Admissions FAQs

General ADmissions Faqs

Admissions

What is the average profile of a student admitted to the DSBA program?

The average credentials for students who were admitted to the School of Data Science DSBA program for Spring 2020 are listed below. Please be aware that these numbers represent averages and that the MBA program reviews each application individually and holistically. A candidate’s credentials are NOT required to match this profile exactly to be competitive for admission.

Average GMAT: 603

Average Combined GRE (Q & V): 312

Average GPA: 3.3

Average Professional Experience: 5 years

Am I required to have a certain type of Bachelor’s degree to apply to the DSBA program?

Candidates are not required to possess a bachelor’s degree from any particular field of study to qualify for admission to the DSBA program. Diversity of academic background is one of the factors that enriches the DSBA classroom experience.

If I am denied admission, can I reapply for a future term?

Candidates who are denied admission are able to submit an application for a future semester. However, the candidate should first address the area(s) of their application (e.g., GMAT, GRE, TOEFL score) that caused it to be denied initially.

Is work experience a requirement for admission?

While work experience is not currently required for admission, it is highly recommended. Employers recognize that a DSBA degree is most useful when combined with the practical knowledge gained through professional experience.

What is rolling admission?

Rolling admission means that the DSBA program evaluates applications as they are received versus waiting to evaluate all applications after a hard deadline. Applications will be accepted and reviewed as long as space remains in the program. However, candidates should plan to allow a minimum of 30 days for their application to clear the review process.

Rolling admissions begin after the priority deadline has passed.

What is the application process for transfer students?

Transfer students follow the same procedures as other applicants, including submitting all application documents and an official GMAT or GRE score.

What is the difference between a PSM and MS degree?

Students graduating from the PSM will earn an MS degree, but because it is a PSM there are some important differences. First, this degree does not require a thesis. The focus of the degree is on applied research, with a stress on hands-on problem-solving. Students work directly with industry leaders on real world problems. The courses in the program and the direction of this program is determined by an advisory board of professionals in the analytics industry.

I am interested in taking a couple of courses, but I’m not sure if I want to commit to a master’s degree. Do I have an option?

Yes. If you have obtained a bachelor’s degree, you may be able to take a couple of courses as a post-baccalaureate. You can also apply for the Graduate Certificate in DSBA. The certificate mirrors the foundation and core curriculum and you are in the same classes as the professional science master’s students. If you choose to apply to the PSM at a later date all15 credit hours can be transferred into the degree as long as you have earned a minimum 3.0 in each class. To apply for post- baccalaureate or certificate admission, please apply online through the Graduate School’s Admissions website.

Can I attend the program part-time?

Yes, we admit part-time and full-time students. One caution, under the Graduate School requirements there is a 6-year time limit to complete the master’s program, and a 4-year to complete the graduate certificate.

Are classes available online?

The Data Science and Business Analytics degree is intended as a face-to-face program. We value the personal interaction between students and faculty. Occasionally some courses may be offered online but most classes will meet in-person.

I work full-time; are evening classes available?

The program is intentionally designed to accommodate working professionals. The majority of the classes are in the evening, usually after 5 pm and meet once a week.

Can I submit my application after the priority deadline?

Yes, applications received on or before the priority deadline will be reviewed first and given first priority. Applications received after the priority deadline will be reviewed on a rolling basis once they are received.

How much is the application fee and can it be waived?

The application fee is $75, and cannot be waived. The application fee is not transferable or refundable.

What are the requirements to be considered an in-state resident for tuition purposes?

The North Carolina Residency Determination Service is the centralized service for determining residency classifications for all graduate and post-baccalaureate students. Candidates should refer to the Residency Determination Service (RDS) website for specific information on residency requirements.

What are the requirements to be considered an in-state resident for tuition purposes?

The North Carolina Residency Determination Service is the centralized service for determining residency classifications for all graduate and post-baccalaureate students. Candidates should refer to the Residency Determination Service (RDS) website for specific information on residency requirements.

Prerequisite Coursework

Are prerequisite courses required for the DSBA programs?

Yes, the DSBA program requires at least 2 semesters of calculus and 1 semester of statistics prior to applying. The program also wants you to have working knowledge of at least 1 higher level procedural programming language.

Can I apply to the program before completing prerequisite courses?

Candidates are able to apply and gain admission to the DSBA program prior to completing the prerequisite course requirements. To avoid encountering registration restrictions, candidates should plan to have all prerequisite courses completed before the start of their first semester. It is, however, highly recommended to have these courses completed prior to applying.

What options exist for completing necessary prerequisite courses?

Prerequisite courses for the DSBA program may be completed at any accredited institution or through accredited online college services.

GRE/GMAT

Is the GMAT or GRE required for admission?

The GMAT or GRE is required of all applicants for admission to the DSBA program. However, waivers may be granted for holders of a terminal degree such as a PhD, MD, or JD.

How long are GMAT and GRE scores valid?

GMAT and GRE scores are valid for 5 years.

How do I apply for a GMAT/GRE waiver?

GRE/GMAT waivers are only granted for holders of a terminal degree, such as a PhD, MD, or JD. If you meet this requirement, please contact one of our program directors, Joshua Hertel or Carly Mahedy.

What happens if my first attempt on the GMAT or GRE is not competitive enough for admission?

If you recieve a GMAT or GRE score that falls considerably below the program’s average, you will either be asked to retake the exam or your application will be denied.

Admission to the program is competitive. Most accepted students score in the upper-500’s or higher on the GMAT and in the 50th percentile (or higher) in both the quantitative and verbal sections of the GRE (for a combined average of around 313).