MS in Data Science at UMass

1. Why should you pursue MS in Data Science from UMass Dartmouth USA?

• UMass Dartmouth's master's in data science is ranked #7 in the US as per Best Value Schools (2021).
• It provides a path for individuals from diverse fields such as liberal arts, social sciences, mathematics, engineering and others to rapidly transition to data science careers.
• Students will be able to apply modern techniques for managing, mining, and analyzing big data across multiple disciplines at the time of graduation. The program creates innovators, entrepreneurs, and business professionals to lead the development of next-generation information systems.
• Students are encouraged to pursue their own research interests and participate in faculty-led initiatives and collaborate on industry and agency projects.
• Success-driven, with 96% of students employed or in graduate school within six months of graduation.
• The career progression for graduates includes Data Analysts, Machine Learning Engineer, Big Data Architect, Data Scientist, Logistics Analyst and other leading opportunities in the DS field.
• According to Payscale 2022, the average base salary of a Data Scientist in the country is $98,624. It is 41% more compared to the national average salary of Americans.
• The university’s Career Center offers career planning services to help students develop a successful future.

2. Can international students work to pay for their educational expenses?

All students in the USA with a valid F-1 Visa are not eligible to work off-campus. Rather, such students are eligible to work on-campus as graduate assistants or research assistants or other on-campus ad-hoc jobs and receive compensation, beginning in their first semester. The list of available positions will be provided in advance of the Fall semester (please note the number of these positions are limited and not guaranteed).

3. Will I be supported for IELTS/TOEFL/PTE or other English language exams during this program?

Yes, upGrad will help you prepare for the English proficiency test to establish your current English proficiency to be eligible for the Master's program in the USA.

4. When will I go to UMass Dartmouth USA?

UMass Dartmouth will have 2 intakes for students coming through the accelerator route. The first intake of the year will be the January (spring) intake, the second intake of the year will be August (Fall). Though the application process for UMass Dartmouth will start during the IIIT Bangalore online program, you will be able to go to UMass Dartmouth in the nearest intake which is at least 3 months away from completion of your IIIT Bangalore program.

5. When will I get an Offer Letter from UMass Dartmouth?

upGrad will apply for you to UMass Dartmouth once all the documents are provided by you (as given in the offer letter issued to you by upGrad). Apart from the documents mentioned in the offer letter of UMass Dartmouth you will have to give proof of English proficiency for application of admission in UMass Dartmouth. upGrad will support you to get your English proficiency scores within 3 months of the start of the batch to accelerate this process.

1. How do I know if the program is right for me?

If you like finding meaningful insights from data and if you get excited by the prospect of informing business decisions through analysis and have an analytical bent of mind, then this program is meant for you. As long as you can clear the selection test (or are exempt) and are excited about the transition to Data Science, this program is meant for you.

2. My current role does not include exposure to data. Does it make sense for me to opt for this program?

Absolutely! The role of data is becoming a necessity for more informed business decisions across industries. Hence, there is a critical demand for quality data professionals and because the supply is constrained, this is one of the most lucrative career options across industries.

3. What is the list of documents required for the application ?

List of documents are:

• Passport
• Class 10th & 12th Marksheet and Certificate
• Graduation- Marksheets from all semesters and consolidated Marksheet (Transcripts)
• Graduation degree
• Statement of Purpose
• One Letter of Recommendation
• Resume
• English Proficiency Score Card (IELTS/TOEFL/Duolingo)
• FERPA Form

4. What is the selection process for this program?

upGrad, IIIT Bangalore, UMass Dartmouth world-renowned faculty, and many industry leaders have committed a lot of time in conceptualizing and creating this program to make sure that the learners can receive the best possible learning experience in Data Science. Hence, we want to make sure that the participants of this program also show a very high level of commitment and passion for Data Science. For entry into UMass Dartmouth students have to successfully complete IIIT Bangalore program with a minimum of 3 GPA.

5. Is there any minimum educational qualification required to take this program?

For IIIT Bangalore:

• B.E/B.Tech/B.Sc (IT/Computer Science)/BCA with minimum of 60% or above marks. Maximum backlogs (ATKTs) accepted will be 5.
• A 4-year Undergraduate degree is preferred. However, if a learner has completed 3 years of Undergraduate, then the awarding University must be NAAC A or higher in the year 2020/2021/2022/2023 AND the student must have graduated FIRST CLASS.
• If an applicant is coming from any other stream (Business, Humanities etc.) the applicant needs to have 2 years of substantial work experience in IT/Data Science/Computing fields.
  
  For UMass Dartmouth:
• An aggregate score of 3.0 CGPA and above in the Advanced Certificate Program in Data Science with a minimum of 3.0 GPA in each course.
• TOEFL >= 80 or IELTS score >= 6.5 or equivalent across all bands or Duolingo >= 105.

1. What is the time commitment expected for the program?

At least 12-15 hours per week of time commitment is expected to be able to graduate from the program.

2. How will my doubts/questions be addressed in an online program?

Peer-to-peer discussion forum where you can post your queries and your peers/faculty/teaching assistants answer your queries within a day. Regular Q&A sessions with faculty to get clarification on conceptual doubts.

No cost CC EMI FAQ's

0% EMI with Finance partners /Credit card option availability will vary program wise.

1. Which banks allow using 0% Credit card EMI or Credit card EMI?

No cost EMI is available on credit cards from all major banks (American Express, Bank of Baroda, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, IndusInd Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, RBL Bank, Standard Chartered, Axis Bank, Yes Bank, State Bank of India, CITIBANK and HSBC)

2. Is there any minimum transaction limit ?

Yes. 50000 is the minimum.

3. Standard Chartered Bank offers 18 or 24 months No Cost EMI ?

No. ONLY 12 months is available irrespective of the Program enrolled.

4. Will I have to pay any extra amount for EMI transaction?

If you are availing 0% credit card EMI, upGrad will not charge any processing fees or down payment for these transactions. Your bank may levy GST or other taxes on the interest component of the EMI.

5. Are there any fees or down payment?

Certain banks charge nominal processing fees between INR 99 - 500 on 0% Credit Card EMI transaction. If charged, will be billed in the first repayment installment.

6. Can I use my International credit card for 0% credit EMI or Credit Card EMI?

Only the Indian bank credit cards can be used. But you can pay the amount using the Credit card option in one shot / part payments, and later you can convert into EMI from your respective bank. The tenures and interest charged will depend on your bank. upGrad will not charge any processing fees or down payment for these transactions, this will be purely between you and your bank.

7. Are there any charges in case I opt for cancellation/refund from the course after paying balance with no cost EMI ?

Yes, there will be additional charges to the extent of interest paid by the upGrad to the bank, you will be refunded only Principal amount, i.e. the amount actually deducted/blocked from your card. This deduction will be in addition to the amount mentioned in the refund policy shared with your offer letter.

8. Can I Pay Using Multiple Credit Cards ?

Multiple cards can be used to complete the payments using Part payment option make sure to inform the learner, minimum transaction is INR 50000 to opt for 0% CC EMI E.g. Amount to be paid: 150000. I can pay using 2 Credit cards. Yes, Example :
HDFC Card – Part payment – INR 100000
ICICI Card – Part payment – INR 50000

9. How can I opt for Credit card EMI if my bank is not listed in the 0% Credit card EMI or Credit card EMI?

You can pay the amount using the Credit card option in one shot / part payments, and later you can convert into EMI from your respective bank. The tenures and interest charged will depend on your bank. upGrad will not charge any processing fees or down payment for these transactions.

10. Why is the entire amount blocked on my credit card?

Initially your bank will block the entire amount from your available purchase limit and from your next billing cycle, you will be charged the EMI amount. As you start paying your EMI, your credit limit will be released accordingly. For example, if you have made a payment of ₹100000 on 6-months EMI and your credit limit is ₹200,000 then initially your bank will block your credit limit by ₹100000. After payment of your first month EMI of Rs.15000, the blocked amount will come down to ₹85000.

11. Why is interest getting charged on No Cost EMI?

Your bank will charge you interest. However, this interest charge has been provided to you as an upfront discount at the time of your payment, effectively giving you the benefit of a No cost EMI. The total amount paid during the entire EMI tenure to the bank will be equal to the amount to be paid to upGrad.

Eg. Amount payable to upGrad: INR 405000
Let's say Amount deducted at the time of transaction: INR 379850 (Principal amount) Bank charges interest of 12-15% per annum on INR 379850
[Note: Interest factor is reducing rate and not Flat rate]
EMI AMOUNT = INR 33750 x 12 = INR 405000
Effectively, you have taken loan on 379,850 instead of 405,000