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Department of Computer Science College of Arts and Sciences

M.S. in Data Science (MSDS) Program Admissions

Application Deadlines

  • Fall Admissions: May 1, 2024
  • Summer Admission: March 1, 2024
  • Spring Admission: September 10, 2024

Note: Application may be closed earlier if desired cohort size is reached prior to the above deadlines.

Applicants will have earned a bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university or a recognized university from abroad.

  • A grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).
  • A TOEFL score of 80 or better (internet exam) OR IELTS Overall Band Score of 6.5 or better OR Duolingo of 120 or better. The English exam is waived for students whose native (first) language is English or earned a degree from a U.S. institution. Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to request such a waiver. GRE is not required.

The following courses, or their equivalents, are required of all applicants before they can apply to this program:

  • CS 103: Introduction to Computer Science in Python (waived for applicants with two years of working experience in the computing/IT field). Any Introduction to Programming course that uses a 3rd generation programming language such as Java, C/C++, Basic, and Pascal, can be counted as an equivalent of this course.
  • CS 203: Object-Oriented Programming
  • CS 303: Algorithms and Data Structures

A mathematics background equivalent to two terms of calculus (differential and integral calculus) is also required. Online equivalents of these prerequisites may be acceptable, if they provide the same (or more) coverage. You can learn more about these courses in the UAB Undergraduate Catalog.

CS 355/555: Probability and Statistics in Computer Science is also required but can be taken after the student is admitted. It may be taken at the 500 level and counted toward the MSDS degree.

Instead of taking the above CS prerequisite courses, students can also choose to take and pass a comprehensive exam offered by CS/UAB that covers selected topics from the prerequisites. This option is reserved for students from the local area with at least two years of IT working experience and not available for international applicants. Alternately, applicants may enroll in UAB’s post-baccalaureate program to acquire the required knowledge in computer science.