Program Director: Sherrill W. Hayes
Office: CL 3007
Phone: (470) 578-6499
Email: shayes32@kennesaw.edu
Web address: http://graduate.kennesaw.edu/datascience/

Analytics and Data Science, Ph.D Program Description 

Kennesaw State University’s Ph.D. with a major in Analytics and Data Science is an advanced degree, which has been developed to meet the market demand for Data Scientists.

This degree trains individuals to translate large, structured and unstructured, complex datasets into information to improve decision-making, and become independent researchers in a nascent academic field. This curriculum includes heavy emphasis on programming, machine learning, data mining, statistical modeling, and the mathematical foundations to support these concepts. Importantly, the program also emphasizes communication skills - both oral and written - as well as application and tying results to business and research problems.

Because this degree is a Ph.D., it creates flexibility. Graduates can pursue a position in the private or public sector as a “practicing” Data Scientist - where continued demand is expected to greatly outpace the supply - or pursue a position within academia, where they would be uniquely qualified to teach the next generation of data scientists.

General Admissions Requirements 

• Online Graduate Application
• Transcripts - Official transcripts from EACH College and/or University you have attended. Must be in a sealed envelope from the institution or sent electronically from the institution directly to Graduate Admissions.
• GRE Score Report - Minimum Quantitative score is 160.
• Resume
• Statement of Intent describing how this degree facilitates your career goals.
• Three Letters of Recommendation 
  • At least one must be from an academic source.
  • At least one must be from a source outside of the academic community. 
• Successful completion of Math courses through Calculus II
• Proficiency in at least one analytical programming language (e.g., Python, SAS, R).

Program Structure and Degree Requirements

Completion of the ADS Ph.D. requires a minimum of 78 credit hours of study, which includes all required and elective courses, as well as, successful completion of a comprehensive examination, an internship, and dissertation research and defense. The program provides students flexibility to tailor their coursework and research to topical interests and the demands of the job market. We advise students to be in contact with Program Director regarding any decisions that would impact their choice of courses in the curriculum.

Program of Study