ACADEMICS
Undergraduate Programs
Computer-based information systems facilitate, enable and often define the relationships between corporations and consumers, buyers and suppliers, businesses of all sizes, social networks, and citizens and their governments. Understanding these relationships and effectively addressing the collection, flow and distribution of information is vital to the effectiveness of any modern organization, enterprise or government agency.
The Bachelor of Arts in Data Science is a cooperative degree program involving the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences and the USC Viterbi School of Engineering. Students complete 128 units, including at least 70 units of courses in Dornsife College and at least 38 units of courses in Viterbi School of Engineering. Units completed in Viterbi include the basic programming and data science requirements, while units completed in Dornsife College include the general education and writing requirements, the Dornsife College foreign language requirement, and an advisor-approved disciplinary specialization of at least 24 units.
This 60-unit major blends core economics instruction with coursework in data science, computer science, and mathematics to train students in applying advanced data science techniques to the analysis and formulation of economic problems.
Students perform complex calculations, create models, interpret data, identify patterns, and draw conclusions. With additional courses in computation, programming language, and data science, this degree prepares students to bridge the divide between “Big Data” engineers and end users in a variety of industries. Careers that value these skills include economist, economic consultant, data scientist, market research analyst, management consultant, financial analyst, and policy analyst. Industries include research and consulting firms, businesses, government entities, healthcare, and non-profit organizations.
The Foundations of Data Science minor teaches students the skills to apply techniques in data science to problems in their own discipline. Students will learn the basics of programming, how to apply statistics to evaluate data and techniques in data management, machine learning and visualization. Choosing from a variety of electives, students will be able to tailor this minor to learn the techniques most relevant to their needs.
The Progressive Degree Program (PDP) gives continuing USC undergraduates another path to earning a Master’s degree from USC. If admitted, students have the option to start graduate-level classes during their senior year and request a reduction in the units required for the Master’s degree, which allows students to earn the M.S. degree in an accelerated time frame. The Progressive Degree Program must be completed within six years of a student's first undergraduate college course, whether taken at USC or in transfer.
Master of Science Programs
Programs Offered through Viterbi
The Master of Science in Applied Data Science will train students as data scientists. This degree provides students with the knowledge and skill to solve real-world world challenges that require a combination of data management and data analytics skills. Students will learn how to use the latest big-data infrastructures, including Hadoop and Spark. They will learn how to use various analytical tools, including machine learning, data mining and data visualization. Students will also learn how to apply these tools to real-world problems.
The Master of Science in Cyber Security Engineering focuses on the fundamental theories and practices for designing, engineering, and operating high assurance secure information systems. The program is intended for students who desire to obtain jobs that require computer security knowledge and skills, wish to continue on a path toward doctoral degree enrollment in information security, or who are currently in job fields that have responsibility for information security.
The Master of Science in Communication Data Science is an interdisciplinary joint degree program offered by the Viterbi School of Engineering and the Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. Students must be admitted by both schools.
Students will become experts in the emerging field of data science for communication. Graduates will learn about the theories and principles underlying human communication and the ways people utilize and engage with communication technologies. They will also understand the technical underpinnings of emerging communication platforms, ranging from social media to enterprise collaboration platforms to virtual and augmented reality. They will have the capability to build these technologies and effectively manage teams that do so. They will also master the theoretical and technical tools to investigate and analyze large volumes of data generated by digital communication platforms using machine learning and artificial intelligence.
The Master of Science in Communication Data Science Dual Degree with Tsinghua University School of Journalism and Communication leads to two Master degrees, one from each institution: a Master of Science in Communication Data Science (a cross-disciplinary joint degree program offered by the USC Viterbi School of Engineering and the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism) and a Master of Journalism and Communication from the Tsinghua University (THU) School of Journalism and Communication.
The two institutions, USC and THU, have a formal partnership to amplify cooperation between USC and THU and between the United States and China to capitalize on the synergies of the respective curricula and provide students with the opportunity for a unique transcultural and cross-disciplinary experience that will position them to be global leaders in their field.
The Master of Science in Environmental Data Science is an interdisciplinary joint degree program offered by the Viterbi School of Engineering and the Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences. Students must be admitted by both the Viterbi School of Engineering and the Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences.
The application of data science to complex environmental problems has become increasingly important in evaluating large-scale environmental challenges. Data science technologies complement interdisciplinary analyses of complex environmental issues ranging over many topics such as climate change, water and air pollution, policy analysis, terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem management, biodiversity, and many others. The curriculum is designed to prepare individuals to develop and use sophisticated analytical and computer-based methods to assess and protect the Earth’s natural resources.
The Master of Science in Healthcare Data Science is an interdisciplinary joint degree program offered by the Viterbi School of Engineering and the Keck School of Medicine. Students must be admitted by the Viterbi School of Engineering.
Students will complete a core set of courses to provide a foundation in data science and health, and choose electives to optimize their preparation for their preferred career path and unique professional opportunities. Data science for addressing healthcare needs is an increasingly important area for creating novel devices, advancing biomedical research, and developing innovative processes that require integrative approaches linking data systems, analytics, business processes, and decision support.
The Master of Science in Data Science and Law (minimum 32 units) is designed for individuals interested in the convergence of data science and law. The curriculum integrates courses from the Viterbi School of Engineering in data science and machine learning with those from the Gould School of Law in artificial intelligence, intellectual property law, information privacy and internet law.
The program is tailored for individuals with a robust academic background, high professional aspirations, strong personal commitment and effective communication skills that align with the demanding nature of this master’s degree program. Individuals who have already obtained a Juris Doctor (JD) or equivalent are encouraged to apply.
Programs Offered through Joint Schools
The Master of Science in Economics and Data Science combines core economic theory and econometric methods with foundational instruction in computing skills for data science, including distributed data systems, machine learning and large-scale data processing. Coursework is equally weighted between the Department of Economics in USC Dornsife and the Data Science Program at USC Viterbi. The program trains students to apply modern empirical techniques and exploit available large data sets to carry out sophisticated economic analyses of relevance to the public, private and nonprofit sectors. At the same time, the program provides budding data scientists with the analytical power of economics to structure empirical projects. As a result, graduates of the program are equipped to participate in a wide range of professional careers.
The Master of Science in Data Science for Learning Applications is designed for individuals who seek to merge data science with learning and motivation research in order to create data-enhanced education. Upon completion of the program, graduates are prepared for such roles as data analysts, learning management systems analysts and technology specialists in the education sector. Their competencies encompass data collection design and implementation, data analysis and application to enhance instructional design, learner support and educational outcomes. The program comprises 32 units, with students completing 16 units in the Rossier School of Education and 16 units in the Viterbi School of Engineering.
The Master of Science in Spatial Data Science is an interdisciplinary joint degree program offered by the Viterbi School of Engineering and the Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences. Students must be admitted by both the Viterbi School of Engineering and the Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences.
Geospatial data accessibility, spatial decision support systems and geospatial problem solving environments are revolutionizing most industries and disciplines, including healthcare, marketing, social services, human security, education, environmental sustainability and transportation. Spatial data science professionals draw upon engineering, computer science and spatial sciences principles to solve data-intensive, large-scale, location-based problems.
The Master of Science in Public Policy Data Science (MPPDS) program trains students to apply data science to solve complex public policy challenges.
Harness big data for social good.
The effective use of data science in public policy has the potential to revolutionize how organizations work and how public policy is created. The Master of Science in Public Policy Data Science (MPPDS), a joint program between the USC Price School of Public Policy and the USC Viterbi School of Engineering, will hone your ability to make data-driven decisions that can positively inform policy. With this skillset, you can help organizations from every sector, including nonprofits and private companies in addition to public agencies, become more transparent, accountable, and swift in their decision-making.
Certificate Programs
The graduate certificate program in Data Science Foundations teaches students the foundations of data science from a computing perspective. This program is designed for students with a wide range of backgrounds who have no formal computer science education but have strong math and science skills.
Students who complete this certificate will be able to pursue professional careers in data science. They will be eligible to be considered for admission to the following MSc programs in data science: Applied Data Science, Communications Data Science, Spatial Data Science, Healthcare Data Science, Public Policy Data Science, and Environmental Data Science.
The graduate certificate program in Applied Data Science teaches students advanced topics in data science. This program is designed for students with a formal computer science education who want to improve their skills in extracting insights from large amounts of data.
Students who complete this certificate will be able to pursue professional careers in data science. They will be eligible to be considered for admission to the following MSc programs in data science: Applied Data Science, Communications Data Science, Spatial Data Science, Healthcare Data Science, Public Policy Data Science, and Environmental Data Science.
