Curriculum | Master of Public Policy Data Science

Oct 19, 2024

Big data is revolutionizing the way governments, nonprofits, and private businesses operate and design evidence-based solutions to the challenges they face. Big data promotes transparency and accountability, and changes financial and operational strategies to create more effective, equitable, and just policies.

The 36-unit Master of Science in Public Policy Data Science program is a cross-disciplinary program offered jointly between the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy and the USC Viterbi School of Engineering. Students complete a core set of courses to provide a foundation in data science and public policy and choose electives to optimize their preparation for their preferred career path and unique professional opportunities. This program endows students with the skills demanded for the employers of the 21st century.

Public Policy Core Courses (12 units):

Public Policy Elective Options (4 units) – select one course from the following:

Data Science Core Courses (12 units):

Note: Students with a computer science background will have the option of replacing DSCI 510, DSCI 549, and DSCI 550 with DSCI 551, DSCI 552, and DSCI 553.

Data Science Elective Options (4 units) – select one course from the following:

Students will take one additional elective course from either the Public Policy or Data Science elective options. In total, students will take 12 units of electives, with at least 4 units in Public Policy and at least 4 units in Data Science.