Data Science, Analytics and Engineering, PhD
Learn to meet the need for data-driven discovery of new knowledge and decision-making. You'll be prepared to enhance enterprise performance and scientific investigation.
Quick facts
Locations
Credits
Additional facts
STEM-OPT extension eligible: Yes
International students (F1) can extend U.S. work experience by 24 months.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Degree description
The Doctor of Philosophy program in data science, analytics and engineering engages you in fundamental and applied research.
The program's educational objective is to develop your ability to conduct original research in the design and application of data-driven methods to address major societal problems. This includes the ability to identify research needs, adapt existing methods and create new methods as needed --- accomplished through a rigorous education that integrates research and learning experiences.
You complete a foundational core that covers database management, information assurance, statistical learning and statistical theory before focusing on your choice of data analytics or data engineering. The program culminates in the production of a dissertation.
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.
84 credit hours, a written comprehensive exam, an oral comprehensive exam, a prospectus and a dissertation
Required Core (12 credit hours) Electives and Additional Research (39 credit hours) Research (12 credit hours) Other Requirements (9 credit hours) Culminating Experience (12 credit hours) Additional Curriculum Information The dissertation prospectus should be submitted and its oral defense completed no later than one year following completion of the 60th credit hour and also no later than the fourth year in the program. Students must select coursework from either the data engineering or the data analytics requirements. Students should see the academic unit for the approved course list. Students cannot use a data engineering or data analytics course to meet an elective requirement at the same time; they must take a different elective course to reach the number of credit hours required for the program. Other coursework may be used with the approval of the academic unit to fulfill these requirements. Twelve credit hours of DSE 792 Research are required, and up to 24 credit hours are allowed on the plan of study. Students with more than 12 research credit hours will apply the excess credit hours to their electives and additional research. Electives include: When approved by the student's supervisory committee and the Graduate College, 30 credit hours from a previously awarded master's degree can be used for this degree. If students do not have a previously awarded master's degree, the 30 hours of coursework are to be made up of electives to reach the required 84 credit hours.
CSE 511 Data Processing at Scale (3)
CSE 543 Information Assurance and Security (3)
CSE 572 Data Mining (3) or EEE 549 Statistical Machine Learning: From Theory to Practice (3) or IEE 520 Statistical Learning for Data Mining (3)
EEE 554 Probability and Random Processes (3) or IEE 670 Mathematical Statistics (3) or STP 502 Theory of Statistics II: Inference (3)
DSE 792 Research (12)
data engineering coursework or
data analytics coursework
DSE 799 Dissertation (12)
All students must take qualifying exams covering the required core courses within one year of entering the program.
What you'll learn
The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.
- Apply the tools and methods from industrial statistics, operations research, machine learning, computer science and computer engineering on solving data analytic problems.
- Manage large, heterogeneous data sets for knowledge discovery.
- Conduct research resulting in an original contribution to knowledge in data sciences.
Apply the tools and methods from industrial statistics, operations research, machine learning, computer science and computer engineering on solving data analytic problems.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 Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering. Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in engineering, computer science, mathematics, statistics 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: Additional Application Information Before they apply to the program, students must have completed two semesters or six credit hours of calculus, equivalent to Calculus I and II, with a grade of "C" (scale is 4.00 = "A") or higher. It is also recommended that students complete a discrete math course before admission. ASU does not accept the GRE® General Test at home edition. Students assigned any additional courses upon admission must complete them with a grade of "C" (scale is 4.00 = "A") or higher within two semesters of entering the program. Additional admission requirements courses include: CSE 310 Data Structures and Algorithms
An applicant whose native language is not English must demonstrate proficiency in the English language with a TOEFL iBT® score of 4.5, or 90 (taken at at testing center) if taken before January 21, 2026; 7 on the IELTS; or 115 on the Duolingo English test, regardless of current residency.
IEE 380 Probability and Statistics for Engineering Problem Solving
MAT 242 Elementary Linear Algebra or MAT 342 Linear Algebra or MAT 343 Applied Linear Algebra
MAT 267 Calculus for Engineers III
Application deadlines
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 01/15 | Priority* |
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 09/15 | Priority* |
*A priority deadline means that applications submitted and completed before the priority deadline will receive priority consideration. Applications submitted after the priority deadlines will be reviewed in the order in which they were completed and on a space-available basis. An application is complete after all materials are received by Admission Services.
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 demonstrate proficiency with existing methodology and significant achievement in advancing the state of the art in their chosen area, preparing them for careers in the following fields:
- advanced research
- business
- government
- industry
- teaching
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.
Computer Science and Engineering Program
|
CTRPT 105
SCAI.Grad.Admission@asu.edu
480-965-3199
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.
