Data Science Online MS Curriculum

Our online MS in Data Science program curriculum features 6 core courses,and the opportunity to select fromÌýpredesigned tracks inÌýBusiness AnalyticsÌý´Ç°ùÌýSpecialized Methods, along withÌýa range of electives to personalize your executions and meet your career goals.Ìý

All classes prepare students to succeed in their individual tracks and the capstone:ÌýDATA-793 Data Science Practicum, where students get hands-on experience working directly with faculty and other researchers on projects.

Data Science Practicum

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Students in the Data Science Practicum (DATA-793) provideÌýproject-specific technical, analytic, and research assistance to faculty, government, and business clients.

See also our video mapping out the stages of data science project development and their relationships withÌýAU course options.

Course Requirements & Degree Tracks

Degree Requirements

  • 30 credit hours of approved graduate work
  • Capstone Experience:

Course Requirements


Required (12 credit hours)

Analysis/Statistics (3 credit hours)

Methods (3 credit hours)

Business Analytics Track


Required (6 credit hours)

Elective (3 credit hours)

Complete 3 credit hours from the following:

Specialized Methods Track


Required (9 credit hours)


Please see below for complete degree and admission requirements, the 10 on-campus degree tracks, and course descriptions for both online and on-campus Data Science MS:
Ìý

Data Science (MS)

Offered jointly by theÌýDepartment of , Ìýand theÌýDepartment of , , the Data Science (MS) is designed for individuals augmenting or beginningÌýstudies in data science. The program prepares students for data analytic positions inÌýacademia, government, and industry that require extensive knowledge of statistical and computational tools applied to political, social, and institutional problems. Having trained in the collection, organization, analysis, interpretation, and presentation of data, graduates canÌýprocess, understand, and explore a wide class of human-generated information to solve complex problems and produce new knowledge.

Admission to the Program

Open to students with a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. Formal admission to the program requires a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale) and departmental approval. Prior to enrollment in the program, applicants must have completed one of the following: Ìý´Ç°ùÌýÌý´Ç°ùÌý. This may be waived for qualified persons with comparable prior education or experience.ÌýStudents are required to complete a mathematical boot camp prior to starting the program.

Degree Requirements

  • 30 credit hours of approved graduate work
  • Capstone Experience: Ìý

Course Requirements

Required (12 credit hours)

Analysis/Statistics (3 credit hours)

Complete 3 credit hours fromÌýthe following:

Note: Students in the online program are required to complete .

  • Ìý/

Methods (3 credit hours)

Complete 3 credit hours from the following:

Note: Students in the online program are required to complete .

Track (9 credit hours)

Complete 9 credit hours from one of the following tracks:

Applied Public Affairs

Complete 9 credit hours from the following if not taken to fulfill Analysis/Statistics, or other graduate courses approved by advisor:

  • Ìý/

Business Analytics

Required (6 credit hours)
Elective (3 credit hours)

Complete 3 credit hours from the following:

Business Analytics (Online)

Required (6 credit hours)
Elective (3 credit hours)

Complete 3 credit hours from the following:

Computer Science

Required (3 credit hours)
Electives (6 credit hours)

Complete 6 credit hours from the following, or other graduate courses approved by advisor:

  • /Ìý

Cybersecurity

Complete 9 credit hours from the following:

Note: Students may receive credit for no more than 3 credit hours from , , , and .

Environmental Science

Complete 9 credit hours from the following:

Finance

Required (6 credit hours)
Elective (3 credit hours)

Complete 3 credits from the following:

International Economic Relations

Required (6 credit hours)
Elective (3 credit hours)

Complete 3 credits from the following:

  • Ìý/

Investigative Journalism

Required (3 credit hours)
Selection (3 credit hours)

Complete 3 credits from the following:

Elective (3 credit hours)

Complete 3 credits from the following:

Microeconomic Analysis

Required (3 credit hours)
Electives (6 credit hours)

Complete 6 credit hours from the following:

  • Ìý/

Specialized Methods in Data Science

Complete 9 credit hours from the following if not taken to fulfill Analysis/Statistics, or other graduate courses approved by advisor:

Note:ÌýStudents may receive credit for no more than 3 credit hours from , , andÌý.

  • Ìý/ÌýÌý

  • Ìý/

Specialized Methods in Data Science (Online)

Complete 9 credits from the following:

Capstone (3 credit hours)