Studying Data Science at The University of North Texas
The University of North Texas appears in our ranking of the Top 10 Best Data Science Ph.D. Online Programs 2018.
Students interested in pursuing graduate level studies in data science have a few options available to them at the University of North Texas. Those enrolled in this program can choose to obtain their Ph.D. in general information science studies, emphasizing areas of study including information theory and design, information policy and management, and information and behavior. Alternatively, students can opt to focus on the data science concentration.
All concentrations require at least 60 credit hours per semester. Twelve of these hours must be spent on core courses, such as Seminar in Information Science, Seminar in Communication and Use of Information, and Doctoral Seminar in Information Issues. Students are asked to spend 24 hours on research course, including individual research and special topic courses. 15 hours are then spent on concentration core courses, which vary depending on the focus students wish to take. All students have to take Big Data Analytics, Data Visualization for Analytics, and Foundational Principles in Knowledge Management. The final nine hours are spent on electives that have been pre-approved by the Ph.D. program office.
One of the biggest advantages to obtaining this graduate degree at the University of North Texas is that students can choose to take their courses in numerous formats. This includes in-person classes, online course, and a blend between the two. Those who opt to continue their studies online benefit from the same level of instruction and the exact same resources as those who attend classes on campus.
About the University of North Texas
The University of North Texas is made up of elven colleges, two schools, and an early admissions math and science program for gifted high-school students. Including data sciences, there are 38 doctoral programs that provide the school with most of its research funding. Opening in 1890, the University was originally a private teachers college. It was absorbed by the state in 1901, when it became a public research university. There are campuses in Dallas and Fort Worth, as well as a satellite campus in Frisco.
Ranked as a Tier One research university, the school has been awarded numerous recognitions. Over 65 programs have been ranked in the top 100 offered in the country, and the school itself has consistently been voted as one of the best in the country by The Princeton Review. The University of North Texas has also been ranked 15 in the top 100 post-secondary institutions across the country by U.S. News & World Report. Not content to just be the best campus, the University of North Texas has also strived to lead the way in offering distance, continuing, and online learning.
University of North Texas Accreditation Details
The University of North Texas can grant bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and other post-graduate degrees to qualifying students thanks to its accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. This organization examines seven key areas of each post-secondary institution, holding each accredited one to a high standard.
Many individual programs and schools are also accredited by nationally-recognized agencies and organizations. Students interested in pursuing their Ph.D. in information sciences may be interested in the accreditations awarded to the University of North Texas by the following:
• AASCB – The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
• ABET – Computing Accreditation Commission and Technology Accreditation Commission
• The Association for Behavior Analysis, Inc.
• Forensic Science Education Programs
• American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
• American Library Association
University of North Texas Application Requirements
All applications for graduate programs are due by November 1 of the year proceeding your intended start date. The University of North Texas has high admission requirements for all students, contributing to its position as a leader in research. Students applying who are residents of the United States must have a GPA of at least 3.50 in undergraduate or Master’s level studies before they can be considered for graduate programs. International students must also prove proficiency in English.
Along with these basic requirements that apply to all graduate studies, students applying for Ph.D. studies in information science must also:
• Have a master’s degree from an accredited institution.
• Complete and excel at the Graduate Record Examination, including the analytical writing, verbal, and quantitative components.
• Provide three letters of reference.
• Submit a 500-word personal statement containing intended areas of research and prior accomplishments.
• Send a curriculum vitae.
• Submit a sample of academic writing, where the applicant is the sole author.
Admission to graduate-level programs is decided by a panel of faculty members. These individuals meet to review and evaluate applications, taking a global perspective of the student rather than simply focusing on test scores or past work. Faculty members are searching for students who can succeed in the fast-paced and rigorous environment of graduate studies who also have strong research skill.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition for graduate programs at UNT ranges depending on the course load and the residency of the student involved. In general, Texan residents can expect to pay anywhere from $5,500 to $7,500 per semester for their studies. Each course is $50 per semester credit hour, with the remainder of the tuition consisting of a variety of fees. Oklahoma residents are subject to the same fees but must pay $100 per semester credit hour. International students at UNT are charged $465 per semester credit hour and also must pay the associated fees.
Students who cannot afford the full tuition can still explore financial aid options. There are numerous types of grants, loans, and work-study programs offered by the University of North Texas. The school also has many different scholarships that apply to both academics and athletics.
Graduate students specializing in information sciences may qualify for financial assistance directly from the department. Fundraisers held by the school and donations received by former students and other friends of the program support scholarship opportunities for exceptional and creative graduate students. Individuals interested in applying for financial aid from the Department of Information Sciences at the University of North Texas can contact graduate student services to learn more.
Related Resources:
- Are Data Science Degrees Expensive?
- How Do I Know if Data Science is a Good Degree Path for Me?
- How Useful is a Data Science Degree?
- 5 Signs of an Innovative Data Science Degree Program
- 20 Best Data Science Bachelor’s Degree Programs
- 30 Best Master’s in Data Science Online Degree Programs