Program

• Please refer to the Admissions page for application deadlines and requirements. To apply for this program use this link.
• Once in the application, on the Program Selector page, please use the drop down menus to select the correct program, as follows:
  • Degree Type: Master of Data Science
  • Program Interest: Data Science Online (MDS)

• No, the GRE exam is not required to apply to the Master of Data Science program. If an applicant has already taken the GRE they may elect to include their scores when submitting the application for review.

  For international applicants, scores from the TOEFL or IELTS exam are required to demonstrate proficiency in the English language.

• Any undergraduate major is eligible to apply to this program; however, it is expected that most students admitted to the program will have an undergraduate degree in a field that provides a good mathematical foundation, for example Computer Science, Mathematics, Engineering, Physical Sciences, Quantitative Social Sciences, Computational Life Sciences or Computational Health Sciences. However, uses for Data Science can also be found in many other fields, and applications will be considered provided prerequisites are met.

• Successful applicants must hold a bachelor's degree or the equivalent from an accredited institution in the United States or from a recognized university-level academic institution abroad and at least a B average (3.0 GPA), or its equivalent. 
• We expect that incoming students will have completed an introductory programming course, multivariate calculus, and linear algebra. Students without this background, will need to explore this content on their own. Please feel free to contact our office with any questions, or to receive a list of recommended resources.

• At the present time, UC San Diego is unable to accept new applications for admissions to online or distance education programs from students who reside in the following states: Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
• Please contact our office at mds@ucsd.edu if you have questions about this. We continue to expand the states in which we are authorized, so this list is subject to change.

• International students are eligible to apply to this program. However, as a fully online degree, students are not eligible for F-1 visa status for study within the United States. In addition, graduating students will not be eligible for employment authorization in the United States through Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT) or STEM OPT, because they were not in a valid F-1 visa status during their program of study.
• The lack of a visa requirement may open this degree to those who have family and business obligations in their home countries, or those who do not meet the financial support requirements for study under a U.S. visa. The online format enables such students to earn a master's degree from a highly regarded U.S. institution with global recognition from the convenience of their home country. Note, however, that students from countries or locations sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) may be ineligible. Please contact UC San Diego's International Students and Programs Office for any questions.
• International students interested in study within the U.S. should consider UC San Diego's on-campus Master of Science in Data Science, which would require an F-1 visa and have OPT eligibility.

• The MDS program requires 10 quarter-length courses at 4 units each, for a total of 40 units. Of these, three courses, totaling 12 units, are elective units.
• The normative time to degree completion is 18 months; however, this can vary depending on the pace at which a student is progressing in the program. Typically, a student will take two courses per quarter for five quarters, without summer coursework.

• Tenure-track faculty from the department of Computer Science & Engineering and the Halicioglu Data Science Institute will serve as the primary instructors for the MDS program. These faculty are experts in data science, all of whom hold a PhD in their respective fields.
• As well as this, we have Doctoral-level instructors with the requisite industry and teaching experience who actively teach in the program.

• Yes, this is a fully-online program offered with a mostly asynchronous delivery in order to accommodate students in different time zones and with varying work schedules.
• The program also offers synchronous faculty review sessions and teaching assistant office hours at various times throughout the week.

• Yes! The MDS program has undergone extensive review and has been approved by the Academic Senate of the University of California, San Diego campus, the system wide Coordinating Committee on Graduate Affairs (CCGA) and the University of California Office of the President (UCOP). Accreditation by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) - WASC Senior College & University Commission was granted in January 2022.
• Students should feel confident that this degree program carries the academic rigor, support, and prestige expected of a University of California graduate degree. The program was designed and created by the same faculty leadership who created the Master of Science in Data Science in-person program.

• No, the title of the degree awarded to students in this program is Master of Data Science.

• More specifics on the technology requirements will be provided to admitted students; but generally, a student will need:
  • A laptop or desktop computer with a webcam and microphone (built-in or external)
  • Access to reliable, fast internet; and an up-to-date web browser
  • Primary hard drive for storing large datasets

• Online Application: UCSD Application for Graduate Admission
• Application Fee -
  • US Citizens, Permanent Residents, and Undocumented Applicants: $135.00
  • International Applicants: $155.00
• Transcripts**
• Statement of Purpose
• Letters of recommendation (3) Three are required and your application won’t be reviewed until all three letters have been received. Furthermore, if you’re having trouble securing one from a recommender, it is advisable to make another selection.
• CV/Resume
• International applicants only: Scores for the TOEFL or IELTS Academic Training exam to demonstrate proficiency in the English language.

** Transcript Note

• Carefully review the Graduate Division's Transcript Guidelines
• Do not mail documents to the department.
• Official transcripts must include the registrar’s signature and institutional seal.

• Total cost for this program at the typical pace is approximately $35,000 paid at roughly $7,000 for each of five quarters. The total cost will vary depending on the number of quarters a student takes to complete the degree, and whether the student maintains their own health insurance coverage.
• The MDS program tuition for AY2025-2026 is $780 per unit. The program is 40 units of study. Additional university-wide fees of approximately $810 per quarter are also assessed. More information is available here: UCSD Self-Support Program Fees.
• Tuition and fees are subject to change in accordance with university policy.

• Non-California residents and international students are not charged a Non-California Resident Supplemental Tuition cost. The cost of this program is the same for in-state, out-of-state, or international students.

• Applicants will be considered for merit-based scholarships upon acceptance into the program. These scholarships range in value but may cover up to 20% of the tuition amount. Students are encouraged to apply for admission early for the best opportunity of available funds.
• Military affiliated students should explore VA educational benefits. UC San Diego has a dedicated Veterans Benefits Office to assist with this. Please see: Military Affiliated Students for more information.
• Additionally, UC San Diego graduate students may apply for need-based aid or federal student loans by completing a Free Application for Federal student Aid (FAFSA). Need-based aid is administered through the Financial Aid Office. Please visit the Financial Aid website for eligibility requirements and more information.
• This program is ideal for working professionals; therefore, students are encouraged to work with their supervisors, benefits coordinators, and work administrators on tuition reimbursement or educational assistance programs at their place of employment to supplement paying for the program.