Master of Science in Survey and Data Science

Learn from world-renowned experts in survey methodology — and its intersection with data science — through the Master of Science in Survey and Data Science program at the University of Michigan.

Housed in U-M’s Institute for Social Research — the world’s largest academic social science research organization — our survey and data science master’s program blends sociology, psychology, statistics, and data science, with a focus on the importance of survey data quality. As a result, you’ll build a strong knowledge base and solid foundation in survey and data science.

When you pursue a survey and data science master’s degree from the University of Michigan, you will join a small cohort of graduate students in enjoying all the benefits offered by one of the best master’s in data science and survey programs in the country.

More On Our Survey and Data Science Master’s Program

Why Pursue a Survey and Data Science Graduate Program?

Data is everywhere, and our world needs aspiring professionals who know how to harness the power of designed data — especially survey data and repurposed, organic data such as social media posts, search strings, and online transactions — to gain insights, uncover new findings, and innovate.

Our survey and data science graduate program attracts a diverse cohort each year — students who have just completed undergraduate degrees, professionals who work in a survey data or data science field, or those who simply have a passion for this exciting discipline. Our master’s program in survey methodology and data science is built for those who are interested in careers applying cutting-edge methods from the social sciences and data science to research problems across a wide range of applications that involve human behavior and attitudes.

A Graduate Education Unlike Any Other

While you might discover several data science graduate programs across the United States, you won’t find a master’s program quite like the one at Michigan. Housed in the Institute for Social Research, the world’s largest social science research institute, our program combines survey methodology with data science — providing you with the expertise to use survey methods and data to solve practical problems in our world.

Learn in small classes from accomplished leaders

Most of your survey and data science master’s program classes will have no more than 20 graduate students. This means you will learn from faculty thought leaders in the field who will be more accessible and have the time to answer your questions — whether they be about a recent lecture, your career outlook, or recent trends in the industry. These experienced survey data and data science professionals will be there to mentor you and help you grow as a leader.

Hands-on experience that prepares you professionally

From graduate-level internships and field work to assistantships and faculty-led research, hands-on learning experiences in survey methodology and data science from the University of Michigan will prepare you for a career that drives decision making. Over the last few years, our master’s degree students have interned at the American Institutes for Research, the Pew Research Center, Survey Monkey, and Westat, and they have pursued a wide range of research projects within the Institute for Social Research, such as the Health and Retirement Study, Survey of Consumers, and the National Survey of Family Growth.

Focus your master’s degree with a concentration

In the survey and data science master’s degree program, you can choose from three concentrations:

Specializing in one of these areas allows you to gain specialized expertise that helps you stand out in a competitive profession.

Receive personalized career advising

Our survey and data science master’s program is purposely kept small, so our faculty and staff can provide 1-on-1 help outside the classroom. Resources are available to help you polish your resume or CV, conduct practice job interviews, and prepare you to land the job in survey and data science you’ve always wanted. Our faculty and staff also help you find relevant summer employment and connect you with employers after graduation.

“Michigan’s survey and data science graduate program has an extraordinary place in my heart and memories. The graduate program helped me to expand my knowledge in quantitative methods and statistics and gain a more holistic perspective about survey research.”

-Iago Santos Muraro, MS in Survey and Data Science, 2018

What Can You Do With a Survey and Data Science Master’s Program?

Survey and data science master’s degree program graduates provide high-quality information to decision makers to help make our world a better place. Our graduates are working in a variety of industries. Examples of where they have worked include:

  • Social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter
  • Research and academic programs at Harvard University, the University of Maryland, the University of Michigan, UCLA, and Mount Holyoke College
  • Research and survey companies such as Nielsen, Pew Research Center, Qualtrics, and Survey Monkey
  • Government agencies such as the U.S. Census Bureau, the National Science Foundation, and the National Institutes of Health
  • Global organizations such as Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the World Bank

Invest in your future

A master’s degree in survey and data science from Michigan is a valuable investment in your future. We offer graduate assistantships, traineeships, and fellowships to not only help you gain experience needed for a successful career, but also offset some of the costs of earning a top-notch master’s degree.

Explore Coursework for the Survey and Data Science Graduate Program

Whether you’re learning about fundamentals of data collection, survey sampling, statistical modeling, natural language processing, or questionnaire design, you will gain industry-relevant knowledge and experience to become a leader in the field.

Our Survey Design Seminar is particularly valuable to students because it affords them the opportunity to partner with actual clients who join us in the classroom to work on real-life projects in survey methodology and data science.

View all required classes for this program.

Get Started on Your Survey and Data Science Master’s Degree

Take the next step toward earning your Master of Survey and Data Science. If you have questions, please fill out a request for more information or call us at 734-647-0038.

Apply today

Submit your application online today for the Master of Survey and Data Science from the University of Michigan.

Explore financial options

Put your survey and data science master’s degree within reach by exploring your options to help pay for graduate school.