Statistics and Data Science (Time Series and Social Sciences Track)

This course is for learners who want rigorous, graduate-level training in statistics, machine learning, and data analysis that can be completed alongside their day job. The program is developed by MITx and the MIT Institute for Data, Systems and Society (IDSS) and runs at a similar pace and rigor as an on-campus MIT course.

Each individual course has its own prerequisites, as listed below:

• Probability - The Science of Uncertainty and Data
  • College-level calculus (single-variable & multivariable)
  • Comfort with mathematical reasoning
  • familiarity with sequences, limits, infinite series, the chain rule, and ordinary or multiple integrals
• Machine Learning with Python: from Linear Models to Deep Learning
  • Undergraduate Python programming
  • Undergraduate probability theory
  • Undergraduate single and multi-variable calculus
  • Vectors and matrices
• Learning Time Series with Interventions (Methods Track, Time Series and Social Sciences Track)
  • Undergraduate Python programming
  • Undergraduate multi-variable calculus, and linear algebra,.
  • Undergraduate probability theory and statistics
  • basic knowledge of complex numbers
• Data Analysis in Social Science — Assessing Your Knowledge (Time Series and Social Sciences Track, Social Sciences Track, and Sports Analytics & Social Sciences)
  • Successful completion of the Data Analysis for Social Scientists course
• Capstone Exam in Statistics and Data Science
  • You must complete the 4 required courses on a respective track before you are eligible to take the Capstone Exam

The MicroMasters Program in Statistics and Data Science is taught by MIT faculty at a similar pace and level of rigor as an on-campus MIT course, and it prepares learners for roles that leverage probability, statistical modeling, and machine learning to analyze complex data, make data-driven predictions, and inform decision-making across industries. Course content is tied to current professional challenges, and due to the rigorous nature of courses, a MicroMasters credential is a demonstrated achievement you can use with employers to show your expertise, while also providing a pathway toward a full master’s degree.

Additionally, upon completing this program, you will:

• Gain access to an official Infinite Connection account on the MIT Alumni Association website
• Gain access to a private LinkedIn group, ideal for discovering job postings and professional opportunities
• Participate in MIT Alumni Association events and exclusive MITx MicroMasters in SCM credential holder events
• Receive discounted registration for select MIT CTL conferences, bootcamps, and workshops
• Enjoy access to library journals through JSTOR and EBSCO
• Be eligible for a 10% discount on all MIT Press publications (print books and e-books) for continued career development

In your day-to-day, this program will help you:

• Build a strong statistical foundation. Master the foundations of data science, data analysis, statistics, and machine learning.
• Make data-driven predictions. Analyze big data using probabilistic modeling and statistical inference, and choose the right methods to extract meaningful information for decision-making.
• Build machine learning models. Develop algorithms that pull insight from seemingly unstructured data, including clustering methods and supervised methods such as deep neural networks.
• Connect statistics and computation. Understand how the two work together when analyzing real data.
• Prepare for data roles. Position yourself for titles like data scientist, data analyst, and data engineer.

The Time Series and Social Sciences Track of the MicroMasters Program in Statistics and Data Science consists of five graduate-level courses: four online courses, plus a virtually-proctored Capstone Exam:

• Probability - The Science of Uncertainty and Data
• Machine Learning with Python: from Linear Models to Deep Learning
• Learning Time Series with Interventions
• Data Analysis in Social Science — Assessing Your Knowledge
• Capstone Exam in Statistics and Data Science

See here for the annual course run schedule.

Each individual course runs anywhere from 14-17 weeks, with an estimated time commitment of 10-16 hours per week, while the capstone runs for 4 weeks, with an estimated time commitment of 10-14 hours per week.

Courses are pre-recorded, and lessons are released according to a calendar specific to each course. The calendar will be posted at the beginning of each course. Students can work through the course content on their own schedule after it has been released. Please note some assignments have strict deadlines and work will not be accepted after that deadline.

Learners who successfully complete a course when enrolled on the upgraded certificate track will receive a verified certificate issued by MIT Open Learning.

Learners who successfully pass the Capstone Exam in Statistics and Data Science will also receive a program credential certificate. Please note learners must pass all courses in the program before being eligible to take the Capstone Exam.

Completing this full MicroMasters program makes you eligible to apply to master's programs at MIT and at more than 40 graduate-level programs at universities around the world.

MIT is actively working to expand the list of credit pathway institutions for MicroMasters Program Credentials.

Learners on the audit track can access lessons and practice problems, but not exams. Audit learners are not eligible to earn a certificate nor pursue a full master’s track. There is no cost to participate in the audit track of a course.

Learners on the certificate track have access to exams and are eligible to receive a certificate upon passing the course. There is a fee to participate in the certificate track of a course. Learners who successfully pass all courses in a program on the verified track are eligible to pursue a full master’s program.

Learners wishing to earn a certificate in a course may start on the audit track, but must join the certificate track and pay the course fee prior to the payment deadline in order to be eligible.

You can take one or several of our courses on a standalone basis, or strive to complete all five courses in the series and the comprehensive final exam to achieve the MITx MicroMasters program credential in Statistics and Data Science.

Please note that we recommend taking the courses in order for the best learning experience, and to ensure you gain the prerequisite knowledge needed for each course. Please note that some courses require you to complete other courses in the program first, and this will be listed under ‘Prerequisites’ on the individual course page.

The most up-to-date course fees can be viewed on the individual course pages within MIT Learn. The bundled program purchase is the best value, as it includes all five courses plus the Capstone Exam in Statistics and Data Science for $1350 ($150 in savings compared to purchasing courses individually). Bundled credits must be redeemed within 24-months of purchase.