Master's Program · Spring 2026

Shape the Future with
Data Science & AI

An 18-month intensive master's program at Nexus University that turns analytical thinkers into machine learning engineers, AI architects, and data leaders driving real-world impact at the world's most ambitious organizations.

18 Months
100% Online + Hybrid
Mar 1 App Deadline
$0 App Fee
Nexus University main campus at dusk — the classical building illuminated with warm light surrounded by trees
Nexus University · Founded 1912 · San Francisco

Built Different.
Proven Results.

Not every master's program is the same. Here's what sets the Nexus MSDSAI apart from every other offer you'll evaluate this cycle.

Research-Led Teaching

Learn directly from faculty publishing at NeurIPS, ICML, and Nature Machine Intelligence. Every module weaves cutting-edge research into practical projects.

Industry-Embedded Curriculum

Six-month capstone with a partner company in fintech, healthtech, or climate AI. Graduate with a portfolio of production-grade work — not toy datasets.

Global Cohort, Local Impact

Join peers from 40+ countries. Weekly synchronous workshops bridge time zones; async recordings keep your schedule intact.

Guaranteed Mentorship

Every student is paired with a senior practitioner mentor from our 2,000+ alumni network at Google DeepMind, Stripe, and SpaceX.

Accredited Credential

WASC Senior College & University Commission accredited. Eligible for federal student aid. Stackable into our Ph.D. track if you choose to continue.

GPU Compute Access

Every student receives cloud GPU credits ($2,400 value) for model training throughout the program — no personal hardware required.

18 Months of Deliberate Practice

Four sequential terms take you from mathematical bedrock to production-ready AI systems — with an embedded industry capstone to ensure your skills are immediately applicable.

Term 1 · Months 1–4
Foundations
  • Mathematical Foundations for ML (Linear Algebra, Probability)
  • Python for Data Engineering & Statistical Computing
  • Data Wrangling, Feature Engineering & Pipelines
  • Supervised Learning: Regression, Classification, Trees
  • Research Methods & Technical Communication
Term 2 · Months 5–9
Core ML & Deep Learning
  • Neural Networks: Architectures from MLP to Transformers
  • Computer Vision: CNNs, Detection, Segmentation
  • Natural Language Processing & Large Language Models
  • Unsupervised Learning, Clustering & Dimensionality Reduction
  • ML Systems Design & Scalable Infrastructure
Term 3 · Months 10–14
Applied AI
  • Reinforcement Learning & Decision-Making Systems
  • Responsible AI: Fairness, Interpretability & Privacy
  • Generative Models: Diffusion, GANs & Multimodal Systems
  • MLOps, Monitoring & Production Model Lifecycle
  • Domain Elective: HealthAI, FinAI, or ClimateAI
Term 4 · Months 15–18
Capstone
  • Industry Partner Capstone Project (6-month engagement)
  • Advanced Seminar: Frontier Research in AI
  • Thesis or Applied Project Defense
  • Career Lab: Negotiation, Networking & Thought Leadership
  • Graduation & Alumni Induction

Where Nexus Graduates Land

Our outcome data is independently verified by a third-party auditor. We publish every number because we stand behind them.

94% Employment Rate within 6 months
$92k Median Starting Salary
4.2x Average Salary Increase
2,400+ Alumni Network Members

Graduates by Role Title (Class of 2024)

ML Engineer
88%
Data Scientist
82%
AI Researcher
68%
Data Engineer
64%
AI Product Manager
48%

Top Hiring Partners

Google DeepMindStripeSpaceXMeta AIOpenAIAnthropicPalantirNetflixDatabricksSnowflake

Common Role Titles

Machine Learning EngineerSenior Data ScientistAI Research ScientistMLOps EngineerAI Product ManagerNLP EngineerComputer Vision Lead

Learn from Practitioners, Not Just Professors

Our faculty blend elite academic research with real-world industry experience — so you learn both the theory and how it gets shipped.

Dr. Diana Reyes

Program Director · NLP & LLMs

Former Research Scientist at Google Brain. Published 40+ papers on multilingual models and constitutional AI. Joined Nexus in 2021.

Prof. Marcus Osei

Computer Vision & Robotics

Ph.D. MIT CSAIL. Co-founder of two computer vision startups. Expert in real-time perception systems for autonomous vehicles.

Dr. Sana Siddiqui

Reinforcement Learning & Decision AI

Previously at DeepMind AlphaFold team. Research focus on sample-efficient RL for biological discovery and drug development.

Prof. João Lemos

MLOps & AI Systems

Staff ML Engineer at Stripe (2016–2022). Built ML infrastructure serving 1B+ transactions/day. Author of "Production ML" (O'Reilly, 2023).

The Admissions Process

Straightforward. No GRE required. No hidden hurdles. Six steps from first click to confirmed seat in the Spring 2026 cohort.

Key Dates & Scholarships

Plan your application timeline and explore financial support options. Scholarship deadlines are firm — mark your calendar.

Application Dates

  • Early Decision Deadline Nov 15, 2025
  • Merit Scholarship Deadline Dec 1, 2025
  • Regular Decision Deadline Mar 1, 2026
  • Rolling Admissions Close Apr 15, 2026
  • Program Start Date May 18, 2026
  • Orientation Week May 12–16, 2026

Financial Support

  • Nexus Excellence Scholarship

    Awarded to top 10% of applicants by academic and professional distinction. Highly competitive; apply via the main application.

    Up to $18,000
  • Women in AI Fellowship

    For women and non-binary applicants with demonstrated commitment to equity in tech. Includes mentorship cohort and speaker access.

    Up to $12,000
  • First-Generation Scholar Award

    For applicants who are the first in their family to pursue a graduate degree. Includes academic coaching and community network.

    Up to $8,000
  • Corporate Tuition Reimbursement

    Many employers reimburse graduate tuition. Nexus is approved by Google, Microsoft, and Stripe. We provide documentation support.

    Varies by employer

Questions We Hear Most

Still wondering? Browse our most-asked questions — or email us at admissions@nexus.edu anytime.

Is a background in math or computer science required?
You need comfort with undergraduate-level calculus and linear algebra, plus basic programming experience (any language). We offer a pre-program math refresher for admitted students who feel their foundations need reinforcement.
Is the program fully online or does it require campus visits?
The program is hybrid-flexible. All live sessions are online, and recordings are available 24 hours after each session. Two optional (never required) campus residencies of 3 days each are offered during the program — strong networking, not mandatory attendance.
How does the industry capstone work?
During months 13-18, you are embedded with one of our 60+ partner organizations on a real AI project. You are matched based on your domain interest (health, finance, climate). Partners range from early-stage startups to Fortune 100 companies. Many capstones lead to full-time offers.
Can I apply without GRE scores?
Yes. We made the GRE optional in 2022 and permanently waived it in 2024. We evaluate applications holistically: your professional experience, recommendations, essays, and optional technical assessment tell us far more than a standardized test.
What is the expected weekly time commitment?
Plan for 18-22 hours per week during terms 1-3 (coursework + projects). Term 4 (capstone) varies — typically 15-25 hours depending on your partner engagement. Most students work full-time throughout the program successfully.
How long does a decision take after I submit?
Complete applications (all materials received) are reviewed within 2 weeks. You will receive an interview invitation or a status update within that window. Final decisions arrive within 3 weeks of your interview date.
Does Nexus offer tuition payment plans?
Yes. You can pay per term (4 installments), monthly (18 installments), or upfront with a 3% discount. Deferred tuition options through our income share agreement are available for eligible applicants.

Start Your Application

Takes under 5 minutes to register your interest. Our team will reach out within 2 business days with next steps and your applicant portal login.

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Your Next Chapter Starts Here.

Spring 2026 seats are limited to 60 students. Applications close March 1 — don't let your cohort fill without you.