Student Experience
Learn the Universal Language of Collaboration
Our online Master of Applied Data Science (MADS) program gives you the tools to effectively — and ethically — collect, process, manage and analyze data. This allows you to translate your insights into clear narratives that inform decision-making across industries, including health care, education, cybersecurity, government and more.
Our community is as engaged as our curriculum is rigorous. That means you can expect classes, coursework, and experiential learning opportunities that immerse you in a culture of interdisciplinary collaboration.
“The UNC MADS program has supported my growth both academically and professionally by consistently pushing me to expand my data science skills in ways that directly apply to my work. Beyond the curriculum, I was able to receive guidance from experienced professors, engage with cutting-edge research projects and participate in meaningful discussions around emerging AI trends — all of which have broadened my perspective and strengthened my expertise in ways I could not have achieved on my own.”
Hua S.
Student
The Online MADS Experience at a Glance
Interactive global classroom
State-of-the-art digital campus
Networking and career services
Academic and career support
Interactive Global Classroom
Engage with your peers and the diverse expertise of expert UNC faculty in interactive live classes hosted on Zoom.
- Easily communicate with your instructors and peers through engaging face-to-face discussions and interactive content. Here you will benefit from the instruction of seasoned academics, many of whom are active data science practitioners across fields.
- Get access to immediate feedback through live chats and other presentation features that allow you to ask questions, share insights and review content collaboratively.
- Revisit discussion points, insights or concepts you may have missed with live class recordings and transcripts.
Easy-to-Navigate Digital Campus
You’ll access your student dashboard via our digital campus. This is where you’ll find a comprehensive overview of your coursework, grades and degree progress.
- Engage with video case studies, interactive content and film-quality lectures, designed by world-class faculty at UNC to compound your understanding of key topics.
- Adjust settings to suit your learning needs with video playback settings, searchable course transcripts, captioning focus mode and more.
- Get 24-hour technical support to resolve any IT issues you may encounter.
“The program was very innovative and constantly adapted to the rapid changes in the industry. The professors are brilliant and engaging. The coursework was meaningful and the live sessions each week provided opportunities to work with my classmates.”
Dennis M.
Student
Networking and Career Services
Access events, groups and other digital services that allow you to build meaningful relationships with peers, faculty and the greater UNC community.
- Join student groups and clubs that are aligned with your interests and academic development.
- Connect with the UNC community through digital and in-person events, including an optional in-person Immersion at the UNC-Chapel Hill campus.
- Receive one-on-one career coaching services, including access to online events, personalized training and regularly updated job boards.
- Become part of a global alumni network that includes more than 6,000 School of Data and Information Sciences graduates and more than 367,000 Carolina graduates overall.
Academic Support
As an online MADS student, you’ll connect with a dedicated team that works to support your academic journey with UNC.
This team includes:
- Student success advisors who provide individual coaching and success planning. They’ll be your support system during the initial onboarding process, and continue to provide guidance as you navigate learning platforms, technical resources and more.
- Academic coordinators who help you navigate program policies, course planning, digital campus resources, leaves of absence and your progress as you work toward graduation.
“Some of my most valuable experiences in the MADS program came from the quality and depth of the instruction itself. The program was thoughtfully designed by faculty with deep expertise in their fields, who developed the curriculum and created the course content. Looking back, it was the combination of strong instruction and meaningful peer engagement that made this program feel like more than just an academic experience. It truly felt like a community.”
Winnie E.
Student
Take the Next Step in Your Data Science Career
Ready to get to work? Learn more about the online MADS program at UNC.