Best Bachelor's Machine Learning Degree Programs in Missouri
Washington University in St Louis — Saint Louis, MO
Key Distinction: Mandatory practicum requirement—comprehensive data science project completed during senior year. Practicum can be fulfilled through independent study, project-focused classes (including AI for Health, Software Engineering Workshop), or approved data science internships
Hakia Insight: Washington University's mandatory senior practicum can be satisfied through AI for Health coursework or industry internships, creating a legal pathway for undergrads to get published research credit—a loophole that elite peers like Stanford and MIT don't explicitly offer at the bachelor's level, giving WashU students a publication advantage before graduate school applications.
Washington University's Bachelor of Science in Data Science is a collaborative program between the Department of Statistics in Arts & Sciences and the Department of Computer Science & Engineering in McKelvey School of Engineering. Students develop expertise in machine learning, statistical analysis, and data manipulation through a rigorous curriculum combining mathematics, computer science, and statistics core courses. The program requires a practicum experience—a comprehensive data science project completed during the first semester of senior year—that can be fulfilled through independent study, project-focused classes, or approved internships. Students gain hands-on experience applying knowledge in practical research or industrial settings. The curriculum includes an Ethics and Professional Responsibility requirement and electives from multiple departments including advanced machine learning courses (CSE 5107), Bayesian methods, computer vision, and text mining. Graduates are prepared for careers in data science, machine learning engineering, and analytics roles across technology, finance, healthcare, and other industries.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Data Science — 4 years, on-campus. BS
Research Labs and Institutes
- Computer Vision and Robotics Lab
- Natural Language Processing Lab
- Machine Learning and Optimization Group
Industry Partners
- Google (corporate)
- Microsoft (corporate)
- Meta (Facebook) (corporate)
- Amazon (corporate)
Career Outcomes
Median Salary: $NaN. Top Employers: Media and entertainment corporation, Life sciences company, Technology consulting firm, University, Federal employment agency.
Notable Faculty
- Roman Garnett — Bayesian optimization, active learning, machine learning theory
- Yixin Chen — Computer vision, scene understanding, visual reasoning
- Sanmay Das — Machine learning, game theory, algorithmic game theory
Accreditations and Certifications
- ABET accredited (Engineering programs)
Location Advantages: St. Louis growing tech hub with AI/ML company expansionAccess to enterprise and startup ecosystemsProximity to Midwest regional tech companies
University of Missouri-Kansas City — Kansas City, MO
Key Distinction: UMKC's machine learning program stands out for its integrated approach to applied AI, combining rigorous theory with hands-on industry projects in a region with strong tech employer presence.
Hakia Insight: UMKC's proximity to Cerner Corporation (one of healthcare's largest AI employers) combined with its Center for Bioinformatics signals a deliberate healthcare AI specialization; students studying under Dr. Yugyung Lee's health informatics focus graduate into a job market where the employer is literally headquartered in their city, collapsing the recruitment friction that delays other graduates' career entry.
At the bachelor's level, UMKC's machine learning initiatives are embedded within a strong computer science and engineering research ecosystem that emphasizes applied AI solutions for real-world problems. The program leverages the university's proximity to Kansas City's growing tech corridor and integrates hands-on industry projects throughout its curriculum. Students work directly with faculty on machine learning applications in healthcare, autonomous systems, and data analytics—areas where the region's employers are actively hiring. The graduate programs balance theoretical foundations in algorithms and statistical learning with practical experience in deep learning frameworks, reinforcement learning, and computer vision. UMKC's location provides unique opportunities for internships and collaborative projects with local tech companies and healthcare institutions, giving students a portfolio of work before graduation. The faculty brings industry experience alongside academic research, meaning classroom instruction often reflects current challenges in production machine learning systems. Students consistently report that the program's emphasis on project-based learning and industry engagement translates directly into competitive job placements.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Machine Learning — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Machine Learning — 4 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
- UMKC Center for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
- Data Mining, Database and Multimedia Research Group
- NSF IUCRC Center for Big Learning
- SCE Machine Learning Lab
- DANS Lab (Data-Algorithms-Network Systems-Security Laboratory)
- Bani Lab
- Cao Lab
- Cheng Han Lab
- DIGIT Lab
Industry Partners
- Cerner Corporation (corporate)
- Lambda Labs (collaborator)
- Oak Ridge National Lab (employer)
- Department of Air Force (sponsor)
Notable Faculty
- Dr. Yugyung Lee — AI, Data Science, Deep Learning/Machine Learning, Health informatics, cognitive digital twins
Admissions
GPA Requirement: 3.0 minimum in last 60 semester hours.
Location Advantages: Kansas City tech corridor with growing AI/ML job marketProximity to Cerner Corporation headquartersAccess to healthcare and fintech companies in the region
University of Missouri-St Louis — Saint Louis, MO
Key Distinction: UMSL is the only public university in the St. Louis region offering a graduate-level data science degree and maintains dual AACSB accreditation for business and accounting programs.
Hakia Insight: UMSL being the only public university in St. Louis offering a graduate-level data science degree creates an unusual pipeline advantage for its undergraduates—completion of the bachelor's often leads directly to internal master's enrollment, compressed timelines, and advisor continuity that students at schools without graduate programs must rebuild from scratch.
At the bachelor's level, the University of Missouri-St. Louis offers machine learning-related education and research primarily through its Information Systems and Technology (IST) department and the Supply Chain Analytics Center of Excellence (SCA-CoE) within the Ed G. Smith College of Business. The university is notable as the only public university in the region to carry dual AACSB accreditation for its business and accounting programs at undergraduate and graduate levels. Machine learning research at UMSL is particularly concentrated in the IST department, where Assistant Professor Vivek Singh specializes in machine learning alongside cloud computing, cybersecurity, and online learning. The SCA-CoE focuses on developing advanced data-driven decision support tools that integrate optimization, machine learning, simulation, and statistics to address complex decision-making under uncertainty. The center emphasizes advancing explainable and trustworthy AI methods, tackling large-scale combinatorial and stochastic optimization problems, and applying these techniques to diverse industries including manufacturing, agriculture, energy, healthcare, and construction. The Laboratory of Advanced Supply Chain Analytics (LASCA) specifically works on combining optimization, statistics, simulation and machine learning to solve large-scale Markov decision process models. Additionally, the Cybersecurity and Information Technology Innovation Lab (CITIL) serves as an interdisciplinary center housing state-of-the-art cybersecurity laboratory facilities. The university also offers a Master of Arts in Mathematics with a Data Science emphasis, making UMSL the only public university in the St. Louis region offering a graduate-level data science degree, where students learn mathematics and statistics for data analysis, data modeling, and machine learning applications using R or Python.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Machine Learning — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Machine Learning — 4 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
- Supply Chain Analytics Center of Excellence
- Laboratory of Advanced Supply Chain Analytics
- Cybersecurity and Information Technology Innovation Lab
- Advanced MIS Laboratory
- Networking Systems and Security Lab
Industry Partners
- National Science Foundation (sponsor)
- U.S. Department of Transportation (sponsor)
- Ameren Corporation (sponsor)
- Express Scripts Inc. (sponsor)
- ASCM (sponsor)
- U.S. Army Research Office (sponsor)
- HP Labs (sponsor)
- Missouri Agricultural Small Business Development Authority (sponsor)
- International Agricultural Trade Research Consortium (sponsor)
Career Outcomes
Median Salary: $NaN.
Notable Faculty
- Dr. Vivek Singh — Machine Learning, Cloud Computing, Cybersecurity, Online Learning
- Dr. Necdet Gurkan — Information Systems, Cognitive Science, Decision Making, Collective Intelligence, Data Science
- Dr. Le (Carol) Kuai — Online Community, Technology Interruption, Trust in IT, Emerging Technology
Admissions
GPA Requirement: 3.0 minimum. Application Deadline: Fall: July 1 (domestic), May 1 (international); Spring: December 1 (domestic), October 1 (international); Summer: May 1.
Requirements:
Accreditations and Certifications
- AACSB
- National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity for Cyber Defense Education
Location Advantages: Access to largest alumni network in the regionConnection to leading healthcare providers in the region
University of Central Missouri — Warrensburg, MO
Hakia Insight: UCM's data science program builds from visualization and forecasting fundamentals rather than jumping straight to deep learning, an approach that maps well to the manufacturing and agricultural tech employers in its region—students graduate equipped for applied ML roles, not research.
At the bachelor's level, UCM's Data Science program introduces students to visualization, artificial intelligence, machine learning, data mining, programming, statistics and forecasting to tackle large-scale data sets. The program offers both online course options and an accelerated BS-MS pathway for graduate studies.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Machine Learning — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Machine Learning — 4 years, online
Location Advantages:
Saint Louis University — Saint Louis, MO
Key Distinction: Mandatory four-semester data science practicum sequence (DATA 1800, DATA 2800, DATA 4961, DATA 4962). Two-semester capstone project (DATA 4961 and DATA 4962)
Hakia Insight: Saint Louis University mandates a four-semester practicum sequence that spans two full years of the program, an unusually long commitment that results in students arriving at internships with multi-semester portfolio pieces rather than one-off projects—particularly valuable given partnerships with Centene and RGA Reinsurance, where data quality and iteration matter more than novelty.
Saint Louis University's Bachelor of Science in Data Science is an interdisciplinary program jointly supported by the Department of Computer Science and the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, modeled on American Statistical Association guidelines. The curriculum combines rigorous computer science, statistics, and mathematics courses with four semesters of practica and capstone experiences, providing hands-on training in data cleaning, visualization, analysis, and reporting. Students choose electives to specialize in either computer science or statistical aspects of data science. The program emphasizes research and fieldwork opportunities, with students conducting cross-disciplinary work with organizations like ArchCity Defenders, MIT Lincoln Lab, and the Medical School. A mandatory two-semester capstone project integrates technical skills in machine learning, predictive modeling, databases, and natural language processing. Graduates are positioned for careers in technology, government, research, and consulting, with data scientist ranked as the No. 1 job in the U.S. by Glassdoor in terms of job openings and earning potential.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Data Science — 4 years, on-campus. BS
Research Labs and Institutes
- AirCRAFT Lab
- Space Systems Research Laboratory
- CHROME Lab
Industry Partners
- Centene Corporation (corporate)
- Ameren Corporation (corporate)
- Facebook (partner)
- RGA Reinsurance Company (partner)
- Edward Jones (partner)
- World Wide Technology (partner)
- 1904labs (partner)
- Exegy (partner)
- AT&T (partner)
- Boeing (collaborator)
- St. Louis Public Schools (collaborator)
Notable Faculty
- Min Hyung Choi — Computer Science Department Chair
- Flavio Esposito — Graduate coordinator in Computer Science
- Ankit Agrawal — Assistant Professor in Computer Science
Admissions
GPA Requirement: 2.00 minimum cumulative GPA in major courses. Application Deadline: December 1 for priority scholarship consideration.
Requirements: Minimum 62 credits in major courses, Minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA in data science major courses by end of sophomore year, Maintain minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA in major courses each semester, Registered in at least one data science course each academic year, Earn C- or better in critical courses: CSCI 1070, CSCI 1300, MATH 1510, MATH 1520, DATA 1800, CSCI 2100, DATA 2800, Complete University Undergraduate Core (32-35 credits), Complete major requirements including databases, machine learning, and four data science practica/capstone courses, Complete 12 credits of major electives (minimum 2 CSCI, minimum 1 STAT), Complete 24-27 general electives
Accreditations and Certifications
Location Advantages: St. Louis fintech and healthcare tech ecosystemStrong relationships with regional financial services and insurance firms
Missouri State University-Springfield — Springfield, MO
Key Distinction: Missouri State grounds its ML program in rigorous applied mathematics, emphasizing theoretical foundations that prepare students for research-intensive and specialized ML roles.
Hakia Insight: Missouri State's emphasis on applied mathematics as the foundational layer is a deliberate choice that pays off for students targeting research or specialized roles; unlike programs that bolt statistics onto CS, this mathematical grounding signals preparation for the theoretical depth that graduate admissions committees and research labs actually screen for.
At the bachelor's level, missouri State's machine learning curriculum grows from a strong computational mathematics foundation, making it the entry point for students who want deep theoretical grounding alongside practical implementation. The program sequences coursework so that students first master the mathematical principles—linear algebra, probability, optimization—before advancing to neural networks and advanced architectures. This scaffolding appeals to students who plan to push boundaries in ML research or take on roles requiring rigorous problem-solving. Faculty in the Computer Science and Mathematics departments collaborate to deliver courses that explain *why* algorithms work, not just *how* to apply them. Students engage with emerging research topics through seminar series and faculty-mentored projects. The Springfield location and Missouri State's regional reputation create partnerships with manufacturing and agricultural technology firms seeking ML solutions—practical contexts for capstone work. Graduates often transition into roles that blend research and engineering, or continue to graduate studies at tier-one programs. The program's emphasis on mathematical literacy also prepares students for specialized tracks in optimization, probabilistic models, and theoretical machine learning.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Machine Learning — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Machine Learning — 4 years, online
Location Advantages: Access to regional manufacturing and agricultural technology companies
Missouri Valley College — Marshall, MO
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Machine Learning — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Machine Learning — 4 years, online
Location Advantages:
Webster University — Saint Louis, MO
Key Distinction: Webster University offers comprehensive Machine Learning programs preparing students for careers in technology.
Hakia Insight: Webster University's private, regional positioning in St. Louis offers smaller cohorts and flexibility that state schools can't match, though without distinct research labs or notable faculty specialties listed, prospective students should directly confirm whether their interests align with available advisor expertise.
Webster University offers Machine Learning programs in Saint Louis, MO. As a private institution, it provides accessible education pathways for students in the region.
Missouri Western State University — Saint Joseph, MO
Key Distinction: Missouri Western State University offers comprehensive Machine Learning programs preparing students for careers in technology.
Hakia Insight: Missouri Western's location in Saint Joseph places it near neither major tech hubs nor prominent research institutions, making outcomes depend heavily on individual initiative—without distinctive labs or industry partnerships documented, this program is best suited for students committed to recruiting themselves into entry-level roles.
Missouri Western State University offers Machine Learning programs in Saint Joseph, MO. As a public institution, it provides accessible education pathways for students in the region.
College of the Ozarks — Point Lookout, MO
Key Distinction: College of the Ozarks offers comprehensive Machine Learning programs preparing students for careers in technology.
Hakia Insight: College of the Ozarks' distance from regional tech corridors and limited documented partnerships suggest this program serves primarily place-bound students or those prioritizing affordability over proximity to mentorship infrastructure.
College of the Ozarks offers Machine Learning programs in Point Lookout, MO. As a private institution, it provides accessible education pathways for students in the region.
Best Master's Machine Learning Degree Programs in Missouri
Washington University in St Louis — Saint Louis, MO
Key Distinction: Washington University's machine learning program combines top-tier research output with rigorous mathematical training and direct mentorship from faculty conducting research published at premier AI conferences.
Hakia Insight: Washington University's master's program pairs faculty like Roman Garnett (whose active learning research shapes how industry ML teams prioritize data labeling) with standing partnerships at Google and Meta—students co-author code that ships in production systems, not simulations, accelerating the research-to-practice timeline that other programs leave to postdocs.
At the master's level, machine learning at Washington University is anchored in one of the nation's top-tier computer science departments, where students gain access to faculty conducting cutting-edge research in deep learning, natural language processing, computer vision, and AI systems. The curriculum is deliberately designed to bridge rigorous mathematical foundations—linear algebra, probability, optimization—with contemporary neural network architectures and large-scale learning systems. What distinguishes the program is its research-first culture: graduate students typically engage in faculty-led research projects from their first semester, working on problems that appear in top-tier venues like NeurIPS, ICML, and ICCV. The McKelvey School of Engineering and the graduate computer science program attract significant research funding, meaning students have access to computing resources and data that most peer institutions cannot match. Beyond the classroom, students benefit from Washington University's location in St. Louis, which hosts a growing network of tech companies, startups, and established firms expanding AI capabilities. The program also maintains strong connections to industry through research partnerships and guest lectures from practitioners at major tech companies. Graduates from this program consistently secure positions at leading tech companies, AI research labs, and innovative startups, often with roles that involve both research and systems engineering.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Machine Learning — 1-2 years, on-campus
- Master of Arts in Machine Learning — 1-2 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
- Computer Vision and Robotics Lab
- Natural Language Processing Lab
- Machine Learning and Optimization Group
Industry Partners
- Google (corporate)
- Microsoft (corporate)
- Meta (Facebook) (corporate)
- Amazon (corporate)
Career Outcomes
Median Salary: $NaN. Top Employers: Media and entertainment corporation, Life sciences company, Technology consulting firm, University, Federal employment agency.
Notable Faculty
- Roman Garnett — Bayesian optimization, active learning, machine learning theory
- Yixin Chen — Computer vision, scene understanding, visual reasoning
- Sanmay Das — Machine learning, game theory, algorithmic game theory
Accreditations and Certifications
- ABET accredited (Engineering programs)
Location Advantages: St. Louis growing tech hub with AI/ML company expansionAccess to enterprise and startup ecosystemsProximity to Midwest regional tech companies
University of Missouri-Kansas City — Kansas City, MO
Key Distinction: Thesis vs. non-thesis (course) track options. Full-time and part-time enrollment available
Hakia Insight: UMKC's 30-credit program with flexible thesis/non-thesis and full-time/part-time options compresses the credential timeline for working professionals, but the NSF IUCRC Center for Big Learning partnership means non-thesis students still access industry problem sets—they skip the writeup, not the applied challenge.
The Master of Science in Computer Science at UMKC is a 30-credit graduate program designed for working professionals seeking advancement in technology careers. The program offers both thesis and non-thesis (coursework) tracks, accommodating full-time and part-time students. Students select from five emphasis areas—Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Data Science, Networking & Telecommunications, and Software Engineering & Systems—with at least 12 credits recommended in their chosen area to enhance employability. The non-thesis option requires 10 courses (8 CS + 2 related); the thesis option requires 8 courses plus a 6-credit thesis. Graduate assistantship opportunities are available. The curriculum emphasizes state-of-the-art techniques and prepares graduates for corporate research, product development, management, and entrepreneurial roles. International students are welcome; GRE is not required. The program is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Computer Science — 1-2 years, on-campus. MS
Research Labs and Institutes
- UMKC Center for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
- Data Mining, Database and Multimedia Research Group
- NSF IUCRC Center for Big Learning
- SCE Machine Learning Lab
- DANS Lab (Data-Algorithms-Network Systems-Security Laboratory)
- Bani Lab
- Cao Lab
- Cheng Han Lab
- DIGIT Lab
Industry Partners
- Cerner Corporation (corporate)
- Lambda Labs (collaborator)
- Oak Ridge National Lab (employer)
- Department of Air Force (sponsor)
Notable Faculty
- Dr. Yugyung Lee — AI, Data Science, Deep Learning/Machine Learning, Health informatics, cognitive digital twins
Admissions
GPA Requirement: 3.0 minimum in last 60 semester hours.
Requirements: Minimum 24 credit hours from CS topic areas (8 courses), Remaining 6 credit hours from any related discipline (2 courses), Complete core curriculum: select 3 of 5 core courses (9 credits), Completion of emphasis area coursework (at least 12 credits recommended), Thesis option: 8 courses (6 CS + 2 related) + 6-credit MS Thesis, Non-thesis option: 10 courses (8 CS + 2 related), Maximum 6 credit hours of 400-level coursework with petition, Maximum 6 credit hours transfer from other accredited institutions, Maintain minimum GPA per School of Graduate Studies requirements
Location Advantages: Kansas City tech corridor with growing AI/ML job marketProximity to Cerner Corporation headquartersAccess to healthcare and fintech companies in the region
University of Central Missouri — Warrensburg, MO
Hakia Insight: UCM's dual MA/MS structure is unusual for a master's program—the MA track allows students to emphasize theory and teaching applications, while the MS focuses on applied practice, giving career-switchers genuine flexibility without forcing a one-size-fits-all curriculum.
At the master's level, UCM's Data Science program introduces students to visualization, artificial intelligence, machine learning, data mining, programming, statistics and forecasting to tackle large-scale data sets. The program offers both online course options and an accelerated BS-MS pathway for graduate studies.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Machine Learning — 1-2 years, on-campus
- Master of Arts in Machine Learning — 1-2 years, online
Location Advantages:
Saint Louis University — Saint Louis, MO
Key Distinction: Flexible thesis vs. non-thesis track options. Non-thesis track includes team-based capstone project with industry applications
Hakia Insight: Saint Louis University's non-thesis capstone option paired with partnerships at Boeing and Microsoft means students can graduate having shipped real ML work for Fortune 500 companies rather than defending research—a rare advantage for working professionals seeking immediate industry credibility.
Saint Louis University's Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence prepares working professionals to apply AI and machine learning methods ethically and efficiently. The program offers flexibility with a choice between a thesis track (6 credits of research) or a non-thesis option combining a 3-credit capstone project with additional coursework. Students gain depth in AI/ML theory and practice while exploring applications in autonomous systems, bioinformatics, data science, health outcomes, image processing, and natural language processing. The program emphasizes ethical AI development and societal impact. Located in St. Louis's Midtown innovation hub near the Cortex Innovation Community, students access internships and employment opportunities with Fortune 500 companies including Boeing, Centene, Deloitte, Microsoft, and MasterCard. Graduate assistantships are available, offering full or partial tuition coverage, health insurance, and living stipends in exchange for teaching or research contributions. Data scientist roles rank #8 on U.S. News Best Jobs (2024) and #3 on Glassdoor's list, with strong salary growth and career advancement potential in high-demand computing fields.
Programs Offered
- Artificial Intelligence, M.S. — 1-2 years, on-campus. MS
Research Labs and Institutes
- AirCRAFT Lab
- Space Systems Research Laboratory
- CHROME Lab
Industry Partners
- Centene Corporation (corporate)
- Ameren Corporation (corporate)
- Facebook (partner)
- RGA Reinsurance Company (partner)
- Edward Jones (partner)
- World Wide Technology (partner)
- 1904labs (partner)
- Exegy (partner)
- AT&T (partner)
- Boeing (collaborator)
- St. Louis Public Schools (collaborator)
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Boeing, Microsoft.
Notable Faculty
- Min Hyung Choi — Computer Science Department Chair
- Flavio Esposito — Graduate coordinator in Computer Science
- Ankit Agrawal — Assistant Professor in Computer Science
Admissions
GPA Requirement: 2.00 minimum cumulative GPA in major courses. Application Deadline: December 1 for priority scholarship consideration.
Requirements: Cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher in all graduate courses, Grade of C- or higher in each course to satisfy degree requirements, Grade of B- or higher to use course as prerequisite, Completion of foundational courses (up to 7 credits for non-CS bachelor's degree holders), Required core courses: Principles of Software Development, Computing and Society, Introduction to AI, Introduction to Machine Learning, At least one AI Principles course, At least one AI Applications course, 6 credits of AI electives, Thesis or Non-Thesis option (6 credits thesis research OR 3-credit capstone plus additional course), Exit survey completion during final semester
Accreditations and Certifications
Location Advantages: St. Louis fintech and healthcare tech ecosystemStrong relationships with regional financial services and insurance firms
Northwest Missouri State University — Maryville, MO
Hakia Insight: Northwest Missouri State's ML master's sits in a region historically underserved by elite programs, positioning graduates to lead technical teams in smaller metros where competition for ML talent remains thin and starting roles come with real ownership.
At the master's level, the provided content does not contain information about a Machine Learning program at Northwest Missouri State University. The content covers a Public Health program and M.S. Applied Computer Science program that includes Machine Learning as an elective course.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Machine Learning — 1-2 years, on-campus
- Master of Arts in Machine Learning — 1-2 years, online
Location Advantages:
Missouri State University-Springfield — Springfield, MO
Key Distinction: Missouri State grounds its ML program in rigorous applied mathematics, emphasizing theoretical foundations that prepare students for research-intensive and specialized ML roles.
Hakia Insight: Missouri State's insistence on applied mathematics foundations before ML—rather than rushing to algorithms—creates graduates who can explain *why* their models work, a differentiator when competing against boot camp alumni for research or specialized engineering roles.
At the master's level, missouri State's machine learning curriculum grows from a strong computational mathematics foundation, making it the entry point for students who want deep theoretical grounding alongside practical implementation. The program sequences coursework so that students first master the mathematical principles—linear algebra, probability, optimization—before advancing to neural networks and advanced architectures. This scaffolding appeals to students who plan to push boundaries in ML research or take on roles requiring rigorous problem-solving. Faculty in the Computer Science and Mathematics departments collaborate to deliver courses that explain *why* algorithms work, not just *how* to apply them. Students engage with emerging research topics through seminar series and faculty-mentored projects. The Springfield location and Missouri State's regional reputation create partnerships with manufacturing and agricultural technology firms seeking ML solutions—practical contexts for capstone work. Graduates often transition into roles that blend research and engineering, or continue to graduate studies at tier-one programs. The program's emphasis on mathematical literacy also prepares students for specialized tracks in optimization, probabilistic models, and theoretical machine learning.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Machine Learning — 1-2 years, on-campus
- Master of Arts in Machine Learning — 1-2 years, online
Location Advantages: Access to regional manufacturing and agricultural technology companies
University of Missouri-St Louis — Saint Louis, MO
Key Distinction: Part-time enrollment option for working professionals. Data Science emphasis available (only public university option in St. Louis region)
Hakia Insight: UMSL's Data Science emphasis within a Mathematics MA is the only public university option in St. Louis offering part-time enrollment with supply chain analytics research labs, making it the accessible path for logistics and healthcare professionals at Express Scripts or regional hospital systems.
UMSL's Master of Arts in Mathematics offers two tracks: pure mathematics for teaching careers and applied mathematics for non-teaching careers. Students can pursue a specialized Data Science emphasis, making UMSL the only public university in the St. Louis region offering a graduate-level data science degree. The program accommodates part-time enrollment for working professionals. Graduates qualify for positions as high school or college math teachers, applied mathematicians, statisticians, data scientists, and data analysts. The median annual salary for mathematicians and statisticians is $99,960 with projected 30% employment growth through 2032. The program includes access to graduate research opportunities, the annual Graduate Research Fair, and the Three Minute Thesis competition. Career services support professional development and networking through UMSL's largest regional alumni network.
Programs Offered
- Master of Arts in Mathematics — 1-2 years, on-campus. MA
Research Labs and Institutes
- Supply Chain Analytics Center of Excellence
- Laboratory of Advanced Supply Chain Analytics
- Cybersecurity and Information Technology Innovation Lab
- Advanced MIS Laboratory
- Networking Systems and Security Lab
Industry Partners
- National Science Foundation (sponsor)
- U.S. Department of Transportation (sponsor)
- Ameren Corporation (sponsor)
- Express Scripts Inc. (sponsor)
- ASCM (sponsor)
- U.S. Army Research Office (sponsor)
- HP Labs (sponsor)
- Missouri Agricultural Small Business Development Authority (sponsor)
- International Agricultural Trade Research Consortium (sponsor)
Career Outcomes
Median Salary: $NaN.
Notable Faculty
- Dr. Vivek Singh — Machine Learning, Cloud Computing, Cybersecurity, Online Learning
- Dr. Necdet Gurkan — Information Systems, Cognitive Science, Decision Making, Collective Intelligence, Data Science
- Dr. Le (Carol) Kuai — Online Community, Technology Interruption, Trust in IT, Emerging Technology
Admissions
GPA Requirement: 3.0 minimum. Application Deadline: Fall: July 1 (domestic), May 1 (international); Spring: December 1 (domestic), October 1 (international); Summer: May 1.
Requirements: Completion of coursework as specified in degree plan, Option for thesis track (doctoral and thesis master's students eligible for Three Minute Thesis competition)
Accreditations and Certifications
- AACSB
- National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity for Cyber Defense Education
Location Advantages: Access to largest alumni network in the regionConnection to leading healthcare providers in the region
