Prairie View A&M launches the first data science master's at a Texas HBCU

Prairie View A&M University has become the first historically Black college or university in Texas to offer a Master of Science in Data Science and Engineering. The school announced in late August that its first class would start this fall.

What students will study

The 30-credit degree sits in the Roy G. Perry College of Engineering. It teaches artificial intelligence and machine learning along with data analytics and data engineering. It is designed for working professionals as well as full-time students and brings AI skills to people in science and technology fields.

Students will work on hands-on projects. Examples include building a platform that monitors and analyzes electrical power systems and creating an agentic AI system that controls a robot. The program also plans research chances and internships and partnerships with industry.

Who can apply

Applicants need a bachelor's degree in engineering or computer science or mathematics or a related field and a GPA of at least 2.75.

Years in the making

Dean Pamela H. Obiomon said the college wants to expand access to a field that cuts across every industry. Professor Lijun Qian led the effort to create the degree. He directs the university's center for big military data research and said all science and engineering students now need basic data skills to succeed in an AI-driven economy.

The degree builds on AI and data research already under way at Prairie View A&M with funding from government agencies and industry partners.