You don’t have to come from a science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) background to be successful in the Data Science Program at Indiana University.
In fact, we embrace your unique academic or professional experience, and believe that it will only bolster your journey towards becoming a one-of-kind, in-demand data specialist.
Read ahead to discover how to apply to our program.
To be eligible for our program, Indiana University requires that you have a four-year bachelor’s degree, or its equivalent from another country.
If you already hold a master’s or doctoral degree from the School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering (SICE), and the requirements of that degree are equivalent to the M.S. in Data Science, you are not eligible to apply to our program.
To apply, you’ll need to provide official documentation showing you’ve earned a U.S. bachelor’s degree or its equivalent in another country. To apply to our residential M.S. program, you will also need a valid Visa.
Learn more about equivalent degrees for graduate students and Visas at the IU Office of International Services.
Although you don’t need to have a specific background to be successful in this program, you must possess the following:
If you need help developing any of these skill sets, consider taking IU’s Data Science Essentials: a self-paced package of online coursework that can help you prepare for the successful completion of the M.S. in Data Science degree.
We highly recommend that you submit your application and all supporting materials at least two weeks prior to final deadlines to expedite admissions decisions.
Deadline for Fall consideration is January 15.
Deadline for Spring consideration is November 1.
Deadline for Fall consideration is May 1. Application opens February 1.
It is your responsibility to act with honesty and integrity, and be responsible and accountable for all actions throughout the admissions process. Once you submit an application, you are formally agreeing to adhere to all deadlines and instructions set by the Data Science Program.
If at any time it is discovered that false information, omissions, or misstatements are made on the application, your consideration could be revoked.
The Data Science Program requires a completed Indiana University Graduate CAS application submission for admissions consideration. Each program requires different supplementary materials with the application:
Three (3) letters of recommendation from academic and/or professional references who can attest you your abilities, accomplishments, strengths, knowledge, and experience.
If you have experience as a teaching assistant, a letter from your teaching supervisor attesting to your teaching ability could help your application for financial support.
You must submit your scores from a Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test taken within the past five years. Submit scores to institution code 1324 and department code 0000.
If your name on the test report differs from your name on the online application, please list your test report name in the comment section of the application.
All nonnative English speakers should submit their Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores to institution code 1324 and department code 00.
We require a score of at least 96 on the Internet-based test (iBT) or at least 600 on the paper-based test. Scores must be earned within the past two years.
If your name on the test report differs from your name on the online application, please list your test report name in the comment section of the application.
We no longer accept the IELTS.
Submit an electronic copy of your official transcript(s) from each previous undergraduate or graduate institution that you have attended. These should be submitted in the Academic History quadrant of the application.
Please include information about your education, employment, certifications, publications, and/or awards. This information will help the admissions committee better understand your educational and professional background.
Submit a short essay between one to two pages clearly explaining your academic background, career goals, and overall aspirations as it relates to the field of data science. Effective statements are specific, using discrete examples, and highlight your unique skills.
Request two (2) letters of recommendation from academic and/or professional references who can attest you your abilities, accomplishments, strengths, knowledge, and experience.
Upload an electronic copy of your official transcript(s) from each previous undergraduate or graduate institution that you have attended. Each institutional transcript should be uploaded as a single PDF and include the following:
Note: International applicants must also send additional copies of their academic records (ie: mark sheets and degree certificate or diploma) to the Office of International Services (OIS) at:
Office of International Services
Poplars 221
400 East Seventh Street
Bloomington, IN 47405
Because it can take a substantial amount of time to obtain records from schools outside the United States, please keep legible photocopies of your original international transcripts and degrees. Please contact the Office of International Services (OIS) with any questions at ois@iu.edu.
Please include information about your education, employment, certifications, and/or awards. This information will help the admissions committee better understand your educational and professional background.
Submit a short essay between one to two pages clearly explaining your academic background, career goals, and overall aspirations as it relates to the field of data science. Effective statements are specific, using discrete examples, and highlight your unique skills.
Request one (1) letter of recommendation from academic and/or professional reference who can attest you your abilities, accomplishments, strengths, knowledge, and experience.
Upload an electronic copy of your official transcript(s) from each previous undergraduate or graduate institution that you have attended. Each institutional transcript should be uploaded as a single PDF and include the following:
Note: International applicants must also send additional copies of their academic records (ie: mark sheets and degree certificate or diploma) to the Office of International Services (OIS) at:
Office of International Services
Poplars 221
400 East Seventh Street
Bloomington, IN 47405
Because it can take a substantial amount of time to obtain records from schools outside the United States, please keep legible photocopies of your original international transcripts and degrees. Please contact the Office of International Services (OIS) with any questions at ois@iu.edu.
Any form of documentation or recorded information—regardless of physical characteristics—created, received, recorded, or legally submitted in the course of study becomes the property of Indiana University. This means documentation is non-returnable, and will not be forwarded, copied, or released to you or a third party.
We recommend that you avoid sending irreplaceable documents.
We do encourage you to make photocopies of your original academic records and send them to your home university.
Ask your home university to:
Indiana University requires that university records, as defined herein, regardless of format, be retained for specific periods of time in accordance with legal or other institutional requirements, or for historical value. The university has designated official repositories to manage the retention of these records according to procedures outlined below, wherein documents are securely destroyed after three years of the last date of enrollment.
Learn more about the records retention guidelines.
Note: All credentials are retained indefinitely throughout a student's academic career with the Data Science Graduate Office. Excluded from this policy are individuals who reserve the right to request their irreplaceable; original documents be verified upon arrival on campus for same-day verification. Same-day verification is only awarded to those who submit their irreplaceable and official academic records to the Office of International Services (OIS) in-person.
International documentation is nonreturnable, unless deemed irreplaceable. An irreplaceable document is defined by Indiana University as:
“A document that can only be issued once in a lifetime per person by a ministry of education (or other educational authority) or a document where another official copy cannot be obtained.”
International documentation, as deemed irreplaceable by the Office of International Services (OIS), may be returned after the conferral of your degree or certificate at your sole request. Indiana University will not voluntarily return your documentation upon degree conferral.
The Data Science Graduate Office will return materials if all of the below is followed:
NOTE: Any documents requested to be returned through mail, will be at your expense. The Data Science Graduate Office is not reliable for any damages that should occur prior, during, or after the delivery of the documents.
The length of time it will take to review your application depends on the time of the year you apply, the number of applications we receive, and the size of the current admissions committee.
After your application fee has been processed and your application forwarded to us for review, the committee strives to complete the review process in four to five weeks from the application deadline.
The Data Science Program has limited funds to distribute. The number of students who apply to our program each year, as well as the competitiveness of each applicant, determines the number of financial awards we are able to offer.
Our aid packages typically do not cover full tuition or large stipends. All completed admissions applications will be considered for financial aid or fellowship by the admissions committee at the time of the application review. If you are offered admission, your admit letter will detail the financial award.
Learn more about financial aid at IU.
