MSc in Computing and Data Analytics (MSc CDA)

Gartner projects that over 75% of enterprises will be using Artificial Intelligence by the end of 2024, driving a 5x increase in streaming data and analytics infrastructures. To meet this surge, the Government of Canada projects that there will be more than 13,500 digital technology and 16,000 AI jobs created in Canada over the next 10 years.

Saint Mary’s Master of Science in Computing & Data Analytics (MSc CDA) is a 16-month professional master’s program designed to meet this demand.

MSc CDA’s industry-responsive curriculum prepares students for rewarding careers through experiential learning and intensive industry interaction, including a focus on the following technical trends:

• End-to-End AI: optimizing Large Language Model (LLM) performance for Generative AI solutions
• Data Analytics: Deep Learning; Advanced NLP; Augmented analytics; Extraction of insights from unstructured data; Predictive and prescriptive analytics; Edge and Real-Time Analytics; Automated Machine Learning (AutoML)
• Big Data Governance and Data-as-a-Service (DaaS): Data Lakes and Lakehouses; Data quality, privacy, cybersecurity, compliance, and data ethics.
• Software Development: AI and Machine Learning integration; DevOps; Software system security; Cloud Services; Progressive Web Apps; Intelligent Automation of Quality Assurance

Download the MSc CDA quick reference guide

Benefits of the MSc CDA

• Develop in-demand skills and practical experience applying industry-relevant technologies, methods, and data sets to solve real-world problems.
• Build your professional network through interaction with industry instructors, paid internships, sponsored projects, industry workshops, expert guest speakers, hackathons, and special events
• Study with award-winning instructors from Saint Mary’s Faculty of Science and the Sobey School of Business, AACSB Accredited and the largest Canadian business school east of Quebec
• Complete work-integrated learning through industry-sponsored projects and paid internships.
• Build your professional and technical portfolio: Java/J2EE, C#/.Net, JavaScript: node/angular/react, HTML5, PHP, iOS, Android, Rest API, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Azure, Cognos, SQL/MySQL, NoSQL/Mongo DB, Blockchain, R, Python, Tableau, Alteryx, Power BI, Hadoop, Spark, and Hive.

Since the program’s launch, nearly 100% of graduates have received full-time job offers from Fortune 500 firms, SMEs, and start-ups alike. Meet our Graduates

MSc CDA is a Registered Education provider for the Certified Analytics Professional designation. CAP® is managed by INFORMS, the largest professional society in the field of operations research, management science, and analytics. By completing the MSc CDA program, graduates will have fulfilled the education requirements for CAP® credential and are prepared to write the qualifying exam.

Admission Requirements and Process

Our next available cohort is September 2025.  Applications will open on September 1, 2024.

Before starting your application, we strongly encourage prospective applicants to review our Preparation Guide for the Technical Interview. This guide is designed to help students prepare for the technical interview that will be conducted to assess prospective students’ skills and qualifications to enter the program. The guide includes practice questions, sample solutions, and past interview questions.

MSc CDA follows the general admission requirements and procedures of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research (FGSR), as outlined in the Graduate Academic Calendar. Applications for this program require the following:

• An online application form plus the $125 processing fee 
• MSc CDA normally requires a four-year Bachelor of Science in Computing Science degree (or equivalent in a quantitative field)
  • Please check with the MSc CDA program for country specific GPA requirements
  • Unofficial transcripts (scanned copies) must be submitted for all post secondary institutions attended
• Letter of Intent describing how the program will benefit your educational and career goals
• An up-to-date curriculum vitae
• Students whose first language is not English, and who do not hold a previous degree completed entirely in English, must meet Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research language requirements.
  • IELTS Academic 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0)
  • TEOFL iBT 83 (no band below 20)
• Three (3) recommendation forms
• Applicants must successfully complete a technical interview

As soon as all required documents are on file and your application is marked complete by FGSR, we conduct an initial review and if your application meets admission requirements, you will be contacted for a technical interview.  If you are successful in the interview, the Admission Committee will recommend one of the following: 

• Early Admission: granted to exceptional candidates 

• Regular Admission: you will be added to a pool of candidates that will be re-evaluated against the number of spaces available. If chosen for the cohort, you will be contacted by the Admission Committee

The Dean, Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, issues the official decision letter. Accepted students must complete a Seat Deposit Form and pay a non-refundable deposit of $5,000 by the deadline specified in the admission letter. Once payment is received, a student’s seat is confirmed and the student can register for the program and generate a confirmation of enrolment letter for study permit/visa purposes. 

Application Deadline

The deadline to file your online application and pay the application fee is March 1, 2025. All required documents must be received by the university by March 31, 2025. When the program reaches capacity, incomplete applications will be closed and we will no longer accept new applications until admission opens for the next available cohort.

Estimated Program Tuition and Fees

Canadian Students $21,000

International Students $41,000

Tuition and Fees are paid in four instalments at the beginning of each term (Sep 2025, Jan 2026, May 2026, Sep 2026). Please refer to FGSR for a complete listing of graduate tuition and fees.