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Online Data Science Certificate

The online graduate certificate in Data Science is designed for professionals with a background in computer science, who want to enrich their expertise in this important field.

Offered by the J.B. Speed School of Engineering at the University of Louisville, the Data Science Certificate delivers comprehensive knowledge and skills through just 6 intensive courses. Developed collaboratively by UofL’s Department of Computer Science in Engineering (CSE) and Department of Mathematics, this program prepares you to meet the growing demand for trained data scientists in today’s technology-driven world.

How Much Will I Pay?

Tuition & Aid    

This certificate qualifies for Title IV federal financial aid. Tuition rate does not include costs associated with a specific course or program, such as textbooks. Other fees apply

Highlights

  • Expand your knowledge in important data science areas like data mining, artificial intelligence, big data and more.
  • Gain the right credentials to help advance your career as a data scientist.
  • Take advantage of the flexibility and convenience of 100% online classes.
  • Skip the GRE – not required for admission into the certificate program.
  • Roll your certificate credits (18 hours) into UofL’s online Master of Science in Computer Science (must apply to the master’s program separately).

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100% ONLINE COURSES

Complete this certificate on your own time through fully online classes.

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18 CREDIT HOURS

Expand your Data Science expertise in only 6 courses.

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1 YEAR PROGRAM

Earn a valuable credential in as little as 12 months!

Online learning video - Online Data Science Certificate

"While I had a lot of experience in data analysis and reporting, I lacked the formal training of a Data Scientist. I decided to [earn] the Data Science certificate because I wanted to learn the most cutting edge skills. I've always liked working with numbers, and I've always been fascinated by data science—and the more and more I get into it, the more interesting things I want to do."


ADAM ROOD
ONLINE MS COMPUTER SCIENCE & GC

DATA SCIENCE

Outcomes

Data scientists are specialists in finding hidden connections in large masses of stored data, and are critical to industries including insurance, health care, retail, education, banking, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, travel, government and intelligence. In today's economy, organizations across all industries, can reap the enormous payoffs of data science.

Graduates of this program are well suited to apply their credentials to various fields and may obtain positions as:

  • Business Analysts
  • Data Analysts
  • Database and Direct Marketers
  • Financial Managers
  • IT Professionals
  • Marketing and Sales Managers
  • Project Managers
  • Statisticians
 

Preferred Application Deadline Term Start Date
August 1 Fall August
November 15 Spring January
April 1 Summer May

Note: We admit students on a rolling basis. The preferred deadlines help you complete the application process on time, be notified of acceptance and enroll before the term begins. We review applications as they become complete, and admit students for a specific term up to the day classes start. We recommend you work on and submit your complete application well in advance of the preferred deadline, as obtaining transcripts and other materials may take more time.

For more information on the admission and application process, please contact our Online Learning Enrollment Counselor at 800.871.8635 or by email at online@louisville.edu.


Steps to Apply

  1. Complete graduate application
  2. Submit $40 non-refundable application free
  3. Submit official transcripts certifying an undergraduate degree earned from an accredited institution*
  4. Check for Scholarships

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Admission Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree in any field from an accredited college or university
  • Minimum GPA of 2.75 or above
  • Successful completion of college algebra and introductory statistics courses
  • Experience and knowledge in computing, database and statistical software such as MatLab, SQL or other advanced packages

Send all materials to:
Graduate Admissions
University of Louisville
2211 S. Brook Street
Louisville, KY 40292
gradadm@louisville.edu

*See the Graduate School Transfer of Credit Policy for more information.


International Students – Additional Notes/Requirements

  • Bachelor's degrees earned internationally must be assessed to ensure that entrance requirements are met.
  • If you live outside of the United States and intend to complete an online academic program from your home country, be sure to view special requirements for international students.
  • A minimum total TOEFL score of 80 or an overall IELTS minimum score of 6.5 or Duolingo English Test minimum score of 105 for all foreign students from counties in which English is not the native language.
  • International students will not be issued a U.S. visa if admitted to the online data science certificate program, since there are no campus attendance requirements.

The online graduate Data Science Certificate is an 18 credit hour program that requires 9 credit hours in core courses and 9 credit hours in electives. You will have the option of choosing any three of the electives listed below, specializing your certificate to match your interests or career goals.


Core Courses

Course [required] Hours
CSE 535 Database Systems
or CSE 536 Data Management and Analysis
3
CSE 632 Data Mining 3
CSE 635 Data Mining with Linear Models 3
Total Required Hours 9

Electives Courses

Course [choose 3] Hours
CSE 522 Performance Evaluation of Computer Systems 3
CSE 532 Python & Data Analytics 3
CSE 538 Graph Database and Graph Analytics 3
CSE 545 Artificial Intelligence 3
CSE 546 Introduction to Machine Learning 3
CSE 547 Deep Learning Algorithms & Methods 3
CSE 551 Data Visualization for Data Science 3
CSE/IE 563 Experimental Design in Engineering 3
CSE 619 Design and Analysis of Computer Algorithms 3
CSE 621 Web Mining for E-Commerce 3
CSE 622 Simulation and Modeling of Discrete Systems 3
CSE 627 Digital Image Processing 3
CSE 630 Advanced Databases and Data Warehousing 3
CSE 660 Introduction to Bioinformatics 3
CSE 694 Special Topics in Data Mining: Legal Issues in Data Mining 3
CSE 694 Special Topics in Data Mining: BIG DATA: Document-oriented DB 3
MATH 561 Probability 3
MATH 562 Mathematical Statistics 3
MATH 667 Statistical Inference 3
Total Required Hours 9

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Course Descriptions

Learn from the best!

The faculty at the University of Louisville are leaders in the field of Data Science, Data Warehousing, and Data Analysis. Their expertise spans the use of text, web, numerical, and image databases. They have worked in application areas such as medical, e-commerce, security, military, institutional, and financial research. Our faculty have authored or contributed to textbooks and professional publications and have received research awards from the National Science Foundation (NSF), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), and Department of Defense (DoD).




    • What are the prerequisites for this program?

      The Graduate Certificate in Data Science requires prerequisite courses in the following areas: college algebra or a higher math, introduction to statistics AND a basic computer science course. If a student has not completed the required undergraduate prerequisite courses, they can work with a Speed School advisor to ensure they are taking the correct ones prior to enrolling in the Graduate Certificate in Data Science. For more information contact, Leigh Ann Elles, Assistant Director of Engineering Graduate Programs at leigh.elles@louisville.edu to see if your previous educational and professional background matches the requirements needed for admittance or if additional prerequisites are required

    • What counts as a bachelor’s degree in a “technically related field”?

      A student will need an undergraduate degree from an accredited university with a minimum GPA of 2.75 or above (applicants with a lower GPA between 2.50-2.749 may obtain conditional admission). While an undergraduate degree in a technically related field like computer science, data science, statistics of computer information systems is encouraged, a student who has an undergraduate degree from an accredited university and meets all other admission requirements is welcome to apply.

    • How do I demonstrate knowledge in computing software as required for admissions? Do I need to submit my resume?

      While a resume is not required for any certificate program in the J.B. Speed School of Engineering, they are highly recommended. A resume provides the opportunity for the admission staff to review all other credentials and employment history that may not be obvious on a student’s transcripts. The admission committee will also review a student’s degree(s) along with corresponding courses completed along with grades received from an accredited undergraduate university or college.

    • What if I don’t have software experience in computing science?

      All students who are interested in the Graduate Certificate in Data Science are welcome to apply if they meet the admission requirements. However, some students may be required to take a basic computer science, statistics or algebra math course after their application is reviewed by the program director. This is where a resume is helpful if a student has been working in a computer science field after graduation.

    • What if I have completed college algebra, but not statistics? Can introductory statistics courses be completed within the program?

      Yes, we offer several different options to complete the prerequisite courses and offer students the option to decide which one is best for them. Prerequisite courses for the Graduate Certificate in Data Science include college algebra or a higher math, introduction to statistics and a basic computer science course. An interested student can work with the program director to enroll in a prerequisite course at UofL online prior to starting the Graduate Certificate in Data Science. For more information on the admission and application process, please contact Leigh Ann Elles, Assistant Director of Engineering Graduate Programs at leigh.elles@louisville.edu .