The MS in Computer Science - Data Science provides students with a core background in Computer Science and specialized algorithmic, statistical, and systems expertise in acquiring, storing, accessing, analyzing, and visualizing large, heterogeneous and real-time data associated with diverse real-world domains including energy, the environment, health, media, medicine, and transportation.
International Students: This program is eligible for the OPT STEM extension.
Please Note: Requirements for graduation, course offerings, course availability, track offerings, and any other degree requirements are subject to change. Students should consult with an academic advisor prior to registering for any classes.
- A minimum of 32 units is required for the MS in Computer Science - Data Science degree
- Required Courses: 12 units
- Group Elective Courses: 9-12 units (minimum of one course from each of two groups)
- Additional Elective Courses: 8-11 units
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required for graduation
- A maximum of 4 units may be taken from approved 400-level courses in either Electrical Engineering or Computer Science; the remaining units must be approved courses at the 500 or 600 level
Detailed Program Curriculum and RequirementsSchedule of Classes
APPLICATION DEADLINES
| SEMESTER | DEADLINE |
| Spring 2023 | September 15, 2022* |
| Fall 2023 | December 15, 2022* |
On-campus students who apply by published deadlines will be considered for scholarships if admitted.
Online DEN@Viterbi applicants can view the Master's Scholarships (DEN@Viterbi) page for scholarship opportunities.
* An application deadline extension may be available on a case-by-case basis for applicants intending to pursue their degree in its entirety as an online DEN@Viterbi student. Please email den@viterbi.usc.edu for more details.
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Ready to Apply page for more information.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Applicants are required to have completed or be in process of completing an undergraduate degree in computer science or its equivalent from a regionally-accredited university, and must possess substantial computing background. Please review detailed Computer Science eligibility criteria.
The following materials are required to be included with your online application:
- Transcripts: Upload Electronic Transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. A mailed hard copy or official e-transcript is not required for admission to our programs.
- Submit an electronic copy of official transcripts (.pdf recommended) and other degree related documents through the online graduate application (International applicants, visit USC Graduate Admission’s Country Requirements page for details on required documents)
- Unofficial transcripts from university student portals are not acceptable
- If the transcript includes a separate grading scale, make sure it is also uploaded
- For upload purposes, all transcript related documents for a single school must be submitted as one document
- If you are admitted, you will be given specific instructions on submitting your hard copy transcripts
- Resume/CV
- Personal Statement : The personal statement should describe succinctly your reasons for applying to the proposed program at the Viterbi School of Engineering, your preparation for this field of study, study interests, future career plans, and other aspects of your background and interests which may aid the admissions committee in evaluating your aptitude and motivation for graduate study.
- GRE: General GRE test scores are not required for 2023
- Letters of Recommendation (Optional): Letters of recommendation should be from faculty or others (supervisors, professional colleagues, etc.) qualified to evaluate your potential for graduate study.
ADDITIONAL MATERIALS FOR INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS
English Language Proficiency: In addition to application requirements above, international students whose first language is not English are required to take the TOEFL or IELTS. There is no minimum TOEFL or IELTS score required for admission to the Viterbi School. For possible exemption from additional language requirements, you must achieve an Internet Based TOEFL (iBT) score of 90, with no less than 20 on each section or an IELTS score of 6.5, with no less than 6 on each band score. Please review USC Graduate Admission – Proficiency in English.
IMPORTANT: USC does not accept Duolingo and TOEFL Essentials test scores.
APPLY NOW - USC GRADUATE APPLICATION
The following is an overview of the tuition & fees for graduate engineering students. Both on-campus and DEN@Viterbi students pay the same tuition.
TUITION
| Academic Year | Per Unit Rate | 3-unit Course | 4-unit Course |
| Fall 2022 - Summer 2023* | $2,309 | $6,927 | $9,236 |
| Fall 2021 - Summer 2022* | $2,199 | $6,597 | $8,796 |
| * Tuition is the same for on-campus and online students |
ESTIMATED COST OF ATTENDANCE – 32 UNIT PROGRAM
MANDATORY STUDENT FEES - 2022/23
| Fee Description | Fee Amount | On-Campus | DEN@Viterbi |
| Student Health Center Fee | $527/semester | | |
| Norman Topping Student Aid Fee | $8/semester | | |
| ENGR Computing Access Fee (On-Campus students) | $40/semester | | |
| ENGR Computing Access Fee (DEN@Viterbi students) | $20/semester | | |
| Exam Proctoring | $40 - $100 per course | | |
| Health Insurance (U.S.-based health insurance is required, but it does not have to be through USC) | Fall 2022: $805
Spring 2023: $1,468 | | |
Visit Tuition & Fees for more information
Alumni Employment
- Activision Blizzard - Jr. Network Programmer CTRP
- Amazon
- Bank Of Changsha Company Limited - Data Analyst
- Bilibili Inc. - Software Development Engineer
- Bytedance - Back-End Engineer
- Chan Zuckerberg Initiative - AI Software Engineer
- Coinbase - Software Engineer
- DataEdge Consulting, Inc.
- Google
- Huawei - Software Engineer
- iFDC, Inc.
- LG Corporation - AI Software Engineer
- Liftoff Mobile, Inc. - Software Engineer
- Memmo.ai - Software Engineer Intern
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory - Data Scientist
- Nod Labs - Machine Learning Systems Engineer
- Oracle Corporation
- PayPal, Inc.
- Qumulo Inc. - Member of Technical Staff
- The MathWorks, Inc. - Engineering Development Group
- University of Southern California
- VMWare
This program is also available online to professional engineers through DEN@Viterbi. Because the DEN@Viterbi program provides a fully equivalent academic experience, the degree a USC engineering student earns is the same whether they are on-campus or online. If you are interested in beginning classes as a DEN@Viterbi student next semester, explore the requirements and steps to enrolling as a Limited Status Student. Learn More About DEN@Viterbi
Detailed Program Curriculum and RequirementsSchedule of Classes
DEN@VITERBI ONLINE COURSE OFFERINGS The following courses and program requirements serve as program planning for DEN@Viterbi students. Course offerings and availability are subject to change. Please consult with advisor if you have any questions.
| Required Courses |
| 3 Courses Required - 12 units total. |
| CSCI 561 | Foundations of Artificial Intelligence (4 units) |
| CSCI 570 | Analysis of Algorithms (4 units) |
| CSCI 585 | Database Systems (4 units) |
| Group Elective Courses |
| Three courses required from Group Electives - minimum of one course per group - 9-12 units. |
| Group 1 - Data Systems (Students must take CSCI 572) |
| CSCI 572 | Information Retrieval and Web Search Engines (4 units) |
| Group 2 - Data Analysis (Students must take at least one course from this group) |
| CSCI 567 | Machine Learning (4 units) |
| CSCI 573 | Probabilistic Reasoning (3 units) |
| Additional Electives |
| 8-11 units should be selected with the approval of a department advisor. |
| Any 500 or 600 level course in CSCI (including additional group electives or special topics) |
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