Brown University’s 16-month online master’s in data science: policy, governance & society prepares professionals to lead at the intersection of data, artificial intelligence (AI) and public policy by designing and executing strategies that govern data and emerging technologies responsibly.
The acceleration of artificial intelligence, machine learning and advanced analytics is transforming industries and societies worldwide. With this transformative potential comes an urgent need for leaders who can develop governance frameworks that ensure data and AI systems are deployed responsibly, ethically and effectively.
Brown’s online master’s in data science program equips you to be a strategic leader and steward of your organization’s data and AI capabilities. Its interdisciplinary curriculum builds the ethical, policy and governance insight needed to drive innovation in service of the greater good, while also strengthening your technical expertise.
This program offers the following degree:
- Master of science (Sc.M.): Coursework and an applied learning experience
Leveraging Brown’s long-standing commitment to interdisciplinary learning, the curriculum draws on expertise from across the University, including the Data Science Institute. Through asynchronous online modules and optional weekly synchronous sessions, you will gain the technical and non-technical skills to build and implement responsible data and AI policies. Courses progress in sequence to pair a deep understanding of ethics, fairness, accountability and governance with advanced data science capabilities.
Designed for working professionals across industries and career stages, the program welcomes both technically trained practitioners and those seeking to deepen their data literacy to shape policy and leadership decisions in a rapidly evolving AI landscape.
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Additional Information
Students in the online program will have access to the same learning resources as in-person students. This includes Brown University’s extensive collection of library and information resources such as the Sheridan Center for Teaching and Learning’s English language support and Writing Center; Student Accessibility Services and telehealth services.
Application Information
Upcoming Application Deadlines
Fall 2026
Early Action Deadline: March 15, 2026
Priority Deadline: May 15, 2026
Final Deadline: June 15, 2026
Semester Starts: September 3, 2026
Spring 2027
Early Action Deadline: July 15, 2026
Priority Deadline: September 15, 2026
Final Deadline: October 15, 2026
Semester Starts: January 27, 2027
Entering students are expected to meet the necessary admissions requirements, including:
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- At least one semester of college-level statistics (required)
- Additionally, at least one semester of college-level linear algebra and college-level calculus is preferred.
- Prior experience in programming languages is required
- Python experience is preferred; other languages (SAS, STATA, R, Julia, etc) may be accepted.
- At least two years of full-time professional employment experience. This program is ideally suited for currently employed, working-professionals.
If you have any questions regarding the application process for this program, please email onlinemasters_admissions@brown.edu.
Application Requirements
GRE General:
Not Required
TOEFL/IELTS:
Required for any non-native English speaker who does not have a degree from an institution where English is the sole language of instruction or from a University in the following countries: Australia, Bahamas, Botswana, Cameroon, Canada (except Quebec), Ethiopia, Ghana, Ireland, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, New Zealand, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Sierra Leone, Swaziland, Tanzania, Gambia, Uganda, United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales), West Indies, Zambia).
The TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition and the IELTS Indicator exam are accepted. The data science program prefers scores above 620 (pBT) or 105 (iBT). The corresponding minimum IELTS score is 7.5.
Students from mainland China may submit the TOEFL ITP Plus exam.
Official Transcripts:
Official Transcripts: All applicants may upload unofficial transcripts for application submission. An international transcript evaluation (WES, ECE, or SpanTran) is required for degrees from non-U.S. institutions for application submission. Official transcripts & evaluations are required for enrolling students prior to the start of their first semester classes.
Letters of Recommendations:
Three (3) recommendations required. At least one recommendation letter should be provided from a professional supervisor/manager.
Personal Statement:
The Admissions Committee is interested in learning about your motivation for pursuing this specific interdisciplinary master's degree. In lieu of a traditional personal statement, applicants are required to submit a pre-existing work artifact or a product from their professional experience illustrating professional engagement with technical data science skills, policy related to data science, governance issues related to data science, or societal issues impacted by data science. This submission must be accompanied by a written explanation detailing these connections between the professional artifact and topics in data science, policy, governance, and society. Work artifacts from undergraduate internships, research or coursework will not be considered.
Please see the Additional Requirements section below for examples of successful work artifacts.
Resume/CV:
Required.
Additional Materials:
$100 Application Fee.
Apply by the Early Decision Deadline and we’ll waive your $100 application fee.
Applicants who are missing one or more of the required prerequisites are strongly encouraged to upload an additional statement outlining their plan for completing the prerequisite(s) prior to starting the program and/or how their professional work experience supplements any missing prerequisite requirement.
Additional Requirements:
WORK ARTIFACT EXAMPLES
INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS
Language Proficiency (TOEFL or IELTS if applicable)
Transcript Evaluation (if applicable)
RESTRICTIONS AND LICENSING REQUIREMENTS
To comply with OFAC restrictions and licensing requirements, Brown University currently does not offer online programs to individuals physically located in the following areas: Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, and the Crimea, Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine. Please note that this limitation is location based, as well as applies to all citizens of these countries, regardless of location, who are ordinarily resident in these countries. View more information pertaining to embargoed country regulations for online courses.
Tuition and Funding
Graduate Tuition & Fees: Please visit the Student Financial Services Office for up-to-date tuition rates.
Scholarships: Scholarships up to 50% are available and awarded on merit. Select programs also offer a 20% Brown alumni scholarship. Scholarships cannot be combined. No additional application required.
Completion Requirements
The program consists of eight courses or 32 academic credits.
All courses are delivered online, and will have both required asynchronous and optional synchronous components to support student learning.
The program can be completed in as little as 16 months (four consecutive semesters, including summer) on a full-time basis. Full-time status is considered enrollment in two courses per semester. Learn more about the standard course sequence and required courses here.
Alumni Careers
As demand for professionals who understand policy and technical dimensions of data and AI rapidly grows, Alumni find jobs in sectors from government and healthcare to finance, technology, and civil society.
See Career Pathways
Contact and Location
Data Science Institute
Location Address
Providence, RI
Mailing Address
Providence, RI 02912