Graduate Programs

Admission

Data Science Online

How to Apply

We require that you submit your application online.  For up-to-date information and expectations, please visit our "How to Apply" page.  There are specific instructions to guide you through the application, and you should pay particular attention to the transcript section.  Please be advised incomplete applications are not reviewed for admission consideration.

What We Are Looking For

We want to know if you interests and abilities match the program you are applying for and if you seem likely to benefit from an education in the school.  If you think it is helpful, you can supplement the required application materials with other information that sheds light on your capabilities. A resume or curriculum vitae is ideal for including citations or links to any published work, conference presentations, or other items you have produced.

Items that are important in the evaluation process include:

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

We require all applicants to hold a four (4) year US Bachelor's degree or equivalent.  Your degree does not need to be in the fields of computer science, information science, or other related field; however, these key areas are important.  You should have some experience or working knowledge of programming languages such as Python and R, as well as an understanding of mathematical principles (linear algebra, calculus, probability, statistics, or discrete math) before joining the program; experience with data structures and algorithms is helpful, but not required.

LETTERS OF REFERENCE

You will be required to provide contact information for three (3) individuals whom can attest to your abilities, accomplishments, strengths, and unique experiences.  References may be both academic and professional. 
Certificate students need only provide one (1) reference.

GRE SCORES

We require the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test for all master's applicants.  Certificate students are not required to submit test scores.

GRE scores are good for five (5) years from the date you took the exam.  We do not have minimum score requirements for the GRE, preferring instead to use the full information available in your application to evaluate.  Submit scores to institution code 1324 and department 0403.  If your name on the test report differs from the name on the online application, please notify the Office of Online Education.

GRE Waivers are available to those with exceptionally strong quantitative or technical backgrounds.  To obtain a waiver, applicants must possess all of the following minimum criteria:

  • Cumulative undergraduate or graduate GPA or at least 3.0 (on 4.0 scale)
  • Academic or Industry knowledge of programming languages (Python, R, Java, or C++) and mathematical principles (discrete math, linear algebra, calculus, or statistics)

Additionally, applicants must have one of the following:

  • Five (5) years of professional or military experience, related to the field of data science
  • Accredited graduate-level degree (PhD, MS, etc.) in the field of informatics, information science, computer science, engineering, or statistics

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

The most important information to include in your statement of purpose concerns your academic goals.  Tell us your academic background as it relates to the field of data science, career goals, and overall aspiration for applying to this specific program. You may also use your statement of purpose to explain any anomalies in your record.  The length should be approximately 750 words (1-1.5 pages).

TRANSCRIPTS

Submit scanned copies of your academic records directly to the Office of Online Education via email.  Please include your full name as listed on your application and IU application number in the body of your email.  For further details regarding your academic records, please refer to our application instructions on the "How to Apply" page.

RESUME

A skills-based resume helps to identify your most relevant areas of achievement and knowledge.  Listing programming languages is helpful as is including any awards or publications

APPLICATION DEADLINES

Deadlines for application submission for each program are published on our "How to Apply" page.
Please note our online programs operate on an admission deadline system.  This means the date on which your application becomes complete - not when it is submitted - determines whether you have successfully met the deadline for admissions consideration.

ADMISSION STATUS AND NOTIFICATION

We evaluate applications after the priority deadlines.  We will let you know as soon as we have reached a decision, generally four (4) to five (5) weeks from the application deadline.

Occasionally, denied applicants contact us for an explanation.  Unfortunately, we receive several hundred applications per year, and we do not have the staff to explain admission decisions on a case-by-case basis.

CONTACT INFORMATION AND RESOURCES

Academic Bulletins