2024-2025 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog
Data Science and Analytics
Website: gvsu.edu/acad/data-science-and-analytics-ms.htm
This Professional Science Master's degree in data science and analytics is offered jointly by the College of Computing and the Statistics Department. The primary purpose of the program is to provide students from various disciplines with the fundamental analytics background and tools necessary to understand and work with big and complex data sets in any discipline. It is designed to allow a statistics or computing student to gain additional cross-disciplinary background, or for a student of any discipline to develop the necessary skills and knowledge to solve complex data intensive problems. Students take courses in both computer science and statistics, leading to a Capstone that applies skills in both disciplines to interdisciplinary problems.
The data science and analytics (M.S.) program requires a minimum of 36 credits. Requisite courses from statistics, computer science, and professional science provide students with a strong foundation in data science. This is an applied program for the working professional.
The program features the following:
- Four courses in computer science
- Four courses in statistics
- One elective
- Three professional science courses (including an internship)
Admission
In addition to the university requirements of admission, all students seeking a degree for the M.S. in data science and analytics must also meet the following requirements:
- Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university in the United States or the equivalent of this degree from another country.
- Preference is given to students with a background in computer science or statistics. Applicants who lack an appropriate computing and statistics background must complete the Laker Ready courses (below).
- Grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale from all undergraduate coursework.
- International applicants should submit an acceptable score in either TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo. An acceptable TOEFL score is >= 90. An acceptable IELTS score is >= 6.5. An acceptable Duolingo score is >= 115.
- Resume detailing work experiences and accomplishments.
- A link to a video explaining career goals and background experiences, including an explanation of how this program will help achieve educational and professional objectives.
- Recommendations from two professional or academic references received online, addressing the candidate's potential for graduate study completion. You will provide the emails of two references in your account at gvsu.edu/gradapply and they will be sent a link to fill out for their online recommendation.
Application Deadlines
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Deadline for fall semester is May 1, international; and July 1, domestic. Deadline for winter semester is September 1, international; and November 1, domestic.
Selection process
- Selection to the program focuses on the "whole person concept," which emphasizes academic achievement, work experience, and courses and training while employed in industry or government.
- Students with undergraduate degrees in non-computing or statistics fields may need to demonstrate proficiency in programming preferably in Python and probability and statistics to qualify for admission. They must complete the Laker Ready courses before taking any other courses in the program.
- Unconditionally accepted students are not required to take the Laker Ready courses. However, the Laker Ready courses provide a foundation for the master's program, and all students are encouraged to take the courses as refreshers. Students can further discuss the Laker Ready courses with the graduate program director.
Laker Ready Courses
Students whose undergraduate preparation or employment experience does not satisfy the prerequisites for the Data Science and Analytics program may make up for deficiencies through additional study. Laker Ready coursework, designed to close gaps in a student's preparation, must be completed before enrolling in the program as advised by the graduate program director. Generally, formal acceptance into the program is deferred until the applicant has completed this additional preparation.
If completed through academic study, Laker Ready courses must be completed with a grade of B (3.0) or better. Courses with lower grades must be repeated. Laker Ready courses are not counted toward the 36 credit hours required for the master's degree.
As an alternative, the following Laker Ready courses can be taken on UCertify:
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- Python Fundamentals
- Even You Can Learn Statistics and Analytics
Students must submit the certificates of completion of the Laker Ready courses to be admitted to the Applied Computer Science MS program.
Study Plan
Before starting the program, students must have a study plan approved by the graduate program director. Students are responsible for keeping the plan of study current before the beginning of each semester and getting the advisor's approval for any changes to the plan.
Program Requirements
The following programs are available: