How to Apply

Application Deadline

The final application deadline for summer 2024 admission is March 1. Applications received after that date will be reviewed on a space-available basis.

Notification of Admission Decision

Applicants are typically contacted with an admission decision six to eight weeks after the final application date, though many applicants receive a decision before that time. All applicants should expect a final admission decision by May 15. While applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, early submission does not guarantee an early decision. Applications completed after March 1 are reviewed on a space-available basis.

Requirements

The application process is entirely online. Please complete and/or upload all of the items listed below to your application account. There is no need to mail items to our office.

Bachelor’s Degree

Applicants who hold a bachelor's degree in any field and have fulfilled the MS in Data Science prerequisites are considered for admission. Applicants with academic or professional backgrounds in math, computer science, engineering, finance, economics or equivalent skills are encouraged to apply

Prerequisite Requirements

Courses should be completed for a grade on a transcript at an accredited institution. Unofficial transcript copy from an accredited institution needs to show class titles with grades (marks). Certificate coursework does not meet our requirements but can serve as a supplement to courses taken for college credit. Professional or personal experience may substitute for coursework in some cases, though formal coursework is preferred.

Required Courses and Concepts to Understand

In addition to the above requirements, we strongly recommend courses in calculus and data structures.

Test Requirements

The program does not require a GRE or GMAT test.

For international applicants, an English Language exam score (TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, or PTE) is required.

Transcript (Academic Record)

Upload a copy of your transcript from each university and college attended. Please ensure the institution’s name and your name is on the document you upload. Transcripts from any schools and study abroad programs must be submitted since Bachelor's Degree institutions typically do not list transfer and study abroad courses with grades. If still enrolled in your Bachelor's program, submit a copy of your transcript showing in-progress courses. If admitted, an official transcript with proof of graduation is required.

Statement of Purpose

The statement of purpose is a one-to-two page statement that briefly describes your educational and work experience as it relates to the MS in Data Science program. The majority of the essay should focus on your career goals, and why the USF MS in Data Science program is a good fit with your goals. You may also use this statement to explain any deficiencies in your academic record (e.g., failing or low grades in quantitative courses such as math, economics, computer science, or engineering; a low GPA in one semester, year, or degree program; lack of relevant coursework that is compensated by self-study or work experience, etc.), gaps in educational or employment history, and any other topics in your background and experience that you would like to address.

Resume or CV

Your current resume or CV lists and describes your educational history, work or job history, coursework related to this graduate program, and any experiences relevant to your pursuit of graduate studies.

Letters of Recommendation

A minimum of two recommendation letters are required for your application (four maximum). Preferably, one letter is from an academic reference, and the other from a professional context. The letters should focus on your relevant experience and an overall fit for graduate studies. Contributions to teamwork are also appreciated.

Follow the instructions in the online application to provide the contact information for your recommenders. We require that letters are signed (electronic signature is fine) and/or on official company or university letterhead in order to be considered. Please keep this in mind when contacting your references.

You may submit your application before your recommenders upload their letters.

Admission Interview

Applicants whose applications are selected by our admission committee for further review will be contacted for an admission interview. The interview will cover foundational topics in statistics, linear algebra and computer programming and is conducted by an MSDS faculty member. Successful completion of an interview is required for admission.

How to Prepare for the Interview

Programming

Interviewers will tend to share sample Python code during the interview and ask about the expected behavior of the given code (or functions defined through code) and any inputs or outputs. Questions may cover topics such as function definitions, data types, operations, conditional statements, iterations, error handling, etc.

Probability and Statistics

Interviewers will tend to ask questions of three different types. The first type of question involves remembering a basic definition (e.g., of the sample median of set of data) or a basic fact from probability and statistics (e.g., the sample median is less sensitive to the presence of outliers than the sample mean). The second type of question requires a greater level of interpretational sophistication (e.g., explain the interpretation of a p-value, given some null hypothesis and alternative hypothesis in the context of some set of data). The third type of question is much more challenging and is more open-ended (e.g., explain the meaning of the Central Limit Theorem in your own words).

Linear Algebra

Interviews will tend to ask questions of three different types. The first type of question involves remembering a basic definition (e.g., what does it mean for a set of vectors to be linearly independent). The second type of question requires a greater level of interpretational sophistication (e.g., explain what the relationship between an eigenvalue and eigenvector is, and what their geometric interpretation is). The third type of question might require you to listen to a mathematical statement and then determine whether or not it is true or false. You would then have to explain why the statement is true or give a counterexample to explain why it is false.

International Applicants

There are additional items and instructions for international applicants.