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

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.

COVID-19: How We Are Supporting Prospective Students

We are actively accepting applications, and our online courses are ongoing. We are here to support you as you work toward your goals, and we have made a change to our admissions requirements to help you keep your application on track:

We are now accepting transcripts electronically.

  • School-issued electronic transcripts: If your school issues official transcripts electronically, please have them send your encrypted transcripts to appsvcs@ritchieonline.du.edu.
  • Unofficial transcripts: We will continue to accept unofficial transcripts if you are unable to submit your official transcripts at this time. Order your unofficial transcripts to be sent to your home, and scan them or take a photo to send to appsvcs@ritchieonline.du.edu. We will still need your official transcripts once you matriculate.

If you are unable to submit your official transcripts electronically, you may have them mailed to our campus address:

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

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.

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:

Current Résumé

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

Transcripts

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

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.

Application Fee

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

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.

GRE Test Scores

DataScience@Denver evaluates applicants holistically, considering a range of factors when reviewing their application, including academic background and professional work experience. There is not a minimum GRE score requirement, but competitive applicants earn a 156 on the quantitative section of the GRE.

 GRE waivers will be considered based on the following criteria:

  • Graduates of a school that is individually ranked as a U.S. News and World Report National University with a GPA > 3.0 who majored in or earned a graduate degree in computer science, statistics, mathematics, engineering, chemistry, or physics
  • Graduates of a U.S. News and World Report National Liberal Arts College ranked 100 or better in 2018 with a GPA > 3.0 who majored in or earned a graduate degree in computer science, statistics, mathematics, engineering, chemistry, or physics
  • Applicants with expired GRE scores 
  • Applicants who have taken the GMAT and scored at least a 40 on the quantitative section
  • Applicants with five or more years of work experience requiring knowledge of and frequent use of programming languages (ideally Python) and/or frequent use of calculus, linear algebra and/or statistical modeling and analysis

Personal Statement

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.

Gain the data science skills you need to advance your career. Apply to the online MS in Data Science program today.

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
  • GRE test scores
  • Personal statement
  • TOEFL/IELTS test scores

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 TOEFL Score (Paper-based test): 550
  • Minimum IELTS Score: 6.5
  • Minimum C1 Advanced Score: 169