Social Data Science is a newly emerging area, which combines social science and computer science and develops data driven solutions for social issues. Dr. Taha Yasseri, Course Instructor, Oxford Internet Institute and Alan Turing Institute has described it thus: “It’s not data science applied to social data, it’s a data science that is social” (https://campus.sagepub.com/blog/what-is-social-data-science). Some Universities term it Data Analytics in Social Sciences, while others incorporate public policy dimension too.

Based on a search through the internet, it appears that this course is available more in UK universities with the course duration being one year; some universities are using particular programming languages and some are giving their focus on the society in particular.  The US has some specifically focused on public policy. You may have to search more depending on your orientation.

The London School of Economics and Political Science has an MSc in Applied Social Data Science, which imparts “training in fundamental aspects of applied data science, computation and programming and quantitative methods” and also focuses on “variety of programming languages and applications, particularly R and Python” “to create and manipulate large databases” and to “think creatively about how to deploy these skills in the context of specific projects” (https://www.lse.ac.uk/study-at-lse/Graduate/Degree-programmes-2020/MSc-Applied-Social-Data-Science). The University of Essex runs an MSc in Social Data Science, which develops skills in “advanced data science and artificial intelligence” and emphasises “on big data, new forms of data, and computational methods to work with such data – all within a strong framework of social science applications and research design principles.” (https://www.essex.ac.uk/courses/pg01314/1/msc-social-data-science) University of Exeter offers an MSc in Applied Social Data Science, which equips students “with the technical understanding of a range of social data science techniques and the practical software and programming skills to implement these methods”. (https://www.exeter.ac.uk/postgraduate/courses/politics/appliedsocialdatasciencemsc/)

The University of Sussex runs an MSc in Human and Social Data Science, which explores “modern information and communication technologies, the python programming language, probability theory, statistics, linear algebra and calculus, machine learning techniques, ethics and interpretability”. (https://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/masters/courses/human-and-social-data-science-msc) Manchester University  offers an MSc in Data Science (Social Analytics) which aims to “develop an agile, skilled data scientist, and be prepared for the challenges and rewards of interdisciplinary teamwork” (https://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/masters/courses/list/11424/msc-data-science-social-analytics/course-details/#course-profile) University College London has an MSc in Social and Geographic Data Science, which “combines a rigorous treatment of underlying theory for, and methods of implementing and exploiting, spatial analysis, decision support, and data science. Optional modules provide the opportunity to develop expertise in modelling and analysis in one or more areas of social and environmental science with social and policy dimensions.” (https://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate/taught-degrees/social-and-geographic-data-science-msc) University of Oxford offers a Master’s in Social Data Science, which “provides the social and technical expertise needed to analyse unstructured heterogeneous data about human behaviour”. (https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/graduate/courses/msc-social-data-science)

Few universities also offer it for a duration of approximately one or one and a half year.  Lund University offers a Master of Science in Social Scientific Data Analysis which gives “extensive and intensive training in the process of conducting social research, research design, methodology, qualitative and quantitative methods (students are taught to analyse using state-of-the-art programming language ‘R’), as well as applied theory, theory building, and relevant interdisciplinary theories. (https://www.graduateschool.sam.lu.se/academics/SSDA) Tilburg University has a Master’s in Data Science and Society, which is a multidisciplinary program with four tracks – “Business, Governance, Media or Health” by which students can “a) identify patterns and gather insights from large and complex datasets” b) “translate those insights into actionable solutions and recommendations” c) “learn to take ethical issues into account, such an issues regarding privacy, accountability or human autonomy into decision making”.(https://www.tilburguniversity.edu/education/masters-programmes/data-science-and-society)

The University of Copenhagen offers an MSc in Social Data Science, which “combines state-of-the-art data science techniques, including machine learning, predictive analytics and natural language processing with core sociological, economic, anthropological, political science and psychological theories and methods to equip students with the competences to identify, assess and solve societal and business problems in the digital age”. (https://studies.ku.dk/masters/social-data-science/) Aalborg University runs a Master’s in Social Data Science, which focuses on “cutting – edge skills in data driven analytics and how to apply them in real world issues.” (https://www.en.aau.dk/education/guest-exchange/social-data-science/). KU Leuven, Belgium, has a Master of Sociology focusing on social data science building expertise in the collection and analysis of social data (https://soc.kuleuven.be/fsw/toekomstigestudenten/english/mos/datascience).

The University of Texas, Dallas, The Master of Science in Social Data Analytics and Research builds on faculty expertise in criminology, economics, geospatial information sciences, political science, public and nonprofit management, public policy, political economy, and sociology to equip individuals with multi-disciplinary skills in social data production, collection and analysis for which there is increasing career demand by government, nonprofit and private sector organizations, and by doctoral programs and other advanced research institutions. (https://www.masterstudies.com/Master-of-Science-in-Social-Data-Analytics-and-Research/USA/The-University-of-Texas-at-Dallas/)

The University of Buffalo’s MS Data Analytics in Social Sciences “prepares students to collect, interpret and communicate the results of data analysis across a wide berth of social science fields. Students are first introduced to basic/intermediate statistics courses and computation programming/data manipulation. They will then take research courses both within and outside of their preferred discipline, culminating in a research project or thesis on a topic of their choice (in conjunction with an advisor)” (https://gradidp.buffalo.edu/types-of-degrees/social-sciences/data-analytics-for-social-sciences/ms-data-analysis-in-the-social-sciences/). The McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University offers a Master of Science in Data Science for Public Policy whose “core courses emphasize analytical skills and core knowledge for designing and managing sound public policy” (https://mccourt.georgetown.edu/master-of-science-in-data-science-for-public-policy/ms-dspp-curriculum/). University of Pennsylvania has an MS in Social Policy which “is a rigorous, eleven-month, ten-course program that prepares professionals with knowledge and skills to use policy to increase equity, promote justice, and forge social change” (https://www.sp2.upenn.edu/academics/ms-in-social-policy/).

The Hertie School offers a Master of Data Science for Public Policy because “Global migration, combatting disinformation or creating smart cities – today’s complex issues call for a new generation of policymakers and problem solvers who understand how to combine policy and data to create solutions for government, civil society and business” (https://www.hertie-school.org/en/mds). Brown University has a Master in Social Analysis and Research and says that “The STEM–designated master’s program in Social Analysis and Research (MSAR) in the Department of Sociology at Brown trains students in advanced techniques for data collection and analysis” (https://www.brown.edu/graduateprograms/social-analysis-and-research-scm?creative=469777405602&keyword=social%20science%20masters%20degree&matchtype=b&network=g&device=c&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI7tLVxqTT8wIVTCQrCh1UggzzEAMYAiAAEgJhFfD_BwE).