The Institute for Advanced Analytics' M.S. in Analytics is the nation's first data science master’s program. We're still leading the way.
First to Market, Still Leading
We’re the Institute for Advanced Analytics (IAA) at NC State and we’re on a mission to produce the world’s finest data science professionals. Our Master of Science in Analytics program launched in 2007, before the term “data science” became mainstream.
During that time, companies started to recognize that big decisions can’t be made on intuition alone. They needed to learn how to use their customer data to inform business goals and strategy. True to NC State’s Think and Do motto, we sprung into action, creating the nation’s first data analytics master’s program. Our 10-month program has helped more than 1,500 students step into data roles across all sectors.
We laid the groundwork for the study of data science almost 20 years ago, and we’re still moving with the current. We update our curriculum at least once a year — sometimes more — to keep up with the rapid changes in the market. Today, AI is embedded into every aspect of our curriculum.
“In 10 months, the IAA equipped me with the hard and soft skills to not only ace data science interviews and land offers, but also to be an immediate contributor in the data science and analytics workplace.”
John Roach
M.S. in Analytics, 2024 Senior Data Scientist, CenterWell Senior Primary Care
As a data science program, we care deeply about numbers and analytics. But the people in the program are our top priority. Every year, we welcome 50-60 students and we invest in each one individually. Our faculty teaches exclusively at the IAA, and while our students have access to all of NC State’s resources, we provide in-house student support services. Our career services and professional development coaching teams work one-on-one with students to refine their interview skills, personal branding, team performance and more.
The M.S. in Analytics program revolves around collaboration, allowing students to build strong connections with one another. Students spend Monday-Friday together in class and working on hands-on projects, including a required eight-month practicum. After completing the program, alumni remain engaged with the IAA. Many of them aid in the recruitment and admissions process and act as a resource for current students.
