Data Science Concentrations

Shape the intelligent systems of tomorrow.

The Artificial Intelligence concentration immerses students in the mathematical and computational foundations that power modern AI. From machine learning algorithms and deep neural networks to natural language processing and computer vision, students develop the theoretical depth and practical skills to design, build, and deploy AI systems responsibly.

What You Will Study

• Machine Learning and Statistical Learning Theory
• Deep Learning and Neural Network Architectures
• Natural Language Processing (NLP)
• Computer Vision and Image Recognition
• Reinforcement Learning and Decision Systems
• AI Ethics, Fairness, and Bias Mitigation
• Large Language Models and Generative AI
• Robotics and Autonomous Systems Fundamentals

Where It Leads

• AI Research Scientist
• Data Scientist (AI/ML)
• NLP Engineer
• Computer Vision Specialist
• AI Ethics Consultant
• Robotics Data Analyst
• AI Product Manager
• Deep Learning Engineer
• Conversational AI Developer
• Machine Learning Engineer

Why It Matters

The global AI market is projected to reach $1.8 trillion by 2030, touching every sector from healthcare and finance to education and national security. Organizations worldwide are seeking professionals who not only understand AI technically but can deploy it ethically and equitably. Howard graduates in this concentration will be uniquely positioned to lead AI development with both technical mastery and a deep commitment to social justice — ensuring that the AI systems shaping our future work for everyone, not just a few.

Harness data to save lives and advance health equity.

The Health Analytics (HA) concentration prepares students to apply data science methods to the most pressing challenges in healthcare, public health, and biomedical research. Students develop expertise in clinical data analysis, epidemiological modeling, health informatics, and the ethical use of health data — with a particular emphasis on addressing health disparities that disproportionately affect underserved and marginalized communities.

What You Will Study

Where It Leads

• Health Data Scientist
• Clinical Data Analyst
• Epidemiologist
• Biostatistician
• Health Informatics Specialist
• Pharmaceutical Data Analyst
• Public Health Analyst
• Healthcare Consultant
• Genomic Data Analyst
• Health Policy Analyst
• Clinical Research Data Manager
• Digital Health Product Analyst

Why It Matters

The COVID-19 pandemic revealed both the immense power of health data and the critical shortage of professionals who can analyze it effectively and equitably. Healthcare data is growing at an extraordinary rate, and the demand for professionals who can translate this data into better outcomes, smarter policies, and reduced disparities has never been greater. Situated in the nation's capital — with proximity to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and leading health systems — Howard University offers unparalleled access to health data science opportunities. This concentration also reflects Howard's deep and historic legacy in the health sciences and its unwavering commitment to eliminating health disparities in communities that need it most.

Transform data into strategic advantage.

The Business Analytics concentration equips students with the quantitative reasoning, analytical tools, and business acumen needed to drive data-informed decision-making in organizations of every size. Students learn to extract actionable insights from complex datasets, build predictive models, design compelling dashboards, and communicate findings to executive stakeholders — bridging the critical gap between raw data and organizational strategy.

What You Will Study

Where It Leads

• Business Analyst
• Data Analyst
• Business Intelligence Developer
• Financial Analyst
• Marketing Data Scientist
• Operations Analyst
• Management Consultant
• Product Analyst
• Revenue Strategist
• Supply Chain Analyst
• Strategy Consultant
• Fintech Analyst

Why It Matters

In today's competitive landscape, the organizations that thrive are those that make decisions grounded in data rather than intuition alone. Every industry — from Wall Street to Silicon Valley to Main Street — needs professionals who can translate complex data into clear, actionable strategies. With Howard's proud legacy of producing transformational business leaders combined with rigorous mathematical training, graduates of this concentration enter the workforce ready not just to analyze data, but to lead with it.