MS Data Science

Contact Information:

Email Address: sci-ms-datascience@sjsu.edu
Phone Number: 408-924-5060

The Master of Science in Data Science program, offered by the College of Science’s Department of Computer Science and Department of Mathematics and Statistics.

This degree is designed for students with an undergraduate degree in the sciences or engineering, and it provides both mathematical and algorithmic foundational knowledge and practical programming skills for data science careers.

The CIP code for the MS Data Science is 30.0801. Per the current DHS posted list from 2016 [pdf] this is a STEM Designated degree program, making this program eligible for the STEM OPT extension program. 

Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Design and implement complete solutions using massive amounts of data based on artificial-intelligence, machine-learning, or statistical-analysis methods.
• Design and implement new methods to capture and analyze massive amounts of data.
• Use and improve existing tools for capturing and analyzing massive amounts of data.

This degree assists those with a baccalaureate degree in the sciences or engineering to pursue a data science career by providing them with a rigorous and affordable education in mathematics, statistics, computer science and machine learning. Graduates will appeal to a number of data-based careers including but not limited to data scientist, data analyst, data mining specialist, machine learning engineer, and data and analytics manager.

Admission Requirements

Candidates must meet all of the University admission requirements. Students can be admitted in either classified or conditionally classified standing.

To be admitted to classified standing, applicants must have earned

• A Bachelor's degree in the sciences or engineering from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 3.0 (based on a 4.0 scale), and have completed of all program prerequisites listed below.
• Two to three letters of recommendation are also required.
• The Statement of Purpose.
• The GRE General Test score must also be submitted along with the packet. There is no minimum requirement, but the GRE score will be used to compare and rank applicants. The GRE is no longer required for admission to the MS Data Science Program.

To enter this program with classified standing, a student must have passed the following prerequisites courses (with a C- or better OR the listed required grade below):

1. Three semesters college-level calculus courses - differential calculus (e.g., MATH 30 at SJSU), integral calculus (e.g., MATH 31 at SJSU), and a multivariable caluculus course (e.g., MATH 32 at SJSU), with a grade of B or better on the multivariable calculus course.
2. A linear algebra course (e.g., MATH 39 at SJSU), with a grade of B or better.
3. A discrete math course (e.g., MATH 42 or CS 42 at SJSU).
4. An upper-division calculus-based statistics course (e.g., MATH 161A at SJSU), with a grade of B or better.
5. A probability theory course (e.g., MATH 163 at SJSU), with a grade of C or better.
6. Two CS introductory courses on programming and data structures (e.g., CS 46A and CS 46B at SJSU).
7. An upper division data structures and algorithms course (e.g., CS 146 at SJSU), with a grade of B or better.
8. An advanced course in object-oriented programming (e.g., CS 151 or CMPE 135 at SJSU) or two semesters of statistical programming coursework, (e.g., MATH 167R and MATH 167PS at SJSU).

Applicants from countries in which the native language is not English must submit TOEFL scores. Minimum TOEFL scores acceptable for admission are 600 (Paper- based), 250 (Computer-based),or 100 (Internet-based).

Fall 2023 admitted students must accept their admission by (1) saying ‘yes’ through Intent to Enroll and (2) paying a $200 non refundable (and non transferable) enrollment deposit by June 1, 2023 in order to register for Fall 2023 classes. The $200 enrollment deposit will be applied towards your tuition and fees once you enroll in Fall 2023 classes. For more information visit Mandatory Intent to Enroll webpage on the Graduate Admissions website. 

List of Required Courses

Students who enter the program having already completed courses equivalent in level and content to any of those required for the degree may be allowed to substitute an appropriate alternative course upon advanced approval by the MS Data Science Coordinator.

The maximum number of upper-division undergraduate units that can be applied toward the master's degree is 9.

The elective can be selected from the list of courses offered in the Math/Stats and CS departments and requires approval from the program coordinator.

Total units required to complete the Degree: 36 units

FAQ for Prospective Students

• When is the application deadline?

  • The application deadline varies for domestic and international students. Please see Admission Deadlines for up-to-date information about deadlines.

• What are the application fees?

  • Please check the CSU website for the most updated information.

• What is the total cost of the program?

  • You can estimate the fees and tuition of the program based on SJSU's current fees and tuition.

• Is GRE required for the program admission?

  • The GRE General Test score must also be submitted along with the packet. There is no minimum requirement, but the GRE score will be used to compare and rank applicants. Starting Fall 2023 submitting the GRE General Test scores for admissions will be optional.

• What TOEFL/ IELTS scores do I need to be accepted?

  • If you are an international student, you need a TOEFL score of 100 (Internet Based), 600 (Paper Based), or 250 (Computer Based); IELTS score of 7.5. You can find more information on the Test Requirement website. https://www.sjsu.edu/admissions/graduate/admission-requirements/test-requirements/index.php

• I earned a Bachelor Degree in another country. How do I submit my transcripts to your college for evaluation?

  • Graduate Admissions (GAPE) requires that all applicants with international coursework provide a WES (World Education Services) evaluation for any coursework completed outside of the U.S., U.S. Territories & Canada. 

    Due to the current global health pandemic, we have also approved the use of Academic Credentials Evaluation Institute, Inc. (ACEI) and Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) for an evaluation of international coursework at this time. As this is officially approved for use during this time, you do not have to contact our office to receive approval to use ACEI or ECE. NOTE: All international degrees must be evaluated by one evaluation service. Send your bachelor's degree and your master's degree to the same evaluation service. 

    Mark sheets/transcripts/degree certificates must be sent directly to WES, ACEI, or ECE for evaluation. SJSU must receive the academic record and the evaluation directly from the evaluation service. Please ensure at minimum 7th term marks (if the degree is still in progress) are included in the evaluation and that it is received by the document deadline. There are no exceptions or extensions to this requirement or deadline, and we appreciate your understanding of our admission policy.  For Fall 2022 admissions to MS Data Science program this deadline is March 20, 2022.

    NOTE: If you have a master’s or doctoral degree from the U.S. and a bachelor’s degree from another country, we still require a WES, ACEI, or ECE evaluation of the bachelor’s degree.

    Here is a link for more information: https://www.sjsu.edu/admissions/graduate/want-to-apply/international-steps-to-admission/index.php

• I work during the day, can I obtain MS Data Science while working?

  • Yes, it is possible to work full time if you choose to be a part-time Masters' student. However, This is probably not easy as right now because all the required courses are offered during the normal business time (9-5). The student can complete the program in a part time status only if the employer can excuse a few hours twice a week for the student to attend classes.

• I am missing some of the program prerequisite courses. Can I still apply?

  • If you are missing some of the upper division prerequisite courses it is possible to be admitted as a conditional student, and if you are admitted as a conditional student, you can take the prerequisites at SJSU.

• How can I submit my Letter of Recommendation?

  • The Letter of Recommendation can be submitted through CSU Apply before the documentation deadline. Any letters past the documentation deadline, can be sent directly to sci-ms-datascience@sjsu.edu

• What is my chance to be admitted to the program?

  • While we understand your curiosity/desire to know your chance of being accepted by the program, unfortunately we cannot make any prediction about it as it depends on how many qualified applicants there are in the end and your rank in that group (by considering all factors). 

    Successful applicants have the following characteristics: 

    1. Have completed all the required courses for admission (with good grades)
    2. Have a good GPA (at least 3.0) and the higher the better
    3. Have strong reference letters
    4. Meet all the English proficiency requirements

     

    A couple things you can do to increase your chances are:

    1. Complete all the prerequisites with the required grades (the higher the better)
    2. Secure strong reference letters who can speak of your background and potential relative to the degree. 
• How do I apply to MS Data Science program?

  • Please visit Graduate Admision website for steps to Admistion.

For more information, please contact :
Email Address: sci-ms-datascience@sjsu.edu
Phone Number: 408-924-5060