MSDS Admissions & Cost

Old Main in afternoon light

Thank you for your interest in applying for admission to the Master of Science in Data Science, offered both at the U of A's campus in Tucson, Arizona and online.

Prospective students are required to submit application materials directly to the University of Arizona Graduate College. Please read the information below and then submit your application prior to the appropriate deadline:

Application Deadlines

Main Campus

  • Fall Semester: February 1
    Currently open
  • Spring Semester: August 1
    Currently closed
  • Summer Term: February 1
    Currently open; not available to international applicants

Arizona Online

  • Fall Semester: March 15
    Currently open
  • Spring Semester: October 1
    Currently open
  • Summer Term: March 1
    Currently open


Program Cost

In-State, On-Campus Tuition & Fees

Per semester (7+ units)
$6,359 tuition + $350 program fees + $835.48 university fees*
$7,544.48*

* Tuition, fees and other costs subject to change. Check the University of Arizona Tuition Calculator for exact tuition and fees based on your situation.

Out-of-State & International, On-Campus Tuition & Fees

Per semester (9+ units)
$16,145 tuition + $450 program fees + $835.48 university fees*
$17,430.48*

* Tuition, fees and other costs subject to change. Check the University of Arizona Tuition Calculator for exact tuition and fees based on your situation.

Online Campus Tuition & Fees

Per unit
$650/unit + $228 program fees for 7+ units*
$6,078.00 for 9 units*

* Tuition, fees and other costs subject to change. Check the University of Arizona Tuition Calculator for exact tuition and fees based on your situation.



How to Apply

To apply for either main campus or online, you must complete the University of Arizona Graduate College online application. Follow these steps:

  1. Create a GradApp account
  2. Complete your GradApp profile under "My Account".
  3. Select "Apply to a Program" from the sidebar.
  4. Choose "Degree Seeking" under application type and "Data Science (MS)" under program of study.
  5. Choose the semester during which you wish to enter the program.
  6. Your application should now be initiated under "My Active Applications."

Apply Now


Admission Requirements

Available Programs

  • Domestic Students: In person on the Tucson main campus, or fully online through Arizona Online.
  • International Students: In person on the Tucson main campus, or fully online through Arizona Online.

Admission will be based on an evaluation of your potential to become a qualified information professional or effective researchers in data science. We consider prior coursework and grades, letters of recommendation and research/artistic/professional products such as papers, substantive works, or significant contributions to software systems.

To be admitted you must have:

  • A bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona or from an accredited college or university recognized by the University of Arizona
  • A grade point average of 3.0 or higher
  • Academic coursework and/or professional experience that demonstrates strong quantitative and analytical reasoning abilities
  • Academic coursework and/or professional experience with math and programming, including data structures, analysis of algorithms, and linear algebra.  Coursework and/or professional experience with calculus is encouraged but not required.
  • See additional requirements for international applicants.
  • A GRE is not required. You may still submit one if you choose to.

Recommended Prerequisites & Provisional Acceptance

We admit applicants from a variety of different backgrounds, including sciences and engineering, social sciences, and arts and humanities.

In addition to linear math (college algebra) and computer science courses, we recommend that students applying to the MSDS or MSIS program have programming experience in one or more of the following computer languages and/or areas:

  • C
  • C++ (Object Oriented)
  • Java
  • Python
  • Data Structures
  • HTML
  • CSS
  • SQL
  • Web Programming
  • R
  • Julia
  • MATLAB
  • TensorFlow
  • JavaScript
  • Scala
  • Git/GitHub
  • SAS

We offer undergraduate courses that can help remediate deficiencies or you may pursue other courses from the University of Arizona (e.g., ISTA 311, 131, 130, 321) or other institutions. Undergraduate courses taken for remediation purposes may not be applied for graduate credit. INFO 511 is also an option—you can apply this course toward your program if accepted as a degree-seeking student.



Application Checklist

You are required to submit the following materials as part of your online application. Your application will not be processed until all required information is received.

1. Academic Statement of Purpose

Write a 750- to 1,000-word Statement of Purpose indicating why you are interested in the program and what skills and experience you have that will make you a successful candidate for the degree.

2. Transcripts

Upload unofficial transcripts from ALL higher educational institutions attended as part of the online application. (Please note that unofficial transcripts are needed from each individual institution even if they are listed on the final transcript where the degree was issued.)

Official e-transcripts can be sent to transcripts@grad.arizona.edu directly from the institution. Official transcripts can be requested after the graduate college has provided requirements in their letter once admittance has occurred.

3. English Language Proficiency

Proof of English proficiency is required for any international applicant born in a country where English is not the official language. Please check our English Requirement list to verify your need to submit an English proficiency test. These tests must be dated within 2 years of the enrollment term to be considered valid.

Acceptable English proficiency tests are: 

Those exempt from submitting English proficiency scores are:

  • Applicants from countries where English is the official language.
  • Applicants who have completed a bachelor's or graduate degree at a regionally accredited institution in the United States, or an approved institution in an official English speaking country. Degree must not be older than 2 years from the term of enrollment.
  • Applicants who have completed 2 years of full-time academic study must have 48 upper division, graded undergraduate semester units or 30 graded, graduate semester units.

Upload your unofficial TOEFL scores as part of the online application. You must also submit official scores through ETS using institution code 4832.

4. Letters of Recommendation

Provide email addresses and contact information for two recommenders in the ‘Letters of Recommendation’ section of the online application. The letters of recommendation must be received prior to the deadline for applications to be reviewed.

5. Resume/CV

Upload a current resume or curriculum vitae (CV) as part of the online application in the ‘Supplemental Questions’ section.


Additional Forms

You may also need to complete:

  • A domicile affidavit if you wish to have in-state (Arizona) status. Mail or FAX the form directly to the Residency Classification Office. All students are considered out-of-state residents until domicile affidavits are processed. See Residency Guidelines and also review information about Proposition 308.
  • A financial guarantee form (international students).
  • An immunization form to be sent directly to Campus Health. Students will not be allowed to register for classes until they have met the University of Arizona's immunization requirements. For more information, see the Campus Health Service's immunization requirements.

Contact Us

If you have any questions, please contact us at infosci-grad@arizona.edu.

Are you ready to tackle the grand challenges of today and tomorrow through data science?

If so, you're ready to apply to the University of Arizona Master of Science in Data Science program in the College of Information Science:

Apply Now