Data Science Institute

Online Master's in Data Science

Our online Master's in Data Science interdisciplinary curriculum strengthens your technical expertise and pairs it with an ethical mindset so you can drive innovation through data while prioritizing the greater good.

Online Master of Science in Data Science: Policy, Governance & Society

Brown University’s online master's in data science: policy, governance and society explores how to design and execute policies to govern data and AI responsibly.

100 %

Online Courses

8

Courses Required

man at computer

16 Months

In as little as 16 months, you can graduate ready to further your career

Program Overview

The acceleration of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and advanced analytics is rapidly reshaping industries and societies across the globe. With this immense potential for transformation comes the need to develop robust governance frameworks that ensure data and AI systems are deployed responsibly, ethically, and legally.

Brown’s online Master’s in Data Science: Policy, Governance & Society program prepares you to be a leader and steward of your organization's data assets and analytics capabilities. An interdisciplinary curriculum strengthens your technical expertise and pairs it with an ethical mindset so you can drive innovation through data while prioritizing the greater good.

This fully online version brings a world-class education to a globally diverse student body while maintaining the same academic rigor and excellence of an Ivy League University. A flexible format delivered asynchronously gives working professionals global access to graduate education from one of the country’s leading universities.

Learning Objectives

Students in Brown’s 100% online Master’s in Data Science: Policy, Governance & Society program will graduate with technical and well-rounded, robust skills to be able to:

  • Build skills in data science methods like machine learning, big data, and data visualization to work with large datasets
  • Effectively communicate complex data science solutions to both technical and non-technical audiences
  • Apply quantitative policy analysis techniques to fully understand policy issues
  • Explore the ethical and societal impacts of artificial intelligence (AI) and its relationship to other disciplines and technologies
  • Draw upon theories and methodologies from various disciplines to address AI's ethical challenges
  • Critically evaluate current governance approaches for AI technologies
  • Develop new insights into AI governance 

Upcoming Application Deadlines

Fall 2025

  • Application Opens: October 15, 2024

  • Early Action Deadline: March 15, 2025

  • Priority Deadline: May 15, 2025

  • Final Deadline: June 15, 2025

  • Semester Starts: September 3, 2025

    Apply through Slate

Spring 2026

  • Application Opens: May 1, 2025

  • Early Action Deadline: July 15, 2025

  • Priority Deadline: September 15, 2025

  • Final Deadline: October 15, 2025

  • Semester Starts: January 21, 2026

Apply through Slate

For admissions and program questions, contact onlinemasters_admissions@brown.edu

Find out more

Speak with a Graduate Recruitment Coordinator about the application and admissions process.
Application Opens: October 1, 2024
Early Action Deadline: March 15, 2025
Priority Deadline: May 15, 2025
Final Deadline: June 15, 2025
Semester Starts: September 3, 2025
Application Opens: May 1, 2025
Early Action Deadline: July 15, 2025
Priority Deadline: September 15, 2025
Final Deadline: October 15, 2025
Semester Starts: January 21, 2026
Information related to tuition & fees can be found on the bursar’s website.