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General Admission Queries
No, the MDS program typically admits students for the Fall quarter only.
Undergraduate Courses cannot be counted toward graduate coursework. A student who has taken relevant graduate courses at UCI or another university may petition to have a specific course certified as equivalent to one that satisfies this program and they are reviewed on a case by case basis.
No, you may not take a course that is not outlined within the program curriculum.
Scholarships and Funding
Scholarships from the program are limited in funding and are issued on a need-basis. Various other scholarships may be available, including departmental and external opportunities.
Fee waivers may be available for domestic applicants who demonstrate financial need you may review more information on the UCI Graduate Division Website.
Yes, financial aid options are available for eligible students. For specific advice on financing, it’s best to consult the Financial Aid Office. Interest rates can vary depending on the type of loan.
TA (Teaching Assistant) and RA (Research Assistant) positions are often available but competitive. To apply, you usually need to submit a separate application and possibly undergo an interview.
Application Requirements
The GRE is waived until Fall 2026 Admissions Cycle.
Preparing for the Program
Courses in statistics, machine learning, and programming languages like Python or R are often recommended. While courses earned through a community college, extension or university are preferred students may elect to take courses through MOOC.
Completing prerequisites through online learning platforms like UDemy, EdEx, Coursera, etc. are not substitutes for prerequisite courses. Prerequisite courses should be completed through community college, extensions, and/or universities.
Other Queries
Both are required as they offer different perspectives on your suitability for the program.
Letters from previous instructors, mentors, or professional colleagues who can speak to your skills and suitability for the program are preferred.
Improving test scores, gaining relevant work experience, and strengthening your essays and letters of recommendation can make your application more competitive if you wish to reapply.
Data Science and Business Analytics are both data-focused disciplines but are distinct in their applications and scope. Data Science is a broader field that deals with structured and unstructured data, utilizing algorithms, statistics, and technology to generate actionable insights across various domains. This can include customer behavior, scientific research, or social trends.
Business Analytics, on the other hand, is more specialized towards the business context. It predominantly deals with structured business data to help organizations make data-driven decisions. The focus is on solving specific business problems, optimizing operations, and improving performance.
Both disciplines use statistical and computational techniques but apply them in different contexts and to different ends.
