Application Process

Click here to apply. This information can also be found on the Data Science & Analytics program website.

To start in the Fall semester, your application is due two weeks prior to the beginning of the semester (see the Academic Calendar). Therefore, for Fall '21, please have your application materials in by August 14, 2021.

Additional questions? Please email datascience@odu.edu.

A GRE waiver may be granted under certain circumstances. The direct link to the waiver form is here. You will need to complete the admission application online first and then submit the wavier form and required materials to Graduate Admissions at gradadmit@odu.edu as indicated on the waiver form. Please also provide all the supporting documents listed below:

  • Current resume.
  • A one-page written request that outlines professional and academic experience and preparedness for graduate-level rigor.
  • Include any professional certifications.
  • Additional information that can help the committee in making decision about your request for the GRE waiver.

Admission to all levels of University study is contingent upon successful completion of English language proficiency requirements. Non-native speakers of English can provide evidence of English language proficiency through a variety of options, all detailed here.


In general, yes. Letters are not required if switching from another ODU graduate program.


In general, your credentials will not be evaluated prior to submitting your full application for this program. Please check the minimum program requirements here. To discuss your general qualifications and ask questions, please reach out to the Graduate Program Director, Dr. Mohammad Zubair (zubair@cs.odu.edu), or email datascience@odu.edu.


Course Offerings

Please click the links provided below for a list of course offerings and total credit hours.


Students attending full-time can expect to complete the program in two years or less. Part-time students can expect to complete the program in three years.

See sample course plans here.


Applicants should have competency in topics related to basic statistics and computer science such as: differentiation and integration, vectors and matrices, determinants and matrix inverse, elementary statistics and probability, basic programming, software development and testing, and Python/C++/java concepts.


Statistics and programming related courses should have been completed as part of the undergraduate curriculum or taken online to cover these concepts. Students interested in this program who feel they lack the needed background from an undergraduate course of study, are recommended by the program director to look into the following online courses:


Please send an email to datascience@odu.edu requesting a meeting to discuss pre-requisites.


Due to the pandemic, currently all courses are being offered either completely online or as a hybrid model. Students will be able to take all courses remotely.

General Questions

Unfortunately, this program does not provide financial support or assistantship (GTA or GRA) funding. However, there are general options available. Please explore the financial aid page below for more information.


Yes, this program is geared toward working professionals looking to advance in their careers.