The Department of Statistics & Data Science is pleased to announce that the current Master of Arts in Statistics will be renamed the Master of Arts in Statistics and Data Science. At the same time, we are launching a new concentration within the program: Applied Data Science.

The Applied Data Science concentration is designed for students seeking rigorous training in statistical modeling, computation, and data science, with greater flexibility to connect these tools to domain-specific applications in areas such as biology, economics, political science, and psychology. In particular, our Accelerated BA/MA program will allow eligible Washington University undergraduates in related fields to complete the Applied Data Science concentration with only one additional year of study.

Students who are interested in foundations and methodology of statistics and machine learning can complete their Master’s degree in the Statistics concentration.

Program highlights include 30 units of required coursework (plus an optional 6 units for the thesis track), along with a set of core courses tailored to the Applied Data Science concentration. These core courses include Essentials of Probability Models and Statistical Inference, Linear Statistical Models, Statistical Computation, Python for Data Science, and Practical Training in Statistics. The program also requires 18 units of 5000-level elective coursework, with up to 9 units permitted from outside the SDS department. Students may browse our pre-approved list of electives.

This new concentration will be available to both current and incoming Master's students starting in Fall 2026. For full program details, stay tuned for our upcoming Bulletin in July 2026 or reach out to our Director of the Master's Program, Nan Lin, at sdsmastersdirector@wustl.edu.