Master of Science in Data Science

After completing the MS in Data Science program, students will be able to:

• Identify, examine, and assess the opportunities and challenges for a data science project that can help an organization create measurable value and advance its strategic goals.
• Formulate clear and precise business or research questions that can inform decision-making.
• Design and apply the process of collecting, storing, cleaning, transforming, and visualizing, data from disparate data sources, including very large, unstructured, and temporal datasets.
• Analyze data using appropriate concepts, tools, and techniques to develop, and evaluate analytics models.
• Evaluate and interpret the outcomes of data science models and articulate and integrate the outcomes into actionable strategies.
• Develop and explain methods and formats of communication appropriate for data science projects that can help decision makers act on the findings.
  Identify social, legal, organizational, and ethical issues related to data science projects and recommend solutions and strategies for mitigating such risks.

Please visit the coursework page to review the coursework (core courses, restricted and unrestricted elective courses, and capstone experience) for the MS in data science program. You can visit the class schedule page to review courses offered in a given semester.

The current undergraduate students in the CIS programs (CIT, MIS, HIA, and CS majors), who are in their junior year can apply to the M.S. Data Science program and double count up to 12 graduate credits toward both the undergraduate and graduate programs. Students may apply to the combined BS/MS program at any time after the conclusion of their sophomore year, but prior to the start of their final undergraduate semester. This option allows well-qualified undergraduates to begin graduate studies before completing their BS degree. To apply for the combined option, complete the Combined Program Application.

• Students are not considered to be fully admitted until an official final degree verifying transcript is received by the College of Graduate Studies and Research.
• All students are required to successfully complete the required core courses, restricted electives, unrestricted electives, and capstone experience (thesis or alternative plan paper or internship) for graduation.
• One course can be used to satisfy only one requirement (e.g. core, restricted elective, capstone or unrestricted elective etc.) within the M.S. in Data Science degree program.
• All graduate students who wish to continue to have access to university services and resources must register for at least one graduate-level credit. In all circumstances, students must enroll for at least one graduate credit during the semester or summer session they wish to graduate and earn a graduate degree.
• To be considered full-time, graduate students must be enrolled for a minimum of 6 graduate-level credits per semester.
• The maximum course load is 12 graduate-level credits each semester. Students who wish to take more than the maximum course load must complete and submit an Overload Request Form. Students exceeding the load limit without proper authorization shall lose the credits in excess of the authorized load.
• The maximum time limit to complete all program requirements, including coursework and the capstone project, is six years.
• Students must complete a minimum of 50% of all graduate credits at the 600-level, excluding the thesis or APP credits, and must maintain a grade point average of a “B” or above in all coursework.
• A 'C-' or below grade in a course will not be counted for graduation credit. The students must maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 or above and have least a 'B' in each course to adhere to the scholastic standards set by the Office of Graduate Studies. Graduate students' academic progress is monitored and reviewed periodically to ensure they adhere to the scholastic standards. Students who do not meet the scholastic standards can be placed on academic warning, probation, or suspension. 
• Students must complete the required undergraduate courses, if any, identified in the admission letter. 

• Submit the completed application and applicable fee to Minnesota State University, Mankato graduate school.
• A four-year bachelor's degree earned at a regionally accredited college or university and a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0. Official college transcripts are required. (Applicants with a GPA below 3.0 who present convincing evidence of a potential for success may be considered for provisional admission).
• Successful competition of the following undergraduate courses with a grade of “C” (2.0) or better: computer programming, data structures & algorithms, databases, systems analysis, statistics, and calculus 1 & 2 or equivalent. (Students who do not meet requirement may be granted provisional admission, but they will be required to complete prerequisites.)
• A professional goal statement in which the applicant documents experience with and an interest in data science.
• A professional resume including: name, education, certifications, professional employment history, honors, awards, scholarships, professional organization memberships and involvement, scholarly activities (including publications, professional presentations, research activities, and/or consultation).
• Three letters of recommendation from individuals who can respond to questions about the applicant's abilities and potential for success in a graduate program.

Please see the admission requirements section for details. In addition, international students must demonstrate English language proficiency by submitting TOEFL or IELTS results. IELTS results must be from the Academic and not the General Training module. A minimum TOEFL iBT score of 61 or a minimum IELTS score of 5.5 is required. Applicants from countries where English is the SOLE OFFICIAL language of instruction (Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Canada-except Quebec, England, the Gambia, Ghana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, New Zealand, Nigeria, Scotland, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad, Tobago, Uganda, and Wales) are typically not required to submit TOEFL results.

The undergraduate transcript must be verified by a credential evaluation service if it is not from a US institution. Evaluations must be sent directly from the evaluation service. Photocopies are not accepted. A credential evaluation prepared by a reputable credential evaluator. Minnesota State Mankato will accept evaluations prepared by a National Association of Credentials Evaluation Services.

International applicants must submit the required financial affidavit. For additional information, see Graduate International Student Admission Requirements.

What is the coursework for the MS in data science program?
Please visit the coursework page to see the core courses, electives, capstone experience, and other academic requirements related to the MS in data science program.

Is financial aid available for this program?
Yes, financial aid is available to students who qualify. Please see the Financial Aid page for details.

What are tuition and fees for the MS in Data Science program?
Please see the Cost of Attendance page or Tuition and Fees for International Students pages for details. 

Do you have graduate assistantships?
Graduate assistantships are competitive and are available to students who qualify. Please see the Graduate Assistantship page to review current vacancies.

Is this program offered online or in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area?
No, the MS in Data Science program is currently offered face-to-face at the Mankato campus.

What are the admission requirements for international students?
Please see the admission requirements section for details. In addition, International students must demonstrate English language proficiency by submitting TOEFL or IELTS results. IELTS results must be from the Academic and not the General Training module. A minimum TOEFL iBT score of 61 or a minimum IELTS score of 5.5 is required. All test scores must be submitted directly by the testing agency. 

Applicants from countries where English is the SOLE OFFICIAL language of instruction (Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Canada-except Quebec, England, the Gambia, Ghana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, New Zealand, Nigeria, Scotland, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad, Tobago, Uganda, and Wales) are typically not required to submit TOEFL results.

The undergraduate transcript must be verified by a credential evaluation service if it is not from a US institution. Evaluations must be sent directly from the evaluation service to the University. Photocopies are not accepted. In addtion, international applicants must submit the required financial affidavit. For additional information, see Graduate International Student Admission Requirements. 

My undergraduate degree is not related to computer science, information technology, mathematics, or statistics. Can I apply for the data science program?
Yes! Data Science is an interdisciplinary field, so we welcome students from any discipline. If admitted, you may be required to take additional undergraduate courses in deficient areas (IT and/or math/statistics) depending on your undergraduate coursework. Additional courses may include computer programming, data structures & algorithms, databases, systems analysis, statistics & probability, and/or calculus 1 & 2 or equivalent.

Is the GRE required to apply for the MS in Data Science program?
The GRE is not required for the MS in Data Science program. If you have already taken the GRE exam, please feel free include to the score with the application material to strengthen your candidacy. 

My undergraduate GPA is less than 3.0. Can I apply for the program?
The GPA is an important criterion for admission; however, other parts of the application are also considered. Applicants with a GPA below 3.0 who present convincing evidence of a potential for success may be considered for provisional admission. Such evidence may include undergraduate research, awards, and job experience in IT or data science.

What is the application deadline?
The US citizens and permanent residents can apply anytime. The applications are accepted on a rolling basis. International applicants must submit their complete application by May 1 for the fall/August start date and October 1 for the spring/January start date.