The STEM-designated Master of Science (M.S.) in Applied Data Science prepares students to apply state-of-the-science analytical models to political behavior, institutions, and decision-making across all levels of political interaction. Students integrate political theories with computational and statistical methods to analyze and forecast outcomes in complex political systems. The program equips students with a range of tools —including political, economic, statistical, and data science techniques—to address pressing policy challenges, giving them a distinct competitive edge in public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Topics covered span conflict and cooperation, income inequality, national policy development, geostrategic risk, economic growth, trade, demographic change, and sustainable development.

This program is offered in-person with some coursework offered in an hybrid/online modality and can be completed in five semestera of full-time attendance (eight units/semester).

Program Outcomes

• Trains students in state-of-the-art political assessment models across all scales of political interaction.  
• Students ground their understanding of advanced research methods within political theories.  
• Trained to understand and predict uncertainty created by politics.  
• Prepared to serve as analysts within consulting firms and think tanks. 

Degree Requirements

A minimum of 36 units is required for the degree. Additionally, all students will be required to submit a Final Paper Portfolio.

Coursework

Core Courses (16 units)

• SP&E 489 - Computational Tools for Social Science (4 units)  
• SP&E 487 - Visualizing Data (4 units)  
• SP&E 486 - Predictive Analytics and Machine Learning (4 units)  
• SP&E 471 - Strategic Modeling for Politics, Economics, & Business Decisions (4 units)  

Research Tools (12 units)

Students are required to complete:

• PP 481 - Introduction to Statistical Analysis (4 units)  

• PP 482 - Advanced Quantitative Research Methods (4 units)  

Students will select three courses from:

• PP 487L - Applied Data Analysis: Limited Dependent Variables and MLE (4 units)  

• PP 487M - Applied Data Analysis: Machine Learning and Data Mining for Social Scientists (4 units)  

• PP 487S - Applied Data Analysis: Survey of Advanced Methods (4 units)  

Electives (8 units)

Take eight units from one of the following tracks. Any substitution must be made in consultation with your faculty advisor must be documented and submitted to the Academic Coordinator. 

Computational Analytics

• ECON 317 - Game Theory and Asymmetric Information (4 units)  
• PP 484 - Survey Research (4 units)  
• SP&E 316 - Computational & Agent-Based Modeling (4 units)  
• SP&E 448 - Seminar in Social Network Analysis (4 units)  

​International Political Economy

• SP&E 411 - International Political Economy (4 units)  
• ​One course selected from: 

  • SP&E 410 - Political Economy of International Development (4 units)  

  • PP 408 - Seminar in World Politics: Political Demography & Development (4 units)  

  • SP&E 429 - Political Economy of China (4 units)  

  • SP&E 359 - Economic Development: Household and Local Development Issues (4 units)  

Security

• PP 401 - World Politics (4 units)  

• PP 430 - Perspectives in Conflict and Peace (4 units)  

Health

• CGH 300 - Theoretical Foundations in Health Promotion & Education (4 units)  

• CGH 302 - Epidemiology (4 units)  

Final Paper Portfolio

All students in the Department of Politics and Policy are required to submit two papers to the program office during or before the semester they plan to confer their degree. One paper should be written during the student’s first year. A second paper should represent the student’s strongest work and should be submitted during any semester following the submission of the first paper. Papers are used for accreditation reviews of the program.