We want to make sure your application to the online Graduate Certificate in Data Science goes smoothly. The following steps will guide you through the process.
If you have questions, contact an enrollment adviser at: 608-262-2011 or learn@uwex.edu.
Application Deadline
All application materials need to be completed two weeks prior to the semester start to be considered for admission. View the Course Schedule for course dates.
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree with cumulative GPA of 3.0. Students with a GPA of less than 3.0 may be considered for provisional admission based on a holistic review of all application materials.
- Completed coursework and/or relevant work experience in elementary statistics, introductory computer programming, and introduction to databases. If you are in need of prerequisite coursework, this pre-approved list of options may assist you. See here for more information about the prerequisite skills required and how to find out if your previous experience meets the requirements.
- Your resume.
- Two letters of recommendation (can be professional or academic).
- A personal statement of up to 1,000 words describing the reasons behind your decision to pursue this degree and what you believe you will bring to the data science field. Space for the personal statement is included in the online application.
- No aptitude tests (GMAT, GRE) are required.
*Campuses may waive some of these requirements as part of the comprehensive application process.
If you are a degree-seeking student in the Master of Science in Data Science program, and are interested in earning the certificate as an additional credential, you must declare your interest with your academic advisor at your home campus.
Choosing a Home Campus
When you apply, you will need to choose a home campus. Your home campus is the institution from which you will receive financial aid, advising, career services, and your diploma.
Your choice of home campus is a matter of personal preference. Our campus partners share equal responsibility in the program, and you will take courses taught by faculty from all program partner campuses. As a student you will complete your degree or certificate entirely online. Your educational experience will be the same regardless of your campus choice, and your degree and transcripts will be identical to those earned by on-campus students.
Financial Aid Options
Financial aid may be available to those who qualify. See campus application details below for financial aid information.
How to Apply
While you are free to apply to the UW data science certificate program on your own, many prospective students find it helpful to speak with an enrollment adviser first.
Step 1.
Decide on a home campus from our list of program partners: UW-Eau Claire, UW-Green Bay, UW-La Crosse, UW-Oshkosh, UW-Stevens Point, and UW-Superior.
Step 2.
Review the Data Science Certificate application process for the home campus you wish to apply to:
UW-Eau Claire
Apply to UW-Eau Claire using the University of Wisconsin System Online Admission Application. Find the Master of Science in Data Science program and apply as Degree Seeking. Indicate that you are pursuing the Data Science Certificate in the first sentence of the essay portion of the application. You will also identify you are interested in the online data science certificate during the advising process. If at any time during your pursuit of the Data Science Certificate you decide to continue on for the full Master’s Degree in Data Science, please consult with your campus academic advisor. The application fee is $56. Financial aid is available if you qualify.
UW-Green Bay
Apply to UW-Green Bay using the University of Wisconsin System Online Admission Application as a Non-Degree Seeker. Select you’re applying for “A Few Courses” and you plan to take “Graduate” classes. You will then identify you are interested in the MS Data Science Certificate. No application fee is required. Financial aid is not available.
UW-La Crosse
Apply to UW-La Crosse using the University of Wisconsin System Online Admission Application. Select “Degree” and then “Graduate Degree” that you’re applying for. After choosing La Crosse, select the Data Science Certificate – Collaborative program. The application fee is $56. Financial aid is available if you qualify.
UW-Oshkosh
Apply to UW-Oshkosh using the University of Wisconsin System Online Admission Application. You may apply to the data science certificate program as Degree Seeking or Non-Degree Seeking. If applying as Degree Seeking, select “Degree” and then “Graduate Degree” that you’re applying for. After choosing Oshkosh, select the Data Science-Collaborative program. If applying as Non-Degree Seeking, select you’re applying for “A Few Courses” and you plan to take “Graduate” classes. You will then identify you are interested in the Graduate Data Science Certificate. Degree Seeking applicants are eligible for financial aid and Non-Degree Seeking applicants are not. A $56 application fee is required for Degree Seeking applicants. There is no application fee for Non-Degree Seeking applicants.
UW-Stevens Point
Apply to UW-Stevens Point using the University of Wisconsin System Online Admission Application. Find the Master of Science in Data Science program and apply as Non-Degree Seeker. You will identify you are interested in the online data science certificate within the application. No application fee. Financial aid is not available.
UW-Superior
Apply to UW-Stevens Point using the University of Wisconsin System Online Admission Application. as a Non-Degree Seeker. Select you’re applying for “A Few Courses” and you plan to take “Graduate” classes. You will then identify you are interested in the Data Science Certificate (non-degree seeking) Graduate. No application fee is required. Financial aid is not available.
Step 3.
Submit your resume, personal statement (located with the online application), and two letters of recommendation; and arrange to have your official college transcripts (from each institution you attended) sent to the graduate admissions office of the home campus to which you applied.
International Guidelines
This program welcomes online students from around the world. Online students do not qualify for an F-1 Student Visa to travel to the U.S. but instead can participate in our online courses remotely. If your native language is not English and/or you attended school outside of the U.S., you will likely need to provide proof of English language proficiency and an official translation or evaluation of academic transcripts. Requirements will vary based on a student’s academic history and home campus policies. For guidance about these requirements and how they apply to your specific situation contact your preferred home campus admissions office.
If you would like to apply as an International Student for an on-campus program in the UW System please refer to these resources through UW-HELP.
