The Applied Data Science Graduate Certificate teaches you how to extract, refine, analyze, and deliver data that has enormous values in today's Big Data Boom. The program provides focused knowledge to equip students with skills in statistical and computational methods for acquisition and analysis of Big Data that allows them to make an immediate impact in their field and realize a more rewarding career.
Upon completion of the Applied Data Science Graduate Certificate, the student should be prepared to apply many of the common statistical methods to complement his or her every day job duties. Therefore, the student must have a basic understanding of the statistical theory and practice and should be proficient in the application of common statistical methods to one or more areas application. At the completion of the Applied Data Science Graduate Certificate, the student should be able to:
- demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the practice of data science as applicable to his or her field.
- function as a collaborator on a research team.
- critically evaluate the literature where data science applications are used.
- take a leadership role in the implementation of a research project.
- prepare reports and publications resulting from research studies.
- serve as an advocate for proper statistical design and interpretation of results in his or her field.
The application process for the Graduate Certificate in Applied Data Science is an online process. Detailed instructions on how to apply are posted on the Department of Biostatistics & Data Science website. Students may be admitted to begin the fall, spring or summer semester.
Admission requirements:
- A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution documented by submission of an official transcript indicating the degree has been conferred before entering the program. Official transcripts from institutions attended post-baccalaureate are also required.
- Students with degrees from outside the U.S. may be subject to transcript evaluation indicating the degree is equivalent to a U.S. degree and meets the minimum cumulative GPA requirements.
- A cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of at least a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for the bachelor's degree.
- Applicants who are not native speakers of English, whether domestic or international, must demonstrate they meet the Minimum English Proficiency Requirement.
- Average grade of B or higher in Calculus I and II (i.e., single variable differentiation and integration or equivalent) or completion of STAT 655: Foundations of Mathematics for Data Science with a grade of B or higher.
- Successful completion of any computer programming language course or demonstration of mastery via credentials or work experience.
- Contact information for three references who are familiar with the applicant's work and character and who have agreed to write letters of recommendation.
- Students currently enrolled in graduate programs at KUMC or KU must be in good standing (3.0 or higher GPA) and have a letter of approval from their current graduate program director and/or department chair indicating support to enroll in the certificate program.
Applicants will be assessed based on these requirements.
Admission requirements are subject to change. In most cases, use the catalog of the year student entered the program. Other years’ catalogs».
No student may work toward a graduate certificate without being accepted as a graduate certificate student in a specific graduate certificate program. Graduate certificates are not granted retroactively. An individual who is not currently a degree-seeking graduate student at KU must apply and may be admitted directly to a graduate certificate program.
The graduate certificate program is not a means of entry into a graduate degree program. If students admitted to a graduate certificate program are later admitted to a graduate degree program as degree-seeking, applicable courses taken for the graduate certificate program may, upon recommendation of the department and within general guidelines, be approved by the Office of Graduate Studies to be counted toward the degree.
While the courses comprising a graduate certificate may be used as evidence in support of a student’s application for admission to a graduate degree program, the certificate itself is not considered to be a prerequisite and does not guarantee admission into any graduate degree program. The certificate program is not intended to serve as a default system for students in a degree program who find that they are not able to complete the degree for academic or other reasons. Should a student drop out of a degree program and seek admission to a certificate program, all certificate admission requirements must be followed for admission and conferral.
A minimum of 15 post-Bachelor’s degree credit hours are required with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. A typical full-time course plan is listed below for the Certificate in Applied Data Science. It consists of 15 credit hours of required coursework:
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| |
| STAT 820 | SAS Programming I | 3 |
| or STAT 823 | Introduction to Programming and Applied Statistics in R |
| STAT 840 | Linear Regression | 3 |
| STAT 850 | Multivariate Statistics | 3 |
| DATA 824 | Data Visualization and Acquisition | 3 |
| STAT 880 | Data Mining and Analytics | 3 |
| or DATA 881 | Statistical Learning I |
| Total Hours | 15 |
Graduate credit from another institution may not be transferred to a graduate certificate program.
Certificate requirements and course descriptions are subject to change. Any courses taken as an equivalent must be approved by the Graduate Director and the Office of Graduate Studies. In most cases, use the catalog of the year student entered the program. Other years’ catalogs».
This typical Plan of Study shows the 15 credit hours of required courses to meet the requirement for completion of the Graduate Certificate in Applied Data Science program.
Because the Graduate Certificates in Biostatistics, Biostatistical Applications, Applied Statistics, Applied Data Science, and Health Data Science signify that the holder is prepared for entry into the practice of biostatistics research, it follows that students awarded the Graduate Certificates must have the knowledge and skills necessary to function in a broad range of academic and research situations. The Technical Standards include those physical, cognitive, and behavioral standards that are required for the satisfactory completion of all aspects of the curriculum and the development of professional attributes required by all students upon completion of the Graduate Certificate. The following abilities and expectations must be met by all students with or without accommodations admitted to the Certificates:
1. Observation. A student must be able to observe and evaluate class demonstrations and field experiences relevant to the field of statistics. He or she must be able to read and comprehend text, numbers, tables and graphs, both in print and displayed electronically. Observation necessitates the functional use of the senses of vision and hearing.
2. Communication. A student must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in English in oral, written, and electronic form with other students, faculty, staff, researchers, and the public. Effective communication includes: the ability to understand assigned readings, lectures, and technical and professional materials; the ability to analyze information; the ability to present results of such analyses verbally and in writing; the ability to independently prepare papers and presentations; and the ability to follow verbal and written instructions. Use of computers and other technology is imperative to this communication.
3. Motor. A student must have sufficient motor function to attend classes, prepare assignments, use electronic media, and deliver lectures and public presentations. Class requirements may also include work in a variety of collaborative environments.
4. Intellectual, conceptual, integrative and quantitative abilities. A student must possess the ability to understand and read and understand documents written in English, to understand and work with measurements and calculations, and to engage in reasoning, analysis, synthesis and critical thinking. A student must be able to exercise sufficient judgment to recognize and correct performance deviations, and be able to draw on all the above mentioned abilities to be an effective problem solver, researcher and communicator.
5. Behavioral and social attributes. A student must have the emotional health required for the full use of his or her intellectual ability. A student must be able to exercise sound judgment, and to act ethically and with integrity. He or she must develop mature, sensitive and effective professional relationships with others. A student must be self-motivated, reliable and responsible to complete assigned tasks in a timely manner with no supervision. Students must be able to give attention to detail and have the flexibility to function in a research setting, including adapting to changes in time, place and structure of academic and research settings. The student must have the ability to work with diverse groups.
NOTE: Reasonable accommodations will be considered and may be made to qualified students who disclose a disability, so long as such accommodation does not significantly alter the essential requirements of the curriculum and the training program, or significantly affect the safety of patient care. Students who disclose that they have a disability are considered for the program if they are otherwise qualified. Qualified students with a disability who wish to request accommodations should provide the appropriate documentation of disability and submit a request for accommodation to the University’s Office for Academic Accommodations.
