Data Analytics and Visualization (MS), Program Information

Program Faculty

Interim Department Chair:  Jigish Zaveri, Ph.D., Professor

Program Coordinator:  Mary Dunaway, Ph.D., PMP, Assistant Professor of INSS

Earl Graves School of Business & Management

Tel: (443) 885-8255

Email:  mary.dunaway@morgan.edu

Program Faculty

Sanjay Bapna, M.B.A., Ph.D., Professor

Dessa David, Ph.D., Associate Professor

Gregory Ramsey, Ph.D., Associate Professor

Xingxing Zu, Ph.D., Associate Professor

Joel Wyemouth, D.B.A., Lecturer

Program Description

The Master of Science in Data Analytics and Visualization degree program (MSDA) is a trans-disciplinary, STEM-designated, 30 credit graduate program that provides a comprehensive understanding of enterprise strategies for managing the entire data and analytics life cycle; tools and methods which include statistical modeling, machine learning, and artificial intelligence; and effective leadership and communication skills for developing impactful, practical solutions that join business and analytics strategies.

This program helps to meet the industry demand for training persons skilled in data analytics for engaging in and/or managing the use of the technology within businesses.  Students are expected to proactively acquire knowledge and skills in data analytics from coursework, independent study, projects, and research.  Along with completing the graduate degree, students will identify and address problems in heterogeneous domains, use the foundation and skills in the professional domain, and contribute and disseminate the progress with the community and to the science.

Program Objectives

The program learning outcomes of the MSDA  program are:

1. Identify and analyze ethical issues related to bias, data security, intellectual property, integrity, and data privacy.
2. Engage in an experiential learning project demonstrating the ability to identify a relevant problem, curate data, model, analyze, and effectively communicate results to a non-technical audience.
3. Demonstrate critical thinking skills using quantitative and qualitative methods and toolsets in relevant contexts to solve problems.
4. Competently manage data, design, code, implement statistical/machine learning models, visualize, and present results to generate actionable outcomes.
5. Demonstrate teamwork and project management skills.

General Requirements

Candidates for the MS in Data Analytics and Visualization degree must complete a minimum of thirty (30) academic credit hours.

Students must have earned a BS/BA in any discipline from an accredited program.

Students must follow the course sequence as determined by the program.  Students must follow application deadlines for graduation.

Students may repeat courses in which they have secured a grade of “C,” but must not receive more than 20% of their program’s credit requirement in “C” grades.

Admission

To be eligible for admission to the Master of Science program in Data Analytics and Visualization, an applicant must: have: 

• earned a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
• possess a minimum GPA and application requirements as stated by the School of Graduate Studies.
• submit an application for admission to the School of Graduate Studies.  All required documents must be submitted as directed by the School of Graduate Studies prior to program review and admission decision.
• use the application system to arrange for three letters of recommendation to be placed with the application.  Two letters must be from officials or faculty members of institutions previously attended who are acquainted with the applicant’s ability for graduate study.  At least one letter must be from employment supervisors.
• submit a typed exposition regarding the candidate’s personal, academic, professional plans and goals, and the role the MSDA program will play in reaching those goals.

Meeting the minimum eligibility requirements and submitting all the required documents does not guarantee that an offer of admission will be made to the applicant.  the decision of the Program Admissions committee involves a review and analysis of all the elements of the application and availability of positions in the program.  The committee then recommends to the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies that an offer of admission should be made based on that review.

Additional Requirements

All MSDA program core courses should be taken at Morgan.  A maximum of two supporting courses may be transferred in accordance with the School of Graduate Studies credit transfer policy and the INSS department approval.

Graduate students are required to maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 in order to remain in good academic standing.  Students whose cumulative GPAs fall below a 3.0 are automatically placed on academic probation.  Students on academic probation for two (2) consecutive semesters and who fail to raise their GPA to a satisfactory level at the conclusion of the two (2) consecutive terms of probation will be dismissed from the School of Graduate Studies and the program.  A course in which a grade of “C” has been earned may be repeated.  More information is available in the School of Graduate Studies catalog under the Regulations and Procedures section.

Program Course Requirements

MS in Data Analytics and Visualization 30 credits

Suggested Curriculum Sequence