Data Science and Business Analytics, M.S.

Complete your online application by the following dates:

• Fall Admission (August):
  • ​Priority Application Submission Deadline: March 1^st
  • Final Application Submission Deadline: August 1^st
• Spring Admission (January):
  • Priority Application Submission Deadline: October 1^st  
  • Final Application Submission Deadline: December 1^st

Applications received after the Priority Application Submission Date will be reviewed on a space-available basis. Applicants may submit their application earlier than the deadline for consideration for admission.

GRE/GMAT Waiver Eligibility

The DSBA master’s program will waive the GRE/GMAT requirement for applicants who have earned a degree from an accredited U.S. institution with a cumulative undergraduate or graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher. The GRE requirement may also be waived for applicants who hold a terminal degree (Ph.D., MD, or JD) or who have earned a degree from an accredited U.S. institution with a minimum GPA of 3.0.

Application Checklist

In addition to the general requirements for admission to UNC Charlotte’s Graduate School, the following are required for the Master’s Degree in Data Science & Business Analytics:

• A bachelor’s degree, or its equivalent, from a regionally accredited college or university
• A minimum GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) for all coursework completed beyond high school
• An online application through the Graduate School’s application system
• Unofficial transcripts for all college coursework attempted
• Three letters of recommendation from faculty, supervisors, or professional mentors
• Official GRE or GMAT scores (Eligibility for a waiver is outlined above)
• Official TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo scores for international applicants whose first language is not English
• Optional: Resume or CV

Program Prerequisites

• Minimal background in mathematics, including one semester of calculus and one semester of statistics.
• Current working knowledge of one higher-level Procedural language (Python, C, Java, etc.), and familiarity with computer applications.

The M.S. in Data Science and Business Analytics (DSBA) requires 11 classes. Students may transfer up to six credit hours with approval, and credits from the Graduate Certificate in Data Science and Business Analytics may count toward the degree.

Core Courses (18 Credits)

• DSBA 6160 Databases for Data Scientists
• DSBA 6201 Business Intelligence and Analytics
• DSBA 5122 Visual Analytics and Storytelling
• DSBA 6276 Strategic Business Analytics
• DSBA 6156 Applied Machine Learning
• DSBA 6211 Advanced Analytics

Elective Courses (12 Credits)

At least one course from Data Science electives and one from Business Analytics electives.

Capstone Options

• Internship (3 credits) or
• Master’s Thesis (6 credits), requiring research over at least two semesters.

SDS Graduate Assistantships

Graduate Assistantships offer valuable mentorship and financial support, making them highly competitive. At the graduate level, these positions are typically categorized into two types: Teaching Assistantships (TAs) and Instructional Assistantships (IAs). The School of Data Science (SDS) funds between 30 and 35 assistantships each semester, available exclusively to students enrolled in SDS academic programs. Students interested in a TA position must reapply each semester. For more information on how to apply, please visit the Graduate Assistantship page under the “Current Students” tab. Please note that SDS Assistantships do not include tuition remission.

Funding Resources

Graduate Admissions curates a detailed page of resources to help navigate funding your education.

Financial Aid

The Office of Student Financial Aid administers several federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs to graduate students at UNC Charlotte who complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

The FAFSA helps U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens gain access to gift aid (repayment not required) such as grants, or self-help aid (direct repayment or service required), like loans and Federal Work-Study awards. For assistance with the FAFSA or your financial aid search, please visit the Office of Student Financial Aid in Reese 122, or visit their website at NinerCentral.