University of Southern California

Overview

The Applied Data Science Graduate Certificate at the University of Southern California (USC) equips learners with essential skills in data management, machine learning, and data mining. This program is ideal for professionals and career changers seeking job-ready capabilities while providing a pathway to USC’s master’s degrees in related data science fields. The course is typically completed on a part-time basis, allowing flexibility to accommodate various schedules.

What you'll study

The certificate comprises 3 core courses and 1 elective, totaling 16 units.

• Core Courses (12 units)
  • Foundations of Data Management (4 units)
  • Machine Learning for Data Science (4 units)
  • Foundations and Applications of Data Mining (4 units)
• Elective Course (4 units)
  • Applied Natural Language Processing
  • Advanced Data Stores
  • Analysis of Algorithms
  • Information Retrieval and Web Search Engines
  • Geospatial Information Management
  • Principles of Programming for Data Science
  • Security and Privacy
  • Introduction to Computational Thinking and Data Science
  • Data Science at Scale
  • Data Visualization
  • Interaction Design and Usability Testing
  • User Experience Design and Strategy
  • Building Knowledge Graphs
  • Data Science Professional Practicum
  • Special Topics (1–4 units, subject to adviser approval)

Note: The availability of electives may vary by term. It is advisable to select an elective that aligns with your career aspirations and prior knowledge.

Entry requirements

While specific GRE or GMAT requirements are not outlined for this program, USC may evaluate your academic background to ensure it is suitable for graduate-level studies in data science.

Career prospects