University of Massachusetts–Amherst - Accreditation, Applying, Tuition, Financial Aid, Big Data, Data Science, Data Analytics

University of Massachusetts – Amherst Data Science

The University of Massachusetts–Amherst appears in our ranking of the 15 Most Affordable Master’s in Data Science Online.

The University of Massachusetts – Amherst offers its data science programs within departments and schools like the College of Information and Computer Sciences, the Center for Data Science, and the College of Information and Computer Science. There are many avenues for studying data science and related topics like business analytics and big data. Degrees at the undergraduate level include A Bachelor’s in Informatics, a Master of Science in Computer Science with a concentration in Data Science, a Master of Science in Business & Analytics, or a Certificate in Statistical and Computational Data Science.

Featured Programs

Students can also enroll in a unique Exploratory Track option if they aren’t able to qualify for full admission to the school. This opportunity helps students eventually qualify for full admission and study. Students who don’t yet have a bachelor’s degree will enroll in the Bachelor’s in Informatics program if they want to study data science at the University of Massachusetts – Amherst. The university gives students the option to earn a bachelor of science or bachelor of arts in this area. Students will take classes that range from introductory computer science courses to core computer science courses and mathematics.

Computer science courses related to data science that are part of the program include Introduction to Algorithms, Artificial Intelligence, Operating Systems, and various electives. To earn the B.S. degree, students will complete laboratory science electives. To earn the B.A. degree, students will need to complete a foreign language requirement. Students who already have a bachelor’s degree and want to study data science will choose the Master of Science in Computer Science with a concentration in Data Science. Data science core requirements include Algorithms for Data Science, Advanced Algorithms, Systems for Data Science, and Database Design and Implementation.

Alternatively, students can choose the Master of Science in Business & Analytics, which is offered within the Isenberg School of Management at the university. The program is designed to offer students the opportunity to work in government agencies, entertainment, health industries, and a variety of other areas. The final option for students studying data science at the University of Massachusetts – Amherst is the Certificate in Statistical and Computational Data Science. To complete the certificate, students must take 15 credits. The program may be completed in as little as one year.

About University of Massachusetts – Amherst

The University of Massachusetts – Amherst is a public institution of higher learning in Massachusetts and was founded in 1863 as the Massachusetts Agricultural College after the federal government passed the Federal Morrill Land-Grants Colleges Act. The college’s original purpose was to provide military, agricultural and mechanical training to citizens of Massachusetts. Today, the university has almost 31,000 students attending its 1,453-acre campus in Amherst. The university’s official colors are black, white, and maroon, and the school’s teams are known as the Minutemen and the Minutewomen. There are 21 varsity teams competing at the university, which has a mascot named Sam the Minuteman. Students can choose from 48 doctoral programs, 77 master’s degree programs, and 109 undergraduate degree programs at the University of Massachusetts – Amherst.

University of Massachusetts – Amherst Accreditation Details

The schools that make up the University of Massachusetts system are accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, which is the regional accreditation state for six of the states in New England. The university maintains important quality assurance levels for its programs by maintaining programmatic accreditation for many of its programs including the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the Computing Sciences Accreditation Board, and the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education. Other organizations that have granted accreditation to programs offered by the university include the National League for Nursing, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, the National Association of Schools of Art and Design, and the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology.

University of Massachusetts – Amherst Application Requirements

The application procedure at the University of Massachusetts – Amherst for first-year students starts with the submission of the Common Application, which requires various details like name, social security number, and contact information. Students will also need to submit an essay as part of their application, as well as an explanation for any gaps in education where the student may have taken a year or two off after high school before applying to college. The undergraduate application also requires a non-refundable application fee of $80 and submission of official transcripts from high school and test scores from the ACT or SAT. Applicants who want to apply to graduate school should check with the program’s prerequisites to ensure they’ve taken all required classes in advance of applying. Students may also need to submit additional materials for certain programs that may include portfolios or resumes.

Tuition and Financial Aid

In-state students attending the University of Massachusetts – Amherst will pay an estimated $29,876 per year to attend the university. That figure includes $16,278 for tuition and fees, as well as $13,598 for room and board. Out-of-state students will pay an estimated total of $49,197, which includes $35,599 for tuition and fees and $13,598 for room and board. International students will pay a slightly different amount for a total of $50,942, and students participating in the New England Regional Students Program who live in the region will pay a reduced total of $42,260 for tuition, fees, room, and board. That figure includes a discount of $6,937. Students enrolled in graduate school programs will pay $16,524 if they’re residents of Massachusetts, $28,308 if they’re residents of New England, or $33,625 if they’re out-of-state applicants. Online students will pay between $125 and $1,980 per credit if they’re in undergraduate courses and between $1,230 and $2,250 if they’re in graduate courses.

Financial aid at the University of Massachusetts – Amherst may come in the form of loans, grants, or scholarships, and students can determine their eligibility for aid when they apply through the federal government’s Direct Loan program. Students with costs that exceed the maximum loan amounts offered through the federal government’s loan program may consider alternative loans, which are private loans not guaranteed by the government and which may require a cosigner. Students that can demonstrate financial need may qualify for a federal Work-Study grant, as well as other grants and scholarships. Some of the scholarships available that students in the data science programs at the University of Massachusetts – Amherst may want to consider include the Massachusetts Society for the Education of Women Scholarship, the Edith Robinson Scholarship, and the Courses 2019 Scholarship Program.

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