Apply to Graduate School

We invite you to explore our graduate programs and to discover where a Loyola University Maryland degree can take you. Our graduate students are socially responsible leaders within their professions, and in their personal lives. We are ready to work with you personally to help you learn more and, when you're ready, help you apply to a program that will take your career to the next level.

* International applicants are eligible to complete this program fully online outside of the United States. Please note: a Form I-20 cannot be issued for this program.

Prerequisites

Master of Science in Data Science

The Master of Science in Data Science program is open to students from any major.

Students are expected to have taken a college-level introductory statistics course. The statistics requirement can be satisfied by taking Loyola's preparatory course, DS 510: Applied Business Statistics or another approved introductory statistics course.

Incoming students may waive the CS701: Introduction to Programming course if they have significant prior experience with computer programming. This can be demonstrated in one of the following ways:

• An undergraduate major or minor in Computer Science or Data Science.
• Employment in a profession where computer programming in a language such as Python or Java is a significant component of the job.
• Successful completion of a graduate-level computer science or computer programming course in Python.

Applicants who do not already meet one of the criteria above must apply for admission to the Summer term.

Micro-Credential Program

The application will be reviewed to assess the student’s background in computer programming and statistics. At a minimum, students are expected to have taken a college-level introductory statistics course. Additionally, only those with prior experience in computer programming may start in the Data Science micro-credential. Applicants to the micro-credential program must select "Non-degree, Data Science" as the Degree of Interest in the application.

Application Deadlines

Start Term	Application Deadline
Summer	May 1
Fall	August 1
Spring	December 1

At the discretion of the department, applications will continue to be reviewed after the deadline on a space-available basis.

Application Requirements

• Application form
• Non-refundable $60 application fee
• Official transcripts from all degree-granting institutions attended. The admission committee reserves the right to request official transcripts from universities where an applicant attended but did not complete a degree. Please note that not submitting all transcripts where courses have been completed could impact course waivers.
• All foreign transcripts must be translated and evaluated by an approved international academic record evaluation service. Visit the International Academic Records page for a list of approved services.
• International applicants must also complete additional requirements. Please visit the Graduate Admission for International Students page.
• Official English language examination scores are required for applicants who have not earned (or will not be earning) a bachelor's or higher degree from a college or university where English is the sole language of instruction. For additional details and a list of accepted English language exams, visit the English Language Examination Requirements page.
• Essay - In 500-1000 words: Why is data science important to you at this particular point in your life/career? How do you think the Data Science program will benefit you in your career pursuits and how will you apply what you learn in our program? What computer science/programming skills do you have and what languages are you comfortable using?
• Professional resume
• One professional/academic letter of recommendation 

We strongly recommend that all applicants have their schools send us official e-transcripts if possible. If your school uses an automated transcript request service, select “Loyola University Maryland” as the receiving institution, and be sure to select “Graduate” or “Graduate Admission” as the receiving office. If your school does not use an automated transcript request service but will still send an official transcript on your behalf via email, have your school send your transcript to graduate@loyola.edu.

If your school is unable to provide electronic transcripts of any kind, your transcripts must be sent to us by mail in envelopes sealed by the school. Our mailing address can be found on the Graduate Admission webpage.

If you have any questions or need help with the application process, please contact the Office of Graduate Admission at 410-617-5020 or email at graduate@loyola.edu.

Additional Application Information

It is the policy of departmental admission committees to give promising applicants the opportunity to undertake graduate work. A careful examination of an applicant's academic and professional qualifications precedes every admission decision. The committees look for previous academic achievement by considering an applicant's undergraduate and graduate records. Work experience is assessed through the presentation of a resume or vitae and professional references.

Applicants accepted for graduate study will be advised in writing. At the time of admission, individuals will be informed of any courses for which they have qualified for advanced standing and/or additional courses or prerequisites requiring completion before commencing their graduate studies. A program advisor who assists in planning a program of study will be assigned, and students are responsible for discussing any special needs they may have with their advisor.

Non-Discrimination

Loyola University Maryland does not discriminate and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), sex, age, religion, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military status, or any other legally protected classification covered by federal or state law in the administration of any of its educational programs and activities or with respect to admission or employment. The designated compliance officer to ensure compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, as amended (Title IX), the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended (ADA), and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (Section 504), is David Tiscione, Director of Title IX and Bias Compliance (105 Jenkins Hall, 410-617-5171, dmtiscione@loyola.edu). Inquiries about the application of Title IX, ADA, or Section 504 may be made to David Tiscione, the Office for Civil Rights (OCR), or both. Inquiries about discrimination related to any other protected class aside from sex or disability may be made to Rodney Parker, Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer (Humanities 224, 410-617-2201, rparker1@loyola.edu), OCR, or both.

The Loyola University Maryland nondiscrimination policy and grievance procedures and information regarding how to report information or make a complaint about conduct that may constitute discrimination can be found in the following places:

• Sex discrimination: Loyola University Maryland Title IX and Bias Compliance Website
• Discrimination on protected classifications (non sex-based): Loyola University Maryland Title IX and Bias Compliance website for students and Human Resources website for employees

Loyola University Maryland is authorized under Federal Law to enroll non-immigrant, alien students.

Accessibility Accommodations

If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, please contact the Office of Graduate Admission at graduate@loyola.edu or 410-617-5020.