University of Houston Downtown

Last Updated By • December 30, 2024

Two UHD Degrees for Big Data Careers

The University of Houston Downtown appears in our ranking of the 15 Most Affordable Bachelor’s in Data Science Online.

At One Main, the College of Sciences & Technology grants Texas’ first B.S. in Data Science to University of Houston Downtown Gators who develop the complex quantitative skills for drawing actionable information from vast amounts of numerical figures. Chaired by Dr. Timothy Redl, a 2011 Excellence in Teaching Award recipient, this 120-credit, four-year “Finish UHD Strong” curriculum prepares for Forbes’ #1 best job mining statistical sets. Required courses like Linear Algebra, Probability, Integral Calculus, and Computation with Python are primarily on-site with some online Blackboard components. Majors might also research in the Applied Math Modeling Lab, join Phi Kappa Phi, intern at Bechtel Corporation, take the Finland Exchange, and pursue a Biostatistics Concentration.

Since August 2017, the Department of Mathematics & Statistics has also offered the M.S. in Data Analytics for University of Houston Downtown post-grads to advance their computational expertise summarizing whole databases of digits for organizational problem-solving. Directed by Dr. Ermelinda DeLaViña, a Success Builders Award winner, this 36-credit, application-based program trains highly skilled analysts for median mid-level pay of $128,750. Integrated 5000-level seminars from Information Visualization to Financial Forecasting have a convenient evening format starting after 5:30 PM. For capstone, master’s students undertake eight-week internships at Texas titans like ExxonMobil, Baker Hughes, Modis, and Oracle. Some add the 10-month Investment Management Certificate online.

About the University of Houston Downtown

The University of Houston Downtown originated on August 6, 1974, when the system’s Board of Regents acquired the former South Texas Junior College to create a new teaching branch. That Fall, its inaugural class enrolled at its 20-acre Northside campus near Allen’s Landing for only $4 per credit. In 1979, the 66th Texas Legislature chartered it as the University of Houston Downtown College. On September 17, 1980, its One Main Building was added to the National Register of Historic Places. In April 1983, its name was shortened to University of Houston Downtown. One decade later, President Max Castillo launched adult education in the Weekend College. In 1999, the THECB approved the University of Houston Downtown for master’s degrees. In 2002, UHD became the first to hold commencement at Minute Maid Park. Admission standards were also adopted in 2013 after decades of open enrollment.

Endowed for $42.5 million, the University of Houston Downtown now employs 631 faculty teaching 14,265 Gators from 74 countries at a 22:1 ratio online or face-to-face in the fourth largest city with 90+ clubs like the Data Analytics Society. In 2017, UHD received the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s Star Award. In 2019, Houston Downtown was proudly selected to host the NCWIT Aspirations in Computing Award Ceremony. Its Sigma Delta Pi Chapter won a 2010 ACHS Social Responsibility Award too. The U.S. News & World Report ranked UHD for the 93rd best online bachelor’s courses. On Niche, UHD boasts America’s 293rd most liberal academics, 419th best location, and 421st most diversity. Student Loan Report placed the University of Houston Downtown 33rd for financial aid. Hispanic Outlook crowned UHD the 33rd top institution for Latinx students.

University of Houston Downtown Accreditation Details

On August 20, 2015, the University of Houston Downtown satisfactorily submitted a Quality Enhancement Plan to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to renew the Level III accreditation through 2025-26 under its sixth president, Dr. Juan Sánchez Muñoz, who earned the Fair & Open Academic Environment Award. Located 798 miles east via Interstate 10 in Decatur, Georgia, this elite 11-state Gulf Coast Region accreditor is recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) to evaluate UHD’s 44 baccalaureate and eight master’s offerings. Particularly, the College of Sciences & Technology has continually been reaffirmed by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) since October 1, 1992.

University of Houston Downtown Application Requirements

Starting at the University of Houston Downtown is classified “minimally difficult” by Peterson’s since 3,305 of the 3,931 Fall 2017 applicants were okayed for high 84 percent acceptance. First-year Gators swimming toward the B.S. in Data Science must have completed at least the sixth high school semester or the GED. Texas Success Initiative scores of 350 Math and 351 Reading or better are deemed college ready. Freshmen are exempt with minimum 23 ACT and 1070 SAT marks. The College of Sciences & Technology prefers ACT Math and Science grades above 24. Foreign undergrads must enter the English Language Institute if TOEFL Internet scores fall below 80. Eligible transfers need 15+ college-level credits from regionally accredited institutions with minimum 2.0 GPAs. The M.S. in Data Analytics requires four-year bachelor’s completion and GPAs above 3.0 in the last 60 credits. Lower grades are considered on a case-by-case basis with GRE scores of 305 or higher.

The University of Houston Downtown has freshman deadlines of June 1st for Fall, December 15th for Spring, and May 1st for Summer. Department of Mathematics & Statistics transfers could apply until August 1st, January 1st, and May 24th respectively. International students must file before May 1st or October 1st only. The M.S. in Data Analytics enforces deadlines of July 15th for Texans and May 1st for non-residents. Accordingly, use the Apply Texas portal to submit the online application with $50 ($35 if graduate). Have official transcripts mailed to One Main Street Suite GSB308 in Houston, TX 77002. Attach other documents like the entrance exam score, two recommendations, résumé, 1,000-word objective essay, and English proficiency verification. Inquire further by contacting (713) 221-8522 or uhdadmit@uhd.edu.

Tuition and Financial Aid

For 2018-19, the University of Houston Downtown charged full-time Texas undergrads $6,452 annually. Non-resident B.S. in Data Science tuition was $16,412 each year. Bachelor’s majors covered a $150 service fee, $180 incidental insurance fee, $64 library fee, and $35 activity fee. Freshmen paid one-time orientation fees of $125. Textbooks and supplies cost $1,232 yearly on average. UHD budgeted $8,984 for off-campus room and board, $2,988 for transport, and $4,124 for miscellaneous expenses. Annual undergrad attendance equaled about $23,760 in-state and $31,432 out-of-state. M.S. in Data Analytics students were billed the non-MBA graduate rates of $8,284 in Texas or $14,124 out. Studying part-time incurred $485 to $850 per credit.

According to the NCES College Navigator, the Office of Financial Aid in One Main Suite S350 connects 62 percent of full-time UHD Gators to tuition assistance averaging $5,105 each for $40.85 million combined. Departmental funds include the Edwin & Justine Hodgess Memorial Scholarship, June P. Wood Memorial Scholarship, Noyce Esprit Scholarship, Marianne de Korvin Scholarship, M. Elizabeth Steen Scholarship, Miriam Morales Scholarship, Scholars Academy Scholarship, and Myrtle & James Watts Scholarship. The Hugh Roy Cullen Leadership Scholarship gifts $1,500 yearly to freshmen with minimum 2.7 GPAs. The $2,000 Herzstein Foundation Scholarship would support B.S. in Data Science transfers with 45+ previous credits. Filing FAFSA applications coded 003612 by April 1st determines Federal Pell Grant, Opportunity Grant, Work-Study Program, and Direct Subsidized/ Unsubsidized Loan coverage. The Toward Excellence, Access, and Success (TEXAS) Grant also provides up to $9,792 annually for in-state undergrads.

Learn more about the University of Houston Downtown at the Department of Mathematics & Statistics website.

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