, IT intern, and service desk analyst, reflecting the program’s appreciation for the diverse perspectives and skills that students from less technical backgrounds bring to the learning community.

Seventy-seven percent of students are employed full-time, including five UVA employees and five military or veteran-affiliated students who contribute leadership and service to the academic community. Collectively, they embody the program’s ethos: applying data science knowledge to real-world problems in real time. Their professional roles span business intelligence architect, epidemiologist, feature and learner strategy analyst, lead AI technical advisor, manager of precision analytics, operations research analyst, quality computer system validation senior lead, senior researcher and psychometrician, solution engineer, staff data scientist, and technology consultant.

These students bring professional expertise from across the public and private sectors, further enriching the peer-to-peer learning environment that is a hallmark of the program.

Employers Driving Innovation

The cohort represents a wide range of employers spanning finance, healthcare, technology, government, and education. Students bring experience from organizations such as the American Institutes for Research, the Department of Defense, the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, GlaxoSmithKline, JP Morgan Chase, Microsoft, SAIC, the Hershey Company, Two Sigma Investments, the University of Virginia, and the Virginia Department of Health. From global corporations to federal agencies, they are shaping critical industries while deepening their knowledge and skills in data science.

Expanding Opportunities Through New Courses

To keep pace with the rapidly evolving field, the online program has more than doubled its elective offerings in the past year, underscoring its commitment to cutting-edge, interdisciplinary learning. Highlights from this year’s expanded curriculum include:

• DS 5001 – Text as Data
  A deep dive into text analytics, focusing on long-form documents such as reviews, articles, and novels. Students apply NLP tools, information theory, and vector-based methods to analyze language and uncover cognitive and social patterns.
   
• SARC 5400 – Data Visualization (hybrid with residential students)
  A course that emphasizes visual and spatial thinking, teaching students to design compelling and functional tools that make complex data visible and actionable.
   
• DS 5002 – How to Train Your LLM
  A hands-on introduction to the lifecycle of large language models. Students train custom LLMs, create HuggingFace model cards, and develop strategies to stay current in this fast-moving field.
   
• DS 5004 – Applied Reinforcement Learning
  Covering k-armed bandits, Markov Decision Processes, Q-Learning, and deep Q-Learning, this course prepares students to apply reinforcement learning methods to dynamic, real-world problems.
   
• DS 5559 – Data Science for Social Impact
  A course that explores the role of data in humanitarian contexts, teaching students to critically evaluate tools, data sources, and methods while addressing pressing ethical considerations.

These electives reflect the program’s evolving emphasis on artificial intelligence, healthcare, social impact, and visualization, preparing graduates to lead in an increasingly data-driven world.

A Model for Professional Growth

The launch of this cohort underscores UVA’s commitment to flexible, high-quality graduate education. By connecting students directly to the School of Data Science—its faculty, resources, and collaborative culture—the online program offers more than a degree. Students gain a strong sense of community and belonging that sets the program apart, building relationships that continue to support their growth long after graduation.