This Fall, the Department of Statistics is pleased to report the successful launch of the new fully online Master of Science in Applied Data Science (MS-ADS). Designed for working professionals, the 30-credit hour program provides a flexible, two-year pathway for students who seek advanced technical training while balancing full-time work and personal commitments. The interdisciplinary curriculum builds hands-on expertise in Python, R, SQL, statistical modeling, data visualization, machine learning, natural language processing, and deep learning. With a focus on real-world application and modern computational tools, the program prepares graduates to contribute to data-driven decision making across a wide range of industries. This fall, the program welcomed a strong inaugural cohort of 16 students drawn from around the US, with the state of Georgia well-represented. Students in the first cohort represent a variety of professional backgrounds and report strong progress in foundational programming and analytics as they complete their first term. "Our first cohort has shown remarkable dedication in balancing graduate study with work and family responsibilities," said Man Basnet, Associate Director of the MS-ADS program. "We are proud of the momentum they have built this semester and look forward to supporting their continued growth as they move into more advanced topics." The department is currently finalizing an Advisory Board composed of working professionals in a variety of data science leadership roles in business, government, education, public health and elsewhere. The board will support and engage with the program in a variety of ways, including providing advice on curriculum development; facilitating internship and job opportunities for students; adding valuable content through guest lectures, case studies, and career advice; and promoting the program through their spheres of influence. According to Interim Department Head Dan Hall, "The conversations we have had with prospective Advisory Board members have been tremendously enjoyable and useful. Not only is it great to get to know these individuals personally or, in many cases, reconnect with former alumni, they have so much great input to offer on our courses, on program development, and on the state of modern data science. Our advisory board members will offer invaluable opportunities to our students and contribute essential perspectives from outside of academia." Key curriculum topics include: Programming for data science in Python and R Database design, SQL, and data engineering foundations Machine learning, clustering, and classification Natural language processing and deep learning Distributed and cloud-scale data processing Applied statistical inference and analytics For more information on the MS-ADS program, please visit its home page on the UGA Office of Online Learning website.
