Online Master of Science in Data Science and Analytic Storytelling

As an analytic storyteller, you go beyond organizing and interpreting big sets of data. You learn how to effectively gather and interpret data. Then, you take it one step further by developing the skills needed to communicate the data through evocative and easy-to-digest visualizations.

A tech-related undergraduate degree is not required to pursue this program.

Data Science — Why Truman?

Tremendous value — high quality at low cost

Personalized attention from expert faculty

A program designed for the working professional

Customize projects to your relevant work or interest areas

Courses

Data Science Core – 18 credits

Intro to Data Science

An introduction to the world of Data Science and in-depth exposure to the statistical software environment “R.”

Big Data Management

An exploration of techniques used to manage and prepare very large data sets.

Data Mining

An exploration of techniques used to find patterns in very large data sets, with an emphasis on the statistical structure of the approaches and practical uses of key tools.

Machine Learning

Get familiar with statistical learning techniques (regression, regularization, and principal component analysis) and programming in a popular machine learning language such as R.

Ethics and Data Security

Examine Big Data ethics and security issues and explore Big Data techniques and methods.

Thesis

Working alone or in a pre-approved group, you’ll complete a data science project within your given discipline.

Analytic Storytelling – 6 credits

Narrative, Argument, and Persuasion with Data

Develop an understanding of theory and skills in constructing a relevant, ethical, and engaging message using data that tells a coherent, persuasive story.

Principles of Design in Data Visualization

Get introduced to the principles of good design, with application to data visualization. You’ll learn about design principles in general through lecture, example, and pen-and-paper practice, then apply these principles in the context of data analysis and visual storytelling using appropriate software tools.

Electives (choose two) – 6 credits

Python for Data Science

Enter the world of data science through in-depth exposure to the software environment Python.

Data Science Capstone

Working alone or in a pre-approved group, you’ll complete a data science project within your given discipline. The deliverables for this project include a technical paper written in R Markdown that details the project and the steps taken.

Practicum in Data Storytelling

Use several real-world data to tell a data-driven story in multiple presentation styles to a variety of expert and non-expert audiences.

Gallery of Master’s Thesis Topics

Explore the variety of thesis topics undertaken by graduates of our Master of Science in Data Science and Analytic Storytelling program.

2-benmuvhar

3-leatherman

4-matthews

6-vanmeter

7-cone

8-enness

9-statler

11-davenport

12-becker

13-ritterhoff

15-smith

16-moore

17-estes

Data Science Program—Academic Calendar

Program starts in spring and fall each year. Eight-week courses offered year-round.

2024
Spring First Block	Spring Second Block	Summer Eight-Week
1/10/24-3/5/24	3/18/24-5/11/24	6/3/24-7/27/24
Fall First Block	Fall Second Block
8/14/24-10/8/24	10/14/24-12/14/24

Admission

SPRING

Apply by December 1

FALL

Apply by June 1

Admission Requirements

Online application ($40 fee)
Official transcripts demonstrating:
- completion of baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution (or international equivalent)
- 2.5 cumulative GPA*
  *Or demonstrate sufficient professional experience to prepare them for the proposed field of study.
- completion of STAT 190 – Basic Statistics**
- completion of CS 170 – Intro to Computer Science**
  **If you need help completing these requirements, please contact gradinfo@truman.edu about fulfilling them as part of the data science graduate program. Students with workplace knowledge of statistics or programming may request a waiver of the prerequisite, please contact gradinfo@truman.edu to begin waiver consideration.
GRE scores are optional. No score is required to apply, nor at any point during the program.

International students should note that the Data Science Program at Truman is online, and you will not be issued a student visa to complete this degree.

Regrettably, we are unable to consider applications for fully-online programs by individuals who reside outside of the United States and its territories at this time. International applicants are still encouraged to consider our face-to-face programs located on campus in Kirksville, Missouri.

Application Requirements and Deadlines

Apply

Tuition

credit hours

$523

per credit hour

$15,690

total estimated tuition*

*Total estimated tuition based on 2024-25 academic year. Tuition subject to change.

Graduate Tuition

Financial Aid

Degree-seeking students enrolled in at least six credit hours per semester are eligible for federal financial aid programs. For more information, see Financial Aid Resources for Graduate Studies or contact the Financial Aid Office at (660) 785-4130 or finaid@truman.edu.

Data Science 4+1 Program

Data Science 4+1 is an accelerated program for Truman undergraduates to pursue the Master of Science in Data Science and Analytic Storytelling.

You can take up to 12 graduate credits as an undergraduate student to get ahead in your coursework, and 6 of those graduate credit hours can be applied to your undergraduate degree.

Learn more