2024-2025 Catalog
Data Science and Analytics (DSAN-MS), M.S.
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Master of Science
Data Science/Analytics is a growing field that uses data to gather intelligence in business, marketing, finance, accounting, human resources, insurance, homeland security, criminal justice, education, government, healthcare, and manufacturing. Data Science/Analytics is an interdisciplinary area that involves computer science, information science, and statistics that turns raw data into information creating knowledge to achieve organizational goals and sustain a competitive advantages. In 2021, data scientist ranked as the second-best job among all jobs in the US with a median salary of $113,736 per year. According to Quanthub, job listings of data scientists increased by 37% in 2019. In 2020, according to the same report, there is an estimated job shortage of data scientists of about 250,000 country-wide.
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Program Outcomes
- Formulate a solution based on machine learning industry frameworks to solve problems in predictive analytics.
- Compose programs using coding skills for advanced level of statistical modeling and data analysis.
- Manage and analyze the data using visual data analytics techniques.
- Investigate and create advanced linear models.
- Create and evaluate association rules and clusters using unsupervised clustering techniques.
- Build and score predictive models using structured data as well as text.
New Student Admission Requirements
- Completed application for admission.
- Request official course transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate colleges and universities previously attended, which include confirmation of a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university showing a 3.0 (out of 4.0) or above GPA on your last BS or MS degree.
- Submit a current, professional resume or curriculum vitae.
- Submit a one-page Statement of Purpose, explaining reasons for seeking admission to our program.
- You should explain what factors have influenced your decision to apply and how this degree will help you achieve your short-term and long-term career goals.
- Your Statement of Purpose should also show that you have taken steps to learn about our program and be familiar with and prepared for online or mixed delivery accelerated courses.
- Request two (2) academic or professional recommendations attesting to your ability to succeed in graduate studies.
- Applicant should show proof of familiarity with inferential statistics and some programming language. Transcripts or course descriptions may show that. A student may be asked to take remedial course(s) if the student does not have an adequate foundation to pursue this degree.
- International students whose first (native) language is not English need to have English proficiency test scores sent directly from the testing agency to demonstrate meeting the Ferris standards for English proficiency (e.g., TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo).
Provisional admission may be granted if an applicant does not meet all the admission requirements. If provisional admission is granted, the applicant must successfully complete nine (9) credit hours of graduate-level coursework with a 3.00 GPA (on a 4.00 scale) and correct all deficiencies in their admission requirements.
These requirements also apply to Transfer Students.
In order to graduate from Ferris State University, students must meet both University and Programmatic Graduation Requirements.
All Major Requirements - 30 Credits Required
Core Requirements - 21 Credits Required
Concentration - 9 Credits Required (Advisor Approval)
Choose one concentration.
Autonomous Vehicles Concentration (AUVE) - 9 Credits Required
Business Intelligence Concentration (BUIN) - 9 Credits Required
Project Management Concentration (DSPM) - 9 Credits Required
Directed Concentration (DSDR) - 9 Credits Required
- Directed Elective Credit Hours: 3
- Directed Elective Credit Hours: 3
- Directed Elective Credit Hours: 3
Notes
- Students who return to the university after an interrupted enrollment, not including summer semester, must normally meet the requirements of the curriculum which are in effect at the time of their return, not the requirements which were in effect when they were originally admitted.
- In order to earn Graduate Honors, a student must meet the GPA requirements: 3.75 to 3.89 overall GPA for Distinction and 3.90 to 4.00 overall GPA for Highest Distinction.
- Credit Variance - Credits required may vary based on course placement, prerequisites, etc. If you have questions, contact your advisor.
Graduation Requirements
In order to graduate from Ferris State University, students must meet both University and Programmatic Graduation Requirements. University Graduation Requirements
These are the minimum graduation requirements for a graduate degree at Ferris State University:
- A minimum of 30 credits must be earned.
- A 3.00 or higher cumulative Ferris State University GPA in graduate courses is required.
- A minimum grade of C or higher must be earned in each course with no more than two grades of C.
- A minimum of 70 percent of the degree requirements must be earned from Ferris State University to meet the Residency requirement.
- No more than 20 percent of required hours can be thesis credits.
- No more than 6 hours can be independent study and/or special topics.
- Degree requirements shall be completed within 5 years from first enrollment in a graduate course following admission.
- Each student must complete a thesis, graduate project, policy paper, internship, comprehensive examination, or additional course work.
Programmatic Graduation Requirements
These are the additional graduation requirements mandated by the program:
- All requirements as specified in the All Major Requirements section must be met.
Suggested Semester Layout - One-Year Plan
Consult Advisor to Approve Your Customized Plan in MyDegree
Suggested Semester Layout - Two-Year Plan
Consult Advisor to Approve Your Customized Plan in MyDegree
Fall Courses
- Concentration Course Credit Hours: 3
- Concentration Course Credit Hours: 0-3
Spring Courses
- Concentration Course Credit Hours: 3
- Concentration Course Credit Hours: 0-3
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