Frequently Asked Questions

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• When are the application deadlines?

  Application Deadlines:

  Enrolling in spring semester

  October 15

  Enrolling in fall semester

  March 15

• What if my GPA is close to, but slightly under 3.25?

  Under 3.25 GPA

  An overall GPA of 3.25 on a 4.0 scale is required from the undergraduate program in which the bachelor’s degree is earned.

  However, candidates with a GPA of less than a 3.25 will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

• GRE Scores are Required for International Students

  GRE scores will be used to make admission decisions but no specific minimum score is required. For information about taking the GRE, go to https://www.ets.org/gre

  Individuals who have already completed a graduate-level program and are well into established careers in a related field may be admitted without the GRE requirement, based on admission committee approval.

• Good Standing - what is the minimum enrollment requirement?

  Good Standing

  Once an individual has started the Master's program they must take at least one course per semester Fall and Spring. There is no requirement to take a course in the Summer.

• Where do I send my transcripts?

  Transcripts

  Official transcripts of your academic record from all previous colleges or universities attended should be submitted. For the fastest and most efficient transcript ordering experience, please order your official transcripts online through the National Student Clearinghouse. 

  All electronic transcripts should be sent from the clearinghouse or directly from the institution to the following email address: msds@weber.edu

  All transcripts sent via mail must be UNOPENED in their original sealed envelope. Request official transcripts be sent directly to the following address:

  MSDS Admission Committee
  Weber State University
  1465 Edvalson St., Dept. 1801
  Ogden Utah 84408-1801

• How many courses can be transferred toward my MS from a WSU bachelor's degree?

  Course Transfer from a WSU Bachelor's Degree

  Students in the MSDS program who took WSU undergraduate CS 5000-level courses may have up to six (6) credits applied toward their MS degree under the conditions that the courses were taken within the previous three (3) years of MSDS program admittance and the student earned a “B” or higher in each course.

  Please note:

  • WSU undergraduate CS 5000-level courses will be listed on your undergraduate transcript and will not appear on your graduate transcript.
  • If you are planning to apply for a doctorial program, contact the intended program to inquire if their Admissions Office will view 5000-level courses as equivalent to 6000-level courses. 
• How many courses can be transferred toward my MS from another MS program?

  Course Transfer from another MS program

  At least two-thirds (20 credits) of the total credit hours of a student’s master degree must be earned from this MS program here at Weber State University. A maximum of one-third (10 credits) of the total semester graduate credits earned at another, regionally-accredited institution may be approved on a case-by-case basis. (PPM 11-1, VI.)

• As a provisional graduate student, what courses can I take?

  What you can take

  As a provisional graduate student you have to take the leveling courses that the admissions committee required of you at the time of acceptance including any prerequisite courses. The exact courses that you have to take will be dependent on each student. However, the list of leveling courses is repeated here for convenience:

  • Integral calculus:  MATH 1216 or MATH 1220 or QUAN 2400.
  • Descriptive and inferential statistics: MATH 3410 or MATH 3450 or QUAN 3610 or COMM 3150 or PSY 3600.
  • Linear algebra: MATH 2270.
  • Programming basics: CS 2420.
  • Database basics: CS 2550 or MIS 3210.

  
  *NOTE: Many of theses courses have prerequisites. For example, CS 2420 has a prerequisite of CS 1410 or CS 2250. CS 1410 has a prerequisite of CS 1400.

  What you can NOT take

  Provisional graduate students are prohibited from taking any 5000-level or 6000-level CS courses.

  Minimum Grade

  All leveling courses must be completed with a 'B' or higher. Any leveling course may be repeated at most twice. If you fail to pass with a 'B' or higher any required leveling course after two attempts then you will be removed from the program.

  Can I take other undergraduate courses besides the leveling courses?

  As a provisional graduate student you may take any undergraduate course where you meet the prerequisites. However, none of those courses will be counted towards a Master's of Science in Data Science. However, you may count those additional classes towards another bachelor's degree. For further questions about additional bachelor's degrees please see the specific program that you are interested in.

• As a graduate student, how many credits do I have to take to stay in good standing?

  Minimum number of credits taken per semester

  As a graduate student you have to take a minimum of two (2) credits in the Fall and Spring (excluding summer) to stay in good standing.

  What about provisional graduate students?

  Provisional graduate students also have to take a minimum of two (2) credits in the Fall and Spring.

• I am still an undergraduate student. How many CS 5000-level courses am I allowed to take?

  Undergradue CS 5000-level limit

  You may take up to 2 CS 5000-level courses as an undergraduate student.

• Are Research Assistantships and Tutoring Assistantships Available?

  Research and Tutoring Assistantships

  Research Assistants earn an hourly wage in exchange for the number of hours assisting MSDS professors with their research projects. Occasionally, funding is available through grants obtained by faculty allowing a Research Assistant to earn a tuition waiver. Upon acceptance into the program, graduate students may contact the MSDS Program Director for further information.

  Tutoring Assistantships are available. Fore example, students wishing to tutor computer science students earn an hourly wage in exchange for the number of hours tutoring undergraduate students in the School of Computing.

• Are Non-Resident Tuition Waivers Available?

  Non-Resident Tuition Waivers

  All non-resident students, including international students, who have an overall GPA of 3.25 upon entry into the program will receive a tuition waiver* for the non-resident portion of their tuition. Non-resident and international students must maintain a 3.25 GPA to continue to receive the waiver and must notify msds@weber.edu each semester to request the waiver be applied to their tuition.

  *Tuition waivers do not include the cost of the graduate differential or student fees.

• I am an international student. Are there additional requirements?

  International Applicants

  If you are an international applicant, you need to complete additional paperwork in order to comply with university and U.S. immigration regulations. If you have questions about the Weber State University admissions process for international applicants, you may contact Admissions at 801-626-6005 or admissions@weber.edu or visit the Weber State University International Student and Scholar Center.

  Requirements

  • Take the TOEFL or IELTS. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International Language Testing System (IELTS) which is not more than two years old. Applicants are required to have an internet-based TOEFL score of 79-80 or a minimum IELTS score of 6.0. Official score reports must be sent from E.T.S. to Weber State University. WSU’s institutional code is 4941-4211. Visit the TOEFL website for more information. 
  • Have your foreign credentials evaluated. You must also have your foreign credentials evaluated by a foreign credential evaluation company.  Visit our International Student & Scholar Center website for a list of approved companies.
  • An overall GPA of 3.25 on a 4.0 scale is required from the undergraduate program in which the bachelor’s degree is earned.
  • Take the GRE. GRE scores will be used to make admission decisions but no specific minimum score is required. For information about taking the GRE, go to https://www.ets.org/gre

   

  • Request official TOEFL or IELTS scores and evaluated transcripts be sent directly to the following address:

    MSDS Admission Committee
    Weber State University
    1465 Edvalson St Dept 1801
    Ogden UT 84408-1801

• I am not interested in getting a Master's degree. May I take graduate courses? (Non-Matriculated Students)

  Non-Matriculated Students

  Non-matriculated students are anyone taking courses while not formally admitted into the MSDS program. They may be either non-degree seeking, or may plan to join the MSDS program at a later date.

  May I (a non-matriculated student) take graduate courses?

  Yes. You may take up to three (3) 6000-level courses. You may not take a 5000-level course - those are reserved for advanced Bachelor's level students.