The College of Business at the University of Dallas has developed a new Masters of Science program in data science and AI that will begin in the fall semester of 2025.
Dr. Herb Remidez, program director for business analytics and the new MS in data science and AI, said, “This program focuses on the more advanced applications of machine learning and AI in a variety of settings. It started as an outgrowth of the business analytics program, [which] had some of these classes, but what we really found was that there were two populations of people: one who wanted to focus on applying analytics and data science skills in a business context and another…who were more technical and wanted to be able to do data science and machine learning in a wide variety of contexts.”
According to Remidez, it would take an average of one and half years for a graduate student to complete the program.
Dr. Julia Fulmore, associate dean of faculty affairs & curriculum development at the COB, said, “The MS in data science and AI is tailored for students with a technical undergraduate degree or relevant technical work experience. It provides a deeper dive into advanced programming, AI applications and cloud computing — preparing graduates for more specialized and technical roles in data science and artificial intelligence.”
With the rise of AI use and its overall proliferation, UD is looking to the future as they develop new programs like these.
“Our industry contacts and our advisory board [were] looking at the news and seeing what other programs [were] doing,” said Remidez. “We attend different conferences, talk to different people and find out where things are headed, and again, we saw that we had two really distinct populations: one that wanted to be able to do data science with business and another that wanted to really go much further, and being able to address all of those is where this program came about.”
“It’s not just about growing numbers — it’s about growing strategically, aligning our academic offerings with workforce needs and preparing students for the future of business and technology,” said Fulmore.
According to Fulmore, the growth of AI is not to be approached with fear but fluency.
“AI is reshaping the way we solve problems, make decisions and create value across every industry,” said Fulmore. “We must train professionals who understand both the power and the responsibility that comes with these tools. The MS is designed to do exactly that. With courses spanning from foundational programming and statistical reasoning to advanced AI applications, predictive modeling and cloud computing, students aren’t just learning the theory — they’re building hands-on, practical fluency in technologies that drive real business impact.”
With this new program set for the fall, UD looks to attract new students and provide opportunities in an increasingly growing field.
“The MS in data science and AI positions the College of Business to meet a growing demand in both the education and employment markets,” said Fulmore. “By offering a rigorous, technically focused curriculum aligned with current industry needs, we’re expanding our reach to a new segment of students — particularly those with STEM backgrounds who are looking to apply their skills in high-demand roles.”