About the BS in Data Science
SPU’s Data Science major provides a rigorous and engaging education in the rapidly growing field of data science. Students will combine coursework in mathematics, statistics, and computer science to gain the technical skills necessary to collect, clean, analyze, and interpret data for real-world decision-making.
Our hands-on, collaborative approach emphasizes problem-solving and exploration of data rather than passive lecture-based learning. Additionally, students engage with SPU’s Christian liberal arts curriculum, fostering critical thinking and ethical awareness — especially in areas involving sensitive data. Graduates of this program will be well-equipped for careers in a variety of industries or for further graduate study.
Course Requirements
For students interested in mathematics as a liberal arts major, or for those who wish to teach mathematics at the secondary level, this BA provides a strong foundation.
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Course requirements for the BS in Data Science are listed in the SPU Undergraduate Catalog.
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A minimum of 95 credits are required for this major, including 44 upper-division credits.
Entering the Major
You may enter the BS in Data Science major during your first quarter at SPU. Entrance after your first quarter requires only good academic standing (2.0 or higher SPU cumulative GPA). Consult the Undergraduate Catalog for complete information on how and when to enter and what you must do to complete the program.
4+1 Pathway
The 4+1 Pathway allows qualified students majoring in Data Science (BS) to begin graduate coursework during their senior year and complete their MS – Data Analytics in Business in just one additional year. This integrated curriculum prepares graduates for leadership roles at the intersection of technology and business strategy, equipping them to drive data-driven decision-making across finance, health care, marketing, and consulting sectors.
- Start graduate coursework early. Students complete up to 15 credits of graduate-level coursework during their junior and senior years, with classes counting toward both bachelor’s and master’s degrees, completing the final master’s degree 30 credits during the fifth year.
- Save on graduate tuition. Shared credits reduce the total cost of earning a master’s degree, and undergraduate financial aid applies to graduate-level courses taken during senior year.
- Graduate application fee waived. Students entering the 4+1 pathway do not pay the standard graduate application fee.
- Guaranteed admission and early advising. Students admitted to the 4+1 track who maintain a 3.0 GPA are guaranteed admission to the MS – Data Analytics in Business program and can begin working with a graduate advisor during their senior year.
- Simple path to eligibility. Students apply to SPU as a Data Science (BS) major, then apply to the MS – Data Analytics in Business program after their sophomore or junior year.