Progressive Degree Program

For current progressive degree students, please contact the Data Science Program for curriculum, academic preparation, and course plan questions.

For prospective progressive degree students, please contact datascience@usc.edu.

Viterbi requires an undergraduate GPA of 3.2 or higher in order to apply for the progressive degree program. Students in computer science and data science programs are directly eligible to apply. Other Viterbi majors, computational Dornsife majors are, and other USC majors with appropriate prerequisite coursework are also eligible.

Prerequisite Courses

Students considering a progressive degree program in data science should have a minimum quantitative background of Calculus I and Statistics. Acceptable courses and exams include:

Calculus I

• A score of 4 or 5 on AP Calculus AB or BC
• MATH 125 Calculus I (MATH 118 is not acceptable)

Statistics

• A score of 4 or 5 on AP Statistics
• BUAD 310: Applied Business Statistics
• BUAD 312: Statistics and Data Science for Business
• EE 364: Introduction to Probability and Statistics for Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
• MATH 407: Probability Theory
• PSYC 274: Statistics

Programming

• Although not required for admission to the program, students are encouraged to develop Python programming skills early on. Students who have taken ITP 115 Programming in Python and have a strong programming background may be eligible to waive DSCI 510 Principles of Programming in Data Science.

Prerequisite course subjects may be transferred to USC if taken during summer semesters. Students should submit a Transfer Credit Pre-Approval via OASIS to ensure their course will transfer to USC. A department review of transferred prerequisite courses may be required so please retain your course syllabus.

Course Plans and Course Waivers

Depending on the program of study and the student’s academic background, progressive degree students may be eligible for one or two course waivers in their graduate program of study. Students applying to the progressive degree program will work with an academic advisor to determine the courses required for their progressive M.S. program. 

For Computer Science/Data Science undergraduate students interested in Applied Data Science (APDS), Communication Data Science (CMDS), Environmental Data Science (ENDS), and Healthcare Data Science (HCDS), the traditional 32 unit program can be reduced to a minimum of 24 units (for APDS) and 28 units (for all other programs).

For non-CSCI/DSCI undergraduate students interested in APDS, CMDS, ENDS, or HCDS, you may be eligible for a unit reduction upon completion of ITP 115 or ITP 116.

All students interested in the Cybersecurity Engineering (CYEN) program are eligible for a 8-unit (2 course) reduction.

The courses for the all progressive Master's degrees may not be at the 400-level and must be at the 500-level.

For further questions related to unit reduction, course planning, and program requirements, please see below. If you have further questions, please reach out to the advisement team for more information.

The course plan must include graded graduate level CSCI/DSCI courses. Directed Research and Internship can be taken but will not be counted in the minimum units required for the progressive Master's degree.

What is the program of study (PoSt) code for each of the programs is listed below:

• Applied Data Science (PoSt 1711)
• Cyber Security Engineering (PoSt 1590)
• Communication Data Science (PoSt 1716)
• Healthcare Data Science (PoSt 1731)
• Environmental Data Science (PoSt 1790)

Yes! PDP students may be considered for a tuition award of up to $10,000 toward the M.S. degree.  Applications are submitted online at https://viterbigrad.usc.edu/tuition-and-funding/pdp-scholarship/ where there is further information about the timeline and eligibility.

Admissible Undergraduates: CSCI/DSCI majors and minors, other Viterbi majors, and other USC majors with appropriate course work.

Course Waiver Criteria: CSCI/DSCI students or other students in computational/program intensive programs will receive a 2 course waiver resulting in a 24 unit graduate program. CSCI/DSCI students and Applied Analytics minors will take the more advanced DSCI courses for their core DSCI requirements. Other students should expect to complete the core of the program, but will be eligible for the waiver of one elective course for a 28 unit program. Students with a prior Python programming background (ITP 115/116 or equivalent) are eligible for a waiver of DSCI 510 for a 24 unit program or can count DSCI 510 in the undergraduate degree for free elective credit.

Progressive Degree Plans:

M.S. Applied Data Science for CSCI/DSCI + Other Computational Major Students
(24 unit program)

1. DSCI 551 (4)
2. DSCI 552 (4)
3. DSCI 553 (4)
4. DSCI ELECTIVE*
5. DSCI ELECTIVE*
6. CSCI/DSCI ELECTIVE*
   *Electives must come from DSCI course offerings, but 1 CSCI course may be approved.
   *Electives chosen from: CSCI 544, CSCI 550, CSCI 561, CSCI 566, CSCI 570, CSCI 571, CSCI 572, CSCI 587, CSCI DSCI 529, DSCI 554, DSCI 555, DSCI 556, DSCI 558, DSCI 560, DSCI 564, DSCI 599.

M.S. Applied Data Science for Other Students
(24 or 28 units program)

1. DSCI 510** (4)
2. DSCI 549 (4)
3. DSCI 550 (4)
4. DSCI 551 (4)
5. DSCI 552 (4)
6. DSCI 553 (4)
7. ELECTIVE*
   **DSCI 510 may be waived if the student has taken a prior Python programming course (ITP 115/115 or equivalent). Alternatively, students can take DSCI 510 as a free elective and count it in their undergraduate program if free elective credit is needed. Electives must come from DSCI course offerings, but 1 CSCI course may be approved (see list above).

Admissible Undergraduates: BME majors, CSCI/DSCI majors and minors, other Viterbi majors, other USC majors with appropriate course work such as math, science, computational, and biological/health science majors from Keck or Dornsife.

Course Waiver Criteria: CSCI/DSCI students or other students in computational/program intensive programs will receive a 1 course waiver resulting in a 28 unit graduate program. DSCI 510 will be waived due to the significant programming experience gained in the undergraduate degree. CSCI/DSCI students will take the more advanced DSCI courses for their core DSCI requirements. All other students should expect to complete the full 32 unit program, but will potentially be able to accelerate completion through the PDP admission process by starting graduate course work while in senior year of the undergraduate degree.

Progressive Degree Plans:

M.S. Healthcare Data Science for CSCI/DSCI Students + Other Computational Major Students
(28 units PDP)

1. DSCI 551 (replaces DSCI 549*) (4)
2. DSCI 552 (replaces DSCI 550*) (4)
3. BME 527 (4)
4. BME 528 (4)
5. DATA SCIENCE ELECTIVE (4)
6. HEALTH SCIENCE ELECTIVE (4)
7. DATA/HEALTH SCIENCE ELECTIVE (4)

*Since CS students have a stronger programming background, DSCI 551 and DSCI 552 substitute in the core.

**DSCI 510 is waived due to CS student programming background.

M.S. Healthcare Data Science for Other Students
(28-32 units PDP)

1. DSCI 510** (4)
2. DSCI 549 (4)
3. DSCI 550 (4)
4. BME 527 (4)
5. BME 528 (4)
6. DATA SCIENCE ELECTIVE (4)
7. HEALTH SCIENCE ELECTIVE (4)
8. DATA/HEALTH SCIENCE ELECTIVE (4)

**Students who have taken a Python programming course as part of their undergraduate degree may waive DSCI 510.

Admissible Undergraduates: Environmental studies majors, CSCI/DSCI majors and minors, other Viterbi majors, other USC majors with appropriate course work such as math, science, computational, and public policy majors from Price or Dornsife.

Course Waiver Criteria: CSCI/DSCI students or other students in computational/program intensive programs will receive a 1 course waiver resulting in a 28 unit graduate program. DSCI 510 will be waived due to the significant programming experience gained in the undergraduate degree. CSCI/DSCI students will take the more advanced DSCI courses for their core DSCI requirements. All other students should expect to complete the full 32 unit program, but will potentially be able to accelerate completion through the PDP admission process by starting graduate course work while in senior year of the undergraduate degree.

Progressive Degree Plans:

M.S. Environmental Data Science for CSCI/DSCI + Other Computational Major Students
(28 units PDP)

1. DSCI 551 (replaces DSCI 549*) (4)
2. DSCI 552 (replaces DSCI 550*) (4)
3. ENST 500 (4)
4. ENST 530(4)
5. SSCI 581 (4)
6. DATA SCIENCE ELECTIVE (4)
7. ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES ELECTIVE (4)

*Since CS students have a stronger programming background, DSCI 551 and DSCI 552 substitute in the core.

**DSCI 510 is waived due to CS student programming background.

M.S. Environmental Data Science for Other Students
(28-32 units PDP)

1. DSCI 510** (4)
2. DSCI 549 (4)
3. DSCI 550 (4)
4. ENST 500
5. ENST 530 (4)
6. SSCI 581 (4)
7. DATA SCIENCE ELECTIVE (4)
8. ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES ELECTIVE (4)

**Students who have taken a Python programming course as part of their undergraduate degree may waive DSCI 510.

Admissible Undergraduates: Annenberg majors, CSCI/DSCI majors and minors, other Viterbi majors, other USC majors with appropriate course work. PDP admission requires approval from Dean designees of both schools.

Course Waiver Criteria: Annenberg students will complete the 32 units required for the program. However, two graduate communication courses (8 units) will be counted toward their undergraduate degree’s communication electives. The remaining 24 units of graduate courses count toward the graduate degree. CSCI/DSCI students or other students in computational/program intensive programs will receive a 1 course waiver resulting in a 28 unit graduate program. DSCI 510 will be waived due to the significant programming experience gained in the undergraduate degree. CSCI/DSI students will take the more advanced DSCI courses for their core DSCI requirements. All other students should expect to complete the full 32 unit program, but will potentially be able to accelerate completion through the PDP admission process by starting graduate course work while in senior year of the undergraduate degree.

Progressive Degree Plans:

M.S. Communication Data Science for Annenberg Students
(32 units: 24 graduate units in MS, 8 graduate units in BA)

1. DSCI 510 (4)
2. DSCI 549 (4)
3. DSCI 550 (4)
4. COMM 502 (4)
5. COMM 557 (4)
6. COMM CORE ELECTIVE (4, UG credit*)
7. COMM CORE ELECTIVE (4, UG credit*)
8. CSCI/DSCI CORE ELECTIVE (4)
   *8 units of graduate communication courses will be counted toward the undergraduate degree.

M.S. Communication Data Science for Other Students
(32 units PDP – no unit reduction*)

1. DSCI 510 (4)
2. DSCI 549 (4)
3. DSCI 550 (4)
4. COMM 502 (4)
5. COMM 557(4)
6. COMM CORE ELECTIVE (4, UG credit*)
7. COMM CORE ELECTIVE (4, UG credit*)
8. DSCI CORE ELECTIVE (4)
   *students who need free elective credit to reach the minimum required units for their undergraduate degree may count a maximum of two graduate courses (8 units) for undergraduate credit.

M.S. Communication Data Science for CS/DSCI Students
(28 units PDP)

1. DSCI 551 (replaces DSCI 549*) (4)
2. DSCI 552 (replaces DSCI 550*) (4)
3. COMM 502 (4)
4. COMM 557 (4)
5. COMM CORE ELECTIVE (4)
6. COMM CORE ELECTIVE (4)
7. CSCI/DSCI CORE ELECTIVE (4)

*Since CSCI/DSCI students have a stronger programming background, DSCI 551 and DSCI 552 will substitute in the core.

**DSCI 510 is waived due to CS student programming background. Students may consider taking DSCI 549.

Note: The traditional degree typically admits Fall only, but PDP students may be able to start in any semester.

Admission Eligibility by Program
CSCI/DSCI majors and minors, other Engineering Majors, and Math, Science, Computational Majors from Dornsife.

Progressive CYEN M.S. Degree Requirements

5 courses or 20 units required

Required courses (5):

1. CSCI 530*
2. DSCI 519
3. DSCI 523
4. DSCI 525
5. DSCI 529

*If UG has taken CSCI 430 for BS, they can waive CSCI 530 and replace it with DSCI 526 OR DSCI 528