UC Berkeley’s Master of Information and Data Science | Online
Shape the future of AI and data science with a program designed for working professionals, infused with human-centered values, and focused on solving the world’s most pressing data challenges.
- Graduate from a No. 1-Ranked Program —The online MIDS program from the UC Berkeley School of Information (I School) is nationally recognized by Fortune magazine.1
- Gain In-Demand Skills — Careers in data science and AI are are on the rise2. Our graduates are applying their skills at Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Microsoft, Google, and other top companies.
- Cutting-Edge Data Science and AI Curriculum – Learn to train, deploy, and evaluate large language models (LLMs) including transformer-based architectures; build practical skills that directly apply to today’s rapidly evolving tech, AI, and data environments.
Earn Your Master’s in Data Science Online
The No. 1-ranked3 Master of Information and Data Science (MIDS) program, delivered online from the UC Berkeley School of Information (I School), prepares forward-thinking professionals to lead in data, analytics, and artificial intelligence (AI). With expert faculty, a multidisciplinary curriculum, personalized support, and global networking, the WASC-accredited datascience@berkeley program brings UC Berkeley to students, wherever they are. Learn more about data science.
Complete a Rigorous, Holistic Curriculum
The multidisciplinary online data science master’s curriculum draws upon computer science, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, social sciences, statistics, management, and law. Students use the latest tools and analytical methods to work with data at scale, derive insights from complex and unstructured data, and solve real-world problems.
Flexible Program Paths
The 27-unit, online program is designed for the working professional’s schedule and can be completed on one of three paths: accelerated, standard, or decelerated. Students who wish to take the program on an accelerated or decelerated basis must receive approval from UC Berkeley.
The accelerated path gives students the opportunity to take three courses per semester to complete the program in as few as 12 months.
The standard path is designed for working professionals and can be completed in 20 months, with two courses per semester.
The decelerated path allows students to drop down to one course per semester after the first term and complete the program in no more than 32 months.
Essential and Specialized Skills
MIDS graduates build a versatile skill set with a strong foundation in data science, AI, machine learning, and product development. Key areas of specialization include:
Product Thinking & Communication
AI and Machine Learning
Featured Courses
The MIDS curriculum features a wide range of courses that provide students with a comprehensive understanding of how data science can be used to inform decision making in their organizations. Students will complete programming-focused courses, like the featured courses below, in conjunction with courses that focus on the ethical impact of data science and how to effectively communicate results.
Applied Machine
Learning
This course will teach students how to apply crucial machine learning techniques to solve problems, run evaluations, interpret results, and understand scaling from thousands of data points to billions.
Behind the Data:
Humans and Values
This course examines the legal, policy, and ethical issues that arise throughout the full life cycle of data science. Case studies will explore these issues across various domains such as criminal justice, national security, health, marketing, politics, education, and employment.
Generative AI: Foundations, Techniques, Challenges, and Opportunities
This course is a broad introduction to neural network architectures, algorithms, and computing hardware. Students will explore the historical aspects and key learnings of artificial intelligence, transformer architecture, learn how to deploy, use, and train LLMs, and discuss challenges and opportunities offered by Generative AI.
Capstone
MIDS students apply their skills by delivering a culminating capstone project that integrates the core concepts developed throughout the program. The capstone challenges students to combine technical, analytical, strategic, and communication abilities to design and execute a full data science project. Through real-world application, students build the expertise needed for long-term success in data science, artificial intelligence (AI), and related fields.
Request Information about the Online Master of Information and Data Science
Learn from a curriculum that prepares you to be a leader in data science.
Our Data Science Perspective
The online master’s in data science takes a comprehensive approach to data analysis. While other information and data degree programs are adapting to the emergence of big data, the MIDS program is designed from the ground up to focus on real-world problem solving using the latest tools and approaches to working with data.
As a result, the data science master’s program differs from other analytic degree programs
through its:
- Focus on working with complex, unstructured, user-generated data sets (i.e., big, messy data)
- Comprehensive, multidisciplinary curriculum drawn from the social sciences, computer science, artificial intelligence, statistics, management, and law
- Coherent integration of the full life cycle of data — from identifying the right questions to retrieving, cleaning, and modeling the data and communicating results
- Emphasis on the legal and ethical implications of data privacy and security
The Online Learning Experience
The online master’s in data science combines advanced technology and in-person experiences to ensure you benefit from the full I School experience.
All of the online tools you need to succeed are hosted in one place: the virtual campus.
- Access your weekly Zoom classes, where you will engage in meaningful discussions.
- Complete coding work through seamless GitHub integration in the virtual campus.
- View upcoming course work and deadlines with one click on your dashboard.
- Attend class or complete course work from anywhere using the mobile app.
In-Person Immersion
Build lasting connections with classmates, faculty, and alumni during a high-impact in-person immersion. You’ll take part in hands-on workshops, explore career paths with industry professionals, and dive into emerging topics in data science.
Valuable Relationships with MIDS Alumni
MIDS graduates are working around the world to solve social, economic, and health problems and applying their skills at top companies such as Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Microsoft, and Google. Students and alumni can connect with the I School community through the I School Slack workspace, the official I School professional networking platform.
Graduates employed at these companies excel in roles such as:
- Business data analyst
- Data analyst
- Data architect
- Data engineer
- Data scientist
- Solutions architect
- Systems engineer
“Visiting Uber was an amazing experience. After a 40-minute presentation, we spent over an hour asking questions to Kevin Novak (leader of the data science division) on everything from data science at Uber, to data science at small startups, to the evolving place of data science in the world.”
– Christopher L., MIDS graduate
“I rely heavily on the knowledge and confidence that I gained from the MIDS curriculum as I approach open-ended data science problems. My professors at UC Berkeley provided me with a strong basis in structured problem solving and critical thinking as a data scientist.”
– Erin B., data scientist at Fenix International
Learn more about how MIDS graduates have used these career connections to reach their career goals.
Choose a Program That Transforms Students into Data Science Leaders
Talk To Your Enrollment Specialist About Potential Application Fee Waivers
Admissions
The master’s in data science program is seeking applicants who can make a positive impact on the I School community and beyond. A complete application must include the following:
- Online application
- Transcripts from all educational institutions attended
- Statement of Purpose and additional admissions statements
- Two professional letters of recommendation
- Current resume
- Application fee
- Optional: GRE or GMAT scores
- TOEFL scores (if applicable)
Application Deadlines
There are three program start dates throughout the year, and applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. The final deadline for the September 2026 cohort is May 13, 2026. Talk to your Enrollment Specialist about potential application fee waivers.
Review Application Deadlines
Upcoming Events
Learn more about the MIDS program and meet I School faculty and students during our online and in-person events.
Attend an Upcoming Event
Develop the Skills Needed to Become a Data Science Leader at Top Organizations
Earn a Master of Information and Data Science online from UC Berkeley.
This program is offered in collaboration with 2U, which is an online program management (OPM) company. The roles and responsibilities of the OPM partner in the offering of the program are to provide marketing support for the program, assistance with student recruitment, and front-line student support. UC Berkeley and UC Berkeley faculty are responsible for the creation of academic content, instruction, grading and assessment, credential and transcript creation and issuance, student services and escalated student support, program admissions, and accessibility accommodation.
This program has a non-refundable application fee. For other information on refunds after withdrawal and non-refundable fees after the first day of instruction, please refer to the current schedule of MIDS Tuition and Fees.
FAQs About UCB’s Master of Information and Data Science
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No, the UC Berkeley Master of Information and Data Science diploma and transcript do not specify that the degree was completed online. Graduates receive the exact same diploma as on-campus students, which states only that the student has earned a Master of Information and Data Science from the University of California, Berkeley. The program delivers Berkeley’s standard of academic excellence through a virtual campus that facilitates live collaboration, ensuring the credential remains indistinguishable from traditional campus degrees.
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The MIDS program is a high-value investment defined by its high-touch synchronous model, which differentiates it from lower-cost programs that rely on massive, asynchronous lectures. Rather than being an anonymous face in a sea of students, UCB students learn in intimate classes of only 15–20 people.
This small-scale format ensures you are personally known by faculty and peers, facilitating:
- Immediate Access: Instead of waiting for forum replies, you engage in real-time, faculty-led Live Sessions to work through complex technical challenges.
- Personalized Mentorship: Small classes allow for tailored feedback and deep networking that massive online courses cannot replicate.
- Proven ROI: This level of engagement contributes to a 63% success rate for students securing new roles, with a median U.S. alumni salary of approximately $147,800.
For professionals seeking a career in top-tier tech firms, the program investment provides the rigorous, multi-disciplinary education Berkeley’s reputation is built on along with access to a global network to help you grow your career in a competitive market.
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No, a Master of Information and Data Science is not becoming obsolete; it is evolving to focus on the strategic design, validation, and ethical deployment of AI systems. While Generative AI automates routine tasks like basic data cleaning or standard coding, there is a growing demand for experts who can rigorously validate AI outputs and manage complex data trade-offs. The future of the field involves human-AI collaboration, shifting the data scientist’s role toward high-level strategic interpretation and critical thinking.
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The UC Berkeley Master of Information and Data Science program boosts career placement by providing direct access to the Bay Area innovation ecosystem and specialized career services. Students receive 1:1 career advising, résumé reviews, and mock interviews tailored exclusively for the Master of Information and Data Science community. This targeted support, combined with the university’s elite reputation, results in 63% of students securing new roles — many in high-level positions at top tech employers nationwide.
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The Master of Information and Data Science curriculum is updated on a term-by-term basis to integrate the latest advancements in AI and data science. Courses are taught by top-tier industry practitioners who incorporate recent research into project-based learning. Students gain hands-on experience with:
- Generative AI tools like ChatGPT and AI strategy.
- Natural Language Processing (NLP), exploring the technology behind voice assistants.
- Machine Learning at Scale and Deep Learning.
- Computer Vision, including face detection and image recognition.
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UC Berkeley Master of Information and Data Science alumni typically experience significant career advancement, with approximately 50% to 78% of graduates reporting a salary increase shortly after graduation. As of 2024, the median salary for U.S.-based Master of Information and Data Science alumni is approximately $147,800. Over 60% of graduates start new jobs or receive promotions, frequently moving into roles at leading organizations such as Google, Meta, and Amazon.
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Berkeley distinguishes its graduates through a rigorous, multidisciplinary curriculum and an intimate, high-touch learning environment. By keeping class sizes small (typically 15–20 students), the program ensures personalized faculty feedback and deep peer networking that massive online courses cannot replicate. This exposure to high-level AI/ML expertise and the strong alumni network provides a competitive edge for specialized roles in technical leadership.
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The primary difference lies in scope: Data Analytics focuses on interpreting historical data, while Data Science focuses on building predictive models and new algorithms.
- Data Analytics: Emphasizes using statistical methods and existing tools to create visualizations that inform present-day decisions.
- Data Science: A broader, interdisciplinary field that includes analytics but prioritizes machine learning and the entire data life cycle to predict future outcomes.
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Yes, the UC Berkeley Master of Information and Data Science program accepts students from diverse undergraduate fields, provided they demonstrate strong quantitative aptitude. While a Computer Science degree is not required, successful applicants must show proficiency in object-oriented programming with Python, as well as an understanding of linear algebra, data structures, and algorithms. Applicants can prove this readiness through academic coursework or relevant professional experience.
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The Master of Information and Data Science program requires a bachelor’s degree, statement of purpose, current résumé, transcripts, and two professional letters of recommendation. GRE or GMAT scores are generally not required. The program offers three start dates per year — in January, May, and September — with admissions decisions made on a rolling basis.
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Students should realistically expect to dedicate 10–15 hours per week for each class taken. Most working professionals take one to two classes at a time, resulting in a weekly commitment of 15–30 hours. Some high-rigor courses, such as Machine Learning at Scale, can require more than 25 hours per week during peak periods like midterms and finals.
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Live Sessions are synchronous, faculty-led virtual classes that prioritize real-time collaboration and networking. The program offers three distinct completion paths:
- Standard Path (20 months): The most common route for full-time professionals, typically involving two courses per semester.
- Accelerated Path (12 months): A demanding track for students not working full-time, requiring three courses per semester.
- Decelerated Path (32 months): A flexible option allowing students to take only one course per semester.
- Best Online Master’s in Data Science Programs, Fortune, Ranked in September 2024. ↩︎
- Computer and Information Research Scientists, Bureau of Labor Statistics. Accessed April 2025. ↩︎
- Best Online Master’s in Data Science Programs, Fortune, Ranked in September 2024. ↩︎