Admissions

ADMISSIONS AND FINANCIAL AID

Admissions

Admission to the MS Data Science and Engineering and the Graduate Certificate in Data Science and Engineering is competitive. In the admission process, the graduate faculty considers the potential of applicants to complete a program successfully and achieve a position of leadership in the private, public or research sectors.

Students with undergraduate degrees in any field may apply. However, those with two semesters of calculus (e.g., MAT 126, 127), a semester of statistics (e.g., STS 232 or ECE 316 or CHB 350), and proficiency in programming will have more options for classes they may pursue. Students without these background prerequisites will be required to take foundation courses that count toward the degree. All students must have at least a college level statistics course as a prerequisite to taking the foundations course in statistics. If missing that course, an approved college statistics course may be taken prior to or made part of conditional or provisional admission.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and no strict deadlines apply. Thesis-based MS students applying for campus-wide research assistantships or scholarships should complete their application packets by January 1 for fall admission.

MS in Data Science and Engineering

Admission Criteria

  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year U.S. accredited college or university with a 3.0 cumulative or higher GPA, or equivalent international university degree with comparable academic performance (exceptions considered on case-by-case basis)

Application Requirements

  • Online application
  • Transcripts from previous institutions
  • Current resume to include three references
  • Essay 
  • $65 application fee

For detailed application instructions, see Further Admission Information. 

Graduate Certificate in Data Science and Engineering

Admission Criteria

  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year U.S. accredited college or university with a 3.0 cumulative or higher GPA, or equivalent international university degree with comparable academic performance (exceptions considered on case-by-case basis)

Application Requirements

  • Online application
  • Transcripts from previous institutions
  • Current resume
  • Essay
  • $35 application

For detailed application instructions, see Further Admission Information. 

Accelerated 4+1 Program in Data Science and Engineering

UMaine undergraduate students interested in the Four Plus One option should first apply directly to the graduate coordinator in DSE. The Graduate School application must be completed after being accepted into the 4+1 program.

Further Admission Information

Application Content Instructions – One line on the application form states: Please list any member(s) of the University of Maine faculty whom you have identified as a potential faculty mentor. In response to this request you may indicate a preferred major adviser from the list of over fifty DSE graduate faculty members or request that the adviser be drawn from a specific campus department or school. If no preference is stated, we attempt to make a best-match for you. Depending on circumstances, not all preferences may be able to be met.

Application Resume Instructions –  A single page is sufficient but submit no more than two. Include academic, employment, and any other germane accomplishments. On your resume please provide contact information for three professional or educator recommendations. Recommenders should be able to comment on your academic strengths, work ethic, responsibilities, accomplishments, career advancement, or ability to be successful. We may or may not solicit recommendations by phone, email or letter as appropriate.

Application Essay Prompt – Discuss motivations, life experiences, and ability to succeed. The essay is evaluated not only for content, but also for intrinsic writing quality and strengths.

Application Fee Waivers – Application fees are waived for:

  • Graduates of University of Maine System Schools
  • Veterans of the US Armed Forces
  • Fulbright Scholars
  • Participants in select programs (eg. IRT/McNair)

Transfer Courses – For the MS in DSE, a maximum of six credit hours of graduate coursework taken prior to enrollment in the master’s program may be counted toward the master’s degree. Students will confer with their graduate advisory committee upon admission to determine the transferability of previous coursework. The transfer documentation is best provided on the student’s Program of Study (Master’s POS Form) which is filed with the appropriate signatures. In the event you ever need to change a course on the POS, use the Change in Program of Study form found at the same link

Course Waivers – If some required courses are duplicative of courses that may have been taken in the student’s undergraduate degree program, those courses need not be repeated, and the student will select in consultation with the student’s faculty advisor and the DSE Graduate Coordinator additional approved courses to arrive at the total of 30 credit hours. A course waiver form must be submitted. If waived for a course in a Core Theme area, up to three credits are satisfied in that area and an additional approved course outside of the Core Theme areas may therefore be chosen.

Courses Pursued on Other UMS Campus – Typically up to two courses taken on other UMS campuses as listed under the DSE Graduate Course Groupings may be accepted on a student Programs of Study. For each external course you take you must file a Domestic Study Away Form. Submit the form at the same time you enroll in the course.

On-Leave Status – If you decide to enroll in no courses in either program for one or more regular academic year semesters, your are required to submit a Request for On-Leave Status. If you fail to submit such a request, you are assumed to have left the program by the Graduate School.

Tuition – For more information about tuition and fees please visit the Bursar’s Office webpage. Alternatively, applicants interested in the online program option may consult the Tuition and Fees through UMaineOnline.

International Students – International applicants should  review the Office of International Programs page for more information on Visas, financial statements, and other requirements, or should contact an international advisor. Among further documentation that may be required includes:

  • TOEFL or IELTS scores (TOEFL minimum of 80 or IELTS 6.5.) – Waived for native English speakers and students graduating from an English-speaking or ESL programs.
  • WES or ECE certified transcript translation.
  • Certificate of Finances if attending on campus
  • Copy of passport or visa if attending on campus

STEM Status – International students applying to the MS DSE on campus should note that the MS DSE program is certified as a STEM program (see U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Student and Exchange Visitor Program and CIP Code 14.3801) potentially allowing a longer postgraduate training stay in the U.S.

Graduate Certificate in Addition to MS DSE – Students currently enrolled in a master’s degree program through the Graduate School who desire to pursue an approved graduate certificate program simultaneously in a subarea or specialization must apply for admission to the certificate program before one-half of the required master’s credits are completed. While the graduate certificate might be in DSE, it might be in another program as well (e.g. Graduate Certificates in Information Systems. GIS, Computing for Educators, Digital Curation, etc.). See the full list of graduate certificates offered through UMaine Online.

Financial Aid

For general information on the range of grants, loans and scholarships available from Federal and other sources for graduate students, contact the Office of Student Financial Aid. The department provides no assistantships for non-research based degrees, however, university wide assistantships and scholarships may be available. All full-time students are eligible to apply. Note: Those seeking a graduate certificate are ineligible for most grants, loans and scholarships.

Some employers offer tuition reimbursement programs, please confer with your HR representative to confirm such a program exists and your eligibility.