Data Analytics, M.S.D.A.

 

Elizabeth Bell, Director of International Programs and Specialized Masters Programs
(423) 425-4210 or email at Elizabeth-Bell@utc.edu

 

Our Master of Science in Data Analytics program focuses on combining high-quality expertise in computer science with business analytic skills so that massive volumes of data may be visualized and analyzed to reveal emerging business trends.  The program also focuses on application of advanced data mining techniques to predict events important to the organization.  The graduates of this innovative program will bridge gaps between accomplished business executives and the technological expertise that can help organizations derive value from data.

The UTC MSDA program is offered as a partnership between the Gary W. Rollins College of Business and the College of Engineering and Computer Science. This partnership means our students receive the best in instruction and support from both colleges.

Participants in our program have the opportunity to choose a business track or a computer science track.

Admission requirements

You must have earned a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university (any major is acceptable) or foreign equivalent and be in good academic standing at the last institution you attended. To be considered for regular admission, applicants must meet one of the following requirements from a regionally accredited institution or foreign equivalent. All GPAs are based on a 4.0 point scale and are cumulative including all undergraduate courses completed; the last two years of undergraduate coursework are equivalent to approximately 60-70 semester hours or 90-100 quarter hours.

• 2.70 minimum GPA for all undergraduate work taken for the baccalaureate degree or
• 3.00 GPA for the last two years of undergraduate academic coursework or
• 3.00 GPA for 30 or more semester hours undergraduate credit after earning the first bachelor’s degree or
• 2.70 for the last two years of undergraduate coursework and a 3.00 GPA on fewer than 24 hours graduate coursework or
• 3./00 GPA for 24 or more graduate hours or
• An earned master’s degree or higher-level degree with at least a 3.00 GPA.

Applicants must complete either GMAT or GRE unless a waiver is granted.  GMAT or GRE scores more than five years old cannot be considered. The graduate examination score will be considered as an important input into the overall profile of the students.

GMAT/GRE waiver requests will be considered for applicants who meet on of the waiver criteria listed below. Applicants will make the waiver request via the program application by selecting the waiver option they believe they meet. Meeting the below criteria does not guarantee a GMAT/GRE waiver. To be considered, applicants must have earned:

• Previous graduate degree or higher with a 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher or
• 3.25 cumulative undergraduate GPA plus 5 years of professional work experience or
• UTC undergraduate business major or other comparable university’s business major with a 3.0 cumulative GPA and 3.2 cumulative GPA within business major (defined as upper level courses in business); OR, UTC undergraduate computer science major or other comparable university’s computer science major with a 3.0 cumulative GPA and 3.2 cumulative GPA within computer science major (defined as upper level courses in computer science).

The University wishes to encourage qualified graduate applicants from other countries. Accordingly, The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga will accept as equivalent in level, structure, scope and intent the new European degrees, adopted under the Bologna Process. The University will also consider three-year bachelor’s degrees earned in Division I and II institutions in India and accredited by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) as comparable to four-year U.S. bachelor’s degrees. UTC will consider other three-year degrees on a case by case basis. 

Students whose native language is not English are required to provide official scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing Systems (IELTS). An official TOEFL score of 79 or above, or an IELTS scoreof 6.0 or higher is required. Applicants may ask The Graduate School for an exemption from the TOEFL or IELTS requirement if they:

1. Have received a degree from a regionally accredited institution in the United States (or a similarly accredited institution in a country/region where the predominant spoken language is English) within the last two years or
2. Have worked full time in the United States or a predominately English-speaking country/region for at least two of the preceding four years. Applicants who wish to apply for such an exemption should check with the Graduate School office for appropriate instructions and/or forms.

Evidence of financial resources sufficient to provide adequate support (as determined by the University) during the applicant’s period of residence as a student.

International students may be required to take an English proficiency examination after arriving at the University and must successfully complete all English courses recommended as a result of his/her score on this test or the TOEFL/IELTS.

Admission process:

Applications are accepted by the Graduate School at any time; however, in order to ensure adequate time for consideration, the completed online application, Graduate Management Admission (GMAT) test score or alternatively a Graduate Record Exam (GRE) test score, and any other supporting credentials should be received by the Graduate School no later than two months prior to the beginning of the term for which admission is desired.  To complete your application you must submit the following:

• Application: complete both parts of the online application 1) UTC Graduate School application, 2) MS Data Analytics program application.
• Official Transcripts: Submit official transcripts from each college or university attended (even those from whom transfer credits were earned) to UTC’s Graduate School. To expedite the receipt of official transcripts, UTC recommends the use of an electronic transcript submission services such as Parchment or National Student Clearinghouse. If mailing official transcripts, they must be mailed directly from the institution to: The Graduate School, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Department 5305, 615 McCallie Avenue, Chattanooga, TN 37403.
• Pay a $35.00 one-time, non-refundable application fee ($40.00 fee for International student applications). This fee is paid when completing the online application.
• Take the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and report the scores to UTC.  Your scores will be reported electronically to UTC if you select UTC as a recipient.  UTC’s Institution number is 1831.
• Maximum two-page statement of purpose for doing the MSDA program and goals of the applicant should be submitted with the application.
• Resume/Curriculum Vitae
• International students applications (not U.S. born or naturalized citizens)have additional application requirements detailed in the International Student Application Guide on the UTC International Student Services Office web site. Note: International student applicants must submit admission materials to the UTC International Student Services Office.