Data Science
Computer and Information Sciences
The Master of Science in Data Science (MSDS) Program is designed for students with strong undergraduate grades and technical skills coming from diverse disciplinary backgrounds, and it prepares students to meet the challenges presented by the explosive growth of very large scale and complex data sources. Data from commercial activities or sources such as social media or scientific instrumentation constantly create new problems requiring data-driven solutions, while simultaneously opening opportunities for innovation.
The MSDS Program helps students develop the knowledge and skills needed to address these opportunities that benefit individuals, organizations, and society. MSDS students learn to:
• Define and operationalize domain specific and context-relevant data analysis hypotheses that generate meaningful insights for individuals, organizations, and society.
• Select, transform, and integrate data sources to support the needs of data-intensive problems with solutions that scale to real-world deployment contexts.
• Implement appropriate, reproducible, and adaptable techniques for acquiring, retrieving, and developing data sets.
• Build, evaluate, and apply analytical and predictive models to answer DS questions and solve business problems.
• Visualize and interpret results of quantitative analysis and communicate them to stakeholders.
• Continuously develop new skills and improve professional abilities that integrate computing skills with quantitative analysis techniques and domain knowledge.
Drexel's experiential education model offers structured opportunities to integrate academic study with professional experience. The cooperative education (co-op) program allows students to engage in full-time work experiences that align with their interests in data science. Experiential learning opportunities at Drexel—like co-op—allow students to apply disciplinary skills to real-world problems that hinge on data. The MSDS Program trains students from diverse backgrounds and professional experiences in a variety of industries, and it prepares graduates for interdisciplinary work across industry and research. Careers span DS roles, including data architecture and infrastructure, predictive systems development, data and machine learning engineering, data analysis, and statistics.
| Degree | Availability | Location |
|---|---|---|
|
MS |
Full-Time |
Philadelphia |
Graduate Co-op Eligible
The MS program is eligible for Graduate Co-op (full-time, on-campus entry only). Online program is not eligible for Graduate Co-op.
Application Requirements
On-Campus ProgramPlease view our academic calendar for term start dates.
| Fall (Sept) | Winter (Jan) | Spring (March) | Summer (June) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Applicants | Aug. 27 | Dec. 1 | Mar. 1 | N/A |
| International Applicants | June 1 | Oct. 15 | Mar. 1 | N/A |
*Co-op is not available for Spring term entry
For details regarding the items below, please review the Admission Application Instructions.
How to Submit Application Materials
Drexel Admissions is currently processing application documents received through the U.S. Postal Service and courier services (DHL, FedEx, UPS, etc.), although there is a slight delay in processing these documents. We strongly recommend that you submit all official transcripts and supporting documentation electronically to enroll@drexel.edu. If your school is not able to send official transcripts electronically, please request that official documents be sent by mail or courier service. Please allow 3–4 weeks for transcripts and supporting documents sent by mail or courier to be processed. We appreciate your patience during this unprecedented time at Drexel and around the world. We will process all documents as soon as we receive them, but please expect some delays.Graduate Admission Application
Applicants may only apply to one program. All documents submitted by you or on your behalf in support of this application for admission to Drexel University become the property of the University, and will under no circumstances be released to you or any other party. Please note, an application fee of $65 U.S. is required.
Transcripts
Official transcripts must be sent directly to Drexel from all of the colleges and universities that you have attended. Please note that transcripts are required regardless of number of credits taken or if the credits were transferred to another school. An admission decision may be delayed if you do not send transcripts from all colleges and universities that you have attended.
Transcripts must show course-by-course grades and degree conferrals. If your school does not notate degree conferrals on the official transcripts, you must provide copies of any graduate or degree certificates.
If your school issues only one transcript for life, you are required to have a course-by-course evaluation completed by an approved transcript evaluation agency.
Precise, word-for-word English translations of all non-English language documents are required along with official documents in the original language. All translations must be completed by the issuing institution or an ATA-certified translator. Visit the American Translators Association website to search for an ATA-certified translator.
International students: If you have already graduated from your previous institution at the time of your application, please email your graduation certificate(s) attached as PDF or Microsoft Word documents to enroll@drexel.edu. Note: Any international applicant, regardless of program, may be required to provide a transcript evaluation should the Admissions Committee determine it is needed for the application to be reviewed. If your transcripts are selected for a course-by-course evaluation by an external agency, you will be responsible for supplying all necessary documentation and paying all necessary fees to have your transcripts evaluated.
If you have questions regarding what documents you must submit to fulfill the transcript requirements, contact the Office of Graduate Admissions.
Test of English as a Foreign Language
International applicants are required to demonstrate English language proficiency by submitting scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL minimum scores: 90/577/233), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS minimum Overall Band Score: 6.5), the Pearson Test of English (PTE minimum score: 61), or the Duolingo Test (Duolingo minimum score: 110) unless they meet the criteria for a waiver.
Essay
Please write approximately 500 words explaining your reasons for pursuing a degree from Drexel; your short-term and long-term career plans; and how your background, experience, interest, and/or values, when combined with a Drexel degree, will enable you to pursue these goals successfully.
Submit your essay with your application or through the Discover Drexel portal after you submit your application.
Résumé
Upload your résumé as part of your admission application or through the Discover Drexel Portal after you submit your application.
To electronically request recommendations, you must list your recommenders and their contact information on your application. We advise that you follow up with your recommenders to ensure they received your recommendation request — they may need to check their junk mail folder. Additionally, it is your responsibility to confirm that your recommenders will submit letters by your application deadline and follow up with recommenders who have not completed their recommendations.
Request recommendations with your application or through the Discover Drexel portal after you submit your application.
Alternatively, you may submit your recommendation letters by mail. Letters must include the address, phone number, and signature of the recommender. The recommendation envelope must be submitted unopened to the Office of Graduate Admissions.
Letters of Recommendation
One letter of recommendation is required. Two letters of recommendation are preferred. To electronically request recommendations, you must list your recommenders and their contact information on your application. We advise that you follow up with your recommenders to ensure they received your recommendation request — they may need to check their junk mail folder. Additionally, it is your responsibility to confirm that your recommenders will submit letters by your application deadline and follow up with recommenders who have not completed their recommendations.
Request recommendations with your application or through the Discover Drexel portal after you submit your application.
Alternatively, you may submit your recommendation letters by mail. Letters must include the address, phone number, and signature of the recommender. The recommendation envelope must be submitted unopened to the Office of Graduate Admissions.
Mailing Addresses
By Postal Mail
Drexel University
Application Processing
PO Box 34789
Philadelphia, PA 19101-4789
By Express Courier
(DHL, FedEx, UPS, etc.)
Drexel University
Application Processing
3141 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104-2876
Online Program
Please refer to Drexel Online Education for application requirements and deadlines.