University of Chicago Launches Joint MD/MS in Applied Data Science Program

The University of Chicago has announced a new joint-degree program that combines a Doctor of Medicine (MD) from the Pritzker School of Medicine with a Master of Science in Applied Data Science from the Data Science Institute and Physical Sciences Division.
Designed for future physicians interested in clinical research, innovation, and product development, the program brings together medical training and advanced data science skills to prepare students for the rapidly evolving healthcare landscape. As artificial intelligence and machine learning continue to transform medicine, this joint degree equips students to apply these tools to improve patient outcomes, reduce costs, and enhance the delivery of care.

Students enrolled in the joint program will complete their medical and data science training in a structured five-year pathway.

This includes:

• Three years of medical school training
• One dedicated year completing the MS in Applied Data Science curriculum
• A final year returning to complete medical school

During the MS portion of the program, students will complete a combination of core and elective coursework in areas such as machine learning, data engineering, and statistical modeling, building the technical foundation needed to work with real-world healthcare data.

Samuel Volchenboum, MD, PhD, Associate Dean of Master’s Education, said, “The physicians who will reshape medicine are those who can interrogate complex data, build and critique AI models, and translate findings into patient care decisions. The MD/MS in Applied Data Science trains exactly that kind of physician-scientist— and it does so at an institution where both the clinical depth of Pritzker School of Medicine and the technical rigor of the Data Science Institute are world-class.

For students pursuing careers at the intersection of medicine and technology, the program offers a unique opportunity to develop both clinical expertise and advanced computational skills. Graduates will be well-positioned for roles in areas such as AI-driven medical research, healthcare product development, clinical informatics, and leadership positions within healthcare organizations.

Arnab Bose, PhD, Program Director for the Online MS in Applied Data Science, said, “AI is transforming healthcare in profound ways, from accelerating the development of safe and effective drug development to enabling targeted preventive interventions, personalized care pathway recommendations, and cost-of-care analysis through the use of large-scale medical data. At the University of Chicago, we are proud to be at the forefront of this work and are excited to announce a dual MD and MS in Applied Data Science program that brings together the world-class medical training of the Pritzker School of Medicine with advanced AI and data science education through the Data Science Institute.”

The first cohort of students is expected to begin in Autumn 2028, with applications available to students admitted to the Pritzker School of Medicine.

Interested in Learning More?

For more information about the joint MD/MS in Applied Data Science program, connect with our admissions team.