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MS in Data Science and Public Policy

This is a STEM-designated program!  Click here for detailed information about STEM OPT/CPT.

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PROGRAM OVERVIEW

 

COURSE DELIVERY METHOD DURATION TOTAL CREDITS TUITION PER YEAR*
ON CAMPUS 2 YEARS 38 $25,400
* For full-time course load students (20 credits)

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DEGREE DETAILS

The Master of Science in Data Science and Public Policy Program degree is earned by completing the program course requirements of 38 credit hours, of which 32 credits are core courses and 6 credits are elective courses. To qualify for the Master of Science in Data Science and Public Policy degree, students must meet all core and concentration elective credit requirements.

Students should meet the following minimum requirements to qualify for a graduate degree:
Minimum Passing Grade Per Course B- (CGPA 3.00)

Total Required Credits 38

  1. Students enrolled in the graduate program must maintain a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of at least 3.0 (B) out of 4.0 and earn a minimum grade of not less than 2.7 (B-) out of 4.0 on all courses to qualify to graduate.
  2. The Maximum Time Frame (MTF) for completion of the Master’s program is 54 credits.
  3. A graduate student may transfer up to 6 credit hours earned at accredited institutions.
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PROGRAM OUTCOMES

  1. Contribute to a greater understanding of how the use of data can drive policy making decisions.
  2. Process data in various formats for analysis in the areas of public policy and governance.
  3. Restructure data from different platforms into usable contexts.
  4. Generate results of data analysis in written, oral, and visual forms.
  5. Select the appropriate methods and tools for data analysis in the areas of public policy and governance.
  6. Leverage data science to improve efficiency of government services and increase government transparency and accountability.
  7. Develop an understanding of how public sector work impacts the lives of citizens on a regular basis.
  8. Advocate for efficiencies in the delivery of government services for the widest possible benefit of the public.
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COURSES IN THE DEGREE

Students must earn a total of 38 college credit hours to receive this degree. Of these credit hours, 32 credits are core courses, and 6 elective credits.

In addition, students must meet the following criteria:

  • Students enrolled in the graduate program must maintain a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of at least 3.0 (B) out of 4.0 and earn a minimum grade of not less than 2.7 (B-) out of 4.0 on all courses to qualify to graduate.
  • The Maximum Time Frame (MTF) for completion of the Master’s program is 54 credits.
  • A graduate student may transfer up to 6 credit hours earned at accredited institutions to BAU.

DATA SCIENCE AND PUBLIC POLICY PROGRAM:
COURSE LISTING

Core Requirements: 32 Credits (11 Courses)

 

Course Code Course Name Pre Requisite Credit
BGDA 522 Applied Statistics   3
CMPS 501 Fundamentals of Data Science   3
CMPS 520 Database Design Concepts   3
CMPS 521 Data Visualization BGDA 522 3
CMPS 615 Advanced Data Modeling CMPS 521 3
POLS 510 Data, Models and Decisions   3
POLS 651 Policy Formulation and Implementation   3
POLS 615 Public Management   3
ECON 505 Economics   3
CAPS 501 Research Methods   3
POLS 620 Public Policy Research Project   2

Electives: 6 Credits (Student must choose 2 courses)

Course Code Course Name Pre Requisite Credit
BGDA 501 Introduction to Big Data   3
BGDA 555 Business Intelligence BGDA 522 3
POLS 630 Strategic Planning   3

* For detailed descriptions of each course, please refer to the Academic Catalog.

PROGRAM BENEFITS

BAU’s Master of Science in Data Science and Public Policy prepares students for impactful careers at the intersection of data science and public policy. Located in the heart of one of the world’s most influential policy hubs, BAU offers students unique opportunities to benefit from the region’s vibrant policy landscape during their studies and after graduation as they pursue career opportunities.

Graduates of this program will be well-equipped for high-demand roles across various sectors. In the public sector, they can work in government agencies, while in the private sector, they can contribute to lobbying firms, management consulting, and risk management companies. In the non-profit sector, many opportunities await in NGOs tackling diverse policy issues. As the demand for professionals skilled in data science and public policy continues to grow globally, our graduates will be well-positioned to excel in this expanding workforce.

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CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

The program will prepare students for job positions such as policy analyst, government data scientist, risk analyst, management consultant, market research analyst, intelligence analyst, sustainability analyst, corporate social responsibility (CSR) analyst, program evaluator, humanitarian data analyst, public sector data strategist, and urban planning data analyst.

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READY TO APPLY?

  START DATE DEADLINE TO APPLY
SUMMER SESSION MAY APRIL 1
FALL SEMESTER AUGUST JULY 1
SPRING SEMESTER JANUARY OCTOBER 1
START YOUR APPLICATION NOW (NO APPLICATION FEE REQUIRED!)

OUR PRACTITIONER-DRIVEN TEACHING
WILL PROVIDE YOU A REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCE

Bintou Lingani, Ph.D.

[email protected]

Bintou Lingani is the chair of the Department of Business and Economics at Bay Atlantic university, Washington, DC. She graduated with a Doctorate degree in International Economics and Development in 2019 from Howard University. Her research interest focuses on International Trade and Economic Development in Sub-Saharan Africa and less developed Countries in general. Her teaching journey began when she earned a teaching assistantship while pursuing her master’s at Howard University and she continued to work in academia ever since. Bintou Lingani’s professional philosophy revolves around constant learning in an encouraging environment. She uses her positive attitude, her tireless energy, and her expertise to empower students to reach new heights.

Sean Michael Cox, Ph.D.

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Sean Michael Cox, Ph.D., is the Chair of the Department of Political Science and International Relations at Bay Atlantic University. His area of academic expertise focuses on Comparative Politics and includes specializations in post-Soviet politics, Eastern European and Balkan Politics, Turkish politics, and US politics. Dr. Cox is a Senior Advisor at the Global Policy Institute, a Washington, D.C.-based economics and international affairs think tank. During his career, he has served as Primary Investigator on numerous projects funded by a variety of public and private organizations including USAID, the US Departments of Education and State, the European Commission, NATO, and a number of foundations.

Pipop Nuangpookka wearing glasses, a striped shirt, and a dark blazer, posing against a white background.

Dr. Pipop Nuangpookka

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Dr. Pipop Nuangpookka is the Chair of Information Management Science Program and Director of Distance Education at BAU. He started teaching in Computer Science, Information Technology, and Cybersecurity disciplines in 2007. His research interests are Non-Destructive Method of Detecting Hardware Attack, PII Security Controls, Web Server Protection, and Bilingual Translator Programming. He is a co-author of scholarly papers published in the Journal of Computing Sciences in Colleges/ACM digital library, including “Hardware-Tampering Security Risks in the Supply Chain” and “Fileless Malware and Programmatic Method of Detection.

Oonah Jaja-Wachuku

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Oonah Jaja-Wachuku is the department chair of the General Education program at Bay Atlantic University. She is a double masters’ degree holder in the areas of International Business Management (MBA) and Multilingualism, Linguistics and Education (MA). She has over 10 years of teaching/instructing experience in different parts of the world. Oonah is passionate about teaching and learning and strives to bring creativity, new paradigms and processes to the practice of educating bright minds.
Ms. Jaja-Wachuku is a self-published author and blog writer – a reader, writer and lifelong learner.

Paolo von Schirach

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Paolo von Schirach was appointed President of the Global Policy Institute, GPI, in March 2016. He is also Professor of Political Science and International Relations at Bay Atlantic University BAU in Washington, DC. He served as Chair of PSIR from 2018 until June 2022. His GPI research and BAU teaching focus on contemporary world politics and economics, international trade, energy, competition policies, and the role of innovation in economics.

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