Behavioral Data Science (Graduate Certificate)
Applied Social Science, Behavioral Psychology, Cognition, Information, Neuropsychology, Psychology
Interested in the link between people and data? Combine psychology and data science to understand human behavior in new ways. You'll build your skills in coding, visualization and predictive modeling, preparing you for a career at the intersection of psychology, social science and data science.
The graduate certificate in behavioral data science offers an innovative blend of behavioral science and advanced data science methods. The program equips you with essential skills to translate human behavior into quantifiable data for deeper analysis. Through project-based learning, you gain practical skills, including data collection and cleaning, data visualization and model-building --- skills that showcase your ability to address practical challenges using behavioral data analysis.
If you come from a background in psychology or related fields, including those with minimal computing experience, this curriculum is well suited for you. Courses emphasize hands-on data manipulation, cleaning and exploration, along with project-based learning with compelling topics, including tree-based algorithms, deep learning and convolutional neural networks. You learn how to apply these innovative techniques to behavioral and social data, providing you with the critical thinking and technical skills needed in today's evolving job market.
The program aligns with ASU's charter and mission of inclusive and use-inspired research, making it an ideal choice for you if you're looking to advance your education or enhance your professional capabilities. You engage in projects directly applicable to in-demand fields, including health care, psychology and social data science, ensuring that your skills are marketable and relevant.
- College/school:
New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences
- Location: West Valley
- STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
Students can complete two graduate certificate programs and combine them into a Master of Advanced Study degree, giving ultimate flexibility to build their own master’s degree. Interested students can learn more about MAS requirements and the admission process.
15 credit hours
Required Core (9 credit hours) Electives and Research (6 credit hours) Additional Curriculum Information
BDS 505 Statistical Methods (3)
BDS 511 Behavioral Data Science I (3)
BDS 512 Behavioral Data Science II (3)
Elective and research courses should be selected from the approved list available through the program advisor.
General university admission requirements:
All students are required to meet general
university admission requirements.
U.S.
applicants | International
applicants | English
proficiency
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences.
To be considered for the program, applicants must have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in psychology, sociology, education or a related field from a regionally accredited institution.
Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.
Applicants are required to submit:
- graduate admission application and application fee
- official transcripts
- personal statement
- professional resume
- unofficial transcripts
- proof of English proficiency
Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of current residency.
The statement of purpose provides the admission committee with the ability to evaluate the applicant's writing and their fit for this program. The following items should be addressed in the statement of purpose:
- Describe your career goals and how a graduate certificate in behavioral data science will help you achieve those goals.
- Behavioral data science is the application of data science and machine learning techniques to the understanding of human behavior. Briefly describe aspects of behavioral data science that most interest you.
- Briefly discuss previous experience with computation methods or willingness to engage with these methodologies.
A professional resume or CV may be included in the application materials but is not required.
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 07/15 | Final |
Study abroad is possible for graduate students, and it enables students in the psychology program to stand out in many career fields. Students are exposed to differences in the human condition worldwide, are able to improve language and cross-cultural skills for effective communication, and are challenged to adapt to new social and cultural circumstances.
Study abroad programs are offered on every continent, and more than 50 opportunities are available. Faculty-directed programs tend to be the best fit for graduate students; taking courses over the summer or during academic breaks with ASU professors offers students close mentorship and professional network growth in many fields of study while they earn ASU credit. Exchange program participation is also possible with careful planning.
The graduate certificate in behavioral data science prepares graduates for a wide variety of career opportunities in areas that merge data science with psychologically grounded insights into human behavior. The program's distinct focus on advanced data science methods, machine learning and behavioral analytics equips students with the skills necessary to excel in multiple industries that rely on understanding human behavior through data-driven approaches, including academia, business, health care, education and public services.
The program's curriculum minimally overlaps with more traditional statistical training and is maximally relevant to the changing demands of the job market. This approach positions students at the forefront of technological and societal advancements, reflecting a distinct integration of data science techniques within the behavioral sciences.
Graduates are well-prepared for careers in industries focused on data-driven solutions. This program is particularly valuable for those seeking to enhance their expertise in the growing high-tech sectors in the Phoenix area, including the West Valley, positioning them for success in fields that integrate behavioral science with data analytics.
Career opportunities for graduates of this program include:
- business intelligence analyst
- clinical data manager
- computer user support specialist
- data scientist
- educational data scientist
- operations research analyst
- social science researcher
- survey and market researcher
School of Social and Behavioral Sciences
|
FAB N101
NCGradAdvising@asu.edu
602-543-3000
Admission deadlines
Program term definitions
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.
