Psychology (Data Science), MS
Gain the skills to turn human behavior into data-driven insights. This innovative graduate program empowers you with hands-on experience in machine learning, data visualization and behavioral analysis --- no advanced coding background is required. Prepare for a career in tech, health or social science with tools employers are actively seeking.
Quick facts
Locations
Credits
Additional facts
STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
International students (F1), this program is not eligible for the STEM-OPT extension.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
This program has a fee pending ABOR approval.
Degree description
The Master of Science program in psychology with a concentration in data science offers you 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 is an ideal choice if you are 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 your skills are marketable and relevant. The program offers a distinct educational experience that minimally overlaps with more traditional statistical training and is maximally relevant to the evolving demands of the job market. This approach positions you at the forefront of technological and societal advancements, reflecting a unique integration of data science techniques within the behavioral sciences.
You are well-prepared for careers in industries focused on data-driven solutions. This concentration is particularly valuable if you are seeking to enhance your expertise in the growing high-tech sectors, positioning you for success in fields that integrate behavioral science with data analytics.
GI Bill® benefits
This new program is not yet approved for use with GI Bill® benefits.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/.
Curriculum
This graduate degree includes courses focused on a specialized topic, so you can advance your skills for further professional opportunities. Explore all courses below.
30 credit hours including the required capstone course (BDS 553)
Required Core (3 credit hours) Methods and Statistics (6 credit hours) Concentration (9 credit hours) Electives (9 credit hours) Culminating Experience (3 credit hours)
PSY 502 Professional Issues in Psychology (3)
BDS 500 Research Methods (3)
BDS 505 Statistical Methods (3)
BDS 511 Behavioral Data Science I (3)
BDS 512 Behavioral Data Science II (3)
PSY 506 Advanced Cognitive Science (3)
BDS 553 Behavioral Data Science Capstone (3)
Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
U.S. applicants (opens in new window) | International applicants (opens in new window) | English proficiency (opens in new window)
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences. Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in psychology, sociology, education and related fields 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: Additional Application Information Related fields include those that have a background in psychology, data science, sociology, business or education. Required program coursework assumes a basic understanding of social science statistics and research methods. It is strongly recommended that applicants have completed a statistics course or a research methods course. It is preferred that the letter of recommendation come from a faculty member who knows the applicant's work well; if this is not possible, the recommendation should come from an individual in a supervisory or professional role. The statement of purpose should be a concise and well-written response that describes the applicant's academic or career goals, and how a master's degree in psychology with a concentration in data science will help them achieve those goals.
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of current residency by scoring at least 4 on the Internet-based TOEFL® (iBT) or a score of 80 if taken before January 21, 2026 in a testing center; 6.5 on the IELTS; or 105 on the Duolingo English test.
Application deadlines
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | Rolling* |
*A rolling deadline means that applications will continue to be reviewed on a regular basis until the semester begins. International students should be mindful of visa deadlines to ensure there is time to produce necessary visa documents. Applicants are encouraged to complete and submit application materials as soon as possible for consideration.
Explore expanded study opportunities
This program allows you to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years. As a high-achieving student, accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for you to share undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of your master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
This program is offered as an accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree with:
Approval to pursue the accelerated master's is typically granted during the junior year of your bachelor's degree program. If you are interested, you can learn more about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Study abroad is possible for graduate students, and it allows students in the psychology program to stand out in many career fields. Students are exposed to unique 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.
There are more than 50 program opportunities, with programs on every continent. 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 close mentorship and professional network growth in many fields of study while earning ASU credit. Exchange program participation is also possible with careful planning.
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students recieve financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimateCareer opportunities
Graduates of the concentration program in data science are prepared for a wide range of career opportunities in areas that merge data science with psychologically grounded insights into human behavior. The program's unique focus on advanced data science methods, machine learning and behavioral analytics have equipped graduates 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. 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
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
School of Social and Behavioral Sciences
|
FAB N101
NCGradAdvising@asu.edu
602-543-3000
Admission deadlines
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
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.
