Master of Science in Applied Data Science

The objective of the USC Viterbi Master of Science in Applied Data Science is to train students with a range of backgrounds to be skilled data scientists.

This program allows strong students trained in either computer science or other engineering or scientific disciplines (or even social science disciplines with a demonstrated aptitude for math and science) to get the training to pursue a career in applied data science.

Students completing this degree will have learned the skills required to work as a data scientist, including a basic understanding of data science techniques, the ability to write data science programs in Python, knowledge and experience in working with both databases and big data infrastructure, skills in applying machine learning and data mining techniques, and knowledge of how to apply these skills to real-world problems.

Our students are immersed in the overall field of data analytics, the role of the analyst and/or data scientist, and the domains where informatics skills can be applied to critical organization missions. They understand how data management, data visualization, data mining, and artificial intelligence techniques (specifically machine learning) are critical to the analysis process and how these can be applied to real-world challenges.

The program features the application of knowledge and skill in hands-on type experiences, with the goal of having students leave the program having “lived in the data.” Through an extensive elective track and our unique professional practicum, students find the specializations that will help them better prepare themselves for the area(s) of analytics in which they hope to contribute.

International Students: This program is eligible for the OPT STEM extension.

Please Note: Requirements for graduation, course offerings, course availability, track offerings, and any other degree requirements are subject to change. Students should consult with an academic advisor prior to registering for any classes.

Detailed Program Curriculum and Requirements Schedule of Classes

Visit our Ready to Apply page for more information.

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in any engineering or engineering-related discipline. We also accept applicants from majors including, but not limited to: Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Information Systems, Economics, Information Technology, and Physics.

The following materials are required to be included with your online application:

English Language Proficiency: In addition to application requirements above, international students whose first language is not English are required to take the TOEFL or IELTS. There is no minimum TOEFL or IELTS score required for admission to the Viterbi School. For possible exemption from additional language requirements, you must achieve an Internet Based TOEFL (iBT) score of 90, with no less than 20 on each section or an IELTS score of 6.5, with no less than 6 on each band score. Please review USC Graduate Admission – Proficiency in English.

IMPORTANT: USC does not accept Duolingo and TOEFL Essentials test scores.

The following is an overview of the tuition & fees for graduate engineering students. Both on-campus and DEN@Viterbi students pay the same tuition.

TUITION

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MANDATORY STUDENT FEES - 2023/24

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ESTIMATED COST OF ATTENDANCE - 32 UNIT PROGRAM

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This downloadable Cost of Attendance document breaks down the tuition and fees by semester. Although the actual number of courses taken each semester may vary by student as can the amount of time taken to complete the program, it can be submitted to banks and scholarship institutions.

PAYMENT

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USC students may pay their tuition and fees online, via wire transfer or using a payment plan. Details can be found on the USC Student Financial Services Payment Options page. You can check your account balance through the On-line Academic Student Information System (OASIS). Log into OASIS through MyUSC.

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USC also provides a Tuition Refund Insurance option that enables students to receive a 100% refund of term tuition and fees if they are are forced to withdraw for medical reasons.

What were the main reasons you chose to pursue this graduate program at USC? I was fascinated with Data Science and found the USC program very compelling to its interdisciplinary coursework that provides a breadth of knowledge.

Tell us about an exciting and unforgettable experience from your two years at USC. I cannot forget the joy I felt when I succeeded as a team member in finishing a project that helped calculate car carbon dioxide emissions; it reflected the experience and knowledge I acquired through studying at USC. Moreover, participating for the first time in AthenaHacks that the USC hosting in 2022.

What are some personal achievements or experiences you'd like to share? I have worked on "Evaluating Alzheimer's Patients' Assistance Systems in HCI Domain," which was published in the International Journal of Advance Research, Ideas, and Innovations in Technology. In addition, being a member of the Women in Computing organization at USC, I gained valuable knowledge related to technology, and I had the chance to attend a couple of tech talks and workshops.

Which organizations/activities have you been involved with outside the classroom? I am currently leading a Saudi Students Association at USC, sponsored by the Saudi Arabia Embassy (SACM).

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What were the main reasons you chose to pursue this graduate program at USC? Coming on a Fulbright Scholarship, initially, USC wasn’t in my plan but was suggested by my scholarship advisors. After doing my research, it became my preferred choice among the four US colleges I applied to. Viterbi’s reputation as an incredible engineering school, attended by such world-renowned names such as Neil Armstrong and its namesake, Andrew Viterbi, left me in awe. Moreover, its presence in Los Angeles was an added bonus and it felt like a moment straight out of a movie when I got the offer.

Tell us about an exciting and unforgettable experience from your two years at USC. One of the most rewarding experiences studying here is the “Trojan” camaraderie. One example of it is as long as I wear the Trojan shirt or Trojan symbol, I can go anywhere in the US and I’ll find a fellow Trojan waving me the two-fingered salute. I was once cycling in Santa Monica, oblivious to this unspoken tradition, and a girl carrying a surfboard waved the V sign and yelled Trojans. Took me a while to get that she was gesturing to me before I yelled back. A similar experience happened to me while hiking at the Grand Canyon. Now, I’m the one who’s doing the yelling first.

What are some personal achievements or experiences you’d like to share? I never went outside my home country before coming to USC. And living here, alone, away from my family and friends, it was a learning experience and a big personal achievement of mine to make it in a completely new environment and make new friends. USC and the environment it offers around campus has been instrumental in helping me with that.

Which organizations/activities have you been involved with outside of the classroom? I worked on a research project as a part of Graduates Rising in Information and Data Science (GRIDS), which allows you to work on projects with Professors. I found it really rewarding and loved the experience. Following up with that, I decided to join my GRIDS Professor’s research team in a professional capacity as a Graduate Research Assistant, working on some cutting-edge research project. It was not only a challenging experience, but it has also helped me a lot in finding me a job after graduating.

What advice would you give future Viterbi students? After every semester, I decide I’ll work every day to finish my work early and cycle on the weekends, or go for hikes, or go exploring. And then the semester starts and I get engrossed in completing assignments, meeting deadlines. Don’t be like me. Enjoy!

Want to find out where our graduating class of 2020/2021 Data Science and Cyber Security Engineering Master’s students did their internships and where they went after commencement? Visit our Computer Science, Data Science & Cyber Security Employment Outcomes page.

This program is also available online to professional engineers through DEN@Viterbi. Because the DEN@Viterbi program provides a fully equivalent academic experience, the degree a USC engineering student earns is the same whether they are on-campus or online.

If you are interested in beginning classes as a DEN@Viterbi student next semester, explore the requirements and steps to enrolling as a Limited Status Student.

Learn More About DEN@Viterbi

Detailed Program Curriculum and RequirementsSchedule of Classes

DEN@VITERBI ONLINE COURSE OFFERINGS

The following courses and program requirements serve as program planning for DEN@Viterbi students. Course offerings and availability are subject to change. Please consult with advisor if you have any questions.

Students with limited or no training in computer science should take DSCI 549, DSCI 510, and DSCI 550 before taking any other classes.

DSCI 550 should be taken prior to or in parallel with DSCI 551 and prior to taking DSCI 552 and DSCI 553.