Admission Requirements

Candidates for the online MS in Data Science program come from a wide range of educational and professional backgrounds. Admission standards for the Daniel Felix Ritchie School of Engineering and Computer Science online programs match University of Denver’s high standards for excellence, and are the same as for on-campus programs.

BACHELOR’S DEGREE

All applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution to be considered for admission.

2.5+ UNDERGRADUATE GPA

The minimum undergraduate GPA for admission consideration for graduate study at the University of Denver is a cumulative 2.5 on a 4.0 scale or a 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits (approximately two years of work) for the baccalaureate degree.

An earned master’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution supersedes the minimum standards for the baccalaureate.

Please note: International applicants follow the same application process; however, additional materials may be required. If you are an international applicant, please refer to our international applicant requirements.

Python Prerequisite

Before starting classes, students must meet a curricular prerequisite in Python programming. This prerequisite can be met via the completion of COMP4401 with a B or higher, or the completion of a college-level programming course in Python with a final grade of 3.0 or higher within the past 2 years.   

  • Completion of COMP4401, ‘Introduction to Python for Data Scientists’, with a B or higher. This is an instructor-led, 8-week, 2-credit, course offered online by the University of Denver for DS graduate students who have submitted their deposit.  
    • Cost to student: $1000 (with a data science scholarship)  
  • Completion of a college-level programming course in Python with a final grade of 3.0 or higher in the past 2 years (transcript). Best for a comprehensive introduction to programming.

Upcoming Dates and Deadlines

Program Start DateEarly Priority DeadlinePriority DeadlineApplication Deadline
January 2024
September 8, 2023
October 6, 2023
November 3, 2023


Please note that application deadlines are subject to change and differ for on-campus programs. Visit our main website to learn more about the admissions process for our on-campus MS in Data Science program in Denver.

Online Application

To be considered for admittance to the online MS in Data Science program, applicants must complete the online application along with the following materials listed below. As part of the application review process, the Program Director and/or Admissions Leadership may call you to learn more about your application.

Current Résumé

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The résumé should include work experience, research, and/or volunteer work.

Transcripts

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Official academic records from all previously attended colleges and universities must be submitted directly from those schools to the University of Denver. Applicants may send unofficial transcripts to receive an admissions decision, but official transcripts must be provided before classes begin. All transcripts should be sent to the following address:

University of Denver
Application Processing Center
DataScience@Denver
PO Box 30096 022-001
College Station, TX 77842

If your school issues official transcripts electronically, please have them send your encrypted transcripts to appsvcs@ritchieonline.du.edu.

Please note: To be considered an official transcript, the transcript must be sent directly from your institution(s) or through an electronic transcript vendor retained by that institution. Transcripts submitted by enrolled or prospective students are considered unofficial documents, even if they are in a sealed envelope provided to you by the issuing university.

Transcripts and proof of degree documents for postsecondary degrees earned from institutions outside of the United States will be released to a third-party international credential evaluator to assess U.S. education system equivalencies.  Beginning July 2023, a non-refundable fee for this service will be required before the application is processed.

International Degree Evaluation Fee: $50 Evaluation Fee for degrees (bachelor’s or higher) earned from institutions outside the United States.

Application Fee

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There is a nonrefundable $65 application fee for the DataScience@Denver program. Waivers are offered if you are:

  • a University of Denver alumnus/a
  • a current or former member of the U.S. military

You may also receive a waiver if you submit your application before the priority deadline or attend a webinar.

For more information on application fee waivers, contact the DataScience@Denver Admissions team.

Letters of Recommendation

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Applicants must provide at least two letters of recommendation—three are preferred—from individuals (non-relatives) they know well and who can evaluate their professional performance or speak to their potential. The Ritchie School of Engineering & Computer Science is looking for professional recommendations that attest to the applicant’s ability to succeed in a master’s program.

Personal Statement

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Applicants must craft a personal statement of at least 300 words. The statement should include information concerning their education, life experiences, interests, and reason for applying to the online data science program at Ritchie.

International Applicant Requirements

To be eligible for the DataScience@Denver program, international applicants are held to the same high academic standard and admissions requirements. International applicants must demonstrate English proficiency and hold a U.S. degree equivalency—as well as fulfill all application item requirements, including:

  • Online application
  • Current résumé
  • Transcripts
  • Nonrefundable $65 application fee
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Personal statement
  • TOEFL/IELTS test scores

Transcripts and proof of degree documents for postsecondary degrees earned from institutions outside of the United States will be released to a third-party international credential evaluator to assess U.S. education system equivalencies.  Beginning July 2023, a non-refundable fee for this service will be required before the application is processed.

International Degree Evaluation Fee: $50 Evaluation Fee for degrees (bachelor’s or higher) earned from institutions outside the United States.

Additional Standards for Non-Native English Speakers

Official scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or C1 Advanced are required of all graduate applicants, regardless of citizenship status, whose native language is not English or who have been educated in countries where English is not the native language. Your TOEFL/IELTS/CAE scores are valid for two years from the test date.

The minimum TOEFL/IELTS/C1 Advanced test score requirements for this degree program are:

  • Minimum TOEFL Score (Internet-based test): 80
  • Minimum IELTS Score: 6.5
  • Minimum C1 Advanced Score: 176
  • Minimum Duolingo English Test Score: 115 (Accepting scores starting September 2023 and beyond)